To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his statement of 9 July, Official Report, column 599 (1) at what date and at what time he informed the chairmen-designate of the proposed United Kingdom Sports Commission and Sports Council for England of his decision to discontinue work to put these bodies in place of the current Sports Council for Great Britain from 1 October;(2) at what date he had consulted the chairmen-designate of the proposed United Kingdom Sports Commission and the Sports Council for England with regard to his decision to proceed no further with work to put those bodies in place of the current Sports Council of Great Britain from 1 October.

I received in November 1992 the Sports Council's proposals for the detailed split of functions and resources between the bodies which the Government had proposed, in their December 1991 sports policy statement "Sport and Active Recreation", should succeed the present Sports Council of Great Britain.My officials subsequently had extensive discussions with the Sports Council, including the chairmen-designate of the proposed successor bodies, on its proposals for the allocation of resources, notably to staffing. I also consulted my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the Sports Council's proposals.As a result of these discussions, I informed the chairmen-designate of the proposed successor bodies on 8 July that the Government no longer intended to proceed with their original plans.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the annual report of the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency will be published.

The second annual report of the Recruitment and Assessment Servcies Agency was published yesterday and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the general medical services budgets for each inner London family health services authority for each year since 1988–89 and the amount in real terms from each budget spent on fund-holding.

General medical services (GMS) expenditure for each year from 1988–89 to 1991–92 is shown in table A. Figures for 1992–93 will be available later this year. Expenditure on fund-holding within GMS expenditure is not separately identifiable. However, the total cost of general practitioner fund-holding expenditure for each inner London family health services authority (FHSA) is shown in table B.

Table A
Expenditure on General Medical Services
£000s
FHSA	1988–89	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92
Brent and Harrow	16,382	18,438	23,260	28,990
Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster	11,639	13,492	18,281	19,291
Camden and Islington	12,099	13,674	17,124	19,226
City and East London	18,144	21,019	30,174	33,901
Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham	22,482	25,024	31,906	37,783
Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth	17,420	19,639	22,707	26,916

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the benefits to patients available from GP fund-holding practices relative to non-fund-holding practices.

Fund-holding is one of the major successes of the national health service reforms and the improvements secured by fund-holders are extending widely to benefit patients in non-fund-holding practices. We are delighted at how both general practitioner fund-holders and district health authorities are seizing the opportunities of the new NHS to secure more appropriate, high-quality care for patients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to encourage the development of minimal invasive therapy.

We shall shortly be announcing decisions on expanded training facilities for minimally invasive therapy, jointly funded by the Government and the Wolfson Foundation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she next expects to meet the British Orthopaedic Association; and what subjects she intends to discuss.

There are currently no plans for Ministers to meet the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) in the near future. However, the chief medical officer will be meeting the BOA's president on 17 August to discuss hip prostheses and the quality of care.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, following the publication of the White Paper on open government, if she will consider making the Clothier inquiry an open inquiry under the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1971.

The public interest will be better served by an investigative type of inquiry rather than an adversarial one, in other words, by the type of inquiry that Sir Cecil Clothier is now leading.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on the use of inducements offered by manufacturers of drugs and hip and knee prostheses to NHS personnel to persuade them to buy their products.

Unequivocal guidance issued to the health service in January—HSG(93)5—states that under

	Year ending:
	31 July 1991	31 July 1992	31 July 1993
Students obtaining their first registerable qualification from medical schools in the United Kingdom	3,573	3,644	n/a

	Year ending:
	30 June 1991	30 June 1992	30 June 1993
Doctors joining general practice in the United Kingdom	1,609	1,510	n/a

The doctors covered by the two tables will not be the same, as a period of training follows first registerable qualification before admission to general practice. The second table will include doctors who qualified outside the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the NHS of fluoride prescriptions for each quarter of 1992 and the first three months of 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 14 July, Official Report, column 532, how many (a) non-fund-holding practices and (b) fund-holding practices she has visited in the last year.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 14 July at column 532.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the average earnings of (a) all general practitioners and (b) fund-holding general practitioners by the smallest geographical base for the most recent available period.

