To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what calculation he has made of the additional court days and members of the judiciary needed consequent on the abolition of the industrial injuries compensation scheme.

No such calculation has been made.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the future of the industrial injuries compensation scheme.

None.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate has been made of the additional costs to the legal aid fund of abolition of the industrial injuries compensation scheme.

No such estimate has been made.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary. Lord Chancellor's Department how many overseas visits he and the Lord Chancellor made between 1 January and 30 June; during how many of those visits he or the Lord Chancellor took part in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and in which countries those activities took place.

I have not made any official overseas visit in the period 1 January to 30 June. The Lord Chancellor has made two official overseas visits. Both these visits were arranged and taken in the Lord Chancellor's capacity as Speaker of the House of Lords and did not include any fund-raising activities for the Conservative party. The first was to India, Singapore and Papua New. Guinea, from 1 to 9 January; the second to The Hague, from 23 to 26 June.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he intends to respond to the consultation exercise conducted by his Department into legal costs in small personal injury claims.

In August, following the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of Afzal v. Ford Motor Co. Ltd., the Lord Chancellor announced that he does not intend to take any further action at this time on the proposals contained in his consultation paper on small personal injury claims. The central aim of the proposals was to clarify the position of personal injury claims falling below the small claims limit, and this clarification has been provided by the Court of Appeal. The Lord Chancellor will continue to monitor the effect of the judgment on these cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the delay in making a decision in respect of equal treatment as between men and women in the payment of invalidity benefit upon reaching retirement age.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) on 3 November at column 1376.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security during how many of the overseas visits made by Ministers in his Department between 1 January and 30 June 1994 those Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if he will list the Ministers and the countries in which those activities took place.

Two of the Department's Ministers made overseas visits during the period 1 January to 30 June 1994. The right hon. Member for Chelsea (Mr. Scott) made a visit to Norway and the hon. Member for Bury, North (Mr. Burt) made visits to Luxembourg—twice—and to Canada and the United States of America.Fund-raising activities for the Conservative party are not part of our official duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what purposes land registered under village green in the Commons Registration Act 1965 can be used; and who has the final jurisdiction over such land.

Town and village greens are defined in section 22(1) of the Commons Registration Act 1965 as places where people have a customary right to indulge in lawful sports and pastimes.Town and village greens are protected from inappropriate development or activities by section 12 of the Inclosure Act 1857 and section 29 of the Commons Act 1876. Only the courts have ultimate jurisdiction over town and village greens.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to register timberwolf crossbreed dogs.

Licences are required for keeping any animal which appears among those species listed on the schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. Wolves and any wolf hybrids are listed in the schedule. Licensing under the Act is the responsibility of district councils in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many incidents of people being attacked by timberwolf crossbreed dogs have been reported in each of the last four years.

I am aware of the recent reported incident in Anglesey. No other incidents of people being attacked by timberwolf crossbreed dogs have been reported to my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make adequate resources available to clear up environmental damage in coal areas; and if he will make a statement.

English Partnerships, under the sponsorship of my Department, has since 1 April 1994 has responsibility for the derelict land grant programme which encourages reclamation of derelict land for beneficial uses, including the improvement of the environment. My right hon. Friend issued guidance on 14 April 1994 identifying coalfield reclamation as a priority for English Partnerships to address in developing its derelict land reclamation programme. For 1994–95, English Partnerships has allocated £122 million to this programme of which around £30 million will be spent in the coalfield areas.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total net burden—gross payments to the EC less abatement on the United Kingdom Exchequer—of EC spending in the current financial year; and by how much it will increase in 1995–96 and 1996–97.

The Government's current forecast of the United Kingdom's gross contributions to European Community Institutions and our abatement for the current financial year, together with forecasts for the period 1995–96 and 1996–97, are set out in table 11.1 of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's departmental report—Cm 2517, page 92. As is usual, revised forecasts are being prepared for the Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions he made about the growth of gross domestic product in the EU as a whole in his calculation about the consequences of the increased resources agreed at the Edinburgh summit.

