To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of export credit guarantee finance contributes to arms sales; and what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of this funding as a means of overseas aid.

ECGD supported guarantees worth £1.96 billion in respect of defence contracts in 1993–94. This amounted to 48 per cent. of ECGD's support for capital goods and projects in 1993–94.Export credit cover does not 'form part of the Government's overseas aid effort, nor is it funded from the aid budget. Export credit is provided as part of the Government's export promotion strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries of the British Commonwealth still retain the death penalty; and how many people in each country were under sentence of death on 16 November.

[pursuant to his reply 28 November 1994, Official Report, column 502]: The death penalty in Britain applies only to acts of treason and piracy with violence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are Rwanda's outstanding debts to (a) the World bank, (b) the International Monetary Fund and (c) the United Kingdom.

[pursuant to his reply, 6 December 1994, Official Report, columns 12D–21]: Rwanda's arrears to the World bank currently total $5.2 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) boys and (b) girls under the age of 16 years were being held in an adult prison in England and Wales on 10 October 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 if he will give the police greater powers to deal with glue sniffing and solvent abuse.

The Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 makes it an offence for retailers to sell substances to a person under the age of 18 if they have reason to believe that the young person intends to use them for the purpose of intoxication. It is punishable on conviction with up to six months' imprisonment and/or a fine up to £5,000. In addition, under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 it is an offence for a person to use threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly behaviour, a sanction which can be used against an individual who behaves in such a way while so intoxicated.The possibility of making volatile substances abuse a criminal offence was considered by the Government in 1983 in consultation with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies. The great majority of those who replied took the view that to criminalise VSA would be counter-productive, deterring misusers from seeking help and possibly burdening young people with a criminal record. There was also a fear that such a course might put young people in greater danger by making their activities more secretive.The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has recently undertaken a study into VSA, the results of which will be published next year. We do not expect it to recommend any changes in the law.We currently have no reason to believe that a change in the law would be beneficial and have no plans for such a change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Sir John Woodcock's inquiry into the escape from Whitemoor prison will be completed; and when it will be published.

I will publish Sir John Woodcock's report as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of his correspondence with the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Lady Olga Maitland) concerning Whitemoor prison.

I shall place copies of the correspondence with my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam in the Library once Sir John Woodcock's report into events at Whitemoor prison has been published.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what priority he gives to the targeting of police resources for the purpose of vehicle checks; and if he will make a statement.

The priority given to the use of police resources for vehicle checks is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received from the West Midlands police force regarding Operation Brink; and what plans he has to recommend the adoption of the scheme by other forces.

I understand that this is a police initiative against those who have outstanding warrants for the non-payment of fines. No reports on this operation had been received prior to the tabling of this question.The allocation and deployment of police officers on initiatives of this kind is a matter for individual chief constables.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total cost of the policing of the M11 link road protest (a) in order to occupy the premises in Claremont road, Leytonstone and (b) for the project as a whole to date; and if he will estimate the continuing cost.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the cost of policing the protest in order to allow bailiffs to take possession of the premises in Claremont road was £1,014,060. Prior to the operation which commenced on Monday 28 November the costs of policing the M11 protest were £1,190,846 giving a total cost to date of £2,204,906. No continuing costs are expected.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce further safeguards for overseas domestic workers admitted to the United Kingdom with their employers.

I have been considering in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Employment Department the arrangements under which overseas domestic workers are admitted to the United Kingdom. The Government believe that the majority of employers make satisfactory arrangements for the maintenance and accommodation of such employees while in the United kingdom, but we have been concerned about cases where employers have failed to do so. We have therefore introduced additional requirements at the entry clearance stage in order to ensure that there is no misunderstanding about employers' obligations to their domestic workers:

—employers must give a written undertaking to provide adequate maintenance and accommodation—in particular, a separate bedroom—for their domestic workers;

—employers must confirm that they have read and understood the note to employers and the leaflet for servants;

—employers must set out in writing the main terms and conditions of employment in the United kingdom;

—domestic workers must be given a copy of the statement of the main terms and conditions of their employment at the entry clearance interview, with an explanation of them, and must confirm that they agree to those terms and conditions;

—the minimum qualifying age for domestic workers has been raised from 17 to 18.

These measures build on requirements already in place that all domestic workers must obtain entry clearance before coming here; must have been in continuous paid employment with the employer abroad for at least the previous 12 months before coming here with a visitor, or at least two years in all other cases; and must be interviewed (at least on their first visit with a particular employer) by the entry clearance officer separately from that employer and receive and understand a leaflet setting out their legal rights and where to go to for help. We believe that the new measures will provide valuable additional safeguards for domestic workers entering the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff in his local environment quality division now work full-time on noise policy matters.

Four staff in the local environment quality division work full time on policy matters relating to noise and other statutory nuisances.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has undertaken or commissioned on the effectiveness of the current noise control framework in dealing with neighbour noise complaints.

