Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Wednesday 26 April 1995

Treasury

Adult Placement Carers

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy in respect of income tax contributions by adult placement carers. [21041]

Income received by adult placement carers is subject to the normal taxation rules, which are generally those applicable to the self-employed. Carers are liable to income tax on any profits from caring to the extent that income received exceeds allowable expenditure incurred, and any general income tax allowances available to set against the net income. Relief may also be available under the rent-a-room scheme. Within these rules, it is the Inland Revenue's policy to treat carers sympathetically and, as with other very small businesses, to establish any profits with the minimum of fuss.

National Insurance Numbers

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the Data Protection Registrar an undertaking that the national insurance number will not be used for purposes unconnected with the tax and benefits system; and if he will make a statement. [20037]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of Social Security on 25 April. The policy of the Inland Revenue is in accordance with that of the Department of Social Security.

Smuggling

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the scale of value of diamond smuggling into the United Kingdom; and how many Customs and Excise staff are involved in its prevention; and what are the corresponding estimated figures for tobacco, alcohol and drugs. [19529]

Information on the value of diamonds seized is not immediately available and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.Information on the value of drugs prevented from entering the United Kingdom and the number of seizures made is contained in the Customs and Excise annual

Debt written off and debt injected prior to privatisation
Industry	Debt written off Year	£ million	Debt injected Type of debt	Year	£ million
British Steel	1980–81	509.3	National Loans Fund	—	—
British Aerospace	1980–81	60.0	Public Dividend Capital	—	—
National Freight Corporation¹	1980–81	100.0	National Loans Fund	—	—
British Airways	1980–81	160.0	Public Dividend Capital	—	—

report. Information for 1993–94 is that drugs to the value of £1,979 million were prevented from entering. A total of 8,510 seizures were made.

For single market excise-related offences the number and value of seizures of tobacco and alcohol products for the year to December 1994 are as follows:

Number of seizures

Value (revenue) £

Tobacco

1,850

3,195,353

Alcohol

898

1,832,879

Customs staff employed at ports and airports are responsible for preventing the illegal importation of a wide range of prohibited and restricted goods and for the collection of revenue. They are not assigned to the prevention of smuggling of particular goods.

Income Tax

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total cost in a full year of (a) an increase in the lower rate band of income tax to £3,500, (b) an increase in the basic rate band of income tax to £30,000 and (c) a reduction in the basic rate of income tax to 24 per cent.

Estimates are as follows:

	1995–96¹ Full year revenue cost £ million
(a) Increase in the lower rate band from £3,200 to £3,500	310
(b) Increase in the basic rate limit from £24,300 to £30,000	1,670
(c) Reduction in the basic rate of income tax to 24 per cent.	1,900
¹ The figures include consequential effects on the yield of capital gains tax. Each option has been costed separately; the combined cost of the three options may be different from the sum of the figures for the individual options.

Privatisation

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the debts written off by the Government for each industry privatised since 1979 and the total. [19972]

It is common practice for capital restructuring to be undertaken where necessary before privatisation. For some privatisations debt is written off; for others debt is injected. The table shows the debt written off—and the type of debt concerned—and debt injected for each company privatised where either occurred. Debts shown as written off include all debt written off since 1979 in companies subsequently privatised. Receipts from privatisation have amounted to £60 billion over the past 15 years.

Debt written off and debt injected prior to privatisation
Industry	Debt written off Year	£ million	Debt injected Type of debt	Year	£ million
British Transport Docks Board²	1982–83	81.3	National Loans Fund	1982–83	25
British Telecommunications	1984–85	2,789.9	National Loans Fund	1984–85	3,500
British Gas	—	—	—	1986–87	2,500
BAA	1986–87	43.5	National Loans Fund	—	—
British Steel	1988–89	500.0	Public Dividend Capital	—	—
British Steel	1988–89	3,480.0	Borrowing under Iron and Steel Act 1982	—	—
Harland and Wolff	1989–90	422.5	Assistance under Aircraft & Shipbuilding Industries (Northern Ireland) Order 1979	—	—
Short Brothers	1989–90	390.0	Loan by DED	—	—
Water companies	1989–90	4,973.3	National Loans Fund	1989–90	72.9
Water companies	1989–90	55.0	Public Works Loan Board	—	—
Electricity (England and Wales)	—	—	—	1990–91	3,583
Electricity (Scotland)³	1991–92	1,043.6	National Loans Fund	1991–92	625.9
NTL	—	—	—	1991–92	22
Northern Ireland Electricity	—	—	—	1993–94	70.3
Belfast Airport	—	—	—	1994–95	15.2
British Coal	1994–95	1,633.4	Voted Loans	—	—
Total	—	16,241.8	—	—	10,414.3

Notes:

¹ Privatised as National Freight Consortium (now NFC).

