To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Sri Lankan Tamils currently in the United Kingdom have not yet been notified of their status; and if he will break down the figures for those arriving before and after the passing of the Immigration Appeals Act 1993;(2) how many Sri Lankan Tamils who have fled Sri Lanka have been held in detention centres

Information on Sri Lankan Tamils are not separately indentifiable in the statistics. Considering all Sri Lankan nationals as at 30 June 1994, an estimated 2,680 are awaiting an initial decision on their application for asylum. Of this, an estimated 860 applied for asylum after the introduction of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993.The number of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka being detained on 11 July 1994 is 22. Of these detainees, none entered detention before the implementation of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 on 26 July 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extra resources he proposes to allocate to the National Criminal Intelligence Service to pursue cases of suspected money laundering.

Funding of the National Criminal Intelligence Service is settled as part of the annual public expenditure survey. It is for the director general of NCIS to decide how best to allocate the resources available to him to deal with the range of criminal intelligence matters which fall to the organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support is currently provided for victims of racially motivated attacks and their families.

Victims of racially motivated crime are given help and advice, as are other victims of crime, through the network of local victim support schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide figures of the number of incidents recorded by the police as being racial or racially motivated for each year since 1974.

The available information relates to reported racial incidents as defined by the Association of Chief Police Officers. Figures from 1985 are given in the table. Information prior to 1985 is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the legislation governing the welfare of circus animals.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 29 April 1994 to a question from the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile), at column 341.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the legislation governing the welfare of zoo animals.

I have been asked to reply.The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 requires that all zoos in Great Britain are licensed and regularly inspected. Under the terms of the Act, the Secretary of State has issued standards covering care and accommodation of animals, and public safety in zoos, and maintains a list of authorised inspectors. Zoo licensing and inspection under the Act is carried out by local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the review of police core and ancillary tasks is confined to England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The Home Office review of police core and ancillary tasks applies to England and Wales only. I understand that separate consideration is being given to such issues in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the current charge for a firearms certificate is derived.

The current fees for firearm certificates introduced in 1990 are based on the previous level of fees set in 1986, which were intended to achieve the recovery of police costs in administering the firearms licensing system, uprated to take account of increases in police pay since that time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will lay before Parliament the fifth report of the Firearms Consultative Committee.

I have placed a copy of the annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee in the Library of the House today.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for political asylum have been received in each year since 1979 to date; of these, how many have been approved; and how many individuals, including dependants, have been granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom;(2) how many applications for asylum have been rejected in each year since 1979; of these applicants, how many have been deported, and of how many the Home Office has confirmation on their departure, in respect of each year.

Information covering the years 1979–1993, for applications for asylum and on decisions made, is given in table A.

Table A
Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom and decisions, 1979 to 1993
	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	11989	11990	11991	1–21992	1–21993
EXCLUDING DEPENDANTS
Applications received3	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	2,905	4,389	4,266	4,256	3,998	11,640	26,205	44,840	24,605	22,370
Decisions3–4
Total	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1,431	2,635	2,983	2,432	2,702	6,955	4,025	6,075	34,900	23,405
Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum5	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	453	574	348	266	628	2,210	920	505	1,115	1,590
Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	631	1,559	2,102	1,531	1,578	3,860	2,400	2,190	15,325	11,125
Refused asylum and exceptional leave6	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	347	502	533	635	496	890	705	3,380	18,465	10,690
INCLUDING DEPENDANTS7
Applications received3	1,563	2,352	2,425	4,223	4,296	4,171	6,156	5,714	5,863	5,739	16,775	38,195	873,400	832,300	828,000
Decisions3–4
Total	949	1,797	2,358	2,942	2,950	2,011	3,802	4,045	3,479	3,888	10,270	6,055	89,140	859,050	836,890
Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum5	525	1,147	1,473	1,727	1,185	689	915	543	464	975	3,335	1,590	8800	81,900	82,860
Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave	215	238	278	311	939	802	2,156	2.815	2,229	2,289	5,840	3.610	82,950	821,680	815,480
Refused asylum and exceptional leave6	209	412	607	904	826	520	731	687	786	624	1,095	855	85,390	835,480	818,550

n/a = Not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration was given by his Department, prior to the award of the contract to manage Doncaster prison, to the conclusions of the United States Congressional Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs report, "Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Covert Operation", published in July 1992; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 13 July 1994]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many managerial staff working at (a) Blakenhurst prison and (b) Doncaster prison are from the United States of America.

[holding answer 13 July 1994]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people employed by the Prison Service or seconded to the prisons inspectorate have worked simultaneously or subsequently for private sector companies who (a) operate and (b) have tendered to operate prisons.