An inter departmental working party comprising officials from my Department, the Home Office, Lord Chancellor's Department, territorial departments and representatives of the local authorities and police, is reviewing the effectiveness of current neighbour noise controls and will be making recommendations to Ministers in the new year.The working party will consider available evidence on the effectiveness of current neighbour noise controls, including surveys by local authorities, voluntary bodies and research institutions.

To ask the Secretary of State of the Environment what plans he has to set targets for reducing noise exposure as part of his sustainable development strategy.

Planning policy guidance note No. 24, "Planning and Noise" issued in October 1994, recommends exposure levels for new residential development near transport and other noise sources. A copy of. PPG24 is in the Library.A number of EC directives ensure the progressive reduction in noise from road vehicles, aircraft and a variety of machinery and equipment.

To ask the Secretary of State of the Environment what research he has undertaken of commissioned on the contribution of poor sound insulation to neighbour noise complaints.

My Department has commissioned the Building Research Establishment to study a small sample of complaints about poor sound insulation between dwellings. The research was carried out between 1992 and 1994. The information gained will form part of a continuing review of the regulations for sound insulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his estimate of the proportion of the population currently exposed to night-time noise levels of (a) more than 65 decibels, (b) between 55 and 65 decibels and (c) less than 55 decibels;(2) what is his estimate of the proportion of the population currently exposed to daytime noise levels of more than 65 decibels.

From noise measurements carried out at 1,000 dwellings in England and Wales during the 1990 national noise incidence study it is estimated that at night (a) less than 1 per cent. of the population are exposed to noise levels 65dB L_Aeq (23.00–07.00), (b) 13 per cent. are exposed to levels between 55dB and 65dB L_Aeq (23.00–07.00) and (c) 86 per cent. to levels less than 55dB L_Aeq (23.00–07.00). It is estimated that 10 per cent. of the population are exposed to daytime noise levels of more than 65dB L_Leq (07.00–23.00).Copies of an information paper reporting the findings of the study, which was carried out by the Building Research Establishment, are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what statistics the Government have regarding the reasons for private sector dwellings lying empty.

Some indication of the reasons for dwellings being vacant can be obtained from data about council tax exemptions, collected annually from each English housing authority. This information does not distinguish between dwellings in the private and public sector.Additionally, broader information on the reasons for privately-owned dwellings being vacant is provided by the five-yearly English House Conditions Survey. The Department will soon have results from a research project which has tried to identify reasons for long-term vacancy in the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his statement of 6 December on the single regulation budget, (a) over how many years the total sum is to be spread, and how much in each year, (b) how much of the sum announced is top-sliced from other programmes, (c) how much of the sum announced is new money and (d) how any money will be paid; and if he will make a statement.

As stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. Dicks) on 5 December, Official Report column 9–10, the resources available for projects successful in the first bidding round of the single regeneration budget (SRB) have been increased by £25 million in each of the three years 1995–96 to 1997–98.This brings the proposed funding for the 201 successful bids, announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 6 December, to £125 million in 1995–96 and to £225 million in both 1996–97 and 1997–98. The 201 successful bids are planned to have lifetimes varying from one to seven years. Over their lifetime they are expected to receive total SRB funding of some £1.1 billion, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of resources.A second bidding round will be launched next year and will build up to a full spend of £200 million in 1997–98, with £40 million available in 1996–97 for early funding of successful projects.The resources—more than £800 million in SRB funding over the next three years—for new projects are being released from the provision for programmes which combined to form the SRB, as existing commitments are fulfilled.Government offices for the regions will be in touch with the successful bidders about arrangements for payment of the agreed funding. Successful partnerships have been informed that approval is subject to agreement of delivery plans and that the continuation of funding will be dependent on achievement of outputs and milestones identified in those plans.

To ask the Secretary of Slate for the Environment what criteria he uses to select successful bids for funds from the single regeneration budget.

The criteria used to select successful bids under the single regeneration budget are set out in the bidding guidance issued on 14 April. Copies are in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many single regeneration budget bids were submitted from the north-west.

The Government office for the north-west received 56 bids for funding from the single regeneration budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases the Child Support Agency is currently dealing with; what is the extent of the Child Support Agency's backlog; how long, on average, it takes for the Child Support Agency to deal with a case; and if the Child Support Agency will take on further cases before the backlog is cleared.

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which company has been engaged by the Child Support Agency to advise the agency upon its administration structure and procedures; and what is the projected cost for this advice.

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost per annum of the Child Support Agency proposals to provide DNA testing for fathers in cases of disputed paternity.

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much has been paid out by the Child Support Agency over the last 12 months in compensation for errors or inefficiency; and in how many cases;(2) how many compensation claims for inefficiency are under consideration in the Child Support Agency.

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the numerical targets for Benefits Agency medical service doctors in respect of the number of medical tests in connection with applications for incapacity benefit (a) in Scotland, and (b) in Strathclyde and the Benefits Agency districts contained within Benefits Agency area directorates 4 and 5.

