To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his assessment of the costs of implementing the decisions under the White Paper, "A New Framework for Local Justice".

The cost of implementing the White Paper reforms will largely depend on decisions taken locally by magistrates courts committees. However, we estimate the cost of implementing the package of reforms to be in the region of £5 million. These transitional costs will be more than offset in due course through increased efficiency, but in the meantime the Government will ensure that the overall funding of the service takes account of any additional costs.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his assessment of the cost of the establishment of the office of chief justices' clerk across the country.

The cost of the establishment of the post of chief justices' clerk will largely depend on decisions taken locally by magistrates courts committees, and by the size of particular areas and organisations. The indicative start-up costs of the changes planned for the magistrates courts were referred to in the Government's White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice" as around £5 million. It is expected that some of the costs attributable to the appointment of chief justices' clerks will be met by a reallocation of resources rather than additional expenditure. Inquiries made in several areas where shadow chief justices' clerks have already been appointed indicate that the resulting savings can exceed the costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals his Department has for achieving further progress towards the goals set out in article VI of the non-proliferation treaty.

We have demonstrated our readiness to reduce our nuclear force levels wherever we can. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for defence announced on 16 November that each Trident submarine would carry no more than 96 warheads compared with the previous intention to carry no more than 128, and that the actual number might be significantly fewer. We believe that a comprehensive test ban and a convention prohibiting the production of fissile material for weapons purposes Could if widely applicable and effectively verifiable, make a valuable contribution to non-proliferation and we have made clear that we are prepared to work for the conclusion of such agreements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times to date, since May 1990, Mr. Amanullah Khan, a Pakistani national, has applied to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor; and how many times any such applications have been (a) granted and (b) refused.

In the absence of any information in London about visa applications by Mr. Amanullah Khan, I have asked posts in the sub-continent to let me have a report. I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the question of lifting the ban on the importation of medical precursors into Serbia and Montenegro was last discussed by the United Nations Security Council sanctions committee; what decision was taken; and what was the position of Her Majesty's Government.

The question of lifting the ban on the importing of medical precursors into Serbia and Montenegro was last discussed by the United Nations sanctions committee on 21 May 1993 following an approach to the committee by the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Agreement in the committee could not be reached.The United Kingdom Government representative to the sanctions committee has never raised an objection to applications put to the committee for imports of medical precursors, but as the committee works on the basis of consensus we recognise that if any member of the committee wishes to hold or block a request they have the right to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent communications he has received from the Bosnian Muslim authorities; what replies he has given; and if he will make a statement.

The only recent communication we have had with the Bosnian Government was about the know-how fund. We welcome the opportunity to meet representatives from all the Bosnian parties at the European Union meeting in Geneva on 29 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the importation of gas from Russia to Serbia was last discussed by the United Nations Security Council sanctions committee; what was the result of that discussion; and if he will make a statement.

The importing of gas from Russia to Serbia was last discussed at the United Nations sanctions committee meeting on 23 September 1993. The application was for gas to produce fertilisers. The committee blocked the request as it considered the gas an input to industry.The question of the export of energy-related items to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for humanitarian purposes has been regularly discussed by the sanctions committee. The committee has ruled that it will consider applications for these items only when full details of the stocks of such items currently held by the Serbians are provided to the committee. Despite receiving this request in October 1992 the Serbians have yet to provide such details. No imports have therefore been agreed.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many visits abroad he has made during 1993; and what was (a) the cost to the taxpayer and (b) the purpose of each visit.

During 1993 I have twice visited Paris, on the first occasion accompanying the chairman of the Arts Council to look at French approaches to public architecture and participative public education about it, the second to open the British Tourist Authority's "Maison de la Grande Bretagne". The cost of these visits was £536.10 and £516.09 respectively. I have also been to Brussels for two meetings of EC culture Ministers; the cost of the first of these visits was £701.95 and of the second will be in the region of £700.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next proposes to review his Department's national road traffic forecasts.

The current forecasts, published in 1989, remain the Government's best view of the likely future growth in traffic. The forecasts and the methodology behind them are, however, kept under regular review. The Department is currently commissioning research to examine possible improvements to the methodology, and has made arrangements for experts in traffic modelling and other relevant fields to provide advice for the same purpose.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage employees of BR to bid for franchises on management buy-out for services in East Anglia.

Financial assistance will be available towards the costs of formulating MEBO bids. British Rail will reimburse costs on a scale of 85 per cent. of the first £10,000 of costs and 75 per cent. of the remainder, up to a maximum of £100,000 for each bid team.While the Railways Act 1993 enables BR to be franchisee, it also empowers the franchising director not to invite BR to bid if he considers that desirable for the purpose, inter alia, of promoting the award of franchises to MEBOs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of people who evade vehicle excise duty each year; and what is the cost of this evasion to Her Majesty's Treasury.

The number of unlicensed vehicles in use on the public roads at the end of December 1992 was estimated at just under 1.3 million. The latest information indicates that over 96 per cent. of VED payable is collected. The revenue loss to the Exchequer through VED evasion for 1992–93 was estimated at around £130 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what criteria Sir Christopher Foster was appointed to the Board of Railtrack; at what salary; how many days work per week is involved; and for how long the appointment will last.