[holding answer 13 July 1994]: No one employed by the Prison Service or seconded to the prisons inspectorate has worked simultaneously for a private sector company operating or tendering to operate prisons. Thirty-three former Prison Service employees subsequently worked for such companies. Of these, three were former governors who had been seconded to the inspectorate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the Prison Service agency's policy in respect of the recognition of trade unions by operators of contracted-out prisons;(2) what account he takes of trade union recognition in the tender evaluation process conducted by his Department when awarding the contracts to manage

[holding answers 13 July 1994]: Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff will be employed by Premier Prison Services Ltd., at Doncaster prison; at what grades; and at what rates of pay.

[holding answer 13 July 1994]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether, following its establishment as a next steps executive agency in 1990, the triennial evaluation of performance has been carried out for Her Majesty's Land Registry; and, if so, what conclusions were drawn.

An evaluation of the performance of Her Majesty's Land Registry during its first three years as an executive agency was carried out by the Lord Chancellor's Department and a report was completed in January 1994.The report concluded that the Registry had benefited considerably from its move to agency status which had been a major enabling factor in promoting sound public sector management in the Registry. By the achievement of progressively improving performance targets and the early completion of its computerisation programme, the Registry had made a major contribution to the simplification on conveyancing in England and Wales, particularly through the development of faster and easier access to the public land register.The general summary and conclusions of the report will be reproduced in the Registry's annual report and accounts for 1993–94 due to be published shortly.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to implement the recommendations in the Law Commission's report, "Effect of Divorce on Wills" Law Com. No. 217.

The Government have decided to accept the Commission's recommendations in its report on this topic and will introduce legislation to implement them when a suitable legislative opportunity occurs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent in the last available year in each Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country on children's health.

Comparable figures are not available. There is no internationally accepted definition of health spending on specific health services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she has produced or has commissioned any assessment of the relative cost savings likely to accrue to service providers if the NHS Supplies Authority's warehousing and distribution Information Technology and purchasing functions were (a) separately market tested or (b) run by the private sector as an integrated body under principles of integrated supply chain management; and if she will make a statement.

Our current assessment is that in present circumstances the National Health Service Supplies Authority seems best placed to deliver the necessary planned improvements in the national infrastructure of NHS procurement services over the next few years without loss of momentum on service levels and performance standards, and where appropriate with use of market testing or other collaboration with private sector partners. The authority plans to market test its logistics services in the context of a strategy planned to save at least £5 to £10 million a year, when fully implemented, for a more efficient and flexible service. In developing its information technology strategy it will continue to make use of market testing wherever this can add value and/or choice. In 1992–93 the value of its contracted-out computer services and equipment was £2·7 million. It achieved purchasing savings of over £71 million in 1993–94 on behalf of NHS customers, but all NHS trusts remain free on a value for money basis to make their own direct procurement arrangements or to market test all or part of such services as alternatives to using NHS Supplies as their contracted purchasing agent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of in-patients in (a) England, (b) each regional health authority and (c) each hospital or trust in January and March had a named qualified nurse or midwife who was responsible for their care;(2) what proportion of patients attending out-patient clinics in

This available information on patients charter standards was published in the 1993–94 hospital and ambulance services comparative performance guide, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research has been conducted into the effects on the environment and health of the increase in use of benzene in motor fuel; and if she will make a statement.(2) what evidence she has as to any link between benzene and causes of leukaemia; and if she will make a statement;(3) what evaluation she has made of the genotoxic nature of benzene in the atmosphere; and if she will make a statement.

Benzene is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a human carcinogen. The Department of Health's Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment has advised that benzene is a genotoxic carcinogen. In certain occupational groups, prolonged exposure to levels of benzene many times greater than those present in ambient air has been associated with an increased risk of leukaemia. This evidence was considered carefully by the Department of the Environment's expert panel on air quality standards when they recommended an air quality standard for benzene of five parts per billion, rolling annual average concentration and a further target standard of one part per billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients declined to take part in (a) medical research and (b) medical student training in January to March.

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many complaints were received by NHS patients between January and March about (a) their own access to their medical records and (b) their medical records being divulged to a third party;(2) how many NHS patients asked to see their medical records between January and March.

This information is not available centrally. Patients have a legal right to see their own medical records. For records held on computer, access is provided for by the Data Protection Act 1984. For records kept on paper, access is under the Access to Health Records Act 1990, which came into force on 1 November 1991 and applies to records compiled on or after that date. Access under both Acts is subject to safeguards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of ambulance staff are trained paramedics in each ambulance service in England.

The table shows the unconfirmed results of an informal survey of numbers of paramedics and other front-line staff in each ambulance service in England at the end of 1993.

Ambulance Service	Total front-line stuff (including Paramedics)	Paramedics
Cumbria Ambulance NHS Trust	180	96
Durham County Ambulance Service NHS Trust	159	54
Northumbria Ambulance Service NHS Trust	357	188
Humberside Ambulance Service NHS Trust	285	85
North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust	183	61
Derbyshire Ambulance Service	232	73
Leicestershire Ambulance and Paramedic Service	214	60

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she will be taking to ensure that British companies benefit from the expected growth in techniques of minimally invasive surgery and day case by the turn of the century.