Information about the geographical distribution of general practitioners' earnings or the earnings of general practitioner fund holders compared with non-fund holders is not available. The intended average net remuneration for an unrestricted principal providing general medical services in Great Britain in 1993–94 is £40,610. Payments for achieving higher levels of coverage for childhood immunisations and cervical screening and for administering the Hib meningitis vaccine are made in addition. The most recent information suggests these added an estimated £2,750 to the average general practitioner's remuneration in 1992–93.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many students gained their final qualifications to practise medicine in the United Kingdom in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93; and how many of them entered general practice in the United Kingdom from each of those years.

The available information is shown in the tables.

The information for England is shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to secure that the children of homeless families are classified as children in need and gain access to services provided under the Children Act.

We have no plans to do so. The definition of "in need" in the Children Act 1989 is in terms of a child's health and development, including disablement. It is for local authorities to seek out the extent of children in need in their areas and to publish services available to help them and their families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring has been undertaken by her Department into the definition of in need according to part III of the Children Act 1989 used in practice by local authorities; and what plans she has to introduce new guidelines.

The first report to Parliament of the working of the Children Act 1989—Cm 2144—was published in January 1993. We are keeping the position under review, but have no reason to believe that the guidance on this subject in "The Children Act 1989: Guidance and Regulations Volume 2 Family Support, Day Care and Educational Provision for Young Children", a copy of which is available in the Library, is in need of amendment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will announce the final terms of reference and the membership of the support force for children's residential care.

Further to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Esher (Mr. Taylor) on 24 June at columns 249–50, the terms of reference are as follows:

1. (a) to offer advice to individual authorities on the interrelated issues of quality of care and management in children's residential care, with particular reference to the appointment and selection, personnel management, support, development and internal training of children's residential care staff.

(b) to offer advice to individual authorities and, where appropriate, groups of authorities on suitable mechanisms for snatching needs and supply in their localities or regions, taking account of the potential contributions of voluntary, private and public sectors; and on related commissioning and contractual issues. A particular focus of the work will be to assist authorities and the voluntary and private sectors to improve occupancy rates and hence reduce unit costs in children's residential homes where this is appropriate.

(c) to prepare material for a code of employment practice, for discussion with employer and other interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will consult the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment in the event of any application being made to vary the discharge licence from British Nuclear Fuel's Sellafield installation;(2) what advice she has received from the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment concerning the health risk resulting from the proposed liquid and gaseous radioactive discharges from British Nuclear Fuel's Sellafield installation; and if she will publish the advice.

Applications to dispose of radiactive waste from a licensed site are considered by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food—"the inspectorates". It is for them to decide who they should consult in any particular case, subject to any relevant statutory requirements.The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) commented to the inspectorates on British Nuclear Fuel's application for revised discharge authorisations at the Sellafield site. We have arranged for copies of COMARE's response to be placed in the Library. The inspectorates carefully considered all the responses made in the consultation including that from COMARE, before coming to the conclusion announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 28 June at column

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration she has given to the regulation of private ambulance operators.

The code of practice recently agreed by the Department of Health's ambulance policy advisory group sets out minimum standards for non-national health service patient transport providers. It is for prospective purchasers of private ambulance services to satisfy themselves that operators are competent to provide the required service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure that patients entering (a) NHS and (b) private hospitals have all necessary facilities to safeguard them following major surgical procedures; and if she will make a statement.

A private hospital is required by law to register with the district health authority, which must satisfy itself that the statutory requirements, and any local conditions of registration, are being met at all times, including adequate medical, surgical and nursing equipment and adequate treatment facilties. It is for national health service providers to assess the level of service need to support surgical procedures, and to provide the staff and facilities to meet those needs. It is for NHS purchasers to satisfy themselves about the quality of the service provided to patients. We have no plans to alter the present arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the average cost of a course of NHS dental treatment per patient liable to full charge in each year since 1979.

The information is shown in the table.

General Dental Services (GDS)—England
Year	Patients liable to full charge	Patients wholly exempt or remitted
	Average Cost (£)	Average Cost (£)
1979	13·32	15·48
1980	16·26	19·20
1981	18·13	26·14
1982	19·38	27·71
1983	20·10	34·42
1984	21·49	37·07
1985	21·70	39·19
1986–87	23·46	42·64
1987–88	25·84	45·13
1988–89	28·46	49·23
1989–90	30·24	47·48
1990–91	n/a	n/a
1991–92	31·83	51·69
1992–93	n/a	n/a

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has to set up a medical/surgical equivalent to the Committee on Safety of Medicines;(2) what plans she has for the creation of an Office of Medicine as a statutory body to oversee standards of medical care;(3) what plans she has to introduce legislation to ensure that the NHS and the private medical sector are equally accountable and bound by the same regulations under one single regulatory authority.

