To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the Employment Service annual performance agreement for 1995–96 will be published. [17944]

I have today placed copies of the 1995–96 Employment Service annual performance agreement in the Library. The new targets will require the ES to build on this year?s extremely good performance and will challenge it to improve its effectiveness in the coming year. I have set a demanding target of placing a record 1.9 million unemployed people in jobs in the 12 months from April. Related targets for placing long-term claimants and people with disabilities will also call for even higher levels of achievement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to receive the annual report for the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. [17945]

I have received the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service report for 1994, which will be laid before both Houses on Monday 3 April 1995. The report will be released to the public on 4 April 1995—copies will then be available from the Vote Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress Gloucestershire training and enterprise council is making in meeting the criteria for the award of a three-year licence. [18052]

I am pleased to announce that the Gloucestershire training and enterprise council has now completed the process of meeting the rigorous standard we set for the award of the new three year licences. Its licence will be effective from April 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the child care or nursery facilities within his Department; and what is the breakdown in their use (a) by grade and (b) by gender. [15244]

The Employment Department group currently supports six workplace nurseries run either solely or in partnership with other Government Departments or outside organisations and has bought a number of places in other nurseries. The ED group is also involved in over 50 holiday playschemes and provides financial help with additional child care costs incurred through attending training courses and other work-based events. The information requested about those using the provision is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library the memorandum of evidence which was produced for the preparation of HSC report 92/129. [17334]

No. The memorandum of evidence and the report itself are internal, confidential, management advice prepared by the Health and Safety Executive for the Health and Safety Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he met (a) the TUC or (b) the CBI to consider HSC report 92/129 and how many times the HSC has met to consider the report since its completion.

I have not met either the TUC or the CBI to discuss the Health and Safety Commission?s report 92/129. I understand that the HSC has considered the report on two occasions since its completion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library, Health and Safety Executive?s paper HSC 92/129 relating to the privatisation and contractorisation of the Health and Safety Executive functions. [17327]

No. The Health and Safety Commission report 91/129 is internal, confidential, management advice prepared by the Health and Safety Executive for the HSC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many Department of Employment group-wide promotion panel hearings have been held in each of the last 10 years for the purpose of appointing Health and Safety Executive executive officers. [17323]

None. All group-wide panels for promotion to executive officer have been arranged to fill vacancies throughout the Employment Department group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many current executive officers in the Health and Safety Executive have entered the executive officer grade without going before a Department of Employment group-wide formal promotion panel hearing. [17324]

Thirty-six current executive officers in the Health and Safety Executive entered the executive officer grade without going before an Employment Department group-wide formal promotion panel.Entry to the executive officer grade can be by direct entry on the basis of educational qualifications and passing an interview, or by appearing before a properly constituted promotion board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 24 January, Official Report, column 180, if he can confirm (a) that the information requested on 19 January is contained in the Health and Safety Executive?s SHIELD computer database and (b) that similar requests for information tabled by the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) have previously been answered. [17328]

Some of the information to which I referred in my reply of 24 January, Official Report, column 180, will for the Health and Safety Executive?s field operations division, be on the SHIELD database; the rest will be kept in paper files. Inspectorates in other HSE divisions will keep information both on separate database and in paper files.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish details of (a) the Health and Safety Executives?s contracted-out advice helpline planned to commence in September, (b) the cost of the helpline in a full financial year and (c) details of the company awarded the contract. [17325]

The Heath and Safety Executive is currently advertising for firms which are interested in providing a telephone information line. The firms which may wish to participate, details of the way that the service will operate and the costs will be established only by responses to the advertisement and the subsequent contracting process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment pursuant to his answer of 24 January, Official Report, column 184, if he will publish details of the value of the contract between the Health and Safety Executive and the Norwich offshore safety division of Manpower. [17330]

The offshore safety division of the Health and Safety Executive has placed a contract for six clerical support posts at its Norwich office with Manpower plc. The value of the contract is commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will (a) publish or (b) place in the Library the EMAS feasibility study; and when the prior options study of EMAS activities will be published. [17336]

The employment medical advisory service feasibility and the prior options studies are one and the same thing. The EMAS feasibility study, when complete, will be internal, confidential, management advice to the Health and Safety Executive and the commission, and will not be published or placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will (a) publish the proposed salary to be awarded to the new director general of the Health and Safety Executive, (b) state what percentage increase the gross salary awarded will be in relation to the current director general?s gross salary and (c) state whether the proposed award breaches the Health and Safety Executive?s declared pay norm for staff of 1.5 per cent. in the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17329]