² Privatised as Associated British Ports Holdings.

³ Prior to privatisation, National Loans Fund Debt due to the South of Scotland Electricity Board nuclear programme of £1,368.4 million was transferred to Scottish Nuclear Ltd. and subsequently written off.

Agencies

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number and location of Central Statistical Office, Paymaster and Royal Mint offices closed and the number of jobs lost or transferred as a result of agency work transferring from Scotland to the rest of the United Kingdom over the past five years; and if he will list the number and location of the offices opened and jobs gained in Scotland as the result of agency work transferring to Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom over the same period. [19964]

There have been no offices opened or closed in Scotland by the Central Statistical Office, Paymaster or Royal Mint in the last five years.

Beer

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of lowering the excise duty on beer to the level obtaining in France and Germany. [20976]

Cutting United Kingdom beer rates to French or German levels would reduce revenue by about £2 billion.

Public Bodies

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish (a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) registers of members' interests; and whether this in each case is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary; [20507](2) if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to

(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the

National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [20667]

(3) which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20877]

There are no executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Chancellor's departments.

Income Tax

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 25 November 1994, Official Report, column 463, if he will provide equivalent figures for 1993–94 on top rate taxpayers. [20476]

[holding answer 24 April 1995]: Currently available data were given in my reply of 25 November 1994.

House Buyers

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the additional cost which house buyers will have to meet this year as the result of the interest rate rises, the cut in MIRAS and the costs of private insurance to cover the withdrawal of income support. [17920]

[holding answer 19 April 1995]: Housing costs have fallen substantially in recent years. For the average existing homeowner, even after taking into account the recent interest rate rises and the reduction in MIRAS, housing costs will still be over £1,550 per annum lower than in late 1990.The combined effect of the recent increase in interest rates and the reduction of MIRAS from 20 to 15 per cent. will be to increase housing costs for the average existing home owner by about £270 per annum.Without knowing what proportion of house buyers will insure themselves following the changes in income support, it is impossible to estimate what, if any, additional costs house buyers will incur.

Prime Minister

Kashmir

To ask the Prime Minister what dicussions he proposes to hold with the Prime Minister of India as to what action India will be taking on the future of direct rule in the indian occupied area of Kashmir from 18 July; and if he will make a statement. [21101]

I have no plans to discuss the question of President's rule in Kashmir with the Indian Prime Minister. Any decision to extend President's rule in Kashmir after 17 July is for the Indian Government.

Lord Chancellor's Department

Public Bodies

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20884]

The Lord Chancellor's Department sponsors two such bodies: the Legal Aid Board and the Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board. However, the latter has been inactive since March 1992 when the Lord Chancellor announced his decision to postpone implementation of the authorised practioners scheme.The Legal Aid Board has no statutory requirement to admit members of the public to meetings or to hold open meetings.

Legal Aid

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action he proposes to take in the light of the responses to the consultation paper, "Legal Aid for the Apparently Wealthy". [21310]

Fifty responses to the consultation paper were received. The Lord Chancellor and I are grateful to all these who expressed views. As a result of the consultation exercise, the Lord Chancellor is planning to take the following action:

(1) The Lord Chancellor intends that a special investigations unit should be established to handle means assessments in both civil and criminal cases where the applicant's financial circumstances are unusually complex. The Lord Chancellor has invited the Legal Aid Board to advise him on the feasibility of establishing such a unit, and on the practical arrangements necessary to establish and run it.

(2) The Lord Chancellor intends to amend the legal aid regulations to provide those assessing the means of applicants for legal aid with a discretionary power to include in the means assessment the assets of friends, relatives and children where these appear to be providing, a significant material advantage to the applicant.

(3) The Lord Chancellor intends to examine further the practical implications of allowing the trial judge in criminal cases to release details of the statement of means of an applicant for legal aid in specified circumstances.