My right hon. Friend announced on 16 November the names of a number of prospective non-executive members of the Railtrack board, including Sir Christopher Foster. They are to be appointed when the company is incorporated at the end of February 1994. Sir Christopher has extensive relevant experience in transport economics, and has recently been special adviser to my right hon. Friend on rail privatisation, a position which terminated upon the announcement of his forthcoming appointment to Railtrack. His terms of appointment will be settled in due course, when the formal appointment is made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what remuneration has been paid by his Department to Sir Christopher Foster in each of the past 10 years.

Sir Christopher Foster was a special adviser to the Secretary of State from 1 June 1992 until 16 November 1993. During that time his employers, Coopers and Lybrand, were paid at a rate of £5,000 per annum for his services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that there is no conflict of interest between Sir Christopher Foster's role as adviser to his Department and his position as a director of Coopers and Lybrand.

Sir Christopher Foster ceased to be my right hon. Friend's special adviser on 16 November. The need to avoid potential conflicts of interest was covered in the terms of his original appointment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the progress of the consultancy contract awarded to Coopers and Lybrand, to establish a charging regime for track users under the proposed reorganisation and privatisation of British Rail;(2) if he will list the consultancy commissions, and value thereof, of contracts awarded to Coopers and Lybrand in connection with the re-organisation and proposed privatisation of British Rail.

Good progress has been made. Detailed proposals on the structure of access charges and calculation methods have been made and are being implemented. The breakdown of contract costs is a matter of commercial confidentiality. As I said in my answer of 3 November to the Member for Devon, North (Mr. Harvey), the Department has paid approximately £1.6 million to Coopers and Lybrand for work on access and charging since December 1991. Sums for the most recent work have yet to be settled.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many of the contracts awarded to Coopers and Lybrand in connection with the reorganisation and proposed privatisation of British Rail were (a) on the basis of competitive tendering and (b) by invitation;(2) from what sources his Department sought advice on Coopers and Lybrand's suitability to carry out that work where consultancy contracts were awarded to Coopers and Lybrand in connection with re-organisation and proposed privatisation of British Rail on the basis of invitation.

Two contracts have been awarded to Coopers and Lybrand in this connection on the basis of competitive tendering. Following the completion of work under the first contract, further work was carried out by invitation between April and August this year on an interim basis while a second tendering exercise was carried out. Coopers and Lybrand's suitability for this interim contract was determined by the Department's evaluation of their work on access and charging up to that point.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action is being taken by his Department to determine how many roads are capable of supporting a gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes.

The design of road pavements is related to the amount of wear and tear caused by the different types of vehicle. Current design standards take account of both current and agreed future changes in gross vehicle weight limits. The Department's roads are already capable of supporting a gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many road bridges in the United Kingdom are not capable of supporting a gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes;(2) what action is being taken by his Department to determine how many road bridges are capable of supporting a gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes; and what proportion of these are owned by British Rail;(3) how many road bridges in the United Kingdom will require strengthening in order to safely take coaches with gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes; and what proportion of these are owned by British Rail.

In 1988 the Department commenced a programme of assessing its structures on the English trunk road and motorway network in accordance with the bridge assessment code which covers the effects of higher vehicle and axle weights which will be permitted in the United Kingdom from 1999, including those of 18 tonne two-axled vehicles. To date approximately 700 structures have been assessed as being unable to carry the future loading in full. When all assessments have been completed, it is expected that approximately 1,100 structures will be shown to require strengthening. The strengthening of structures carrying the English trunk road and motorway network is programmed to be completed by the end of 1988. Very few structures carrying the English trunk road and motorway network are owned by British Rail, and none of them is expected to need strengthening.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations underlie the maintenance of the gross vehicle weight limit for coaches of 17 tonnes; and what consideration has been given to raising it to 18 tonnes.

The main considerations in setting weight limits for all classes of vehicle are road wear and the strength of bridges. The agreement reached in the European Community in 1989 on gross weights for coaches on international journeys was based on the use of an 11.5 tonne rear-drive-axle. We are at present engaged in an exercise to assess and upgrade all the bridges in the United Kingdom to accept this heavier axle load. We therefore have a derogation from the directive to retain our existing axle limit of 10.5 tonnes until 1999.Increasing the gross weight to 18 tonnes while retaining the existing maximum rear axle load would result in all the additional weight going on the front axle. That weight is effectively limited at present by the availability of suitable tyres for safe operation. Furthermore, such a vehicle would have to depend on perfect load distribution to avoid overloading either axle. We cannot therefore now increase gross weights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to exclude the weight of safety equipment, including TELMA and double glazing, when calculating the gross vehicle weight for coaches; and if he will make a statement.

Our weight limits are designed to protect the infrastructure and bridges in particular. The weight of a vehicle will be felt on a bridge regardless of whether certain equipment is included in a definition of weight or not. Consequently we cannot exclude the weight of any equipment, safety related or otherwise, from the gross weight of the vehicle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many British Rail managers, having taken early retirement, have been re-employed on short-term or consultancy contracts by British Rail or associated rail organisations, during 1992–93.

The information is not readily available in the form requested.British Rail has re-engaged some retired staff but only on a limited basis and for specific short term talks tapping their knowledge and experience.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the existing guidelines regarding car parking restrictions outside schools; how the restrictions are enforced; what changes are planned to ensure more effective road safety outside schools; and in what timescale.