The salaries of the current director general for the period after 1 April 1995 and of a new appointee have not yet been determined, but they will be made publicly available in the normal way. There has been no declaration of a pay norm of 1.5 per cent. for Health and Safety Executive staff in the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the future of the Health and Safety Executive library in Buxton, Derbyshire. [17326]

The Health and Safety Executive does not have a library in Buxton, Derbyshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 24 January, Official Report, column 178(a) how many of the 60 principal inspector?s posts have been advertised for each of the Health and Safety Executive regions; and (b) by what dates he expects all posts to be advertised and filled. [17331]

Further to my answer of 24 January 1995, Official Report, column 178, no principal inspector?s posts have been advertised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the Health and Safety Executive application to receive an "Investors in People" award has been successful. [17335]

The Health and Safety Executive is working towards gaining accreditation as an investor in people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if money provided by the Home Secretary in pursuance of his statutory powers can be appropriated to meet a debt due to him under other statutory provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matters relating to the Greenwich refugee and training project raised in a recent letter from the hon. Member for Woolwich. [17338]

It is for the receiver to decide whether the Home Office ethnic minority grant funding is part of the assets held by him and to determine the correct course of action. If it is part of the assets available for the payment of creditors it is for the receiver to determine how these assets will be used to pay creditors in accordance with his statutory duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, what sums are due to Woolwich college for contracts entered into with South Thames TEC; and if he will make a statement. [17339]

The amount of money owing to any individual contractors for work carried out under contract to South Thames training and enterprise council is a matter for the receiver.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders will be fully reimbursed for any extension of contract authorised by the receiver or the Government office for London for provision of training by the new careers project; and if he will make a statement. [17337]

The Government office for London has asked the receiver of South Thames training and enterprise council to continue to provide training services until 24 April 1995. How this will be arranged is a matter for the receiver. All training for work and youth training credits providers were sent a letter by the receiver on 21 and 22 March 1995 outlining the new arrangements and enclosing new contracts where appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he supplies training and technical assistance to Commonwealth countries for the purpose of enforcement of CITES as part of the Commonwealth aid programmes; and if he will make a statement. [16938]

The Overseas Development Administration supports a number of development activities which promote the conservation of endangered species and the strengthening of customs authorities in developing countries. However, it has no projects with the specific objective of assisting the enforcement of CITES.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those projects together with the financial amounts that the Overseas Development Agency funded in Yemen prior to the suspension of aid; and if he will make a statement. [16742]

Projects on which expenditure was continuing when our aid personnel were withdrawn from Yemen on the outbreak of civil war in May 1994 were:

	Planned duration year	Total commitment £
National Veterinary Service Development Project: phase IV	1990–1995	8,500,000
Public Electricity Corporation: management assistance and training:	1992–1995	2,750,000
Sana'a University Professional English Teaching:	1991–1994	1,360,000
English for Development: English Language Teaching:	1993–1994	118,000
Aden University: training of English Teachers:	1991–1994	490,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to restore Overseas Development Agency funding for the Yemen with specific reference to the Sana'a university English training project; and if he will make a statement. [16743]

In my reply to the hon. Member for Surrey East, (Mr. Ainsworth) on 20 March, Official Report, column 86, I announced that we would be resuming our aid programme in Yemen. We shall review with the Government of Yemen how best to use the available funds. Possible further funding for the Sana?a university professional English training project is amongst the small projects to be included in this review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the child care or nursery facilities within his Department; and what is the breakdown in their use (a) by grade and (b) by gender. [15241]

The child care and nursery facilities within the Departments and agencies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible and other areas which fall to the Cabinet Office vote are as follows. Workplace nurseries are available to staff at the Civil Service college and Chessington computer centre. HMSO staff use a nursery in partnership with a local college. Holiday playschemes are available to all staff working in Departmental buildings in London and in Norwich.Following is a breakdown by grade and gender of staff who use the nursery facilities.