The effect of the Edinburgh financing settlement will be to increase the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EC budget by about £75 million in 1995–96, rising to £250 million in 1999 compared with what we would have paid if the present 1.2 per cent. own resources ceiling had been retained.This estimate is based on the assumption that EU GNP will grow by 2½per cent. a year in real terms, and that inflation will be 2½ per cent. a year, over the period 1995 to 1999.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the revenue secured from VAT on fuel in the current financial year; and what percentage this is of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EU.

The estimated revenue from VAT on fuel and power in the current financial year is £950 million. These receipts have no direct effect on the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EC, which is calculated on a notional harmonised VAT base.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what redundancies are being made in the civil service; and if he will make a statement.

The Government expect civil service manpower to fall significantly below 500,000 over the next four years. The Government's aim has been, and will continue to be, that reductions in the size of the civil service should as far as possible be achieved without redundancies. But the scale of the changes in prospect raises the possibility that, in some areas, some redundancies will be unavoidable.Wherever possible, these will be dealt with on a voluntary basis. There will be full consultation with staff and unions as appropriate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidelines he has issued to Departments that use private sector consultants to advise on whether civil service functions should be privatised.

General advice on the use of private sector consultants is contained in a booklet produced by HM Treasury entitled "Seeking Help from Management Consultants", published by HMSO in 1990.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of debt per household for every £100 of disposable income in 1993.

Figures for the level of household debt outstanding are not available. For the personal sector as a whole—which includes unincorporated private businesses and non-profit-making bodies as well as households—total financial liabilities were about £109 per £100 of disposable income in 1993.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of those registered charities for which the Inland Revenue has waived tax liability in each of the past five years.

I cannot comment on any charity's tax affairs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total amount of public money which is no longer subject to the remit of the National Audit Office following the creation of (a) the Housing Corporation, (b) opted-out schools and (c) the non-departmental public bodies.

Nil.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue he estimates will be generated by the flight tax; and what proportion, as a percentage of that revenue, will be spent on promoting inbound tourism to the United Kingdom.

It is expected that £90 million will be raised from air passenger duty in the remainder of 1994–95, £315 million in 1995–96 and £340 million in 1996–97.It is not the Government's policy to earmark the revenue from any particular tax to any specific part of the public spending programme. The best way to decide among competing claims on taxpayers' money is to consider each on its merits and set priorities among them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress towards achieving the upgrading of the west coast main line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current timetable for upgrading the west coast main line.

The feasibility study for the modernisation of the west coast main line is progressing Well. Railtrack aims to select next year a private sector partner for the main works.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to adopt a policy for cycling which reflects Her Majesty's Government's sustainable development strategy and planning policy guidance 13.

Our June policy statement recognised that cycling is an economical, healthy and environmentally friendly form of transport for local journeys for a great many people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the privatisation of the Fenchurch Street line; and if he is now in a position to state if the line is profitable.

The London, Tilbury and Southend line is planned to be franchised in 1995. It currently receives Exchequer support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the number of prosecutions in 1993 and since 1 January 1994 against motorists for driving a motor vehicle with a defective exhaust system.

No figures are available on the number of prosecutions and convictions in 1993 because detailed figures are not kept on the number of prosecutions for emissions offences.Figures for 1994 are, in any event, not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what environmental considerations he takes into account in assessing his policy towards the building of bypasses.

Our aim in building bypasses is to take heavy through traffic out of communities. In doing so, we always seek to limit any adverse environmental effects by thorough assessment and good-quality design.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to combat driving licence fraud.

We plan to introduce a new plastic card driving licence in 1996 incorporating a photograph of the holder. This will help to eliminate misuse of licences and impersonation at driving tests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the total expenditure on the high-speed rail link between London and the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

The estimated cost of the channel tunnel rail link is around £2.7 billion at fourth quarter 1992 prices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the environmental statements for the channel tunnel rail and the M2 widening scheme will be published.