Traffic conditions outside schools vary widely, from busy main roads to quiet back streets. Our advice to local authorities is that road safety measures need to be tailored to the individual circumstances. Such measures may include traffic calming techniques or 20 mph speed limits. Mandatory parking or stopping restrictions may sometimes be appropriate and enforcement of them would be the responsibility of the police, except in London where increasingly the boroughs are taking this on. In most cases however advisory "keep clear" markings on the road are sufficiently effective. Comparatively few accidents happen outside school entrances, and we have no plans for new central initiatives on this subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing his Department's latest estimate of the number of passengers travelling into, out of and within London each day on (a) each of the divisions of British Rail, (b) London Underground and (c) London Buses; and what are the comparable figures for each of the past 10 years.

The available information is given in the following tables.

Table 2
Arrivals per weekday in central London on British Rail1 1982 to 1992
Thousands
	Network SouthEast divisions									InterCily
	South East2	Central2	South West	Thames and Chiltern	Thameslink (North)	North	West Anglia and Great Northern	Great Eastern	London Tilbury and Southend
1982	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		—	—
1983	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		—	—
1984	148	395	95	333	319	335	3109		32	—
1985	159	3100	93	323	321	322	3106		31	—
1986	168	99	95	19	17	15	98		33	65
1987	177	107	105	22	21	19	107		35	65
1988	183	109	106	22	23	20	110		38	67
1989	186	110	115	22	24	23	51	62	37	71
1990	179	114	110	21	25	22	50	58	38	70
1991	163	106	104	21	24	20	47	57	33	67
1992	153	107	100	20	22	19	47	53	29	65
1 Based on surveys conducted in the autumn of each year.
2 Includes Thameslink (South).
3 Includes arrivals on InterCity trains.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what inspections he has made of Russian Klondyke factory ships in United Kingdom coastal waters;(2) what assessment he has made of the risks to human life of Russian Klondyke factory ships.

As with other merchant vessels, these factory ships are liable to inspection as part of the port state control regime when they are in port. Ships at sea are not usually inspected not least because of the problems of access. Following recent incidents it has become clear that there is cause for concern about these particular vessels. and my Department is taking special steps to carry out an intensified programme of inspections of these vessels this week if weather conditions permit. We shall also be considering what further steps can and should be taken to

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the risks of oil spillage from Russian Klondyke factory ships; and if he will make a statement;(2) how many Russian Klondyke factory ships are currently in United Kingdom coastal waters;(3) how many Klondyke factory ships in each of the last five years have required assistance from

On 22 November 1993, 98 Klondykers were known to be in United Kingdom waters. Of these about 60 are Russian.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Dartmouth, South Devon.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has no immediate plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the current position on his consideration of the report by the National Radiological Protection Board into the effects of radiation on British service personnel involved in nuclear tests.

I understand that a follow-up report by the National Radiological Protection Board—NRPB—on cancer and mortality among nuclear test veterans is now undergoing peer review prior to publication. The Government know of no new evidence to change the position from the previous NRPB report, which showed that the total incidence of death and malignant disease among test veterans has been no greater than among people generally. We will of course study the follow-up report once it is published.

To ask the Prime Minister which Department will be conducting the investigation into the feasibility of a national identity card scheme.

The Government keep the question of a national identity card under review. The Department of Social Security is considering whether identity cards can contribute to the fight against benefit payment fraud.

To ask the Prime Minister how many officials in his office are currently involved in drafting replies to letters for him to sign.

Officials provide drafts as necessary.

To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has to introduce a national awards scheme to recognise outstanding achievement by higher and further education institutions.

I am pleased to inform the House that Her Majesty the Queen has given her approval to the introduction of a national awards scheme to be known as the Queen's anniversary prizes for higher and further education.The proposal for these prizes was initiated by the Royal Anniversary Trust. This trust was formed to fund certain celebrations of the fortieth anniversary of the Queen's accession in 1992. The awards scheme will be funded and operated by that trust, using the residue of money remaining in it at the end of 1992, in collaboration with Her Majesty's Government.The purpose of the scheme is to recognise projects of the widest scope which are judged to be of outstanding excellence in service and benefit to the nation. It will be held every two years commencing in 1994, when applications will be sought in January. The prizes will be presented by her Majesty the Queen at a ceremony, which on the first occasion will be in February 1995.The scheme is a free-standing initiative but obviously draws much on the experience of the existing Queen's awards arrangements. There are, of course, other awards schemes for further and higher education institutions and there continues to be a place for them in their particular fields. This new and distinctive scheme complements those activities and usefully provides a new focus for a vital part of the nation's endeavour.The Government regard it as essential that the substantial expansion of further and higher education opportunities should be accompanied by increases in attainment and quality. I pay tribute to the many colleges and universities across the country which continue to work hard for these ends. Success brings its own reward, but it is right that particular excellence should receive particular recognition.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is attending the Anglo-German summit in Cologne.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what criteria are being adopted by the Patent Office to determine whether there is a significant inventive step in establishing the structure and function of any given gene; and what will be the arrangements for informing the research community that patent applications in this area will no longer be considered.