Agency	Grade/band	Gender
Civil Service College	1 x Grade 6	All Female
	1 x Grade 7
	1 x SEO
	2 x HEO
	5 x EO
	3 x AO
	1 x PS
HMSO	1 x 11	Male
	2 x 10	2 Female
	4 x 9	2 Male: 2 Female
	5 x 8	1 Male: 4 Female
	9 x 7	5 Male: 4 Female
	2 x 6	2 Female
	5 x 5	2 Male: 3 Female
Chessington	1 x SHO	Male
Computer Centre	5 x HWO	1 Male: 4 Female
	10 x EO	5 Male: 5 Female
	5 x AO	1 Male: 4 Female
	1 x AA	Female

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the membership of the Information Technology Advisory Board at the time of its disbanding in March 1994; and for which companies each member was employed. [17318]

Following are the names of the members of the board at the time of its disbanding.

Name of Member	Company
Professor J. M. Brady	Department of Engineering Science, Oxford University
Professor M. Atkinson	Department of Computer Science, Glasgow University
Dr. K. Baughan	Nokia Mobile Phones
Professor M. J. Cardwell	Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics, Aston University
Professor M. Denham	Department of Computing, University of Plymouth
Professor W. Eccleston	Department of Electronics and Engineering, Liverpool University
Mr. G. Hayes	TSB Bank plc
Professor J. J. O?Reilly	School of Engineering and Science, University College of north Wales

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the progress towards achieving equality of opportunity for women staff in the civil service. [17803]

Considerable progress has been made since the first programme for action to achieve equality of opportunity for women in the civil service was launched in 1984. Women now represent 51.3 per cent. of staff in the non-industrial home civil service compared with 47.7 per cent. in 1984. Women?s participation is also increasing in the management grades, with almost 10 per cent. at grades 1 to 3 compared with under 5 per cent. 10 years ago. Nearly half of executive officer level posts—the first step in the management rung—are now held by women. Indeed, a huge range of complex jobs is being carried out by ambitious, committed women in all grades up to the very top.A report on the progress made since 1984 towards achieving equality of opportunity for women in the civil service was published yesterday. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor?s Department how the Government have responded to the Law Commission report on obsolete restrictive covenants of 16 July 1991, Law Com 201; and if he intends to respond further. [16158]

The Government have received a number of comments on this report, and are discussing these with the Law Commission. An announcement will be made when those discussions are concluded.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor?s Department what are the child care or nursery facilities within his Department; and what is the breakdown in their use (a) by grade and (b) by gender. [15229]

The Lord Chancellor?s Department has access to 12 nursery facilities for pre-school children and 18 holiday playschemes for children of primary school age. A breakdown of the staff using these facilities, by grade and gender is shown in the following table:

Breakdown of staff using Departmental child care facilities
Grade	Male	Female
Grade 5	1	0
Grade 6	0	1
Grade 7	3	2
SEO	1	4
HEO	4	10
EO	1	20
AO	4	27
AA	0	3
Personal Secretary	0	1
Typist	0	7
Bailiff	1	0
Support Grades	0	3

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor?s Department what are the total sums of money (a) recouped and (b) charged against properties by the Legal Aid Board in matrimonial cases, for the last five years for which figures are available. [16114]

The total amounts retained by the Legal Aid Board in respect of charges under section 16(6) of the Legal Aid Act 1988 in matrimonial proceedings were as follows:

• 1989–90: £24.2 million
• 1990–91: £24.7 million
• 1991–92: £27.9 million
• 1992–93: £34.6 million
• 1993–94: £37.1 million

These figures include money received in satisfaction of registered charges during each year.The total amounts registered against properties in respect of all proceedings were as follows:

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what sums of money are allocated by the Legal Aid Board for matrimonial and ancillary relief cases, for the last five years for which figures are available. [16113]

It is not possible to provide net expenditure figures in respect of ancillary relief matters alone. Net expenditure in respect of matrimonial cases, including ancillary relief, for the last five years are as follows.

• 1989–90: £87.5 million
• 1990–91: £108.6 million
• 1991–92: £150.5 million
• 1992–93: £207.2 million
• 1993–94: £266.7 million

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Court Service is to be established as an executive agency. [18008]

Further to my answer of 27 May 1993 to my hon. Friend the Member for Shoreham (Mr. Stephen), Official Report, 27 May 1993, column 657, I am please to confirm that the Lord Chancellor will establish the Court Service as an executive agency on 3 April 1995. I will arrange for a copy of the framework document for the Court Service to be placed in the Library. The following table sets out the key performance targets which the Lord Chancellor has set for the Court Service for 1995–96:

The Court Service—key performance targets for 1995–96
Business area	Performance indicator	Target
Crown Court	1. Percentage of defendants committed for trial waiting 16 weeks or less	70 per cent.
	2. Unit cost of a productive courtroom hour	£462.40
County Courts	3. Percentage of administrative process dealt with within target time	90 per cent.
	4. Unit cost of an hour of administrative work as measured by the Business Management System	£53.39
High Court	5. Percentage of administrative process dealt with within target time	93 per cent.
Enforcement	6. Number of warrants paid as a percentage of number of correctly directed warrants	65 per cent.
Quality	7. Percentage of courts meeting all Courts Charter Standards	95 per cent.
Cost recovery	8. Percentage of the costs of civil business recovered	75 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of people directly employed by her Department and by executive agencies accountable to her Department, expressed as full-time equivalent posts for (a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92, (c) 1992–93 and (d) 1993–94; and if she will give the projected figures for (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1996–97. [16091]

The information requested is shown in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the cost of producing and circulating the last departmental annual report; what was the circulation list; how many copies were produced; how many copies were sold; and at what price; [16644](2) what was the cost of producing and circulating the departmental annual report for each of the last 10 years in real terms. [16645]

Departmental reports were published for the first time in 1991. The five reports to date of the Department of Health and the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys have been published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, which has borne the main printing and publication costs with the aim of recovering these from the sales revenue.The table shows the additional costs incurred by the Department of Health, in relation to the associated artwork.

Year	Artwork costs of Departmental (£–in 1994–95 prices)
1991	852
1992	1,541
1993	1,081
1994	1,132
1995	1,969

Some 3,150 copies of the 1995 departmental report, Cm 2812, have been printed and published.Copies have been laid before Parliament and circulated to regional and district health authorities, family health services authorities, national health service trusts, social services departments, and members of the press.HMSO has produced just over 1,300 further copies at a price of £18.40 net; sales of these are a matter for it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to implement facilities for orthoptists to deal with special needs children in conjunction with education authorities. [16594]

The Education Act 1993 introduced a duty on health authorities and national health service trusts to co-operate with local education authorities in the assessment of children with special educational needs. A code of practice issued under the Act emphasises the need for external consultation when children are suspected of having visual difficulties and there are well-established arrangements within child health services for referral to orthoptists and, where necessary, ophthalmologists.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when malaria protection for travellers ceased to be available under the national health service. [16239]

Advice on the precautions which should be taken when travelling to a malarious area continues to be available under the national health service. The regulations—SI 1995/80—giving general practitioners the power to charge for drugs for malaria prophylaxis, and thus ending NHS provision of anti-malarial drugs for travellers, came into effect on 6 February. Patients who have contracted illnesses requiring the same drug therapy, such as malaria or rheumatoid arthritis, will continue to receive these drugs on the NHS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by the NHS on purchasing care from non-NHS bodies in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [16888]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 9 December 1994, column 401. This information was not available centrally prior to 1991–92.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the child care or nursery facilities within her Department; and what is the breakdown in their use (a) by grade and (b) by gender. [15228]

The Department provides the following childcare facilities for its staff: 43 nursery places; holiday playschemes each half term and major school holidays; a child care co-ordinator to provide Leeds-based staff with advice on local child care facilities and a subscription to "Childcare Solutions", an information service on child care facilities available nationally. Except for nursery places, records of usage of child care facilities are not kept by grade and gender. The table shows the current allocation of nursery places by grade and gender.

Grade	Male	Female
G7	2	2
SEO	2	1
HEO	2	5
EO	4	8
AO	—	1
AA	—	1
SPES	—	1
PES	—	8

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospitals there were in England (a) by region and (b) in total in each year since 1979. [17068]

Information on the number of hospitals in England by region is as shown in the table.

Approximate number of hospitals on 31 March 1994
NHS region	Approximate number
Northern and Yorkshire	230
Trent	115
Anglia and Oxford	120
North Thames	190
South Thames	190
South and West	320
West Midlands	140
North West	135
Total	1,440

Figures include an estimate for incomplete returns.This information was not available centrally for previous years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been (a) the percentage change of accident and emergency treatments and (b) the total number for each region in each of the last three years. [17082]

The information on activity in accident and emergency departments is for new attendances and total attendances. Regional information for each of the last three years is published in table 8 of "Outpatients and Ward attenders, England, Financial Year 1993–94", copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 17 March, Official Report, column 742, what was the total expenditure on all forms of publicity by her Department and its agencies for (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94. [17245]

Expenditure on publicity for 1992–93 and 1993–94 is as follows:

Year	£ million
1992–93	19.053
1993–94	19.147

This largely represents public health campaigns; information for the national health service, general practitioners and the medical professions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the child care or nursery facilities within her Department; and what is the breakdown in their use (a) by grade and (b) by gender. [15243]

London based staff are able to use the Westminster holiday play scheme, which is organised by the Office of Public Service and Science. The cost of places is shared equally by parents and the Department.Darlington-based staff have access to a holiday play scheme which was set up at the instigation of the Department for Education. Places are shared with civil servants working in the Darlington area.The table provides a separate breakdown of usage of the holiday play schemes in London and Darlington for

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the average number of days worked per week by the chairmen of each non-departmental public body sponsored by her Department. [17353]

The information requested is given in the following table:

Non-departmental Public Body	Number of days expected to be worked per week averaged over a year1
Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Unit	20.25
Centre for Information on Language Teaching	20.1
Education Assets Board	3
Funding Agency for Schools	2
Further Education Unit	21.7
Further Education Funding Council	2

To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what was the total number of staff employed by all non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department, including the National Council for Vocational Qualifications and Ofsted, for each year since 1987; [17249](2) if she will list the names and most recent salaries and other emoluments of the chief executives and chairmen of the

I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the total running costs of all non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department including the National Council for Vocational Qualifications and Ofsted for each year since 1987. [17248]

The National Council for Vocational Qualifications is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.I will write to the hon. Member with information on running costs of the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by this Department as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on future funding for grant-maintained schools. [17984]

I am pleased to announce that the Government propose to introduce legislation amending the Education Act 1993 to allow grant-maintained schools to borrow from sources other than the Funding Agency for Schools. This measure opens the way for increased business investment in schools in accordance with the Government's private finance initiative. Local education authorities can already, within limits, borrow commercially and fund their school capital programmes from a mix of capital receipts, revenue monies and borrowing. GM schools are at present almost entirely dependent on central Government grant.GM schools have expressed keen interest in the possibility of commercial borrowing. They have demonstrated that they are able to manage their own budgets effectively, and it is right that they should be able to benefit from the flexibility that such legislation will bring. Vital schools assets must of course be protected, and the new arrangements will provide for that.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what factors led to the inclusion in the calculation of grants for mature students of student loans; and if she will make a statement. [17220]

The Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations, which govern the payment of mandatory awards, require that account be taken of a student's income from all sources reduced by income tax and social security contributions. Student loans, however, are specifically disregarded for the purpose of calculating a student's income.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the cost to her Department of the Schools Science Week. [17187]

None. Support for national science week is a matter for the Office of Science and Technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans her Department has to increase resourcing for the implementation of the special needs code of practice. [17217]

The grant for education support and training programme in England in 1994–95 includes support of £5.6 million to enable schools to develop their policies for special educational needs in the light of the code of practice, and support of £3.7 million to enable LEAs to develop local parent-partnership schemes as recommended in the code of practice. These figures will be increased respectively to £10.2 million and £4 million, in 1995–96.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what statutory references to hon. Members have been made in the legislation introduced by her Department, or its predecessors, since 1965. [17040]

It is extremely unlikely that the Education Acts contain any reference to an individual hon. Member. There are frequent statutory references to Parliament and to officers of state where functions are conferred upon them. Information on references to Parliament, individual hon. Members or officers of sate could be provided only at disproportionate cost.References to the House of Commons, as opposed to references to Parliament or "either House of Parliament", are rare.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many university departments have failed to achieve a satisfactory rating for their teaching quality. [16898]

Under the assessment arrangements operated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, three university departments have failed to achieve a satisfactory rating for teaching quality out of over 600 assessments and one of those has subsequently been regraded as satisfactory on a follow up visit, over 99 per cent. of assessed provision is graded as satisfactory or better.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) when she expects to notify the Nottinghamshire county council of her decision on the proposals for Padstow school published on 30 June 1994; and if she will make a statement; [16664](2) when she expects to notify the Nottinghamshire county council of her decision on the proposals for Padstow school published on 30 June 1994; and if she will make a statement. [16664]

Nottinghamshire county council was notified in a letter dated 23 March that my right hon. Friend proposed to give grant-maintained status to Padstow comprehensive school and, subject to the governor's agreement to certain modifications, to reject the proposal published on 30 June 1994 to cease to maintain the school.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the Untied Kingdom's balance of trade and its effect on the economy. [15287]