The environmental statements for the channel tunnel rail link and the widening scheme for junctions 1 to 4 of the M2 and the A2 at Cobham were published on Thursday 17 November. They were circulated to statutory agencies, local authority offices, libraries and information centres along the route. Copies of both statements were placed in the Library. Further background material to the CTRL statement is available for inspection at the offices of my Department's parliamentary agents, Sherwood and Co., 35 Great Peter street, Westminster.Related to the environmental statements and the Bill, a leaflet, entitled "A Guide to Parliament's consideration of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill", was also published on 17 November. The leaflet contains advice on who can petition against the Bill, how to petition and the parliamentary process. It has been distributed widely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce proposals to dual the A2 road between Dover and Lydden.

The highways agency expects to announce arrangements for consulting the public on its proposals for the A2 Lydden—B2060—to Dover improvement scheme later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the involvement of the private sector in the Northern line.

London Underground Ltd. is holding a competition for the supply of privately financed trains for the Northern line. It is currently evaluating the bids which it received early in September, and a decision is expected later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice was received from AMEC regarding the construction of the tunnels at Heathrow airport.

The refurbishment of the road tunnels entering the central terminal area and of the western side bore is an operational matter for Heathrow Airport Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional resources will be furnished to assist the implementation of the London lorry ban after the present permit system is abandoned.

Additional resources will be provided for the revision of warning signs. Administrative savings made by the local authorities following abolition of the permit system could be used to strengthen enforcement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department intends to take to tackle the problem of urban air pollution.

I am determined that transport will play its part in reducing pollution in the air we breathe. As a result of improvements to vehicle standards and measures such as my recent initiative on enforcement, we are now set to see a marked and progressive decline in pollutants that will extend well into the next decade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about investment in London Transport.

Investment expenditure by London Transport has been at record levels in real terms since 1990, averaging £800 million a year at today's prices, and this year is forecast to be around £1 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with London Transport concerning its involvement in the south London rail study.

My right hon. Friend and I have regular meetings with the chairman of London Transport to discuss a variety of issues, including possible improvements to the underground. I understand that London Transport is still assessing the results of the south London rail study and hope to produce a report shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about when future orders will be placed for class 465 networker trains for Kent commuters.

British Rail is currently considering the business case for new class 465 networker passenger trains. I expect to hear the outcome of its considerations next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the minutes of discussions between the Secretary of State for Transport and journalists in March 1989 on the subject of Lockerbie.

It is not normal practice for minutes to be taken of press briefings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport during how many of the overseas visits made by Ministers in his Department between 1 January and 30 June 1994 those Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if he will list the Ministers and the countries in which those activities took place.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations he is giving to the needs of rural areas with minimal public transport.

Our transport policy has always given weight to the needs of rural areas. We have made it easier for local authorities to subsidise socially necessary but uncommercial bus services, and for unconventional transport, like post buses, to be introduced in very sparsely populated areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of BAA's application, and supporting statements, to be permitted to operate a mix landing mode at Heathrow airport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to hold a public inquiry in the event of him not rejecting outright the request of BAA for permission to operate a mix landing mode at Heathrow.

I have had no request from BAA regarding the mode of operation at Heathrow airport. I have, however, received a report of a Heathrow runway capacity enhancement study sponsored by BAA, National Air Traffic Services and airlines. We are currently studying the report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to conclude his review of manpower requirements for the research councils.

By the end of this year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he will be taking to bring forward the publication of historic government papers.

All possible steps.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he intends to publish the third annual report on progress in the citizens charter.

We expect to publish the citizens charter third report during 1995.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to change the method by which medical research projects into breast cancer are assessed as appropriate for funding by the Medical Research Council.

I have told the hon. Lady on several occasions that it is for the Medical Research Council to assess research applications, and to allocate resources according to the quality of the proposals it receives.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many overseas visits the Chancellor of the Duchy and the Parliamentary Secretary made between 1 January and 30 June; during how many of them he and the Parliamentary Secretary participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and in which countries these activities took place.

The then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made two overseas visits, to Belgium and Japan, in an official capacity between 1 January and 30 June 1994. The then Parliamentary Secretary made only one overseas visit in the same period, to Belgium. Fund-raising activities for the Conservative party are not part of our official duties.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what new proposals he has to improve the co-operation between scientific research institutions and British industry.