(4) The Lord Chancellor intends to take powers to require applicants for legal aid to transfer ownership of any assets that they fail to declare in their application to the legal aid authorities so that the money disbursed in legal aid can be recovered from those assets.

(5) The Lord Chancellor intends to amend the legal aid regulations to provide that there shall be a limit of £100,000 on the amount of equity value in a house that is ignored in the legal aid means assessment. He also intends to limit the maximum amount of mortgage that can be offset against the equity value of a house to £100,000, and to limit the amount of mortgage repayment allowable against income to the amount due on a £100,000 mortgage.

The Lord Chancellor was persuaded by the weight of the responses that the other proposals in the consultation paper should not be pursued.The overwhelming weight of the responses supported the view expressed in the consultation paper that it would not be right to impose nationality restrictions on the availability of either criminal or civil legal aid. The Lord Chancellor therefore proposes to make no change in the present arrangements on this point. Assets held abroad by those applying for legal aid in this country will continue to be taken into account in the means assessment process.

Duchy Of Lancaster

Public Bodies

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20871]

None.

Environment

Derelict Land Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was paid by way of derelict land grant to the Corby district borough council in each year since 1979. [20269]

The amount of derelict land grant paid to Corby district council since 1979 is as follows:

Year	Grant Paid (£m)
1979–80	nil
1980–81	nil
1981–82	1,260,937

Year	Grant Paid (£m)
1982–83	1,241,666
1983–84	2,906,929
1984–85	1,818,038
1985–86	3,667,586
1986–87	1,287,455
1987–88	3,817,553
1988–89	3,529,020
1989–90	2,866,205
1990–91	2,486,167
1991–92	2,730,477
1992–93	3,819,479
1993–94	1,873,663
1994–95	2,487,319
Total	35,792,494

Since 1 April 1994 payments of derelict land grant have been made by English Partnerships on behalf of the Secretary of State.

Dry Stone Walls

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the length of dry stone walls that (a) have collapsed and (b) are in need of substantial repair (i) in the national parks and (ii) elsewhere in England and Wales. [20397]

The Secretary of State commissioned a comprehensive survey of countryside features in 1990—the countryside survey 1990. The survey included the length and condition of dry stone walls in Great Britain. The main results of the survey were published by the Department in 1993. There are an estimated 107,000 km of stone walls in England and Wales. This total includes walls which are derelict or collapsed. No further breakdown of the results, by condition of walls or designated areas, is currently available.

Local Government Reorganisation

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his statement to the House on 21 March, Official Report, column 146, when he expects election to the new unitary authority of Bournemouth to take place; and what will be the period of service of those elected. [20819]

Subject to Parliament approving the relevant order, the existing authority for Bournemouth will continue but with unitary powers from 1 April 1997. There will be elections on 2 May 1996 to elect a council with a fresh mandate; those elected will serve for three years until May 1999 when the normal four-year cycle will resume.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many county councils there are in England; and how many he proposes to abolish in his reorganisation of local government structures. [20795]

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: There are at present 39 county councils in England. We have accepted the Local Government Commission's recommendations for four of these to be abolished—the county councils of Avon, Berkshire, Cleveland and Humberside.

Secondary Liquid Fuel

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the periods of the trials which have been carried out at Barrington cement works into the burning of secondary liquid fuel; what was the effect, during the trials, on the levels of dioxin and particulate matter which were permitted whilst the cement kilns were burning secondary liquid fuel; what criteria were used to determine whether future trials will be permitted; and what is the percentage of dioxin in the secondary liquid fuel and the percentage of dioxin in the emissions. [20072]

The trials that have been carried out are as follows:

Trial 1: Secondary Liquid Fuel (SLF) burnt from 9/11/93 to 22/12/93.
Trial 2: SLF burnt 1/3/94–31/5/94 and 1/7/94–31/8/94.
Trial 3: SLF burnt 26/9/94–16/12/94.
Trial 4: Started 24/1/95, ongoing.

The effect of burning SLF on the levels of dioxins and particulates was insignificant. Dioxins were below the limits set for chemical waste incinerators, and particulates were below the level set in the authorisation.The criteria used to determine whether further trials would be permitted were based on a comparison of the emissions and their environmental effect and on the conditions set out in my written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Duncan) on 23 June 1994,

Official Report, columns 259–60. The operator was required to demonstrate that burning of SLF will not result in a net adverse effect on the environment.