The Patents Act 1977 requires the Patent Office to assess whether an invention is obvious to a skilled person or involves an inventive step. The Patent Office must make a judgment based on all the information submitted by the applicant for a patent and what is known about a particular area of technology. In making any judgment in a case relating to a particular gene the degree of difficulty in locating it would be a factor to be taken into account in assessing whether isolation of a gene amounted to an invention.Until such time as the existing law is modified or appropriate case law has been established by the courts it would be wrong for the Patent Office to circumscribe the ability of companies or individuals to apply for patents relating to genes.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the extent to which assurances given to him by Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. about its treatment of lessees since 1991 are being met; and what action he is taking to monitor compliance.

The assurances were given to Ministers in 1991 by all major brewers. They related to the sympathetic treatment of tenants who might have real difficulties in taking on a long-term lease, such as those nearing retirement, and to the introduction of independent arbitration procedures. None of the representations made to my Department has revealed that the assurances are not being met, but the Department has, where appropriate, sought IEL's comments on particular cases.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received about the activities of Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd; and if he will make a statement.

My officials and I have received a number of letters from, and on behalf of, Inntrepreneur lessees. My officials held a meeting with representatives of the National Association of Inntrepreneur Lessees (NAIL) on 23 September. As the hon. Member knows, following my meeting with him on 22 July, I met him again on 1 November, together with a representative of NAIL, to discuss these matters.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has received expressing concern at the policies of Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. has within the brewing industry; what has been the thrust of such representations; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 5 July 1993, Official Report, column 35. Since answering this question 54 letters have been received from, or on behalf of, Inntrepreneur lessees. In addition, as the hon. Member is aware, I met him and a representative of the National Association of Inntrepreneur Lessees earlier this month. These representations have mainly been about rent levels.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has held with Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd with a view to bringing about a meeting between them and representatives of the National Association of Inntrepreneur Lessees; and what response he has received.

As the hon. Member is aware from my letter to him of 22 November, I wrote to Mr. R. G. Williams, chairman and managing director of Grand Metropolitan Estates Ltd, which manages the property arm of Inntrepreneur Estates Limited, about the possibility of the company meeting representatives of the National Association of Intrepreneur Lessees.Mr. Williams has explained that his company does not propose to meet NAIL, although it has met with individual IEL lessees and a legal representative of theirs. He also explained that the company will be initiating meetings with individual hon. Members who have expressed an interest in IEL matters.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has held with Sir Allen Sheppard, chairman of Grand Metropolitan Estates, in respect of developments in the brewery industry; what issues were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has had no recent discussions with Sir Allen Sheppard in respect of developments in the brewing industry. Sponsorship of this industry is of course the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on the number of public house closures since the Supply of Beer (Tied Estate) Order 1989 was introduced; how many of these were Inntrepreneur lessees; when he intends to review the operation of the Beer Orders; and if he will make a statement.

Neither my Department nor the Office of Fair Trading has any information on the number of public house closures or the former ownership of closed houses. Such information is not required to monitor compliance with the Beer Orders.I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 27 May 1993,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the persons and organisations on Merseyside he has met during the current year to discuss economic development issues.

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has this year met representatives of a number of organisations on Merseyside concerned with economic development, ranging from the Merseyside development corporation to the Mersey Partnership.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when his Department vacated the offices at 1-16 Victoria street, London; and what future plans there are for their use.

My Department vacated 1-19 Victoria street in September 1991. On our future plans, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway) on 4 November 1993, Official Report, column 349.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the rent and other associated costs in 1993–94 for 1-19 Victoria street, London.

The expenditure on rent, rates and associated costs in 1-19 Victoria street will be £1.5 million in 1993–94.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will announce the timetable for the review of the nuclear industry.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I made to the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) on 20 October 1993, Official Report, column 245.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people were employed in (a) car retailing and (b) car repairing and servicing in 1990, 1991 and 1992; and what is the estimated size of car dealers networks in each of those years.

The latest figures available from the census of employment records 211,200 people employed in the retail distribution of motor vehicles and components in 1991 and 171,000 in the repair and servicing of motor vehicles. This compares with 210,200 and 193,000 respectively in 1989. No figures are available for 1990 or 1992. Published statistics are not available on the size of car dealer networks.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many officials, by grade, in his Department are currently working on the privatisation of the Post Office.

Officials working primarily on the Post Office review and the privatisation of Parcelforce are as follows: 1.5 grade 5s; 2.5 grade 7s; 1 HEO; 1 HEO(D); 0.5 personal secretary and 2 AAs. Higher grade officials are also involved in these matters as necessary.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on competition in the telecommunications industry.

The Government continue to base their telecommunications policy on the 1991 White Paper, "Competition and Choice: Telecommunications Policy for the 1990s", Cm 1461. We are firmly committed to greater competition and liberalisation in telecoms. These policies have created a vigorous sector to the benefit of both business and residential customers.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what matters were discussed and what decisions taken at the Consumer Affairs Council in Brussels on 19 November.

The Council discussed the draft timeshare directive, and agreed on a common position by a qualified majority vote.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guarantees were received from the Government of Indonesia concerning the military uses of exports from Britain of vehicles, planes and other military equipment.

[holding answer 24 November 1993]: Each export licence application is treated on its merits on a case-by-case basis. Her Majesty's Government's policy on the export of defence equipment is based on the right of sovereign states to their own self defence in accordance with article 51 of the UN charter.Her Majesty's Government has no reason to believe that military goods exported under licence to Indonesia have been used for internal security purposes. We have received assurances from the Indonesian Government as recently as this summer that the Hawk aircraft, for example, will not be used for internal security purposes.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to announce his decisions on the bids for Konver funding by Essex county council and others; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom Konver programme committee met on 24 November. I plan to announce the decisions early in December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many types of gun or cannon his Department deploys which can fire depleted uranium bullets or shells.