The Government continue their commitment to innovation and wealth creation in science and technology laid out in the White Paper "Realising Our Potential" and have announced a number of initiatives to this end, of which the innovative manufacturing initiative was the latest. A foresight forum was held in September to consult business and S and T communities and participants praised the success of the networks formed by the technology foresight panels.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will announce the blocks to be offered in the 16th round of offshore oil and gas licensing on the United Kingdom continental shelf.

I hope to be able to make an announcement very soon.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that British Coal land leased to miners' welfares will be outwith any disposal scheme; and if he will ensure that its future use for sport and recreational use is safeguarded.

A number of options are currently being considered for the future of British Coal's recreational land. No decisions have yet been taken.It is the Government's objective, however, that land currently in active use for sport and recreation is retained for those purposes.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what mechanisms he will apply to ensure that the assets of the coal industry are not packaged in a different way from its liabilities.

In general, the property, rights and liabilities of British Coal which relate to the on-going business will transfer to successor companies. Certain liabilities of British Coal relating to the period before privatisation—for example, liability for personal injury and disease as announced on 6 June—will remain in the public sector.This was explained in the information memorandum which was provided to prequalifiers for the sale.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that proceeds from the coal industry's assets are used to tackle the aftermath of the industry's decline; and if he will make a statement.

No. However, the Government have put in place a substantial regeneration package for areas affected by coal closures, with support of £200 million.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the value of United Kingdom trade with Indonesia in the last three years.

The information is regularly published in Business Monitors MA20 and MM20, overseas trade statistics of the United Kingdom, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue a directive to the Coal Authority and British Coal to stop further opencast applications.

No.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the Export Credits Guarantee Department, while under Government ownership, was ever subject to a claim for payment from Stone Platt International, Platt Hollingsworth, Platt Saco-Lowell, John D. Hollingsworth, Longclose Engineering, Platt Longclose, Stone Platt Industries or Platt Brother, relating to the export of textile machinery supplied to PT Westra Inda, Texmaco-Polysindo of Indonesia or companies owned by Texmaco of the Philippines or any related companies under the ownership or control of Mr. Marimutu Sinivasan which was subsequently not made in full; and if he will make a statement;(2) what settlements the Export Credits Guarantee Department reached with PT Westra Indra, Texmaco-Polysindo of Indonesia or companies owned by Texmaco of the Philippines or any related companies under the ownership or control of Mr. Marimutu Sinivasan relating to non-payment for textile equipment received from British suppliers; and if he will make a statement.

I can confirm that an agreed settlement of certain outstanding amounts due to the United Kingdom organisations mentioned by my hon. Friend and guaranteed by ECGD has been reached.Details are commercial in-confidence between the parties and I am, therefore, unable to disclose further information to my hon. Friend.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to privatise the activities of Companies House (a) fully or (b) partially.

No decision has yet been taken on the future of Companies House.My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced on 19 July,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what role his Department plays in preventing the growth of monopoly in (a) commercial ship building, (b) major warship building and (c) defence prime contracting.

The Director General of Fair Trading keeps markets under review and, if appropriate, will refer them to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation. Any concerns the hon. Member has should be directed to him.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will describe the responsibilities and staffing of the Department of Trade and Industry's defence division.

My Department does not have a defence division. Defence-related matters as they affect my Department are dealt with by the appropriate divisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs during how many of the overseas visits made by his Ministers between 1 January and 30 June those Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if he will name the Ministers and the countries in which these activities took place.

Fund-raising activities for the Conservative party are not part of our official duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the current situation in relation to the cleaners at MI6 headquarters.

I wrote to the hon. Lady on this matter on 17 November, and I have arranged for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will arrange for publication in the Official Report of a copy of the letter on the Al Yamamah agreement with Saudi Arabia to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent referred to in his answer of 3 November, Official Report, column 1257.

No. A copy is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Prime Minister whether the fact that a given Cabinet Minister has or has not attended a given meeting of the full Cabinet is a matter of public record.

It is not normal practice to publish details of attendance at Cabinet.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will give the names and Departments of the proposed Clerks to the Committee relating to the security services.