The administration of incapacity benefit is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Benefits Agency medical service doctors will be employed in the medical examination centres in Scotland, Strathclyde and the Benefits Agency districts contained within Benefits Agency area directorates 4 and 5.

The administration of incapacity benefit is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated benefit saving of the new test, including disability premium recipients in (a) Scotland, and (b) Strathclyde and the Benefits Agency districts contained within Benefits Agency area directorates 4 and 5.

Estimates of benefit savings of the new test by region are not available.Estimated benefit savings in Great Britain from applying the new medical test to existing recipients of invalidity benefit, new recipients of incapacity benefit and both new and existing recipients of a disability premium in the income-related benefits are shown in the table:

	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98
Savings from medical test (£ million)	210	700	1,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of current invalidity benefit recipients are to be exempt from the new test for incapacity benefit by virtue of being aged 58 years or over, by virtue of being in receipt of disability living allowance higher care component; and what is the estimate of the number of exemptions being deemed under the prescribed conditions listed in the report, "Incapacity for Work".

We estimate that at April 1995, the number of invalidity benefit recipients aged 58 or over and in receipt of invalidity benefit continuously since 1 December 1993 will be around 738,000.It is not possible to make an estimate of the number of existing invalidity benefit claimants who are in receipt of

County	Weather Station	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94
Dorset	Bournemouth	—	—	1	—	—
Hampshire	Southampton	—	—	—	—	—
East Sussex	Herstmonceux	—	—	1	—	—
West Sussex	Gatwick Airport	1	—	2	1	—
Kent	Manston	—	—	—	1	—
Berkshire	Easthampstead	1	—	3	1	1

In addition, cold weather payments were made on a national basis irrespective of recorded temperatures for the two weeks 1 February 1991 to 14 February 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which suppliers have been invited to make proposals for the automated benefit payment system; and if he will make a statement.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 30 November, the automation of post offices and benefit payment will make a major contribution to our top priority fight against fraud. It will also act as a springboard for Post Office Counters Ltd. to gain new business. Nine companies, some of whom lead consortia, submitted formal procedures to act as prime contractors in the development of payment cards to replace girocheques and order books. The following five have been selected, by Post Office Counters Ltd. and my Department, to develop their solutions further: BT; Cardlink UK; EDS; IBM; ICL.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average amount spent weekly by (a) single pensioners and (b) married pensioners on domestic

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on how many occasions in each of the last five years cold weather payments have been made in the counties of (a) Dorset, (b) Hampshire, (c) east Sussex, (d) west Sussex, (e) Kent and (f) Berkshire.

The administration of the cold weather payments scheme is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether, under the back-to-work bonus scheme, the bonus payment will be treated as income or capital for the purpose of calculating family credit or housing benefit entitlement.

No decision has yet been made about the effect of a back-to-work bonus on a claim for family credit or housing benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his assessment of the average loss per home owner who starts claiming income support with mortgage interest payments, arising from the changes introduced in the Budget after (a) April 1995 and (b) October 1995 compared with the arrangements prior to April 1995.

The average loss per home owner who starts claiming income support with mortgage interest payments, arising from the changes introduced in the budget between April and October 1995 is estimated at around 25p. This estimate is based on the 1993 ASE, uprated to 1995–96 levels, and is rounded to the nearest 5p.The proposed changes to be introduced from October 1995 will be subject to wide consultation. The financial effect will depend on the outcome of the consultation and the final detail of the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of current recipients of invalidity benefit in Scotland, Strathclyde and the Benefits Agency district contained within Benefits Agency area directorates 4 and 5.

This is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patient complaints were received per 1,000 patients treated in each year since 1989–90 by region.

There were 4.3 hospital-related patient complaints received per 1,000 patients treated in Northern Ireland during the period 1 April 1993 to 31 March 1994. Information relating to patient complaints is not available for years prior to 1993–94.Information relating to patient complaints in the family health services is not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent by (a) district health authorities, (b) family health service authorities, (c) regional health authorities, (d) trusts and (e) general practitioner fundholders on health care purchases from non-NHS providers in each of the last three years.

In Northern Ireland integrated health and personal social services are supplied by health boards, trusts, general practitioner fundholders and the Central Services Agency for the Health and Personal Social Services.Health and social services boards' expenditure on the purchase of health and personal social services from non-NHS/HPSS providers was £5,777,349 in 1992–93 and £4,448,722 in 1993–94.The accounts of the health and social services boards were revised in 1992–93 to take account of the separation of the purchaser/provider functions and the information is accordingly not readily available prior to this date.The first health and social services trusts were established in Northern Ireland on 1 April 1993. Their accounts for 1993–94 indicated nil expenditure on purchases from non-NHS/HPSS providers.The accounts of general practitioner fundholders do not currently separately record expenditure on purchases from non-NHS/HPSS providers.Family practitioner services which are delivered by the CSA on a regional basis indicated nil expenditure on purchases from non-NHS/HPSS providers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost per annum of the Child Support Agency proposals to provide DNA testing for fathers in cases of disputed paternity.