National health service purchasing policy for purchase of innovative equipment of this kind is based on securing best value for money for the NHS and on encouraging through competition on equal terms all its suppliers to become more competitive on price, quality and service in both United Kingdom and world markets. Further measures to stimulate innovation are set out in the White Paper, "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win".

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with his colleagues at the Departments of Transport, Education and the Environment about encouraging children to bicycle to school, in order to reduce pollution and congestion, whilst encouraging health.

These Departments are represented on multi-agency working groups established under "The Health of the Nation" initiative through which we are encouraging children to take up cycling, provided that they take appropriate safety precautions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of babies were delivered in hospital in each health authority area in the most recent year for which figures are available.

This information will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total amounts of money spent in the national health service for the most recent year in which records are available on locum hospital doctors engaged (a) through private locum agencies and (b) through NHS locum agencies; and if she will list the above amounts in each category by region.

Data held centrally are not broken down into these two categories.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what number and proportion of patients in (a) England, (b) each regional health authority and (c) each hospital or trust had an NHS operation cancelled between January and March.

The available information on the number of patients who had their operations cancelled twice at the last minute and who were then not treated within a month was published in the 1993–94 hospital and ambulance services comparative performance guide, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of patients attending accident and emergency departments in (a) England, (b) each regional health authority and (c) each hospital or trust between January and March had treatment which began with in (i) five minutes, (ii) 15 minutes, (iii) 30 minutes and (iv) one hour.

Information on when treatment begins for patients attending an accident and emergency department is not available centrally. In England 88 per cent. of patients attending accident and emergency departments were seen and assessed within five minutes of arrival. Figures for trusts and hospitals were published in the 1993–94 hospital and ambulance services comparative performance guide, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the selling price of Hartley hospital, Colne.

Details of individual land and property sales are commercially sensitive and confidential. It is for the regional health authority managing the transaction to determine, with their professional advisers, if the sale price can be released after completion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that commissioning agencies involve their public health physicians in the commissioning process, both as adviser on the health priorities for their populations and as co-ordinators of medical advice from provider unit clinicians.

Health authorities need a range of professional and other advice if they are to discharge their purchasing role effectively. The national health service executive has discussed with representatives of the medical professions how health authorities might secure sound medical advice. As a result of these discussions EL(93)60, entitled "Medical advice to purchasers", was issued on 2 July 1993. In addition, a task force including representatives from the professions has been established to examine clinical involvement in contracting from both commissioning and provider unit perspectives. Copies of EL(93)60 are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will publish her response to the Mental Health Act Commission's fifth biennial report.

The Department of Health response to the Commission's fifth biennial report has been placed in the Library today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to publish the reports of the working groups on high security psychiatric services and on psychopathic disorder.

The reports of both working groups, which were chaired by Dr. John Reed of the Department, are being published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.The working group on high security and related psychiatric provision was established to consider the most effective provision of services for patients requiring psychiatric treatment in conditions of high security in England and Wales, and the relationship between such service and the secure and related services provided within national health service regions and the Prison Service, in the light of earlier reports including those of the review of services for mentally disordered offenders and in response to the report of the committee of inquiry into complaints at Ashworth hospital. The report provides a clear analysis of the pressures and chllenges facing the services and their relationship with the wider NHS. It makes a number of recommendations on the objectives of high-security care, standards of services and the development of stronger links with related agencies which we fully endorse. It rightly emphasises the overriding importance in any future development of maintaining public confidence and public safety.The report also recommends radical changes in the present funding and management arrangements for high security psychiatric services. These proposals require very careful consideration in relation to our objectives for high security care and the important responsibilities which my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary bears in this field. I have instructed my officials to examine these matters further with the Special Hospitals Service Authority and Home Office and to report back to me within six months. I will announce my conclusions when I have considered their advice.We are also publishing today, for consultation, the report of a separate working group on services for people with psychopathic disorder. The report puts forward a number of ideas relating to the law and service provision in this area, on which we are inviting comments by 31 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made by her Department of the long-term safety of dental amalgam; and if she will make a statement.

The Committee on Toxicity advised in 1986 that the use of dental amalgam is free from the risk of systemic toxicity and that only a few cases of hypersensitivity occur. The subsequent research findings, and recent evaluations by several authoritative national and international expert committees are consistent with that advice. The Department of Health will continue to assess and evaluate all research in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements she intends to make to inform the dental profession of the publication of the Government's response to the Bloomfield report; what her policy is in respect of a comprehensive dental health service within the NHS; and when she intends to produce an oral health strategy for England.