As stated by my right hon. Friend the former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Cabinet Office will provide the support staff for the committee on the intelligence and security services, Official Report, 22 February 1994, column 247.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what expenditure has been allocated and under which vote for 1994–95 for the committee on the security services;(2) if the committee on security services will be able to travel abroad to take evidence.

The expenditure for the intelligence services committee has been allocated under the Cabinet Office vote, class XIX. The annual cost of the committee is expected to be approximately £100,000. As my right hon. Friend the former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, explained—Official Report, 22 February 1994, column 247—this sum will be met from within existing provision. It includes provision for foreign travel where necessary for the committee to fulfil its functions.

To ask the Prime Minister when he expects the committee on the security services (a) to meet and (b) to submit its first report to him; and if he will make a statement.

Subject to the provisions of the Act, the committee will determine its own procedure. The date of the first meeting will therefore be a matter for the chairman and the committee. The committee is required to make an annual report to me on the discharge of its functions.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) when he expects to give evidence to the committee on the security services;(2) what restrictions there are on the people from whom the committee on the security services will be able to hear evidence.

I refer the hon. Member to the statements made by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office—my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg)— Official Report, Standing Committee E, 24 March 1994, columns 250–54; 29 March 1994, columns 259–60; and Official Report, 27 April 1994, columns 336–37. I have nothing further to add.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will now name the hon. Members who are on the parliamentary committee relating to the security services.

I have been in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, the right hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair), over the membership of the committee and expect to be able to make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Prime Minister what hospitality he has provided at 10 Downing street for the Small Business Bureau since April 1992.

None.

To ask the Prime Minister what steps the Government takes to co-ordinate youth policy.

Matters affecting young people are dealt with by the Government Department which has the responsibility for the specific issue involved. Where policy matters involve a number of Departments' interests, Government Departments work closely together.

To ask the Prime Minister how many overseas visits he has made as Prime Minister; and during how many of those visits he has undertaken fund-raising activities for the Conservative party.

I have made 83 overseas visits as Prime Minister. Fund-raising activities for the Conservative party are not part of my official duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy towards herbal cures; and if she will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations she has received concerning the proposed Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations, Pharmacovigilance and Related Matters) Regulations and the future availability of herbal medicines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether she will consult all interested parties before taking final decisions on regulations concerning the availability of herbal remedies and essential oils for aromatherapy;(2) whether she will make a statement on Government proposals regarding the availability of herbal remedies and essential oils for aromatherapy;(3) whether she will take steps to ensure the continued availability at a reasonable price of harmless herbal remedies and essential oils for aromatherapy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will now make a statement on her policy on the future availability of herbal remedies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether traditional herbal remedies will in future require registration; what representation she has received on this issue; and if she will make a statement.

Herbal medicines currently exempt from product licensing requirements under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 will continue to enjoy this exemption. The exemptions and public health safeguards under section 56 of the Act also remain. The position on the sale of aromatherapy oils also remains unchanged. There should, therefore, be no effect on the prices of these products.We have received representations on the issue of herbal medicines from herbalists and manufacturers of those medicines, their representative organisations and from members of the public. Officials will be holding further meetings with the organisations involved before new regulations are finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she intends to take to ensure that future European directives or European court decisions do not provide a definition of industrially produced products which threatens in any way the continued availability of herbal remedies; and if she will make a statement.

We are confident that we have safeguarded the position of herbal medicines in the United Kingdom, under European Community law. We will continue to work with other European Community member states and the European Commission to ensure that herbal medicines remain available to the many people in the United Kingdom who use them and to maintain existing public health safeguards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are routinely taken by the Medicines Control Agency to ensure that in bringing forward proposals for new regulations or legislation to reflect new European directives and regulations its proposals are no more stringent than the minimum which is required; and if she will make a statement.

Where the United Kingdom enters into European Community undertakings our policy is to implement fully but not to over-implement. We routinely consult industry and others with an interest in the control of medicines. This includes inviting comments on any new burdens on business. Our aim is to minimise such burdens and we take all comments into account in finalising legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are taken by the Medicines Control Agency to ensure that any proposed new European directives allow the United Kingdom the greatest flexibility in the interpretation and implementation of those directives; and if she will make a statement.