The British Armed Forces are currently equipped with two kinds of ammunition containing depleted uranium: 120mm tank ammunition and 20mm ammunition for the Royal Navy's Vulcan Phalanx point defence weapons system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department measures the explosive firepower of the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons in terms of megaton equivalents.

The explosive power of the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons is measured in kilotonne and megatonne equivalents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the megaton equivalent of a (a) 10 kilotonne, (b) 20 kilotonne, (c) 100 kilotonne and (d) 200 kilotonne nuclear warhead.

One kilotonne is equivalent to 0.001 megatonnes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names and addresses of the sites owned by the Ministry of Defence within the Plymouth city boundary and indicate their current uses.

A list of the freehold sites in the Plymouth area together with their current use is as follows:

Ministry of Defence freehold sites in Plymouth
Site/establishment	Current use
The Royal Citadel	29 Commando Regiment (Royal Artillery)
Millbay Park	Sports ground used by Service personnel from the Royal Citadel
Manadon	Royal Naval Engineering College
Bowden Park	Sports ground used by Service personnel from RNEC Manadon
Ernesettle	Royal Naval Armament Depot
Bull Point, St. Budeaux	Royal Naval Armament Depot and Royal Naval sports pitches
Western King	Public open space (let to Plymouth City Council)
HM Naval Base	Operational Naval Base including North Yard, South Yard, Morice Yard, Goschen Yard, HMS Defiance, Weston Mill area and other minor sites
Keyham Sports Ground	Royal Naval Sports Ground
HMS Drake	Shore based Royal Naval accommodation
Various married quarter sites throughout the Plymouth area	Residential accommodation for married Service personnel and their families
Fort Staddon	Royal Naval Wireless Station
Staddon Heights	Army training area and public open space
Radford Woods, Plymstock	Former Royal Naval Oil Fuel Depot
Barton Road, Turnchapel	Former Royal Naval Oil Fuel Depot
Mount Batten	Former Royal Air Force Station
Mount Wise, Devonport	HQ Flag Officer Plymouth
RNH Stonehouse, Plymouth	Royal Naval Hospital
Brickfields, Devonport	Royal Naval Sports Grounds
Rectory, Devonport	Services Rugby Ground
Royal William Yard, Stonehouse	Former Naval Stores Depot
Stonehouse Barracks	HQ 3 Brigade Royal Marines
Seaton Barracks	Commando Logistic Regiment and Royal Marine Training Area
RM Coypool	Commando Logistic Regiment, Royal Marines
RM Turnchapel	539 Assault Squadron, Royal Marines

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Ministry of Defence land and buildings in Plymouth he expects to be surplus to MOD requirement in the next five years and to be disposed of to the private sector.

The following surplus sites are expected to be sold over the next five years:

• Former RAF Mount Batten
• Royal William Yard
• Western King Open Space
• Mount Wise (Part of Site)
• Former oil fuel depots at Radford Woods, Plymstock and at Barton Road, Turnchapel
• Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse
• Hamoaze House
• Seymour House
• 26 residential properties
• A number of small sites are also expected to be sold.

The rationalisation of MOD landholdings and the early sale of surplus land and buildings is a key priority. Opportunities for release of future sites in Plymouth will be kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of houses owned by his Department in (a) Dundee and (b) Scotland; how many of these houses are currently empty; and how many of these houses which have been empty for (i) one to two years, (ii) two to three years and (iii) more than three years.

As at 30 September 1993, MOD owned 63 married quarters in Dundee, of which 27 were vacant, and 6,504 married quarters in Scotland, of which 731 were vacant, as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sums have been earned from sales of defence equipment to those countries whose Governments have received directly or indirectly substantial repayments of tax as a result of the exercise of sovereign immunity during each of the last seven years.

It has been the practice of successive Governments not to reveal details of sales of defence equipment. Information relating to the value of such sales is published in table 1.11 of "UK Defence Statistics". A copy of the 1993 edition is available in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the adequacy of supplies of winter uniforms and equipment to British forces under United Nations command in Vitez, Gorni Vakuf and surrounding areas.

Adequate supplies of clothing and equipment for the British troops are held in Bosnia and all personnel have at least the same sort of cold weather clothing as those in Germany including winter underwear and gloves. Although over 80 per cent. of troops deployed in the former Yugoslavia have their full complement of cold weather clothing some troops in Vitez have yet to be issued with the enhanced package due to the closure of the supply route between Vitez and Split by fighting between the rival factions and by bad weather. Movement along the route has now commenced following negotiations with local military commanders and the remaining clothing supplies for the British troops will be a high priority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are his Department's overseas development priorities for this parliamentary session.

The Overseas Development Administration's priority objectives for the current financial year are set out in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office departmental report 1993, Cm 2202.My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development described ODA's priority objectives for 1994–95 in a speech she made to the Royal Institute of International Affairs on 18 October. Copies of the report and the speech are in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to promote the implementation of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development forest principles internationally.