Our balance of payments figures show a current account surplus of £2 billion in the last six months. Exports are growing by 13 per cent. These excellent results have contributed to the UK's gross domestic product growth of around 4 per cent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has that payment on tax through self-assessment is likely to improve the tax collection rate. [15290]

Tax collection should be streamlined by moving to a current year basis of assessment and through self-assessment by largely removing the lengthy process of estimated assessments and appeals.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the contribution which the private finance initiative could make to (a) infrastructure and (b) other projects by the end of the decade. [15291]

My right hon. and learned Friend announced in his Budget speech that contracts leading to £5 billion worth of capital investment are due to be signed in 1995 under the PFI. He announced a further £1 billion of projects in January. Much more will follow as PFI becomes the procurement route of choice.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on the economy of the direct and indirect tax rises announced in the 1994 Budget statement. [15292]

The tax changes announced in the 1994 Budget statement are expected to have a broadly neutral effect on the economy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the effect on the economy of changes in the level of direct taxation since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [15293]

Since 1979, we have reduced the standard rate of income tax from 33p in the pound to 25p in the pound, and a loser rate of 20p in the pound now covers over 5 million people. We have also reduced the main corporation tax rate, from 52 per cent. to 33 per cent. These changes have improved incentives and helped the supply side.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect recent changes in interest rates have had on the economy. [15294]

The recent rises in interest rates are intended to ensure inflation remains under control and healthy economy recovery is sustained.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress Customs and Excise has made in the past 12 months in tackling cross-border smuggling of alcohol. [15295]

Customs and Excise has continued to take vigorous action against those engaged in cross-border smuggling of alcohol. In the 12 months to 31 January 1995, it made 910 detections related to alcohol with a review value of £1,970,953.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the gross general Government debt as a percentage of gross domestic product for European Union member states in 1994 in descending order. [15296]

The information requested is shown in the following table. This shows that among EU member states, only Luxembourg has a lower debt-GDP ratio than the United Kingdom.

Gross general Government debt up to 1994 as a percentage of GDP
Belgium	140
Italy	124
Greece	121
Ireland	89
Sweden	79
Netherlands	79
Denmark	78
Portugal	70
Finland	70
Spain	64
Austria	65
Germany	51
France	50
United Kingdom1	49
Luxembourg	9

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present level of personal debt in the United Kingdom. [15297]

At the end of December 1994, total personal sector debt was £523 billion. Personal sector financial assets were £1,645 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of money raised via inheritance tax for the last year for which figures are available. [15298]

Net receipts of inheritance tax for the year ending March 1995 are provisionally estimated at £1,425 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the income in 1995–96 from the tax on fruit machines and other game machines in public houses; and if this estimate takes into account the withdrawal of some machines as a result of his proposals. [15299]

The 1995–96 forecast for all betting and gaming duties in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" is £1.2 billion. This figure takes account of policy measures announced in the Budget; there are no separate forecasts for the different duties.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he had made of the effect on the economy of reductions in the levels of direct taxation since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [15301]

Since 1979, we have reduced the standard rate of income tax from 33p in the pound to 25p in the pound, and a lower rate of 2p in the pound now covers over 5 million people. We have also reduced the main corporation tax rate, from 52 per cent. to 33 per cent. These changes have improved incentives and helped the supply side.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of measures to help small business announced in his November 1993 and 1994 Budgets. [15302]

The Government have taken action to implement all measures aimed at small businesses announced in the November 1993 and 1994 Budgets. Progress on the main measures is as follows:

Enterprise Investment Scheme

The scheme, announced in 1993 and enhanced in the 1994 Budget, has been implemented with effect from 1 January 1994. Early indications are that, on average, companies are raising £80,000 under the EIS and over 50 per cent. of EIS equity issues involve a business angel.

Venture Capital Trusts

The necessary legislation is expected to come into force from 6 April 1995 following Royal Assent.

Relaxation of audit requirements

In August 1994, regulations were introduced exempting most small companies with a turnover of up to £350,000 from the statutory requirement to have their annual accounts audited; companies with a turnover of up to £90,000 may dispense with audit altogether, while the remainder only need a simple report by an independent accountant.

Prompt payment

A package of measures aimed at improving payment performance in the public sector has now been implemented. The Government are also working with the business community through a CBI working group to develop proposals for a British standard for prompt payment; consulting on the implementation of a requirement on public companies to state their payment policies in their directors' reports and reviewing court systems and procedures for debt recovery. These measures are aimed at bringing about a change in business culture and hence, shorter payment times.