Where it is appropriate for the European Community to legislate, the United Kingdom seeks to ensure in negotiations that the text agreed is fully consistent with our policy objectives. The United Kingdom's policy is to implement fully our European Community undertakings, but not to over-implement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has concerning the guidance given to the Medicines Control Agency by the deregulation unit of the Department of Trade and Industry and the extent to which the agency communicates with the unit about the drafting of proposed new regulations; and if she will make a statement.

The Department of Trade and Industry has published a number of guidance documents for Departments and their agencies on deregulation. There are regular contacts between the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry on deregulation issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she is now able to add to the answer given on 18 April 1990 to the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) by the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Forth) concerning the work of Barry Richardson and cot deaths; and if she is now in a position to give a definitive response to his findings;(2) what is her response to the work of Barry Richardson, the Robens institute at Surrey university and others linking cot deaths to abnormally high levels of antimony in the blood and tissue of victims.

A hypothesis by Mr. B. Richardson, that sudden infant death syndrome was caused by toxic gases generated by fungal action on plastic cot mattresses, was examined in detail by an expert working group set up by the Chief Medical Officer in 1990. The group considered Mr. Richardson's evidence, evidence from work specially commissioned for it from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist and the International Mycological Institute, and other scientific evidence including published work. It concluded that the hypothesis was not supported by the evidence. Its report was published in May 1991 and copies are available in the Library.The Department of Health has seen no further evidence to contradict the group's conclusion, in particular those relating to the suggestion that antimony and other chemicals are released by fungal action from cot mattresses. Trace levels of antimony are widely distributed, including food, water and tobacco smoke.The work reported form the Robens institute has provided no answers, but raised some questions which need proper investigation. The Chief Medical Officer has asked for additional information, and will convene a small expert group to steer further work.The advice to parents and carers of small children remains that of the successful "Back to Sleep" campaign:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations she received in response to her circular LASSL(94)3; and if she will summarise its contents;(2) in how many cases she has exercised her discretion on the repayment of special transitional grant in respect of meeting the independent sector condition; and if she will name the authorities concerned.

Final audit returns for 1993–94 are not required until 31 December 1994. In considering any action to be taken as a result of those returns we will take into account representations made by local authorities, including any made by those authorities listed in LASSL(94)3, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment she has made of the implications for statutory services of local authorities using their base-line budgets to meet their new community care duties under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 because they have already spent their special transitional grant allocation;(2) what representations she has received from those local authorities which have already spent their 1994–95 special transitional grant;(3) what steps she has taken to monitor the commitment effect of expenditure incurred during the 1993–94 financial year in terms of the adequacy of the special transitional grant in individual local authorities for the current financial year;(4) what steps she has taken to establish how many local authorities have already spent their special transitional grant allocation for 1994–95; and if she will make a statement;(5) what representations she has received regarding the implications of charging for services arising as a result of the special transitional grant being exhausted in a number of local authorities;(6) what advice she has given to those authorities that have already spent their 1994–95 special transitional grant allocation with regard to

In addition to resources available to them through the personal social services standard spending assessment, local authorities have been given £1.27 billion to meet their additional responsibilities under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 in 1994–95, including a special transitional grant of some £736 million. We are aware of a few authorities which have expressed concern about the level of their resources for community care. It is for them to decide, from their total available resources, including special transitional grant, what proportion they wish to devote to community care taking account of local circumstances and priorities. It is also for them to manage those resources effectively throughout the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the public response to the NHS organ donor register.

Since 6 October, when the national health service organ donor register was launched, about 1.5 million leaflets with registration forms have been sent to post offices, general practitioner surgeries and other public places, and in response to the telephone freeline No. 0800 777 555. We are very encouraged by the volume of applications already received, including people registering through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, and will continue to give full publicity to the register.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from health authorities regarding the level of co-operation by water companies towards the fluoridation of water supplied in line with the levels suggested in her Department's oral health strategy for England.