We have no such plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure that surgeons do not undertake procedures for which they have not received specific training or accreditation.

The accreditation of training posts and systems of postgraduate education, examination and training are matters for the responsible professional bodies. A doctor has a professional responsibility not to undertake a procedure which he or she is not competent to perform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the 10 most frequent occupational related causes of death for the latest available period.

The most frequent causes of recorded occupationally related mortality in 1991 and/or 1992 were: mesothelioma; accidental trauma; pneumoconiosis; asbestosis; accidental poisoning and gassing; lung cancer due to asbestos; byssinosis; other cancers; and allergic alveolitis, including farmer's lung. There were only occasional deaths recorded from other causes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what manner Her Majesty's Government have published or publicised the text of the social charter of the European Economic Community as agreed by 11 of its member states at Strasbourg on 9 December 1989.

The Government have never published or publicised the text of the social charter agreed by the other 11 member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the capital cost of the purpose-built employment rehabilitation centre at Ingol, Preston, at the time it was built, expressed in 1993 values; and what price has been agreed for its sale.

[holding answer 20 July 1993]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conclusions he has reached on the report by the Director General of Fair Trading on the marketing and sale of investment-linked insurance products.

The Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) reported to my predecessor in March about the rules on marketing and sale of investment-linked life insurance products¹, made last July by the Securities and Investments Board (SIB) and the Life Assurance and Unit Trust Regulatory Organisation (LAUTRO). These rules had been drawn up in response to the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in December 1990, who asked for changes in the rules to meet the concerns raised in the report of April 1990 by the previous DGFT.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish his proposals to amend the tax system to allow for reserving in insurance business; and if he will make a statement.

In his Budget speech my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Thames (Mr. Lamont) referred to representations made by the insurance industry and acknowledged that there may be a case for allowing tax relief on certain types of equalisation reserves covering occasional, exceptional losses. Such reserves would have to be within the regulatory framework for the industry. The Inland Revenue and the Department of Trade and Industry will next week be jointly issuing the consultation document which we promised. This looks at the issues in greater detail and invites comments on a number of matters by 29 October 1993.As my right hon. Friend said in his Budget speech, tax-deductible equalisation reserves would be a major departure for the British tax system. If there is a consensus that equalisation reserves for particular types of insurance business should become a regulatory requirement, and practical methods of isolating the business in question and of calculating the reserve can be found, we would need to consider carefully whether the introduction of a regulatory requirement, accompanied by tax relief, should be financed by compensating changes elsewhere. Given the overall fiscal position, I am clear that it would not be appropriate for the Exchequer to suffer a net cost from the introduction of such a scheme.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Central Statistical Office performed against its key targets for 1992–93; and what changes have been made for 1993–94.

The Central Statistical Office's performance against its key targets for 1992–93 is described in the agency's annual report and accounts, which are being laid before the House and published today. The CSO met all 20 of its performance targets relating to the quality of economic statistics and overall met 30 out of 33 targets set for the year. There were significant reductions in the scale of revisions to key economic statistics and in balancing items in the sectoral accounts.These improvements continue the significant progress seen in the quality of economic statistics since the formation of the CSO as a separate department in 1989 and its establishment as an executive agency in 1991. The staff of the CSO are to be congratulated on seeing through these substantial developments.The CSO's key targets for 1993–94 are set out in the "CSO Programme Strategies 1993–96", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. As before, these targets cover the timeliness of published statistics, the size of revisions, the coherence of key economic statistics, the response rates for statistical inquiries, action to minimise the load on respondents, reponse times to public requests for information and the CSO's running costs, efficiency improvements and receipts. A number of the targets have been tightened for 1993–94 in recognition of the improvement in CSO performance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the research projects and reviews, including regression analyses, undertaken by the Central Statistical Office and other Government bodies to show the factors related to the trends in disposable income in the 1980s and 1990s at the top and the bottom of the distribution of income among the population of the United Kingdom.