Insolvency reform

A further consultation paper will be issued shortly.

Financial Management Certificate

A consultation paper will be issued shortly.

Loan Guarantee Scheme

A consultation document was issued on 10 March.

Small businesses have also benefited from the various tax measures and refinements announced in these budgets and from the continuation of the scheme of transitional relief to ease the impact of the revaluation in business rates.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of when the feel-good factor will permeate the economy. [15303]

I believe that consumer confidence will strengthen as people come to feel more secure about their jobs and living standards. This will happen progressively through sustained economic growth, which Government policies are achieving.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new proposal he has with regard to executive remuneration in the privatised utilities. [15304]

Remuneration is a matter for the companies and their shareholders. The Greenbury committee is reviewing best practice for companies and we will consider the need for any Government measures, if appropriate, in the light of its conclusions.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the Government's funding programme for 1995–96. [17875]

Yes. The Government today published the 1995–96 debt management report. This report, the first of an annual series, includes details of the 1995–96 funding programme. Copies have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the child care or nursery facilities within his Department; and what is the breakdown in their use (a) by grade and (b) by gender. [15231]

The Treasury participates in the Westminster holiday playscheme. Until the end of July 1994, my Department also offered subsidised places at a Westminster-based nursery for short-term emergency use. However, due to lack of demand, it gave poor value for money and the contract was not renewed.The use by Treasury staff of the Department's child care and nursery facilities in 1994 broken down by grade and gender is set out in the following tables.

Westminster holiday playscheme: days used by Treasury staff in 1994
	Male	Female	Total
Grade 5	8	42	50
Grade 6	68	0	68
Grade 7	55	33	88
SEO	9	16	25
HEO	0	30	30
EO	18	31	49
PS	0	187	187
SGB1	0	6	6
Total	158	345	503

Emergency Nursery: Days used by Treasury Staff 1 January 1994–31 July 1994
	Male	Female	Total
Grade 5	4	0	4
Grade 7	0	7	7
Total	4	7	11

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from employee organisations about the progress of economic recovery. [15459]

Treasury Ministers meet representatives from employee organisations from time to time and discuss a wide range of issues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each year from 1979 to the

£ million—1994 prices
	(a) Total EC budget	(b) Total EAGGF2 Guarantee	(c) UK's gross contribution to the EC budget (after abatement)	(d) UK?s net contribution to the EC budget	(e) Total UK EAGGF2 receipts
1979	23,701	17,213	4,091	2,412	754
1980	20,993	14,570	3,603	1,524	1,141
1981	18,973	11,683	2,857	766	1,156
1982	20,322	12,308	3,275	1,076	1,272
1983	24,222	15,730	3,683	1,099	1,685
1984	26,302	17,513	4,328	1,061	2,027
1985	25,222	17,708	5,660	2,756	1,701
1986	33,836	21,890	4,116	843	1,962
1987	49,974	32,471	5,728	2,435	1,742
1988	55,671	35,591	4,780	1,837	1,684
1989	51,458	30,601	5,544	2,896	1,421
1990	49,499	28,540	5,322	2,828	1,469
1991	40,633	23,813	3,570	587	1,708
1992	44,742	23,858	5,053	2,112	1,712
19931	51,187	27,442	5,577	2,207	2,205
1 The latest year for which outturn information is published.2 EAGGF: European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund.

Exchange rate: annual average £1—ecu rate.Price deflator: Retail Price Index.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conditions have been attached to the employment contract of Mr. John Bercow as special adviser to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to avoid conflicts of interest with his previous employers and their clients. [15832]

There are standard terms and conditions for all special advisers. They are subject in this respect to the same rules of conduct as other civil servants, who must not make use of their official position to further their private interests or those of others. Where a conflict arises, it must be declared.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the precise terms of John Bercow's appointment to be his special adviser; and what pecuniary interests he retains in public relations companies. [15759]

Mr. John Bercow took up appointment as special adviser to the Chief Secretary on 20 March 1995. There are standard terms and conditions for all special advisers, based on those for other civil servants. In particular, the general principles of conduct for civil servants—that is, relating to business interests or shareholdings—apply to special advisers. Mr. Bercow has retained no pecuniary interest in any public relations company.