I am publishing today a consultative document called "Improving NHS Dentistry." Copies of the document itself and a summary have been placed in the Library and are available in the Vote Office. They are a response to the report of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, published in January 1993, and to that of the Health Select Committee.The Government's purpose in putting forward these proposals for consultation is twofold. First, we wish to strengthen and improve national health service dentistry, maintaining a high-quality service available and accessible to all and one which responds to the modern needs of patients. Secondly, we wish to build on the excellent improvements to oral health of recent years and, in particular, to improve further children's oral health and address regional variations. We are also publishing today proposals for an oral health strategy for England. Copies have been placed in the Library and are also available in the Vote Office.The Government are determined that all patients will continue to have access to an NHS dentist; under the proposals, this would be the case. The Government propose to develop and strengthen the community dental service to ensure that there is an effective safety net where necessary. NHS treatment would continue to be available free or at reduced cost to those currently exempt or remitted from charges and all children would continue to receive free NHS treatment. The Government will also consult on improvements to the system of charging to encourage examination and routine treatment along the lines proposed by the Health Select Committee. One possibility is a reduced examination charge.The proposals would provide a more flexible system better able to match dental treatment to the varying needs of patients. There would be incentives to encourage a greater emphasis on the quality of care and prevention rather than the number of patients treated. The system for paying dentists would be simpler to operate and provide better overall financial control for the taxpayer. The Government also believe it would be fairer to dentists.The Government believe that, in the longer term, there is a case for moving towards a system in which local family health services authorities, or health commissions, are responsible for purchasing dental services for their area, taking full account of local need and the state of oral health. This would represent a significant change. The Government therefore believe it would require careful piloting and evaluation before any change were made. The Government propose to invite FHSAs to volunteer to participate in pilots.The Government also believe that the current system of remuneration for dentists should be improved. It is consulting on two options. One is for a sessional fee model which would link payment to dentists to the time spent treating NHS patients rather than the number and type of treatments carried out. An alternative approach would be a modified fee-per-item system. In both these options the emphasis would be on linking payment to the quality of care and prevention.These proposals follow the dental profession's request for a fundamental review of the dental remuneration system which is largely unchanged since the foundation of the NHS. We have consulted widely with the profession and taken full account of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's report. We have also taken on board a number of the recommendations from the Health Select Committee. The Government note that, while there is consensus on the need for change, there is no consensus on the best way forward. The options set out for further consultation offer the opportunity of a simpler, more flexible system which responds to the needs of patients and reflects the great improvements in oral health of recent years and the changing nature of dentistry. The Government now seek the views of dentists and their patients on the best way forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make available a summary of the funding and levels of activity agreed for 1994–95 with centres designated to provide supra-regional services.

A summary of this information has been placed in the Library as an addendum to the document "Supra-regional services 1994–95: announcement by the Secretary of State for Health".

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she will give the latest figures for the number of carers in (a) Coventry, (b) the west midlands and (c) nationally.

The general household survey findings indicate that 15 per cent. of adults living in private households—approximately 6·8 million people—were carers in Great Britain in 1990. Estimates are not available for the number of carers in Coventry, or in the west midlands.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate he has made of the cost of necessary ground safety work in (a) Rugby League, (b) Rugby Union, (c) cricket and (d) non-league football.

None. I have, however, received estimates of the likely costs of implementing ground safety work from the Rugby Football League and the GM Vauxhall Conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to introduce more cycle routes in the royal parks.

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency, under its chief executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consultation has been held between his Department and the Department of Employment on the effects of clause 25 and schedule 9, of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill on the licensing of entertainment agencies.

The Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry and for Employment are in the lead on this matter. But my officials have kept in touch with their opposite numbers in these Departments and have ensured that they are aware of representations made to me.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much has been spent and remains to he spent on restoring, refurbishing and decorating (a) the grace and favour accommodation occupied by Mr. Peat at Kensington palace and (b) that to be occupied by his assistant; how much has been spent on furnishing each; and what accommodation is in each residence.