The Central Statistical Office is currently reviewing all aspects of the annual article on "The effects of taxes and benefits on household income". The 1991 article, published in the May edition of "Economic Trends", announced the review and invited readers to comment on the current analysis.The Central Statistical Office is not sponsoring any research projects by outside bodies in this area at present.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the amount of (a) average, (b) lowest and (c) highest total costs of relocation incurred by an employee and reimbursed or paid directly by an employer in respect of civil servants in (i) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, (ii) Her Majesty's Inland Revenue and (iii) Her Majesty's Treasury in the last two years.

During the past two years, the total amounts of payments made to, or on behalf of, employees relocated by the departments specified—excluding additional housing cost allowances which are only paid to those employees moving to higher cost areas—are given in the table:

	Average £000	Lowest £000	Highest £000
Customs and Excise	32	3	1245
Inland Revenue	227	1	198
Treasury	17	9	26

Notes:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the proportion of (a) all pensioners, (b) single male pensioners, (c) single female pensioners, (d) pensioner couples, (e) single women aged 75 years or over and (f) single men aged 75 years or over, who are in receipt of an occupational pension on the basis of the most recent family expenditure survey data available; and for each group, what is the mean and median amount received.

The figures in the table are from the 1991 family expenditure survey. Figures are subject to sampling variation. The amounts have been rounded to the nearest 10p.

	Proportion receiving an occupational pension	Mean amount occupational pension per week	Median amount occupational pension per week
	Per cent.	£	£
All pensioners	43·1	46·90	30·50
Single male pensioners	59·6	45·80	28·20
Single female pensioners	43·1	35·50	24·10
Pensioner couples	68·8	67·50	40·10
Single women aged 75 years and over	36·3	35·80	23·30
Single men aged 75 years or over	55·6	40·70	26·00

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the distribution of Government debt between the banking and non-banking sectors in each month since the Budget.

[holding answer 21 July 1993]: Estimates of gilt sales by sector are published in the Bank of England's monthly monetary statistics press release—public sector funding table. Estimates of the sectoral distribution of the level of outstanding national debt are made quarterly and published in the November issue of the "Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin"—tables H and J in the 1992 edition.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's policy on the proportion of Government debt to be sold to the banking sector.

[holding answer 21 July 1993]: The Government's policy is to fully fund their borrowing needs. There is no policy as to the proportion of debt to be sold to any particular sector.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance he has issued on maximising the financial return from the sale of surplus land.

Revised guidance on the disposal of land and buildings was issued to Government Departments and non-departmental public bodies on 23 July 1992. The guidance was circulated at the same time to members of the Public Accounts Committee, together with a note setting out the key points.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the liability of VAT of amateur sports and cultural activities in the public sector.

I am discussing with my right lion. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage a VAT exemption for the supply of certain services by non-profit-making organisations and local authorities to persons who take part in sport or physical education. This would be a limited exemption to be introduced by Treasury order. The precise scope of the exemption would be determined after we have discussed with the representative sports bodies the services and sports to be included.We shall also be holding discussions with a view to examining the case for exempting certain cultural services and associated goods supplied by public authorities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the gross figures for sterling deposits held in Switzerland by institutions other than the central bank.

[holding answer 15 July 1993]: Neither the Bank of England nor the Treasury collects this information.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken to date against the third parties implicated in the Barlow Clowes collapse.

I have been asked to reply.Responsibility for Barlow Clowes matters rests with the Treasury under the Transfer of Functions (Financial Services) Order 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the British detainees in Abu Dhabi.

On 13 July 1993 all the Bank of Credit and Commerce International detainees in Abu Dhabi were either charged or conditionally released. Five British nationals in detention were charged. One British national, who had been detained, has been released but cannot leave the United Arab Emirates until investigations are completed. A British national who was previously released but unable to leave the UAE has been charged. The trial date has been set for 9 October 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates he has of the size of (a) regular forces of the Yugoslav army and (b) regular forces of the Croatian army currently present and operating in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

There is continuing evidence that Serbian and Croatian Government forces are operating in Bosnia-Herzegovina, but due to constant troop movements and the difficulties faced by international monitors, it is not possible to provide reliable estimates of their numbers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to President Izetbegovic about the maltreatment of mentally handicapped adults and children at Fojnica hospital in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

We share the United Nations High Commission for Refugees' concern about the desperate plight of the patients in the hospital in Fojnica. This is a further example of how innocent civilians have suffered as a result of the conflict in Bosnia. We have repeatedly urged all parties to respect the rights and interests of civilians.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress the United Nations Security Council has reported on investigations carried out by the United Nations Sanctions Committee into Croatian breaches of United Nations Security Council resolution 713 following investigations into this matter in September 1992; when Her Majesty's Government received a full report of the alleged violations contained in the case referred by the United Nations Sanctions Committee to the United Nations Security Council in September 1992; if he will publish this report; and if he will make a statement.