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much has been paid out by the Child Support Agency over the last 12 months in compensation for errors or inefficiency; and in how many cases;(2) how many compensation claims for inefficiency are under consideration in the Child Support Agency.

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what liabilities exist, what contractual arrangements exist to express those liabilities, in respect of Government programmes carried out prior to April 1971 on sites now in the ownership of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. or the Atomic Energy Authority; which agencies of Government took part in settling those contractual arrangements; and on what dates such arrangements were concluded.

In correspondence between the Secretary of State for Energy and the chairman of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority in 1986 the Government confirmed that they were prepared to continue to accept responsibility in principle for the costs which the UKAEA incurred in treating and disposing of nuclear wastes and in decommissioning plant arising from programmes carried out by the UKAEA and its predecessors prior to 1 April 1986.In correspondence between the Secretary of State for Energy and the Chairman of BNFL in 1983 and 1988 the Government agreed in principle to accept responsibility for the costs which BNFL incurred in treating and disposing of nuclear wastes and in decommissioning plant, arising from programmes carried out prior to 1 April 1971, to the extent that Government Departments were responsible for those programmes.All of the work for which DTI has accepted financial responsibility, including that on BNFL sites, is funded by means of a conditional grant from DTI to the UKAEA and therefore is not subject to contractual arrangements between DTI and the UKAEA.The UKAEA has estimated that the total value of waste management and decommissioning liabilities for which DTI has accepted financial responsibility is £8 billion, within a range of £6 to £12 billion, undiscounted at present price levels. These figures include liabilities for which DTI has accepted financial responsibility that have arisen from programmes carried out by the UKAEA or BNFL on behalf of DEn/DTI since 1986 and 1971 respectively. £1 billion of this estimate relates to waste management and decommissioning at BNFL sites.The Ministry of Defence has also accepted responsibility in principle for some liabilities in respect of Government programmes carried out prior to April 1971 on sites now in the ownership of BNFL and the UKAEA.The principal Government Departments which took part in settling these arrangements were the Department of Energy, the Treasury and the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many times notices were issued under sections 32 and 33 of the Insurance Companies Act 1982 in each subsequent complete calendar year.

Eighteen notices were issued under sections 32 and 33 in 1993; and 13 notices in 1994 to date. Figures for earlier years could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what analysis he has carried out of the composition of remuneration committees of United Kingdom plcs and the background of their members.

None. However, research has been commissioned by the Cadbury Committee as part of its monitoring of its code of best practice. The code recommends that remuneration committees should be made up wholly or mainly of non-executive directors who should be independent of management and free from any business or other relationship which could materially interfere with the exercise of their independent judgment, apart from their fees and shareholding.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met members of the brewing industry which also included publicans to discuss the 1995 review by the European Union of the tied house system; and if he will make a statement.

I have responsibility for competition issues in the brewing industry. Since taking up post in October I have held no such meetings. However, my predecessor last met a group of publicans to discuss issues relating to the tied house system in June this year. The European Commission regulation 1984–83 under which the tie is permitted expires in 1997; the Commission has made it clear that it does not expect to begin its review of the regulation until early 1996.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his latest estimate of the additional cost per month to a house buyer of the requirement to take out insurance on a mortgage of £50,000.

The current average cost of mortgage protection insurance policies is about £7 for every £100 of mortgage payment per month up to a general maximum of £1,000 per month. The cost of insurance against a £50,000 mortgage would depend on the level of interest rates.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much he estimates an average householder will have to pay in monthly insurance premiums on a new mortgage when plans to limit income support help with mortgage interest payments come into effect.

The current average cost of mortgage protection insurance policies is about £7 for every £100 of mortgage payment per month up to a general maximum of £1,000 per month. Costs to householders will vary according to the prevailing rate of interest and how much they choose to insure.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received concerning the future large aircraft.

I have received many representations from interested parties including several United Kingdom aerospace companies and from hon. Members.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State of Defence concerning the future large aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

My Department keeps in close contact with the Ministry of Defence on the future large aircraft and other projects with significant implications for United Kingdom industry.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the impact on the aerospace industry if the future large aircraft is not procured by the Government.

My Department is considering the industrial implications of the future large aircraft with the Ministry of Defence and other interested Departments.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the members of the deregulation task force and their payments.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Mr. Ainsworth) on 6 July 1994, Official Report, column 224, which listed the members of the deregulation task force. In addition, David Band of Barclays de Zoete Wedd has since been appointed. Individuals do not receive payment for their work as members of the deregulation task force, but the Department has agreed to reimburse their travel expenses.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to co-ordinate action by regulatory bodies in the United Kingdom, in United Kingdom dependencies and elsewhere to end the offering of soft commissions by brokers; and what steps he will take to ensure that insurance companies declare soft commissions offered to, or by, brokers and fund managers acting on their behalf.