On 13 September my noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey and the Indian Minister of Environment and Forests, Kamal Nath, signed a memorandum of understanding establishing an IndoBritish forestry initiative to work towards improved international co-operation on forest issues. The United Kingdom and India will together promote progress on the implementation of the UNCED forest principles and the success of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development's review of forestry in 1995.My noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey has written to the chairman of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, Ambassador Razali, and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Policy Co-ordination and Sustainable Development, Mr. Desai, proposing that the United Kingdom and India should jointly host an international workshop in 1994 to prepare for this review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the specific purpose grants given to grant-maintained schools in south Yorkshire for each financial year since 1991–92, including the current year; and what was the purpose of each grant.

The following self governing schools in South Yorkshire have received special purpose grants—SPGs:

	Amount paid (£) for each financial year
School	1992–93	1993–94
Clifford C E First School, Sheffield
SPG (Transitional)	21,834	—
SPG (Development)	2,915	4,985
SPG (Restructuring)	11,136	—
SPG (VAT)	1,044	4,141
SPG (Premises)	—	920
All Saints RC School, Sheffield
SPG (Transitional)	—	59,640
SPG (Development)	—	24,490
SPG (VAT)	—	131,391
Notre Dame School, Sheffield
SPG (Transitional)	—	50,610
SPG (Development)	—	22,436
SPG (Restructuring)	—	8,652
SPG (VAT)	—	128,664
St. John Fisher RC (VA) Primary, Sheffield
SPG (Transitional)	—	24,338
SPG (Development)	—	4,863
SPG (VAT)	—	4,298
1Provisional figures to be finalised.

The purpose of each of the SPGs is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much was spent by London schools on newspapers and books in the last available year.

The information is not collected centrally in the form requested. The 33 inner and outer London local education authorities spent a total of over £61 million on books and equipment in nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in 1991–92, the latest year for which figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects the proposed university college to be situated on the Dearne valley to be in operation.

This is a matter for those involved in the project. I understand that the University of Sheffield is considering its plans in the light of consultation with the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make it her policy to take steps to suspend the Sea Fish Conservation Act 1993, and replace it with the proposals put forward by the National Federation of Fisheries Organisations; and if she will make a statement.

I have given very careful consideration to the proposals put forward by the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations but I shall not make a statement until the High Court has delivered its judgment in the federation's judicial review proceeding. The changes to fisheries policy covered the NFFO document "Conservation: An Alternative Approach" would not require the suspension of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1993.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement about bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

A further progress report on BSE in Great Britain for the period up to 29 October is available today. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House. The report details increasingly firm evidence that the ruminant feed ban is effective in controlling the epidemic in the way which has been predicted. The number of suspect cases of BSE reported in the last three months is 12.7 per cent. below that for the same period last year, 10,270 cases in 1993 compared with 11,759 cases in 1992. There is also a dramatic reduction in the number of cases occurring in younger animals.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how her Department was represented at the conference on wind energy opportunities on farms held in Stoneleigh on 11 November.

The conference was attended by an ADAS officer and an assistant regional planning advisor.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what savings she expects the new meat inspection rules to bring to the meat industry; what supervision will be carried out to ensure standards are maintained; and if she will make a statement.

The introduction of the new poultry meat inspection system will result in reductions in poultry meat inspection costs estimated in July 1993 at £1.75 million. There will however be costs associated with the employment and training of poultry inspection assistants which the industry will be expected to bear.Poultry inspection assistants will work under the supervision of the official veterinarian of a member of his team who will ensure standards are maintained.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the dates of payment of sheep and beef premium and arable area payments including set-aside for 1993 and 1994.

In England payments under the 1993 sheep annual premium scheme started on 5 October 1993 and 77 per cent. of claims had been paid by 19 November. Advance payments under the 1993 beef special premium scheme began in the middle of November and for the 1993 suckler cow premium scheme are expected to start in January. The remainder of the premium due for both these schemes will be paid between April and June 1994.The first advance oilseeds payments under the 1992–93 arable area payments scheme were made on 26 August 1993 and over 99 per cent. of claims had been paid by 30 September. Payments for oilseeds, cereals, proteins and set aside started on 20 October 1993. Payments under the 1994 sheep annual premium scheme and the 1993–94 arable area payments scheme are not due until next year.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will now publish county-based figures with respect for the arable area payments scheme.

The information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the matters discussed and decisions taken at the meeting of the London convention on sea disposal of wastes, held in London on 8 to 12 November; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the final declaration and the statement made by the United Kingdom to the meeting.

The consultative meeting of the London convention held on 8 to 12 November considered and adopted four resolutions in furtherance of the process of amending the convention. These resolutions established: a ban on the disposal of radioactive wastes at sea; a ban on the sea disposal of industrial wastes; a ban with some exemptions, on the incineration of wastes at sea; a commitment to undertake a thorough review of the other provisions of the convention.The United Kingdom fully supported the resolutions on industrial waste, incineration and the amendment process. We abstained from the vote on the disposal of radioactive wastes and are currently considering the implications of the decisions on this matter. The United Kingdom delegation made no formal declaration or statement to the meeting but we were able to emphasise the United Kingdom's desire to see practical steps taken and properly applied to ensure protection of the marine environment and was able to report that, in advance of the present amendments, the United Kingdom had already terminated all dumping of industrial wastes and incineration at sea.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives she is planning to take at the European Council of Fisheries Ministers meeting on 22 November to ensure that other member states do not extend the phase-out period for drift net fishing.