Following the discovery of arms consignments in Croatia by United Nations forces in September 1992, the United Nations Sanctions Committee asked the Croatian and Iranian Governments for an explanation. The Croatians denied prior knowledge of the consignment. The Iranian authorities have not satisfactorily explained why the arms concerned were being transported in an Iranian aircraft.The equipment has since been destroyed by the United Nations Protection Force on the instructions of the United Nations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the issue of sanctions against Croatia; and if he will make a statement.

Foreign Ministers of the European Community agreed in Brussels on 19 July to consider withdrawing Croatia's preferential trading benefits with the European Community, in view of Croatia's continued involvement in the conflict in Bosnia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from British forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina of atrocities having been carried out by Muslim forces within the territory of Bosnia-Herzegovina; and what representations have been made to the Bosnian presidency.

British forces deployed in Bosnia under the auspices of UNPROFOR provide us with regular reports about events on the ground there. It is clear that all parties have been responsible for committing atrocities, but the record of the Bosnia Serbs is worst. We have repeatedly urged all parties to respect the rights and interests of civilians.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what posts have been designated for the purpose of receiving applications for entry clearance in (a) the states comprising the Indian sub-continent, (b) the states comprising the territories of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and (c) Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya; and what are the categories of applications applicable in each location.

I am arranging to send the hon. Member a full list showing which diplomatic and consular posts accept which kinds of application for entry clearance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current total of outstanding official debt owed to the United Kingdom by countries in Sub-Saharan Africa; and how much of that debt is owned to (a) the Export Credits Guarantee Department, (b) the Overseas Development Administration and (c) the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

I have been asked to reply.Total outstanding official debt owed to ECGD and ODA by countries in Sub-Saharan Africa is currently £3·6 billion and £98 million respectively. Debt owed to the Commonwealth Development Corporation is not treated as official debt.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to make available to an hon. Member the judge's notes for a murder trial in which one of his constituents wishes him to inquire into his conviction.

Judge's notes are a closed record and not normally made available. The verbatim record of a murder trial is kept for five years, and I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question which appeared in Hansard of 8 July 1993, column 205.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received from magistrates courts committees and their clerks on the White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice" would lead to a better administration of summary justice.

A list of all those who responded to each consultative document is contained in the relevant decision paper. An analysis of the responses received was published with each decision paper. There has also been regular correspondence and meetings with magistrates courts committee staff, magistrates and their representative organisations.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what account was taken in formulating the proposals in the White Paper, "A New Framework for Local Justice" of the policy of local management empowerment.

The White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice" took account of a 1989 scrutiny which recommended that the magistrates courts service should be organised as an executive agency, but concluded that the service should continue to be managed locally. The White Paper addresses weaknesses in the service identified by the scrutiny, while leaving the management of the service in the hands of local committee of magistrates and enhancing the ability of the committees to manage strategically and exercise proper scrutiny of the organisation for which they are responsible.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the potential savings resulting from the implementation of the proposals contained in the White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice".

The White Paper announced wide-ranging changes to the organisational structure of the magistrates courts service. The purpose of these changes is to provide clearer lines of accountability, to secure maximum co-operation in the management of the service with other parts of the justice system, to guarantee the judicial independence of magistrates and their legal advisers and to yield improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the service. Better value for money resulting from the new arrangements should when realised more than offset the transitional costs. The particular savings at local level will depend largely on the management decisions taken by magistrates' courts committees about the way they will implement the changes.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made as to the extent to which the changes envisaged in the White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice" will lead to the better administration of summary justice in outer London.

The changes announced in the White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice" will lead to a better administration of summary justice throughout England and Wales including outer London by providing clearer lines of accountability both locally and to the Lord Chancellor, by guaranteeing the judicial independence of magistrates and their legal advisers, by yielding improvements in efficiency and effectiveness and by securing maximum co-operation in the management of the service with other parts of the criminal justice system. The newly formed magistrates courts inspectorate will have a particular responsibility for helping to raise the performance standards of management and administration.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the effects of the White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice" on the independence of justices' clerks.