The level of dioxins in the secondary liquid fuel is below the limit of detection. The amount of dioxins as a percentage of exhaust gas weight is approximately 5 x 10^-11 .

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether secondary liquid fuel is classified as waste by the European Union; [20073](2) what legal action is outstanding by the European Union against the United Kingdom in respect of the classification of secondary liquid fuel; [20074](3) which commercial companies producing waste allow their waste to be blended into fuels. [20075]

The definition of waste in article 1(a) of Council directive 75/442/EEC, as amended by Council directive 91/156/EEC, has been transposed into national legislation in the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. Whether or not a substance is waste within the meaning of article 1(a) depends on the facts of each case; and interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts. Guidance on the definition of waste is provided in annexe 2 to DOE circular 11/94.There is no outstanding legal action by the European Commission against the United Kingdom in relation to the definition of waste and the classification of secondary liquid fuel.No information is held centrally on commercial companies which allow waste which they have produced to be blended into fuels. All commercial companies producing waste are subject to the duty of care under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and each waste regulation authority is required to maintain a public register containing the information prescribed by regulation 10 of the 1994 regulations.

Defective Housing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Pre-cast reinforced concrete houses have been repaired using grants provided under the housing defects legislation; and what has been the total expenditure to date. [20537]

Local authorities in England report that between 1 December 1984 and 31 March 1994, 10,346 defective houses were reinstated under the housing defects legislation. Over the period, it is estimated that local authorities spent £275.626 million on reinstatement grants to eligible owners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many complaints have been received by Pre-cast Reinforced Concrete Homes Ltd. regarding the quality of repairs carried out using grants provided under the housing defects legislation. [20538]

PRC Homes Ltd. receives a low level of complaints about various matters, and does not keep statistics on individual subjects.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many companies have been licensed to repair homes under the terms of the Housing Defects Act; and, in each case, how many homes they have been responsible for repairing. [20539]

The table shows the number of repairs completed under each licensed scheme, as recorded by PRC Homes Ltd. between 1 January 1986 and 31 March 1995. Information is not readily available on the number of repairs carried out under each licence by each builder registered with PRC Homes Ltd.

PRC Homes Ltd. Dwelling registrations from 1 January 1986 to 31 March 1995
Licence number	Designer	House type	Completions 1 January 1986 to 31 March 1995
001	Curtins Cons. Eng.	Cornish	1,686
002	Swan Developments	Cornish	278
003	Swan Developments	Orlit	253
004	Swan Developments	Stent	342
005	Curtins Cons. Eng.	Airey	196
006	Curtins Cons. Eng.	Woolaway	335
009	John Laing Const.	Cornish	912
012	Rok-Crete Units	Airey	49
013	Rok-Crete Units	Cornish	32
014	PRC Design Assocs.	Airey	15
015	Williams Davis Ltd.	Cornish	61
016	Michael Dyson Assocs.	Cornish	962
017	Michael Dyson Assocs.	Reema HP	98
018	Michael Dyson Assocs.	Airey	338
019	John Laing Const.	Unity	862
020	Curtins Cons. Eng.	Unity	672
021	Michael Dyson Assocs.	Unity	523
022	Swan Developments	Airey	2
023	Michael Dyson Assocs.	Wates	1,03
024	PRC Design Assocs.	Cornish	541
025	Michael Dyson Assocs.	Woolaway	74
028	Bristol City Council	Woolaway	28
029	PRC Design Assocs.	Unity	198
032	Kirkham Williams Lewis	Cornish	228
033	Leeds City Council	Airey	290
035	The Johns Partnership	Unity	29
039	J. R. Bacon	Unity	72
041	Broadway Const. Ltd.	Wates	7
042	Avebury Design Ass.	Parkinson	1
043	Swan Developments	Wates	253
044	Ove Arup and Ptnrs.	Woolaway	3
045	Curtins Cons. Eng.	Wates	582
046	Curtins Cons. Eng.	Reema HP	74
048	M. Dyson Assoc.	Tarran	70
049	Walsall MBC	Cornish	13
050	M. Dyson Assoc.	Parkinson	2
051	Curtins Cons. Eng.	Smith	341
052	Curtins Cons. Eng.	Orlit	57