A number of health authorities have, from time to time, made such representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health during how many of the overseas visits made by Ministers in her Department between 1 January and 30 June 1994 those Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if she will list the Ministers and the countries in which those activities took place.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with haemophilia have contracted hepatitis C in consequence of being given contaminated blood supplied under the NHS; how many have since died of the condition; what action she is taking in regard to compensation; and if she will make a statement.

These figures are not collected centrally. There are methods of transmission of hepatitis C other than the use of blood and blood products. I understand from the United Kingdom haemophilia centre directors that, of 126 haemophilia patients known to have died in 1993, 12 showed the cause of death as liver disease of which hepatitis C may have been the cause.We have no plans to make payments to haemophilia patients who may have been infected with hepatitis C.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current number of national health service beds available for nursing elderly people.

There is no designation of national health service beds, whether in hospitals or in nursing homes, intended specifically for the nursing of elderly people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussion her Department has had with Humberside county council about the provision of secure accommodation for young people on remand.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs) on 22 April at columns 696–97 for details of the local authority capital programme, funded by the Government, to build an additional 170 secure places nationally for criminal justice purposes. The programme was drawn up in consultation with regional groups of authorities. No further secure provision is currently planned in Humberside, but a total of 17 additional places are to be provided by Sheffield and Leeds, to which all authorities in the Yorkshire and Humberside region will have access.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional resources she will give for Humberside county council to meet its responsibilities to provide secure accommodation for young people on remand.

The Government are committed to paying a fair price through fees to local authorities where they are required to arrange secure accommodation for children and young people on remand.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young people are in residential care in Humberside for whom there is no proper accommodation available; how many are forced to sleep on camp beds; and if she will make a statement.

The arrangements made for the accommodation of children looked after by Humberside are the responsibility of Humberside county council.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the average cost per household for fire services for each fire authority area in England and Wales for each year since 1979.

This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local fire stations have been closed in each fire authority in England and Wales in each year since 1979.

This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average fire service cover per 1,000 of population for each fire authority area in England and Wales since 1979.

This information is not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fire engines on average were in use for each fire service in England and Wales in each year since 1979.

Information in the form requested is not recorded by my Department; but information about the number of fire appliances available to each fire authority has been published annually by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. The figures for 1979–80 to 1989–90 are published in the annual series "Fire Service Statistics, Actuals" and the figures for 1990–91 to 1993–94 are published in "Fire Service Statistics, 1992", "Fire Service Statistics 1993" and "Fire Service Statistics 1994".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost of attending an incident for each fire authority in England and Wales for each year since 1979 in real terms.

This information is not available and any attempt to provide it could be only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of hours per year for each fire authority in England and Wales spent on fire prevention for each year since 1979.

The average number of hours per year for each fire authority in England and Wales spent on fire safety for each year since 1989 is:

Year	Hours
1989	30,877
1990	30,224
1991	34,753
1992	35,807
1993–94	36,377

Collection of data for number of hours spent by fire authorities in England and Wales was not commenced until the year 1989. Data for 1989 to 1992 were collected on a calender year basis; those for 1993–94 were collected on a financial year basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firemen and women were employed by each fire authority in England and Wales in each year since 1979.

The information requested is published in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services, copies which can be found in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was (a) the capital expenditure budget and (b) the revenue budgets for each fire authority in England and Wales in real terms for each year since 1979.

The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list (a) the number of incidents attended to by each fire authority (b) the class of incident and (c) the estimated average loss per incident for each fire authority in England and Wales since 1979.

The number and type of fire incidents attended by each fire authority in England and Wales for 1982 to 1992 are given in the annual Home Office publication "Fire Statistics United Kingdom", available in the Library. Primary, secondary and chimney fires are separately identified. The relevant statistical tables for each year are as follows:

Year	Table number
1982	59
1983	60
1984	62
1985	65
1986	66
1987	64
1988	64
1989	59
1990	61
1991	62
1992	61

For the years 1979–81, supplementary table S9 contains information on the number of primary and secondary fires for each brigade area. Information on the number of chimney fires for each brigade area for these years is not available.Information on loss from fire incidents is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average response time per incident for each fire service for each year since 1979.

The available data are shown in the following table. Data are not available for 1980. Average response times to fire incidents will vary with the different categories of risk within each brigade area.