I have been asked to reply.Under the Financial Services Act 1986 "soft commissions" are closely controlled. They must be subject to formal soft commission agreements in each case and the range of benefits provided limited to those relating specifically to the fund manager's business. Fund managers are obliged to make regular and full disclosure to the fund trustees of all benefits provided to them.Action in the dependent territories and elsewhere is a matter for their regulatory authorities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the special advisers employed by his Department in each of the last five years indicating when they (a) joined and (b) left his Department and the annual salary they received.

[pursuant to his reply, 5 December 1994, Official Report, column 16–17]: Miss R. Finlay was also employed as a special adviser in the Chief Whip's Offices from June 1985 to October 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy under the jobseekers allowance in respect of claimants needing to show good cause for rejecting the offer of a part-time job of less than 24 hours a week.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Makerfield (Mr.McCartney) on 25 November 1994, Official Report, column 387.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Social Affairs Council held on 6 December.

I attended the Social Affairs Council on 6 December in Brussels, accompanied by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Deptartment of Employment. The principal items on the agenda were two draft directives, on part-time and temporary work, and on posted workers; a discussion of Commissioner Flynn's White Paper on the future of European social policy; and a presentation of the Commission's proposals for the Essen European Council to follow up the earlier White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment. There were no formal votes. The Leonardo training programme, a resolution on women and employment and proposals on the future of the handynet information system were agreed unanimously. The other 11 member states agreed a resolution, under their agreement on social policy, on future Community social policy.In discussion of the part-time and temporary work directive, I made it clear that the United Kingdom could not accept the measure proposed. The United Kingdom Government have always opposed its directive because we believe that this is not an appropriate subject for Community-wide regulation and that the directive would lead to a loss of part-time jobs in the United Kingdom, particularly for women. There are 6 million part-time workers in the United Kingdom—more than 30 per cent. of all the part-time works in the European Community. The vast majority of them wish to work part time rather than full time. With nearly 20 million unemployed, the European Community should not be making it harder for employers to create part-time jobs. The Commission indicated that it would bring forward new proposals in this area under the agreement on social policy.There was an inconclusive discussion of the draft directive on posted workers. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State made clear our considerable difficulties, of both principle and detail. A number of other member states also had significant difficulties with the proposal. The Presidency announced that the Council would meet again on 21 December to discuss it further.The President of the European Commission, Mr. Delors, reported to the Council on issues to be discussed at the Essen European Council, following up the Commission's White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment, and on the Commission report on employment. No formal conclusions were drawn.There was a brief debate on Commissioner Flynn's White Paper on European social policy, again without conclusions.I took the opportunity at the Council to set out the United Kingdom view of how the social affairs agenda should develop over the next few years. I suggested five main subjects for the Council of Ministers in the social affairs field:

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 2 December, Official Report, column 931, if he will indicate the results of the Ernst and Young examination commissioned by the prior options review group; and when it will be published.

The work carried out by Ernst and Young was commissioned to inform the work of the prior options review. There are no plans to publish the results of the consultants' work independently of the results of the review. The results of the prior options review will be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Barron) of 2 December, Official Report, column 931, if he will provide estimates of expenditure or planned expenditure by the Department of Employment on training in each year from 1994–95 to 1997–98.

[holding answer 8 December 1994]: The table shows planned expenditure on the Department's training and education programmes:

Planned Expenditure £ million)
Year	Cash	1994–95 prices
1994–95	12,042	2,042
1995–96	1,870	1,809
1996–97	1,941	1,831
1997–98	1,949	1,797
1 Forecast

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many radical vulvectomy procedures were carried out by the NHS in each of the last four years in each NHS region and in the United Kingdom as a whole.

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths occurred in (a) October to March and (b) April to September in each year since 1980 for (i) all ages, (ii) those aged 65 years and over, (iii) those aged 75 years and over and (iv) those aged 85 years and over.

The information for England and Wales will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson), 22 November, Official Report columns 88–89, from what budget head the £40 million for new research will be drawn.

The £40 million increase to the service increment for teaching and research will be drawn from general allocations made to health authorities out of hospital and community health services, vote 1.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sample of termination payments made to national health service trust chief executives and general and senior managers have been monitored by the national health service executive.

A sample of 18 termination payments made to trust chief executives, general and senior managers has been monitored by the National Health Service Executive this financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many termination payments have been made by national health service trusts to chief executives and general and senior managers; and what is the total amount for each trust to date.