Fitting out apartments at Kensington palace for the director and deputy director of property services is estimated to cost £120,000 each excluding VAT and fees. This cost includes the provision of kitchen and bathroom fittings, flooring, doors, lighting, cupboards, tiling and decoration.The director of finance and property services is a head of department and furnished accommodation is provided. The maximum budget provision for the furniture and furnishings is £98,000 excluding VAT. No furniture or furnishings will be provided for the apartment to be occupied by the deputy director of property services.A substantial amount of essential structural, fire protection and other repair work estimated to cost £450,000 excluding VAT and fees has also being carried out in this area of the palace to prevent further deterioration of the fabric and to meet Bailey inquiry recommendations. Most of this work would have been necessary whether the area was to provide residential accommodation or not. It was occupied by Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone without major refurbishment from 1923 to 1981 and has remained unoccupied and uninhabitable since then.Structural and fitting-out costs reflect the special requirements of historic buildings, as advised by English Heritage. Reductions in salaries take account of the value of the accommodation.One apartment will have five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a sitting room, dining room, study, kitchen and utility room, basement room and two separate lavatories. The other will have four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sitting room, dining room, study, kitchen and utility room, basement room, shower room and a separate lavatory.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he expects to announce the results of his consideration of the results of the recent consultation about the future of Channel 5 national television channel; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have considered whether it would be possible both to proceed with an analogue Channel 5 service and to provide sufficient frequencies for digital terrestrial television services. I am writing today to the chairman of the Independent Television Commission to tell him of the Government's decisions.The Radiocommunications Agency has examined a range of options, and has been helped by receiving technical proposals from a number of organisations, including the Independent Television Commission, National Transcommunications Ltd. and the BBC.As a result, the Government have concluded that they should amend the current assignment of frequencies to the Independent Television Commission, for the provision of Channel 5. Frequency channel 37, and a number of other frequencies will now form the basis of an analogue Channel 5 service giving coverage of about 60 per cent. of the population. It would be open to a successful applicant for the licence to simulcast the service digitally to at least 80 per cent. and possibly over 90 per cent. of the population, when the Commission has new powers to license digital terrestrial television services.In addition to the analogue Channel 5, as many as 12 digital terrestrial television services could be provided: up to four would be broadcast as a single frequency network, using frequency channel 35, with coverage of more than 95 per cent. of the population; an interleaved network of up to four more services could have 90 to 95 per cent. coverage, and there could be up to four more interleaved services with 80 per cent. coverage. Regional variations would be possible on the interleaved services, but not for the single frequency network.Digital terrestrial television would provide new and enhanced services for audiences, as well as opportunities for programme-makers, broadcasters, advertisements and the manufacturers of transmitting and receiving equipment. The frequency allocations for both Channel 5 and the digital television services will need international clearance with neighbouring countries. Technical standards for digital television in Europe are already under consideration.No decisions have been made about the allocation of the frequencies for digital terrestrial television to either the BBC or the Independent Television Commission, but the Government's plans allow both for the introduction of new services and for the four existing analogue services to be simulcast digitally for some years. This will encourage people to buy new digital receiving equipment. If sufficient numbers of people move over to digital equipment, it may be possible, after a transitional period of perhaps 15 years, for television signals to be transmitted in digital format only. This would allow the spectrum currently used for analogue transmission to be put to other uses. If used for mobile communications, this spectrum could support an annual level of economic activity equivalent to £5 billion in today's money.The Government believe that this plan will create greater choice and diversity for viewers by combining the advantages of an increased number of television services, initially through Channel 5, with opportunities for new and enhanced services using digital transmission.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement about the future structure of the Sports Council.

[holding answer 11 July 1994]: The Government announced their proposals for the future of the Sports Council on 8 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on what occasions in the last 10 years he or a Minister in his Department has given a direction to civil servants to award a contract against the advice of the civil service; what was the subject matter of the contract and it value; and when it was awarded.

[holding answer 8 July 1994]: Following the establishing of my Department in April 1992 no such direction has been given.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will provide a table showing the running costs of his Department in each region for each year since 1992.

[holding answer 11 July 1994]: The information requested is as follows: all costs relate to the London region.

Department for National Heritage (including the Historic Royal Palaces Agency and Royal Parks. Agency)
£ millions
1992–93 outturn	1993–94 estimated outturn	1994–95 plans
32	37	38

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what accommodation is provided in which occupied royal palaces for employees of KPMG Peat Marwick.

[holding answer 11 July 1994]: None.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which organisations, agencies and other bodies relating to his departmental area of responsibility have been privatised since 1990; and what plans he has for further privatisation.

[holding answer 12 July 1994]: No organisations, agencies or other bodies relating to my area of responsibility have been privatised since 1990 and no such privatisations are currently planned.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether export licences for tanks and other armoured vehicles are granted on a general, or an individual, export licence basis; and under what circumstances any exceptions to this rule can be made.

When it is appropriate for a licence to be granted for the export of these categories of defence equipment such licences are normally issued on an individual basis; I am not aware of any exception.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many cars and other vehicles manufactured in the United Kingdom have been exported to Korea for each year since 1987;(2) how many cars and other vehicles manufactured in Korea were imported into the United Kingdom in each year since 1987.

United Kingdom export statistics do not distinguish between products manufactured in the United Kingdom and those manufactured elsewhere but exported from the United Kingdom. The available information, on a country of consignment basis, is as follows:

United Kingdom trade with South Korea in cars and other vehicles (numbers).
Year	United Kingdom exports	United Kingdom imports
1987	6	5,861
1988	13	10,209
1989	8	15,424
1990	68	4,690
1991	121	9,027
1992	68	15,531
1993	29	13,689

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what notification his Department received from British Nuclear Fuels before the recent export of mixed oxide nuclear fuel assemblies by air to Switzerland.