PRC Homes Ltd. Dwelling registrations from 1 January 1986 to 31 March 1995
Licence number	Designer	House type	Completions 1 January 1986 to 31 March 1995
054	M. Dyson Assoc.	Boot	58
056	Curtins Cons. Eng.	Stent	45
058	John Laing Const.	Wates	16
059	Kier Ltd.	Wates	33
060	Dinardo and Ptnrs.	Dorran	53
061	Swan Developments	Unity	65
063	KPA Consulting Engs.	Reema HP	21
064	Curtins Cons. Eng.	Cornish	45
065	M. Dyson Assoc.	Sch/Hawks	196
067	Kirkham Williams Lewis	Unity	32
070	Kirkham Williams Lewis	Sch/Hawks	130
071	KPA Consulting Engs.	Parkinson	18
072	Curtins Cons. Eng.	Gregory	19
074	PRC Design Assocs.	Sch/Hawks	68
075	PRC Design Assocs.	Wates	14

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how companies have had their licence to improve homes under the terms of the Housing Defects Act suspended; and what, in each case, was the date of the suspension, the duration of the suspension and the reason for the suspension. [20540]

I understand that PRC Homes Ltd. has not suspended any repair licences.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the willingness of mortgage lenders to provide mortgages on homes repaired under the provision of the Housing Defects Act. [20541]

A survey of the largest building societies carried out in 1986 by the Building Societies Association suggested that almost all will consider, subject to normal conditions and valuation, an application for mortgage on a defective house repaired under the housing defects legislation. Generally this remains the position today. The structural condition of any property is one of a number of factors which lending institutions take into account when considering an application for mortgage.

Sunspots

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what analysis he has made on the effects of sunspots on (a) global warming, (b) the trade cycles and (c) landslides. [20807]

The Government have undertaken no such analyses. However on (a), the 1994 report of the scientific assessment working group of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggests that any influence of solar intensity varying on the 11–year cycle associated with sunspots is likely to be small. Longer term variation in solar intensity may have accounted for around 10 per cent. of the warming influence of additional greenhouse gases since 1850.

Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20875]

None of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department has a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, nor do any have a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public.

Housing Association Rents

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the average rent charged by English housing associations for (a) one bedroom, (b) two bedroom and (c) three bedroom properties in each year since 1979. [21085]

A full breakdown of housing association rents by bedroom size is available only for the last three years. The figures are published by the Housing Corporation in three annual volumes: Housing

Emissions from large combustion plant in England and Wales 1992 and 1993
	1992	1992	1993	1993	1992	1993
Company	NOx/te	SO₂/te	NOx/te	SO₂/te	Particulates/te
BAA
Heathrow	133	30	128	22	0	0
BASF
Seal Sands	2,031	431	2,194	631	n/a	0
Bass
Burton	120	380	132	414	89	94
Boots
Nottingham	89	34	54	0	98	22
BP Chemicals
Baglan Bay	4,818	24,278	4,737	23,008	—	—
Hull	111	257	77	47	4	0
BPB
Purfleet	181	1,072	227	1,497	n/a	n/a
British Coal
Nottingham	13	57	33	191	10	21
BP Oil
Llandarcy	836	5,047	838	4,776	n/a	n/a
Bridgewater Paper
Ellesmere Port	1,110	3,325	1,144	3,702	500	307
British Alcan
Lynemouth	10,676	26,697	11,555	26,910	1,770	2,152
British Sugar
Bardney	223	998	190	1,304	—	—
Bury St. Edmunds	194	351	169	46	—	—
Ipswich	112	799	139	365	—	—
Kings Lynn	195	1,109	235	1,338	—	—
Wissington	106	0	112	3	—	—
Newark	113	533	190	1,112	—	—
York	53	0	61	1	175	639
British Steel
Port Talbot	799	4,859	842	4,458	—	—
Llanwern	438	1,306	350	874	—	—
Scunthorpe	457	1,642	373	1,195	—	—
Redcar	484	1,040	461	593	173	250

Associations in 1992, 1993 and 1994 which are held in the Library.

Power Station Emissions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the annual emissions level from all large combustion plants in the United Kingdom for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulates since 1983. [20843]

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to my written reply on 14 March 1995, Official Report, columns 536–38, detailing the SO₂, NO_x, and particulate emissions from power stations in England and Wales for 1991, 1992 and 1993.For the remaining large combustion plants, at present Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution holds validated data only for 1992 and 1993. Data for the preceding years is not held in the form requested.HMIP is responsible for large combustion plant within England and Wales only.