Up to the quarter ending 30 September, 48 termination payments to national health service chief executives, general and senior managers have been notified to the NHS Executive this financial year. The total amount for each trust is as follows:

	£
Broadgreen Hospital NHS Trust	81,838
Burton Hospitals NHS Trust	42,888
Cheviot and Wansbeck NHS Trust	16,415
Chorely and South Ribble NHS Trust	28,749
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Learning Disabilities NHS Trust	11,000
Dudley Priority Health NHS Trust	37,222
East Surrey Learning Disability and Mental Health Services NHS Trust	36,677
Epsom Healthcare NHS Trust	15,000
Fosse Health NHS Trust	19,500
Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust	122,689
Herefordshire Community Health NHS Trust	28,416
Healthlands Mental Health NHS Trust	25,008
Hertfordshire Health Agency	9,000
Kings Healthcare NHS Trust	56,578
The Medway NHS Trust	39,295
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust	31,549
North East Essex Mental Health Services	26,188
North Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust	30,000
North Mersey Community NHS Trust	11,300
North Tees Health NHS Trust	27,764
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust	25,000
Northampton Community Healthcare NHS Trust	39,798
Pilgrim Health NHS Trust	7,864
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust	7,865
Queens Medical Centre Nottingham University NHS Trust	77,715
Royal Liverpool University Hospital	47,355
Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust	18,466
Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust	19,343
South Bedfordshire Community Healthcare Trust	17,771
South Kent Hospitals NHS Trust	8,626
South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust	34,829
Southend Healthcare NHS Trust	80,840
Teddington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust	18,750
United Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust	30,000
Walsall Community NHS Trust	35,000
Walsall Hospital NHS Trust	6,926
West Herts Community Health NHS Trust	4,909
Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust	27,314
Worcester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust	22,167
Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust	52,747

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the proposals of Heatherwood and Wrexham Park trust to introduce a midwife-led maternity service and a nurse-practitioner led accident and emergency service.

Berkshire health authority is currently undertaking a public consultation exercise on the proposed changes. This is due to be completed by the end of January 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 23 November, Official Report, column 216, (1) when 1993–94 data on trust surpluses and deficits will be available;(2) if she will now publish a list of which trusts failed to

The information requested will be available shortly and will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 24 November, Official Report, columns 318–9, on NHS managers if she will now provide figures for 1991 and 1992 on the 1993 recalculated basis.

Overall figures on the numbers of national health service managers in 1991 and 1992 were presented on the 1993 recalculated basis in the "NHS Statistical Bulletin" published in October 1994, copies of which are available in the Library. It is not possible to provide more detailed figures identifying the number of managers in trusts alone on the recalculated basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about the plans of her Department to make information available on the Internet and the documents which she intends to be made available on the Internet over the next year which will be accessible via the world wide web server "open.gov.uk." or any specific departmental server.

Use of the Internet as an additional method of disseminating information to the public via the world wide web server "open.gov.uk." is under active consideration by this Department in line with the Government's commitment to make more information available to the public and to make innovative use of telecommunications. Discussions are at an early stage and it is too soon to specify what documents will be made available. Officials from the Department of Health and Office of Population Censuses and Surveys are also working with the Central Statistical Office and other Government Departments to see what use can be made of the Internet to disseminate Government statistics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to combat fraud in the national health service.

A recent Audit Commission publication, "Ensuring Probity in the NHS", stated that the level of proven fraud and corruption in the national health service was very low and the vast majority of people working in the NHS are honest and diligent. The Department has taken a number of initiatives including strengthening internal audit, the creation of audit committees in NHS bodies and a major review of the systems for collecting NHS charges and the scope of fraud by contractors is under way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of prescription drugs costs less than £5.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of prescriptions cost less than £5; what is the (a) average and (b) median cost of a prescription item; how many prescriptions were issued by doctors in the last year; how many prescription items were dispensed by pharmacists last year, in total, and by the family health service authority area; and what has been the total revenue generated by charging for prescriptions in each of the last 15 years.

The available information has been placed in the Library. Figures for the number of prescriptions issued by doctors are not available centrally. The extensive arrangements for charge exemption and for remission of charges under the national health service low-income scheme, coupled with the prescription prepayment certificate scheme, ensure that no-one need be deterred from obtaining any necessary prescribed medication for financial reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patient complaints were received per 1,000 patients treated in each year since 1989–90 by region.

Information on the number of written complaints relating to hospital services per 1,000 in-patient and day cases in each year from 1989–90 to 1992–93, by region, are included in the publication entitled "Written complaints by or on behalf of patients—England—financial year 1992–93", copies of which are available in the Library.Equivalent information about the number of complaints against family practitioners is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much is being spent on specific tinnitus research; and what plans she has to increase the sums.

The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Medical Research Council is an independent body deciding what research to support on its own expert judgment.In 1991–2 the Medical Research Council spent £129,000 on research directly related to tinnitus and in 1992–93, the last year for which figures are available, it spent £131,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when she expects to publish the formula for the proposed national capitation scheme;(2) what factors are being considered for the formula of the proposed national capitation scheme.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister for Health, Official Report, 21 October at column 573. The results of the review of weighted capitation are included in the guidance referred to in the statement. Copies of the guidance, FDL(94)68, are available in the Library.The result of the review of weighted capitation is a modified formula which takes account of new information and better statistical techniques. The three basic elements of the formula, ie age, need and cost, remain the same but each element has been updated and refined. Further details of the modified formula have been published in the form of a booklet entitled "Hospital and Community Health Services. Revenue Resource Allocation: Weighted Capitation Formula", and copies of this are also available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total population of Great Britain aged 75 years and over; and how many of these are women.