It has been the policy of successive Administrations not to disclose details about export licences that have been issued. Any such transfers would require advance notification, also made in confidence, through my Department to the Euratom safeguards directorate.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what criteria must be met by countries wishing to be eligible for membership of the Zangger committee on nuclear export controls; and what information he has on refusals to countries applying to join the Zangger committee.

The main criteria for membership of the Zangger committee are accession to the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons; potential to supply material or equipment of concern as defined in article III.2 of the NPT; and adherence to the committee's agreed conditions of supply for such items of concern. In recent years the committee has actively sought new members and refusals of applications have not arisen.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many supplementary protection certificates have been granted under the terms of EC Regulation 1768/92/EEC; and what is their average duration.

As at 14 July 1994 the number of supplementary protection certificates granted by the United Kingdom Patent Office, in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1768/92, is 138. The average duration is three years two months.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the inspectors appointed by him to investigate possible insider dealing contraventions in certain transactions of Anglia Television shares have concluded their inquiries; whether they have had any informal discussions with his Department on their findings; and when he expects to receive their formal report.

The inspectors appointed to investigate possible insider dealing contraventions with regard to the shares of Anglia Television Group plc have completed their inquiries and are expected to present their report shortly. It is normal practice for inspectors and departmental officials to have progress meetings during the course of an investigation.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the BZW report on the future of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

The full report contains a large amount of commercially senstive information which it would not be appropriate to place in the public domain. However, in accordance with the Government's commitment to open government, I asked BZW to produce a summary of its report for publication outlining its recommendations and the thinking behind them. Copies of the summary have been placed in the Library of the House. BZW's study was carried out last summer and obviously precedes the reorganisation of the AEA which took effect on 1 April. The summary should therefore be read in conjunction with the AEA's annual report, which was published earlier this week.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how he will ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account when deciding on the award of petroleum licences in areas around the United Kingdom coast.

At my initiative, which has the full agreement of the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association, UKOOA will fund the preparation and publication of a series of 16 United Kingdom continental shelf coastal directories regional reports.This work will be done in conjunction with a consortium, co-ordinated by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and composed of local authorities, central Government Departments, countryside agencies and the private sector.Those reports covering areas likely to be of interest to companies in the 16th round will be available in draft by the end of December, and published in final form in June 1995. Prospective licensees will be expected to show that they have taken this information into account in their environment management systems for activities in the block to be awarded.There is concern, which I share, about the impact on the environment of licensing inshore blocks. At present there is not enough agreed data on any sensitive areas in blocks on offer.This collaborative project, which will take over two and a half years to complete, shows that the oil and gas industry and environmental organisations can work together for their mutual benefit. The reports will build on work already carried out by the JNCC, individual oil companies and the bodies already mentioned, as well as data contributed by knowledgeable environmental groups. This will provide valuable knowledge about the coastal and marine environment for the whole of the United Kingdom coastline which will greatly assist me in my decision making in the 16th and subsequent licensing rounds. The initiative will help environmental groups, local authorities and oil companies to discuss the issues in a more informed and co-operative way.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what discussions he has had with the European Commission about Regional Challenge;(2) who will judge projects applying for funding for Regional Challenge;(3) what factors led to the exclusion of Thanet, Plymouth and West Cumbria from Regional Challenge;(4) when the criteria for bids for Regional Challenge will be published;(5) what consultations have taken place; on what dates and with whom to ascertain the news of national and local agencies about Regional Challenge.

[holding answers 13 July 1994]: My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has discussed Regional Challenge with Commissioner Millan twice and has exchanged correspondence. We intend that Regional Challenge grant decisions will be taken by the Government on the basis of recommendations from the monitoring committees. Thanet, Plymouth and West Cumbria were not included because of their small population.Guidance on applications will be issued in due course. Officials have held discussions with local authority associations on various dates. My right hon. Friend and I have received a number of letters from hon. Members and others.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total allocations of objective 1 and 2 structural funds to Regional Challenge areas; and what percentage will be top-sliced for Regional Challenge per area.

[holding answer 13 July 1994]: The structural funds objective 1 allocations were announced in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Sir J. Hannam) on 27 July 1993, Official Report, column 497. The objective 2 allocations were announced in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to my hon. Friend the Member for Planet, North (Mr. Gale) on 13 April 1994, Official Report, column 230. On those occasions the allocations were given in ecu—for convenience I repeat them here in sterling for the areas eligible for Regional Challenge.

	1£ million
Objective 1 (1994–1999)
Merseyside	628
Objective 2 (1994–1996)
North East England	237
Yorkshire and Humberside	241
East Midlands	61
West Midlands	285
Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire	253
Greater London	57
South Wales	145
1£ million, 1994 prices (£1 = 1.3 ecu).