Emissions from large combustion plant in England and Wales 1992 and 1993
	1992	1992	1993	1993	1992	1993
Company	NOx/te	SO₂/te	NOx/te	SO₂/te	Particulates/te
Brunner Mond
Lostock	1,251	5,032	1,151	5,741	—	—
Winnington	1,952	6,829	1,880	9,574	n/a	1,054
Ciba Geigy
Manchester	240	576	174	494	n/a	n/a
Cleveland Power
Redcar	109	267	82	365	n/a	n/a
Coal Products
Chesterfield	48	236	0	0	n/a	0
Colthrop Board Mill
Newbury	89	126	73	0	0	0
Courage
Reading	80	175	114	370	10	23
Courtaulds
Bridgwater	345	799	236	0	—	—
Coventry	136	0	95	0	—	—
Great Coates	1,196	7,693	1,157	5,267	—	—
Spondon	658	2,683	607	2,689	2,502	1,613
Ford
Dagenham	668	1,620	291	1,288	—	—
Halewood	37	55	38	72	70	171
Forgemasters Steels
Sheffield	55	55	59	45	n/a	0
Glaxochem
Ulverston	138	43	137	169	0	0
Goodyear
Wolverhampton	163	28	159	0	n/a	n/a
Grovenhurst Energy
Sittingbourne	2,257	8,277	2,408	7,003	232	227
Guinness
London	174	556	176	387	35	63
Hickson and Welch
Castleford	142	78	130	1	n/a	n/a
Hydro Fertilizers
Immingham	25	1	0	0	0	0
ICI
Hillhouse	581	2,576	850	2,415	—	—
North Tees	552	3,255	610	3,743	—	—
Runcorn	802	951	1,321	1,192	—	—
Wilton	7,598	27,139	7,270	26,040	—	—
Billingham	65	1	57	0	n/a	649
Iggesund
Workington	222	9	219	0	0	0
Ind Coope
Burton	85	166	60	0	0	0
Kodak
Harrow	154	695	115	768	0	0
London Underground
London	1,066	47	473	25	0	2
Phillips Petroleum
Seal Sands	337	4	220	5	n/a	n/a

Emissions from large combustion plant in England and Wales 1992 and 1993
	1992	1992	1993	1993	1992	1993
Company	NOx/te	SO₂/te	NOx/te	SO₂/te	Particulates/te
SAPPI
Hemel Hempstead	120	798	121	773	n/a	6
SCA
Aylesford	705	2,006	766	1,801	165	0
Shell
Stanlow	185	792	209	74	1	0
Shotton Paper
Shotton	369	369	338	493	n/a	n/a
Slough Trading Est.
Slough	286	1,444	216	408	73	21
St. Regis Paper Co
Darwen	96	179	84	53	—	—
Sudbrook	198	1	50	0	—	—
Watchet	145	6	123	0	179	16
Tate and Lyle
Silvertown	404	1,706	170	609	33	72
Tioxide
Grimsby	237	1,335	240	1,380	—	—
Hartlepool	144	10	126	11	n/a	22
UCB Films
Wigton	135	1,020	375	833	n/a	n/a
UML
Bromborough	715	2,449	650	2,067	300	123
University of Leeds
Leeds	66	217	63	297	n/a	n/a
Zeneca
Huddersfield	672	3,390	233	1,054	n/a	n/a
Sub Total	50,178	161,456	47,810	149,991	751	262

All figures given in tonnes (te). n/a = information not available.

New plant (within national plan)
	1992	1992	1993	1993	1992	1993
Company	NOx/te	SO₂/te	NOx/te	SO₂/te	Particulates/te
Albright and Wilson	122	5	91	0	n/a	n/a
Glaxo
Stevenage	0	0	2	0	n/a	n/a
Slough Trading Estate
Slough	0	0	88	824	73	21
Toyota
Burnaston	0	0	1	0	0	0
Sub total	122	5	182	824	73	21

All figures given in tonnes (te). n/a = information not available.