The latest available population estimates relate to mid–1993. It is estimated that there were 3.92 million residents in Great Britain aged 75 and over at that date. This figure comprises 2.59 million women and 1.33 million men.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average life expectancy for (a) males and (b) females in (i) 1978–79 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available.

Life expectancy at birth in England and Wales for males and females for the years 1978, 1979 and 1992, the last available year, are shown in the table:

Year	Males	Females
1978	70.1	76.3
1979	70.3	76.4
1992	73.8	79.2

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new consultants have been employed by the NHS as a result of the new deal reduction in junior doctors' s hours.

Our task forces report that, in England, at 30 September 1994, 533 new consultants were employed in centrally funded posts to reduce junior doctors' hours. In addition, 72 posts had been advertised and were awaiting appointments' committees. Many of these were already in operation through the temporary appointment of locum consultants. A further 81 posts had been funded and were at the planning stage, these will be filled as soon as possible.Information on consultant posts set up specifically to reduce hours by individual trusts and authorities, and funded directly by them, is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the increased workload resulting from the reduction in junior doctors' hours.

It was recognised when the new deal on junior doctors was introduced that reductions in junior doctors' hours unsupported by other action could lead to an increase in the intensity at which they work.That is why a range of measures was put in place, focusing resources effectively so as to ensure that reductions in hours were real and sustainable. These include the controlled growth of the medical work force, more effective working patterns, improved team-working, greater use of cross-cover between appropriate specialities, better skill mix—including more nurses and support workers—and site and service rationalisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many paediatric consultants there were in each of the last five years.

The information is shown in the table.

Paediatric consultants—England at 30 September each year whole-time equivalent
Year	whole-time equivalent
1989	690
1990	710
1991	740
1992	780
1993	860

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many unfilled vacancies exist for paediatric posts; and if she will make a statement.

The information is shown in the table.

Vacant paediatric posts by grade—England at 30 September 1993
Grade	Number of vacant posts
Consultant	42
Staff grade	12
Senior registrar	16
Registrar	15
Senior house officer	7
Total	92

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants there are per head of population in each EC country.

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the location of all nurse-practitioner led accident or minor injury departments in England, and of all proposed such departments.

The information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the location of all existing and proposed midwife-led maternity units.

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been conducted into the efficacy, mortality rates, cost-efficiency, patient satisfaction and public perception of midwife and nurse practitioner units in England.

A number of research studies, some funded by the Department of Health, address different issues concerning efficiency, cost-effectiveness, patient satisfaction and public perception in relation to nurse development units and nurse practitioners and the nurse practitioner scheme in England. The question of mortality rates is not generally applicable to nurse practitioners but will be covered in a study of NDUs.In August 1993, following an evaluative study funded by the Department of Health, the King's fund centre published "A Way to Develop Nurses and Nursing", a report on the four pilot NDUs funded by the King's fund. A further study is being carried out of the 30 Department of health-funded NDUs.Earlier this month Touche Ross issued a report, "Evaluation of the Nurse Practitioners"; this was initiated and funded by the former South East Thames regional health authority with a contribution for evaluation purposes from the Department of Health. The Department is also evaluating 10 nurse practitioner schemes set up in 1994 and has commissioned a literature review of role expansion with particular reference to nurse practitioners.Work is being done to evaluate midwifery group practices in three locations. The main areas of work include basic audit of midwifery care, economic evaluation, assessment of staffing issues, women's experiences of care and the use of local maternity information systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of sending individual letters to blood donors about a proposed change to the blood transfusion centre; and if she will make a statement.

The National Blood Authority estimates that the total cost of the consultation letter to the two million blood donors about the reorganisation proposals was £400,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 22 November, Official Report, column 86, when she will publish data for 1993–94 on patients removed from general practitioners' lists.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 28 November at column 537.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 22 November 1994 Official Report, column 86, if she will now itemise the number of patients removed from general practitioner lists because of (a) registration with another doctor, (b) death or resignation of the doctor, (c) death or emigration of the patient, (d) removal at the doctor's request or (e)other causes for 1992–93 and 1993–94 by family health service authority.

The available information will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 24 November, Official Report, column 322, when data for 1993–94 on general practitioner fundholders' end-of-year retentions will be available.

Information about fundholder efficiency savings for 1993–94 will not be available until final audits are completed in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 30 November, Official Report, column 794, what assessment she has made of the compliance by Gloucestershire county council in the current year with its statutory duties to disabled people under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; what recent contact her Department has had with the county council on this matter; if she has received legal advice on the effect of section 2; and if she will make a statement.

We are aware that leave has been granted for a judicial review hearing involving Gloucestershire county council. This is a matter for the courts. Local authorities' duties under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 remain unchanged, and they were reminded of their legal obligations in December 1992. The social services inspectorate is in regular contact with all local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by (a) district health authorities, (b) family health service authorities, (c) regional health authorities, (d) trusts and (e) general practitioner fundholders on health care purchases from non-NHS providers in each of the last three years.