The White Paper on competitiveness referred to total prize money for the first round of Regional Challenge competitions of £150—£200 million across the eligible English and Welsh areas, which also includes some classified under objective 5(b). The term top-slicing is misleading.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will indicate the extent to which following the passing of the Intelligence Services Act, the Government are prepared to make available to the House information on the activities of the security and intelligence agencies.

This Government have taken a series of significant steps in its policy of greater accountability and openness, wherever possible, in security and intelligence matters. All three security and intelligence agencies are avowed and have now been put on a statutory basis. The figure for the aggregate expenditure of the agencies is published annually. In addition, the expenditure, administration and policy of all three agencies will be subject to scrutiny by a committee of Parliamentarians—the Intelligence and Security Committee.It is important to draw a line between proper accountability for the agencies and the continued need for secrecy regarding operational matters. Successive Governments have refused to provide information on the operations of the security and intelligence agencies, including matters which will fall within the scrutiny of the Intelligence and Security Committee. Comment on these matters, either by what is or is not said, could have a bearing on the effectiveness of the agencies, and the safety of their staff and those who co-operate with them. I made clear to the House on 6 May 1992—

To ask the Prime Minister if he will be meeting representatives of the Royal British Legion to discuss the approval by the House on 1 July of the resolution on the welfare of ex-service people; and what representations he has had from the Legion in regard to a meeting.

[holding answer 13 July 1994]: We welcome continuing close contact with the Royal British Legion and other service organisations. A request for a meeting has been received form the Royal British Legion and is being considered at present.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many officials of the State Veterinary Service observed the killing of mink on fur farms in November 1993; and what method of killing was used.

Officials of the State Veterinary Service did not observe the killing of mink on any fur farm in November 1993.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what actions she has taken to limit the effects of the Franco-German beef embargo on the British agricultural industry.

The German Government have proposed unilateral restrictions on British beef imports. These would be illegal under EC rules, and my right hon. Friend the Minister has kept in touch with the European Commission on this matter. Mr. Steichen has written to the German Government to warn them that the Commission will take legal action if Germany puts its proposed restrictions into effect.The French Government have not made any proposals for unilateral action against British beef imports.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost in 1993 for each county in England, and in total, of payments under (a) the sheep annual premium, (b) the Buckler cow premium, (c) the beef special premium and (d) the hill livestock compensatory allowance; and what is her estimate of the cost in 1994.

£ million
Region	Sheep Annual Premium Scheme	Suckler Cow Premium Scheme	Beef Special Premium scheme	Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance
South West	26·1	6·9	14·0	4·7
Wessex	10·7	4·6	7·7	1·0
Anglia	4·0	2·9	3·7	0·0
South Mercia	18·3	4·2	7·5	0·8
North Mercia	15·6	4·3	7·0	2·6
Northern	47·8	10·3	10·9	14·7
East Midlands	14·7	4·6	8·8	1·3
North East	31·0	7·8	9·7	8·3
South East	13·7	4·9	8·2	0·0
Total England	181·9	50·5	77·5	33·4

Estimates for the value of payments under each scheme in England for the 1994 scheme years are set out in the table. The figures are not broken down by MAFF region since for some schemes applications are still being received.

	£ million
Sheep Annual Premium Scheme	173
Suckler Cow Premium Scheme	64
Beef Special Premium Scheme	90
Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance	26

	1990	1991	1992		1993		January–March 1994
Fat, as percentage of energy	41·60	41·40	41·70	(40·1)	41·30	(39·7)	40·40	(39·2)
Saturated fatty acids, as percentage of energy	16·60	16·40	16·30	(15·8)	16·10	(15·6)	15·60	(15·3)
Sodium, grams per day	2·50	2·49	2·51	—	2·50	—	2·54	—
Non-milk extrinsic sugars, as percentage of energy	11·40	11·80	10·70	(13·4)	10·70	(13·3)	10·30	(12·6)

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations she has received from right hon. and hon. Members about the ban on comfrey products since the ban was announced; and how many of those representations were in support of the ban.

There is no ban on comfrey products generally, but those likely to contain the highest concentration of toxic alkaloids have been withdrawn from the market. Of 90 Members of this House who have raised the matter formally with my right hon. Friend, 22 have asked for these products to be reintroduced and 68 have expressed no opinion.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the welfare of rabbits being transported across Europe.

The information requested by the hon. Member cannot be given except at disproportionate cost. However, the expected value of 1993 scheme payments in each MAFF administrative region in England for the four schemes is detailed in the table.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is her latest assessment of the consumption in the United Kingdom diet of fat, saturated fat, salt and non-milk extrinsic sugars; and what change there has been in the figures from those prepared by her Ministry and used to enable production of the 1991 Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy report, "Dietary Reference Values".