No mention was made of drift nets at the Fisheries Council on 22 November. The derogation permitting a limited use by France of drift nets up to 5 km long expires on 31 December 1993 unless the Commission makes a proposal to extend the derogation, and the Council accepts it. Should any such proposal be made, I will scrutinise it very closely to see whether the requirement in the regulation, that no ecological risk would be involved, is fully met.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list for each month for the last two years the average market price of beef together with the tonnage going into intervention in the United Kingdom.

The information requested is set out in the table:

United Kingdom intervention intake and beef prices October 1991 to September 1993
	Intervention intake in tonnes	Prices in pence per kilogramm (liveweight)
1991
November	14,662	95.07
December	5,418	96.34
1992
January	8,306	98.3
February	8,046	99.23
March	9,045	100.15
April	6,722	101.34
May	7,221	101.12
June	6,554	103
July	4,228	102.99
August	5,431	102.7
September	14,073	100.81
October	14,144	100.67
November	9,770	104.58
December	4,661	107.29
1993
January	8,871	108.54
February	6,765	116.53
March	1,713	122.2
April	2,992	126.7
May	0	132.05
June	0	133.65
July	0	121.49

	Intervention intake in tonnes	Prices in pence per Kilogramm (liveweight)
August	0	122.61
September	380	111.53
October	475	112.51

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms have been placed under movement restrictions as a consequence of the recent outbreak of (a)brucellosis and (b) warble fly; in which counties the herds infected are located; and how many are affected in each of those counties by each of those infections.

One farm in Gywnedd, where brucellosis infection has been confirmed following culture of the relevant organism, has been placed under movement restrictions. Two farms in Cheshire where cattle have reacted positively to the serological test for brucellosis have also been placed under movement restrictions.Thirty-nine premises in the following counties were placed under movement restrictions between April and July 1993 following confirmation of warbles infestation in imported cattle. Treatment notices were served on all farms within 3km of the above premises this autumn resulting in a further 1,490 farms placed under restriction pending treatment.

County	Number
Avon	2
Ayrshire	1
Bedfordshire	1
Cheshire	8
Cornwall	1
Devon	2
Dorset	1
Dyfed	1
Gloucestershire	1
Hampshire	2
Kent	1
Lancashire	1
Lothian	1
Oxfordshire	1
Shropshire	3
Somerset	6
Staffordshire	1
West Sussex	1
Wiltshire	3
Worcestershire	1

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle in total have tested positive for (a) brucellosis and (b) warble fly; how many of these were infected before entering the United Kingdom; how many have contracted the disease in this country; from which countries the infected cattle originated; and what known risks there were in those countries of brucellosis or warble fly which could be calculated to present a danger if animals were to be imported into the United Kingdom.

Since 1 September 1993, 21 cattle in Great Britain have reacted positively to serological tests for brucellosis. Disease has been confirmed by culture in nine animals, one of which was imported from France. Detailed epidemiological investigations to determine the source of infection are continuing. We understand that a small number of cattle herds in France are infected with brucellosis and are under restriction. However, all cattle imported into the United Kingdom from all member states must originate from officially brucellosis-free herds—as defined in Community rules—and must be tested negative for brucellosis within the 30 days prior to export.Two hundred and twenty-one cattle imported from France between January and July 1993 proved to be infested with warble fly. The annual United Kingdom serum survey for warble fly currently being undertaken has so far disclosed four positive reactions. One of these animals was imported from France: the origin of the other three animals is at present unknown. There is a high incidence of warble fly in France, in common with a number of other member states. It is a legal requirement that all cattle imported into the United Kingdom, except those for immediate slaughter, must be treated within 24 hours of arrive for warble fly.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle infected with brucellosis have been slaughtered; and how many humans have been infected by the disease; and by what means the disease was transmitted from cattle to humans.

Since 1 September 1993, 15 cattle which reacted positively to the serological test for brucellosis have been slaughtered, in nine of which the disease was confirmed; no humans have been infected. In the past, humans caught the disease by direct contact with infected cattle or by consumption of unpasteurised milk or milk products. There is no risk of infection from the consumption of pasteurised milk or milk products or from meat.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the estimated costs incurred by her Department in connection with arrangements for containing the risk from the presence of animals tested positive to foot and mouth, equine viral ateritis, warble fly and brucellosis, tracking down and testing the infected animals, publicising each threat, slaughtering the affected animals and compensating the losses where eligible; and what additional costs were incurred.

The information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cost in both nominal and real terms for each year since 1979 to her Department of programmes for tackling animal diseases imported into the United Kingdom which had previously been deemed to be eradicated.

	1989–90£	1990–91£	1991–92£	1992–93£
Administrative and clerical	46,818,579	52,828,708	59,612,780	68,802,552
Managerial	8,884,824	13,341,551	19,322,078	21,838,204
Nursing and midwifery	190,911,768	205,822,687	227,698,352	242,791,513

Compensation paid to farmers by Agriculture Departments following compulsory slaughter of their stock for the diseases specified was, for the years indicated, as follows:

	1981	1984	1986	1987	1992
	£	£	£	£	£
Foot and Mouth Disease	91,414	—	—	—	—
Newcastle Disease	—	816,325	—	—	—
Classical Swine Fever	—	—	451,435	276,525	—
Avian Influenza	—	—	—	—	6,202

Estimation of other expenditure specifically associated with these disease outbreaks would involve the Department in disproportionate costs.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will provide details of the terms and conditions of the licences issued by the Forestry Commission to the New Forest buckhounds allowing them to hunt in the New Forest.