I am entirely committed to the principle of judicial independence. This is why the legislation which, with Parliament's approval, will put the new statutory framework in place, will enshrine in statute a guarantee of judicial independence. Justices' clerks are not judicial officers, but their advice to magistrates in individual cases will not be subject to management direction. In respect of management responsibilities—a very substantial part of the justices' clerks' responsibility —it is important to have a proper framework of line management and accountability. The White Paper reforms will provide this.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the extent to which the proposed population criterion for magistrates courts committee areas contained in the White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice".

We have concluded that the number of magistrates courts committees should be reduced in order to yield improvement in efficiency and effectiveness and to secure maximum co-operation with other parts of the criminal justice system. Population is one of a number of criteria developed in consultation with the service against which we will decide how this reduction should be effected.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which magistrates courts committees have (a) a weighted case load of over 90,000, (b) an annual outturn, at 1991–92 prices of over £2·5 million and (c) a population of over 750,000; and if he will make a statement on the extent to which these reach performance targets.

This information is set out in the Magistrates Courts Consultative Council document No. 2 "Magistrates' Courts Committee Areas (excluding Greater London)", a copy of which I have arranged to be placed in the Library of the House. The reorganisation proposals for courts committees are intended to lead to improvements in local performance and accountability and these will be measured by performance standards which we are now developing.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the number of cases heard by appeal courts in England and Wales where the original sentence has either been reduced or quashed in the last three years.

The table shows the total number of appellants dealt with during the last three years in the Court of Appeal, criminal division and the Crown court —on appeal from a magistrates' court—whose appeals against sentence have been allowed or allowed in part.

Successful appeals against sentence to the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court during the years 1990 to 1992
	Court of Appeal	Crown Court
1990	1,526	3,157
1991	1,219	2,941
1992	1,049	2,883

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the number of judges dismissed in each of the last three years for incapacity.

No judges have been removed from office on the ground of incapacity in the last three years.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the number of appeal court cases where the action of the trial judge has been criticised by the appeal court in each of the last three years.

This information is not collected.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what procedures are followed when a judge is criticised by the appeal courts for the way in which he has handled cases appearing before them; and if he will make a statement.

In all cases heard at the Court of Appeal criminal division, copies of judgments of the Court of Appeal are sent to the Crown court centre at which the trial took place. A separate copy is sent direct to the trial judge.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what programme is in hand to enable drinking water of potable quality to flow to all water taps in the Palace of Westminster.

Drinking water supplied direct from the mains is already available from all taps in the parliamentary estate which are so marked. Water supplied to other cold taps—for example, to wash hand basins—may or may not be of potable quality, since some of this water comes from storage cisterns. There are no plans to supply mains water to every cold tap.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, which of the domestic Select Committees will have responsibility for the services provided by the Vote Office following the transfer of that office from the Library Department to the Clerk's Department with effect from 1 November.

The provision of documents and publications to Members by the Vote Office is a matter within the area of responsibility of the Administration Committee, but the Vote Office may need to be associated with the work of other committees as appropriate—for example with the Information Committee in respect of policy relating to information technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the report of the Salmon Advisory Committee on factors affecting emigrating smolts and returning adult salmon, with particular reference to the provisions of the Salmon Act 1986 and other legislation relating to dams and weirs; and if he will make a statement.

This report has been extremely helpful. As a result, I propose to consult further in the autumn on the provision of fish passes and fish screens, with a view to making regulations under the Salmon Act 1986.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the annual report and accounts of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency for 1992–93.

I have today published the report, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what targets have been set for completing office business in the sheriff courts and supreme courts; and what performance was secured in 1992–93.

The targets set for completion of office business in the sheriff courts in 1992–93 are set out. These targets remain in force for 1993–94. The percentage figures following each target indicate the proportion of sheriff courts achieving the target figures or better in the course of the year. More detailed information on the performance of individual court offices will be made available to local court advisory committees. Similar targets are in force in the supreme courts and all of these were achieved in 1992–93.