The information requested, obtained from the national food survey, is in the table. The figures in parentheses take into account the contribution from alcoholic drinks and confectionery brought into the home, which were not recorded in the survey before 1992.

The welfare of rabbits during transport is covered by provisions of directive 91/628/EEC on the protection of animals during transport. In Great Britain the directive is implemented by the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1992 (S.I. 1992 No. 3304).

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the total areas claimed by arable farmers in England for crops and set-aside under the arable area payments scheme in 1994; how those figures relate to the baseline areas declared to the European Commission; what estimate she has made of the overshoot; and if she will make a statement on the scale of penalty that is likely to arise from such an overshoot.

This information will not be available until all the 1994 area aid applications have been processed. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make an announcement on the future of the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales; and if she will make a statement.

We had hoped to be able, before now, to make a statement on the Government's plans for the future of the Agricultural Wages Board arrangements. Since last year's substantial consultation exercise, there have been two significant and new factors which the Government must consider. Employers in a number of sectors of the industry are now questioning the value of keeping the present arrangements for statutory wage determination across the agriculture sector, and have raised concerns about the size of this year's minimum wage awards. They have also acknowledged that the two International Labour Organisation conventions covering the terms and conditions of agricultural workers should now be denounced by the United Kingdom. Those conventions place constraints on the industry and prevent the introduction of the flexible working arrangements required by the modern labour market. Secondly, employees' representatives are seeking leave in the courts to bring judicial review proceedings against the board on the ground that its Wages Order determinations are indirectly discriminating against part-time agricultural workers. The board met on 24 June to consider this legal challenge and we understand that employers and employees' representative are consulting over the summer. There are some substantial and complex issues on employment and equal opportunities law which need examination.In view of these developments, I believe that we must pause and take stock before making our decision, so that we can take account of the result of these developments, the board's decision, and of course the views expressed during and since the consultation exercise. However, to ensure that we are free to make the arrangements that the industry will need, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment will be making an announcement shortly on the ILO conventions Nos. 99 and 101.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 20 June, Official Report, column 48, if the policy arising from the DISC network policy project is currently being used by his Department; and if he will list the agencies which are using it.

All data communications services currently in use in the Department and its agencies are consistent with the policy. The Central Transport Group, Marine Safety Agency and Transport Research Laboratory have commenced the procurement of common data communications services in accordance with the furtherance of the policy. The Highways Agency and Vehicle Inspectorate executive agency are currently conducting wide-ranging reviews of their requirements, including data communications, and are using the policy in assessing and selecting options. The remaining agencies will use the policy similarly in considering their on-going and future requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what fees have been paid to Brays Detective Agency in respect of its work at the Batheaston bypass to date;(2) what sum has been set aside in the budget for the Batheaston bypass for employing Brays Detective Agency or firms conducting similar work.

These questions are an operational matter for the Highways Agency. The chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, is writing to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what controls or guidelines exist within his Department regarding information on protestors gathered by private detectives.

The information collected by private detectives on behalf of the Department's Highways Agency includes photographic and video records and written evidence of observations made. All are required to be carefully collated and catalogued to ensure that they would be acceptable before a court and would assist in the preparation of legal proceedings against trespassers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what central records are kept by his Department of protestors against road schemes; and how information gathered by private detectives is collated centrally by his Department.

Neither the Department nor the Highways Agency keeps central records of protestors against road schemes. Nor do they collate centrally information gathered by private detectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to which part of his Department private detectives gathering information on protestors are responsible.

The private detectives gathering information on protestors are responsible to the Highways Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 30 June, Official Report, column 703, if he will list the three other locations at which arrangements have been made for the gathering of information about protestors; which agency was used; and what was the cost.

This question relates to operational matters of the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the order in which the road schemes costing over £1 million will be constructed in each of the regions of the Highways Agency.

As announced in Match of this year, the following 22 new contracts for schemes over £1 million are due to start in the current financial year. These are listed by Government office region:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many studies on the economic impact of road building his Department has (a) carried out itself or (b) commissioned in the last 10 years.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which road schemes have been authorised in the last 10 years which had a negative net present value; and which road schemes in the last 10 years have been rejected at the public inquiry stage or beyond, because they had a negative net present value.

[holding answer 23 June 1994]: As the information requested relates to operational matters of the Highways Agency, I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he originally proposed to publish details on sub-standard ships detained in United Kingdom ports as recommended by the Donaldson inquiry; when he now proposes to do so; and what are the reasons for the delay.

In making his announcement on 17 May it was my right hon. Friend's intention that details of ships detained in United Kingdom ports should be published as soon as possible. The Marine Safety Agency is preparing the information in a format suitable for publication. The first set of results will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by police force area the number of accidents involving heavy goods vehicles for each of the last five years.

The information requested is shown in the table.