Refineries
	1992	1992	1993	1993	1992	1993
Company	NOx/te	SO₂/te	NOx/te	SO₂/te	Particulates/te
BP Oil
Llandarcy	836	5,047	838	4,776	n/a	161
Conoco
South Killingholme	2,128	2,405	2,085	1,367	n/a	n/a

Refineries
	1992	1992	1993	1993	1992	1993
Company	NOx/te	SO₂/te	NOx/te	SO₂/te	Particulates/te
Elf
Milford Haven	1,003	297	971	543	230	—
Esso
Fawley	5,174	13,173	5,051	12,930	1,020	1,029
Gulf
Milford Haven	875	4,013	764	3,264	n/a	n/a
Lindsey
Killingholme	2,511	10,858	2,773	11,793	n/a	n/a
Mobil
Coryton	2,465	8,869	2,513	6,506	n/a	n/a
Pip
North Tees	515	330	299	315	n/a	n/a
Shell
Shell Stanlow	4,399	17,074	4,655	17,729	n/a	n/a
Shell Haven	1,373	3,314	1,728	5,353	n/a	n/a
Texaco
Pembroke	3,051	2,666	3,070	3,137	1,200	250
Sub Total	24,330	68,046	24,747	67,713	2,450	1,440

All figures given in tonnes (te). n/a = information not available.

There are further large combustion plants which are not regulated under the national plan for the reduction of

	1992	1992	1993	1993	1992	1993
	NOx/te	SO₂/te	NOx/te	SO₂/te	Particulates/te
	4,140	5,460	12,575	11,600	1,170	1,340
Grand total	78,770	234,967	85,314	230,128	4,444	3,063

All figures given in tonnes (te).

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Allowances

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total amount paid by his central Department and each agency for which he is responsible in subsistence allowances for travel (a) within the United Kingdom and (b) outside the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [19547]

The costs incurred by my Department on subsistence for each of the last three years are as follows:

£
	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95 (provisional)
(a) United Kingdom	1,857,423	1,845,800	1,473,335
(b) Overseas	773,353	776,681	673,660

emissions of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. The total emissions from these plants were:

The figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94 include those for the pesticides safety and veterinary medicines directorates.

Responsibility for such matters within ADAS, the Central Science Laboratory, the Central Veterinary Laboratory and the pesticides safety and the veterinary medicines directorates has been delegated to the agency chief executives and I have asked them to reply to my hon. Friend direct.

Letter from G. K. Bruce to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), to your question about expenditure on subsistence allowances for travel in each of the last three years.

The Directorate was launched as an executive agency on 1 April 1993 and figures prior to this date have been included in the core—MAFF response and are not separately available. However, I am able to advise that subsistence allowances paid to staff for travel in the UK since the agency was launched have totalled £10,956 in 1993/94, and £20,787 in 1994/95. For travel outside the UK, subsistence allowances paid to PSD staff have totalled £38,516 and £32,611 in 1993/94 and 1994/95 respectively.

Letter from Dr. J. M. Rutter to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about the total amount of subsistence allowance paid by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate within and outside the United Kingdom for each of the last three years, as this is an operational matter for which I am responsible.

The information requested is as follows:

Subsistence payments

1992–93 £

1993–94 £

1994–95 £

Within UK

8,052

4,049

3,956

Outside UK

46,868

48,483

34,444

Subsistence payments outside the UK include those incurred on inspections overseas of manufacturing premises for veterinary immunological medicines. These are recovered from the company concerned as part of the inspection fee.

Letter from Dr. J. M. Walsh to Mr. David Shaw, dated 21 April 1995:

The Minister of Agriculture has asked me to reply directly to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question number 1055.

In this you asked for the total amount paid by this Agency for travel within the United Kingdom and outside the United Kingdom in each of the last three years.

ADAS was formed in June 1992 as an Executive Agency, jointly owned by MAFF and the Welsh Office. The majority of expenditure on subsistence is spent by ADAS Consultants pursuing their commercial activities.

The costs incurred by ADAS on subsistence for each of the last three years are as follows:

1992–95 £

1993–94 £

1994–95 £

(a) Within the UK

843,138

814,520

757,214

(b) Overseas

45,259

73,919

87,612

Letter from Dr. P. I. Stanley to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

Subsistence payments to staff of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) in respect of travel within the UK for the past three financial years were:

£000
1992–93	63.10
1993–94	87.64
1994–95	153.33

I should explain that in April 1994 CSL was re-launched as an enlarged Agency following its merger with the Food Science Laboratories at Norwich and Aberdeen. The merger meant that the number of staff employed by CSL rose from about 450 to 700 and the incidence of UK travel increased with the addition of two major distant sites. This accounts for last year's significant rise in subsistence payments.