Targets for sheriff clerk offices and performance 1992–93
Per cent.
To issue the first deliverance in all ordinary writs, or return to sender, within two working days of receipt.	95
To issue the first deliverance in all summary cause actions—including small claims—or return to sender, within three working days of receipt.	94
To draft, in preparation for signature, all final ordinary decrees in absence—excluding divorce—within one working day of receipt of the minute craving decree.	90
To draft, within seven days of receipt of the affidavits, in preparation for signature, all final decrees in undefended ordinary actions of divorce or return the affidavits to the sender.	87
To draft, in preparation for signature, all decrees in actions of divorce under the simplified procedure within one working day of expiry of the period of notice.	97
To issue extract decrees in all ordinary actions— excluding divorce—within three working days of the date of ordering or the expiry of the days of appeal —whichever is the later.	84
To issue all summary cause/small claim extract decrees within one working day of the due date.	95
To issue extract decrees in all ordinary actions of divorce within one working day of the due date.	84
To issue extract decrees of divorce under the simplified procedure within one working day of the due date.	89
To issue the first deliverance in all petitions for sequestration/liquidation, or return to sender, within two working days of receipt.	90
To prepare for signature the first deliverance in all adoption petitions within one working day of a correct petition being received.	90
To scrutinise and accept or reject commissary petitions and inventories within two working days of receipt.	93
To issue confirmation within three working days of acceptance of inventory.	90
To conduct small estate interviews within seven days from the time an interview is requested.	98
To process juror claims for payment, or return to sender, within two working days of receipt.	98
To process postal fines—other than unidentified payments—on day of receipt.	99
To issue warning letters, means enquiry citations, warrants, extracts, etc., and transfer fines within seven days of the trawl.	96

Per cent.
To remit all non-Exchequer receipts to entitled parties within 14 days from the end of the last accountancy period.	96
To effect a card reconciliation of all outstanding financial penalties on a monthly basis.	96
To reply to letter pleas within one working day of the court.	99
To order social enquiry and other reports within one working day of the court.	99
To complete probation, community service, compensation and fines supervision orders within two working days of the court.	99
To issue juror citations in the first instance at least 21 days prior to a jury sitting/trial.	99
To reply to all letter inquiries except those which require extensive investigation within two working days of receipt.	93

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what objectives for reducing court waiting periods have been established; what targets have been set for 1993–94 in respect of court waiting periods for the supreme and sheriff courts; and if he will give details of the performance of the supreme courts and each of the sheriff courts in 1992–93.

The programming of court business is a matter for the judiciary. Acting in co-operation with the judiciary in the supreme and sheriff courts, the Government seek to provide the resources which will allow speedy access to justice. Having regard to the time required by parties to have their cases properly prepared, the following objectives have been adopted:

the Lord President of the Court of Session has accepted the recommendations of a committee chaired by Lord Maxwell relating to the reduction of waiting periods in the supreme courts: the target is to reduce waiting periods to the recommended levels and, subject to any acceleration in the rate of increase in court work, maintain waiting periods at that level: for certain categories of hearing, additional targets involving much reduced waiting periods, have been set;

sheriffs principal have agreed to overall targets of reducing waiting periods for summary criminal trials in the sheriff courts to 12 weeks or less by the end of 1993–94 and to hold them at that level thereafter; and to maintain waiting periods at 12 weeks or less for civil cases in the sheriff courts.

The main targets for waiting periods for 1993–94 are set down—"waiting period" is the period between a trial or proof being requested or an appeal being received and the date assigned expressed in weeks. The same targets applied in 1992–93 and national performance for that year is noted in the second column.

	Target	1992–93 performance
Criminal Appeal Business
Summary prosecutions:
Notes of Appeal against Sentence and Stated cases (accused in custody)	4	4
Court of Session
(a) Ordinary proofs	24	20
(b) Defended Consistorial proofs	17	17
Sheriff Courts (national average)

	Target	1992–93 performance
(a) Civil proofs/debates	12	11·6
(b) Summary Criminal Trials	12	14·8

In 1992–93, waiting periods of 12 weeks or less were achieved for civil debates/proofs in 84 per cent. of sheriff courts.Waiting periods of 12 weeks or less were achieved for summary criminal business in 72 per cent. of sheriff courts.Performance of individual sheriff courts at 31 March 1993 is set out in the table:

Court	Civil proofs	Summary criminal trials
Falkirk	15	17
Kirkcaldy	15	12
Dingwall	14	14
Hamilton	14	15
Airdrie	14	17
Stirling	14	11
Glasgow	13	22
Dumbarton	13	10
Dumfries	12	12
Fort William	12	14
Arbroath	12	12
Stonehaven	12	16
Wick	12	12
Dornoch	12	12
Stornoway	12	12
Cupar	11	12
Kirkcudbright	11	10
Stranraer	11	11
Rothesay	11	10
Aberdeen	11	12
Peterhead	11	11
Kilmarnock	11	10
Linlithgow	11	15
Peebles	10	11
Dunoon	10	12
Inverness	10	11
Tain	10	10
Lanark	10	12
Oban	10	9
Campbeltown	10	6
Selkirk	10	9
Edinburgh	9	8
Alloa	9	13
Dunfermlin	9	15
Jedburgh	9	9
Banff	9	10
Perth	9	12
Duns	9	9
Portree	8	8
Lochmaddy	8	12
Greenock	8	12
Elgin	8	8
Dundee	8	12
Forfar	8	6
Haddington	8	19
Kirkwall	8	8
Ayr	7	12
Lerwick	6	6
Paisley	6	14

In addition, the sheriffs principal have agreed that sheriff court programmes should be designed to ensure that the number of trials adjourned due to lack of court time should not exceed 5 per cent of the total number set down, a target met in 87 per cent of sheriff courts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the entitlement of a disabled person to reduction of council tax.

[holding answer 14 July 1993]: There are several provisions designed to ensure that the council tax payable in respect of a disabled person's sole or main residence is not higher than it would be if the house was not that person's residence. These operate whether or not the disabled person is liable for payment of the council tax.Any fixtures designed to make a house suitable for a person who is physically disabled must be ignored in the valuation of a house if they would tend to add to its value.Many people with disabilities require extra space in the form of a second kitchen or bathroom, an extra room of another type or wheelchair circulation space. These features might tend to increase the valuation of a house and hence its council tax bill. To avoid this, a disabled person's home with any of these features is taxed as if it was in the valuation band below that shown in the valuation list. As houses in band A already carry the minimum bill, their occupants are not facing any increase due to someone's disability and no reduction falls to be made in their case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Robertson) of 26 May, Official Report, column 589, if he will list the consultants which his Department has invited to tender for the studies into the financial assistance which he provides for lifeline shipping services and the organisation and structure of Caledonian MacBrayne; if he will require them to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest and to give a commitment not to use for any other purpose the information gleaned during the course of the study; if he will publish the terms of reference of the study; and if he will publish the report.

[holding answer 19 July 1993]: The consultants who have been invited to tender for the review of shipping subsidies and study of options for the future organisation and structure of Caledonian MacBrayne are as follows:

• Ash Consulting Group
• Coopers and Lybrand
• KPMG Management Consulting
• Noble and Company Ltd.
• PA Cambridge Economic Consultants Ltd.
• Price Waterhouse
• Quayle Munro Ltd.
• Touche Ross and Co.

The consultants will be required to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest and due consideration will be given to this issue in deciding which consultants should be appointed to undertake the studies. The consultants will be bound by standard Scottish Office conditions of contract for consultancy services which require that confidential and commercially sensitive information

Expenditure on discretionary awards (£000) in 1991–92 constant prices
	1986–87	1987–88	1988–90	1990–91
City of London	—	—	—	219·6
Camden (1)	—	—	—	n/a
Greenwich	—	—	—	377·2
Hackney	—	—	—	1,244·0

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his policy with respect to supporting general studies as a full A-level with equal status to other subjects as regards university requirements; and if he will make a statement.

Admission requirements are a matter for individual higher education institutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what research has been undertaken by his Department into the reintroduction of required standards for school meals.

The Department has not undertaken any research in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Batley and Spen (Mrs. Peacock), Official Report of 13 July, column 822, if he will publish the figures held by his Department regarding discretionary grants; and if he will list the spending at 1992 prices on discretionary grant awards by each local education authority in the last five years for which figures are available, indicating the political control of each authority.

Details of the numbers of and spending on discretionary awards by local education authorities are published in the Department's regular statistical bulletins, copies of which are in the Library. Information on expenditure on discretionary awards by each local education authority in England and Wales, at 1991–92 prices, for years between 1986–87 and 1990–91—the latest year for which a breakdown is available—is included in the table. Information for the academic year 1988–89 is not readily available and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs. Details of the political control of each authority during that period can be found in the relevant volumes of the "Municipal Year Book", copies of which are in the Library.