The total expenditure in the last three years of district health authorities, regional health authorities, national health service trusts and general practitioner fundholders on the purchase of health care from non-NHS providers is shown in the table. Family health services authorities do not purchase health care services.

	1991–92 £	1992–93 £	1993–94 £
District health authorities	159,818	187,335	250,484
Regional health authorities	32,746	21,421	25,649
NHS trusts	12,204	45,436	51,322
GP fundholders	3,698	13,127	29,899

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 24 November 1994, Official Report, column 320, if she will update the tables on the number of patients treated privately in the NHS.

Updated information on outpatient attendances is available in "1993–94 Outpatients and Ward Attenders England", copies of which have been placed in the Library and updated information on finished consultant episodes will shortly be placed there.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the capital projects in the NHS with a works cost of over (a) £1 million, (b) £5 million and (c) £10 million that were completed in each of the financial years 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94, giving the total costs and a brief description of each project.

[holding answer 30 November 19941]: Information which records national health service capital building works projects with a works cost over £1 million will be placed in the Library. The works cost is a surn for the construction of buildings which excludes fees for professional services, equipment, value added tax and land purchase.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the administrative cost of introducing a system of taxing child benefit at the higher rate assuming that it is taxed as part of the woman's income if she is a higher rate payer and, if she is not, that child benefit is taxed at the higher rate as part of her husband's or partner's income.

The cost of administration would depend on the form of the legislation and how it was administered.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer of zero rating standard charges in domestic fuel bills assuming value added tax at 17.5 per cent.

[holding answer 6 December 1994]: Zero rating of any item is not permissable under the sixth VAT directive once it has been given up.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the increase in the nominal and real exchange rate against the deutschmark and the ecu since February 1993 on the: balance of trade in manufactures; and what contribution that has made to the economic growth.

[holding answer 8 December 1994]: The Government's most recent assessment of trade performance is published in chapter 3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", in which it is explained that the United Kingdom's cost competitiveness has largely been maintained as a result of British industry's success in controlling costs. Net trade accounts for about half the growth of gross domestic product in 1994 so far.

To ask the Attorney-General how many official Christmas cards he and other Ministers in his Department intend to send in 1994; how much those cards will cost (a) to buy, (b) to post and (c) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes; and if he will place in the Library a sample copy of the official Christmas card he intends to send this year.

The Law Officers intend to send approximately 150 cards this year at a cost of (a) £123 and (b) an estimated £18 to post. Cards for recipients within the United Kingdom will be sent either second class post or included in normal departmental deliveries. Information on the cost of staff time is not available but would be minimal. A sample of the card has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether he will list (a) the arts organisations, companies and projects, (b) the public libraries and (c) the galleries and museums he has visited since becoming Secretary of State.

The visits I have made to the relevant bodies since I became Secretary of State are listed in the table.In addition, I have had the opportunity to talk to many representatives of arts organisations at receptions I have hosted for the business sponsorship incentive scheme.

Secretary of State's visits (Arts, Libraries, Galleries and Museums)
1994
A	29 July	Attended Stately Homes Music Festival —English Chamber Orchestra, Blenheim Palace
A	28 September	Opened 20th Century British Arts Fair,Royal College of Art.
A		Attended Prudential Corporation Visual Arts Award, Serpentine Gallery.
M	3 October	Opened exhibition to celebrate centenary of the Survey of London, Museum of London.
A	7 October	Nottingham Regional Conference
		—visit to Nottingham Playhouse
		—Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,
		Royal Concert Hall
		—BSIS Reception, Nottingham Castle
A	12 October	BSIS Reception, Lancaster House
A	13 October	Visited Russell Coles Art Gallery, Bournemouth.
A	15 October	Swan Theatre.
M	22 October	Visit to Leicester Museum and Art Gallery.
A	24 October	Attended Live Music Now Concert, Lancaster. House.
M	1 November	Visit to Duxford Air Museum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the surveyed values, book values and location of the properties and houses purchased by British Rail along the lines of putative, but now rejected, channel tunnel rail links, together with the total price at which they were transferred to Railtrack.

Information about properties purchased for previous rail link proposals should be sought from the British Rail Property Board whose responsibility they are. No such properties have been transferred to Railtrack.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the text of the agreement between himself and the consortia bidding to build the channel tunnel rail link especially as it relates to obligatory confidentiality.

The confidentiality agreements with consortia bidding in the channel tunnel rail link competition are strictly private and confidential documents and are not appropriate for publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his best estimate of the revenues to be derived from the European passenger services due to be transferred to the consortium chosen to build the channel rail link.

This information is commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the value of the financial assistance likely to be available from the European Union towards the cost of building the channel tunnel rail link.

The value of any assistance from the European Union for the channel tunnel rail link has yet to be determined. Potential sources of support are the trans-European networks programme, the European investment bank and the European investment fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the latest estimate of the value of the assets intended to be transferred to the successful consortium in the competition to build the channel tunnel rail link.

The value of the assets to be transferred will be determined by the present competition to select the rail link promoter.