The information requested is shown in the table:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings he, his ministerial colleagues or his officials have had with Mr. Mick Newmarch; and what matters relative to the sale of pensions and other investment products were discussed. [16570]

Ministers and officials have met senior figures from firms in the financial services industry, including Mr. Mick Newmarch, from time to time and discussed a range of issues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about progress by the regulators set up under the Financial Services Act 1986 (a) to compensate people who were mis-sold pensions and other investment products and (b) to deter and punish those found guilty of deliberately mis-selling such products. [16608]

I have received a number of such representations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has of the number of people mis-sold pensions and other investment products since sections 44 and 47 of the Financial Services Act 1986 came into operation. [16657]

As far as personal pensions transfers and opt-outs are concerned, I refer to the reply I gave on 25 October 1994 to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks), Official Report, column 508. For other investment products, some of the cases compensated by the investors compensation scheme and through the financial services regulators may have involved mis-selling. There are no central records which distinguish such cases.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his officials, and those of the regulators established under the Financial Services Act 1986, are instructed to inform those complaining about mis-selling of pensions and other investment products, that they have redress through the criminal law as well as through the regulatory system. [16568]

No. Although investors can seek redress through the courts, the regulatory system under the Financial Services Act should provide redress in a more timely fashion and with less administrative cost for investors.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) criminal investigations and (b) criminal prosecutions have been brought under section 47 of the Financial Services Act 1986. [16569]

The Department of Trade and Industry, the Serious Fraud Office, the Crown Prosecution Service and the procurators fiscal in Scotland have powers to bring prosecutions under section 47 of the Financial Services Act 1986. Disaggregated figures do not exist showing cases brought by the SFO or the CPS and no cases have been brought by the procurators fiscal. The DTI has mounted criminal investigations in six cases; four cases have been prosecuted resulting in two convictions.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to transfer the audit of the civil list from the Treasury to the Comptroller and Auditor General. [16924]

[holding answer 28 March 1995]: None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many years it would take before the existing national debt could be fully paid off from the present value of the national fund on the assumption of a compound tax free rate of 8 per cent. per annum. [16803]

[holding answer 28 March 1995]: Based on the most recent figures for the value of the fund and of the national debt and assuming a compound tax-free interest rate of 8 per cent. it would take approximately 100 years before the existing national debt could be fully paid off under the terms of the trust.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the additional annual taxation which will be incurred in the financial year 1995–96 versus the year 1992–93 as a consequence of intervening changes in income tax, tax reliefs, national insurance contributions and duty rates, beyond those due to standard indexation for inflation, for average taxpayers in the pre-tax income bands (a) 0 to £2,500, (b) £2,001 to £5,000, (c) £5,001 to £10,000, (d) £10,001 to £20,000, (e) £20,001 to £30,000, (f) £30,001 to £50,000, (g) £50,001 to £100,000 and (h) over £100,000.

[holding answer 29 March 1995]: The change in annual taxation for the average taxpayer in these income bands will depend on their personal circumstances and spending pattern as well as on their income.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 February, Official Report, column 550, whether copies of all letters from Ministers in his Department to local government leaders sent in (a) 1985, (b) 1986, (c) 1987, (d) 1988, (e) 1989 and (f) before March 1990 have now been destroyed. [15848]

This could be ascertained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 February, Official Report, column 550, if it is the practice of his Department to destroy all general correspondence after five years; and when this policy was introduced. [15849]

My Department's practice is to destroy files of general correspondence not later than five years after they have been closed. This practice accords with the provisions of the Public Records Act 1958 and with guidance from the Public Record Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated working life of the quarries in each national park. [15889]

The significant active quarries in the national parks are listed, together with the approximate lifespan provided for under the current permissions. The information shown in the table has been supplied by the national park authorities.

National Park	Quarry	Estimated lifespan in line with current permissions (Years)
Dartmoor	Meldon	59
	Linhay Hill	53
	Yennadon	31
Exmoor	None	—
Lake District	Brathay	50
	Broughton Moor	50
	Bursting Stone	5
	Elterwater	10
	Hill Fellside	10
	Hodge Close	5
	Honistor	not yet established
	Kendall Fell	50
	Low Brandy Crag	5
	Petts	10
	Shap Beck	not yet established
	Shap Blue	not yet established
	Shap Pink	15
Northumberland	Roddam	6
	Cop Crag	11
	Saffron	11
	Harden	47
North York Moors	Spaunton	12
	Spikers Hill	9
Peak District	Estimated to be over 25 major active quarries	between a range of 30–50