A copy of the permit issued by the Forestry Commission to the New Forest buckhounds for the 1992–93 season is already in the Library of the House. The permit for the 1993–94 season has the same terms and conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of (a) administrative and clerical staff, (b) managerial staff and (c) nursing and midwifery staff employed in the NHS in each year since 1989.

The information is as follows:

	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993
Administrative and Clerical	16,066	5,939	6,200	6,568	6,671
Managerial	2—	497	723	926	950
Nursing and Midwifery	17,667	17,829	17,454	16,826	15,825

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the total salary costs for (a) administrative and clerical staff, (b) managerial staff and (c) nursing and midwifery staff employed in the NHS in each year since 1989.

Total salary costs are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations she has received with regard to the regulation of private ambulance services; and if she will make a statement.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what disciplinary action has been taken against those officials of the Guy's—St. Thomas's National Health Service Trust responsible for the awarding of a contract to Belmont ambulance service.

This is a matter for the Guy's and St. Thomas's hospital trust. The hon. Member may wish to contact Lord Hayhoe, the chairman, for details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide a table showing different categories of sickness, ill health and injury and the number of working days lost for each category in 1992–93.

There is no information available centrally on the breakdown of working days lost by health related disease. The hon. Gentleman may wish to contact the Confederation of British Industry for details of its survey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest available figures for the number of officially recorded suicides in the United Kingdom showing men and women separately for (a) all persons aged 18 years and over, (b) all persons aged 30 to 55 years, (c) all persons aged 18 years and over who were unemployed at the date of suicide and (d) all persons aged 30 to 55 years who were unemployed at the date of suicide.

Information on the number of people who have been recorded as having committed suicide and who were unemployed is not available. At death registration informants are asked for last occupation rather than employment status of the deceased.The table shows suicide deaths ICD E950-E959

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each civil service grade in her Department (a) the total number of persons employed and (b) the total number of women employed.

The information shows the position on 1 November 1993:

Total number of staff employed in the Department of Health
Grade (including grade equivalents)	Total	Women
Grade 1	3	0
Grade 2	8	0
Grade 3	25	5
Grade 4	28	11
Grade 5	211	79
Grade 6	135	45
Grade 7	571	151
SEO	413	121
HEO(D)	22	11
HEO	716	329
AT	8	4
EO	966	560
AO	1,376	1,003
AA	580	345
Others	178	79
TOTALS	5,240	2,743

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to amend the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990; and if she will make a statement.

Provisions relating to community care in England and Wales were contained in part III of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990. We have no plans to amend those provisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department is conducting research into the budget allocation between the national health service and social services as set out in the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.

No. The Act does not set out budgets for the national health service or for social services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the expenditure per head of population in each family health services authority area on general practitioner services, separately identifying general practitioner fund-holders in 1990–91 and 1991–92, in cash and standard prices; and what expenditure per head was attributable to expenditure on behalf of the under five, five to 15, 16 to 64, and 64 plus years age groups.

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will bring forward proposals to amend the contract between family health services authorities and general practitioners so that patients are able to make formal complaints about the staff employed by general practitioners.

The contract to which the hon. Member refers is the statutory arrangement—known as the terms of servicefamily health services—under which general practitioners provide general medical services for the national health service. Where staff employed by a GP carry out duties within the terms of service on the GP's behalf, complaints about the performance of those duties can already be made

Area of usual residence	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992
Northern	39,117	39,248	40,878	40,239	40,404	40,105	39,097	40,656	41,128	40,003
Yorkshire	46,507	46,672	48,022	48,340	49,344	49,972	49,637	51,187	50,769	49,703
Trent	57,165	57,652	58,751	59,284	61,050	61,618	61,666	63,571	63,129	62,142
East Anglian	23,075	23,685	24,487	24,592	25,799	26,600	25,979	26,590	26,288	26,095
North West Thames	45,596	46,207	47,468	48,124	49,633	50,639	49,666	50,793	51,459	51,992
North East Thames	49,894	51,228	52,006	52,959	55,314	56,466	56,094	57,999	57,059	56,968
South East Thames	44,007	44,644	46,902	47,558	49,956	51,402	51,073	52,086	51,412	51,313
South West Thames	34,688	34,908	36,367	36,734	38,236	39,258	38,822	40,101	39,975	40,229
Wessex	33,044	33,810	34,957	35,772	37,175	37,942	37,810	38,571	37,122	37,205
Oxford	30,948	31,811	33,070	33,201	34,661	35,698	35,809	36,424	36,187	36,076
South Western	35,523	36,193	37,560	38,119	39,840	40,981	40,772	41,090	40,342	40,125
West Midlands	68,224	68,726	70,351	70,408	72,469	72,809	73,346	75,092	74,210	71,992
Mersey	31,850	31,601	32,889	32,712	32,788	33,515	32,934	33,771	33,361	31,675
North Western	53,617	54,188	55,593	55,567	56,661	57,358	56,652	58,989	58,365	56,266
Wales	35,494	35,861	36,771	37,038	37,816	38,824	38,019	38,866	38,079	37,523