Regarding subsistence payments for travel outside of the UK, such statistics are not recorded separately from travel and other associated expenses and the cost of obtaining them would be disproportionately high.

Letter from Guy Stapleton to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question about subsistence allowances paid by the Agency for travel within the United Kingdom and outside the United Kingdom for each of the last three years as the information for the Intervention Board is a matter within my operational responsibility.

The Intervention Board has spent the following sums on subsistence allowances since 1992–93:

1992–93 £

1993–94 £

1994–95 £

Subsistence on travel within the United Kingdom

193,890

191,623

180,750

Subsistence on travel outside the United Kingdom

36,262

43,310

53,425

Subsistence is payable when an officer works away from their normal office and because they incur necessary expenses for accommodation or meals. The rates of subsistence are those currently indicated by Treasury. Approximately three-quarters of the Agency's subsistence for travel within the United Kingdom is paid to staff who regularly travel in their role as investigators, scrutineers and verifiers. Subsistence for travel outside the United Kingdom is incurred mainly by the attendance of Agency staff at meetings with European Commission and other officials in Brussels.

Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about subsistence allowance paid by CVL.

The total amounts paid over the last three years are:

	Within UK £	Outside UK £
1992–93 (Est)	38,700	27,250
1993–94	24,676	24,382
1994–95	23,638	26,345

A word of explanation on the 1992–93 figures may be useful. CVL became an Executive Agency in 1990. Up to and including November 1992 our accounts were processed and produced by MAFF and it has only been possible to identify separately the subsistence allowances paid from 1 December 1992. The 1992–93 figure is derived from the amounts paid between 1 December and 31 March 1993.

Pesticides

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the cases in which the Advisory committee on Pesticides has been consulted in each of the last five years, and what subsequent action was taken. [20065]

Ministers are required by the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to consult the Advisory Committee on Pesticides on approvals they propose to give or revoke, on the conditions to be attached to approvals and on regulations to be made under the Act. Ministers also consult the committee on other current pesticides issues.Consequently the committee has discussed many matters at its 28 meetings over the period 1990 to 1994. Details of these discussions and their outcomes are set out in the committee's annual reports, copies of which are in the House Library.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health regarding pesticides and animal treatments and their effect on the food chain, and what action resulted. [20066]

My right hon. Friends the Minister and the Secretary of State for Health are among the Ministers responsible for the regulation of pesticides and have close contact on such matters. These contacts feed into decisions on individual applications for approval of pesticides and into the shaping of policy.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidance Her Majesty's Government offer on the minimum level for pesticide usage for effective pest control, at what interval this level is reviewed; and what investigations are made to decide it. [20067]

Guidance on minimising pesticide use is provided through the code of practice on the safe use of pesticides on farms and holdings through ADAS and other advisory services. The guidance promotes, in particular, the better targeting of pesticide applications and the use of reduced application rates in appropriate cases. A wide-ranging research programme supports the Government's pesticide minimisation policy. Guidance is kept under constant review in the light of results from the research programme.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the European Union regime for regulating pesticides, and how this correlates with his Department's procedures. [20068]

Directive 91/414/EEC provides a framework for the harmonisation of national regimes for agricultural pesticides; a framework directive for other pesticides is under negotiation. Under directive 91/414/EEC, active substances will be authorised, or not, by the Community as a whole. Products containing these active substances will be regulated by individual member states who will carry out their evaluations on the basis of agreed "Uniform Principles". Both the UK and EC systems place paramount importance upon human safety, and protecting the environment. Both base decisions on the evaluation of appropriate scientific data and the two systems are of comparable rigour in terms of the data required and the manner in which they are evaluated.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what procedures are adopted to investigate the veracity of company data when submitted for approval of a pesticide. [20069]

Companies are required to satisfy themselves of the veracity of their data before submitting them. It is an offence under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 knowingly or recklessly to provide false information or to withhold a material fact. Those evaluating pesticides are alert to inconsistencies in the data package provided or between the data submitted and those which might be expected based on experience with similar active substances or formulations. Experimental toxicity data to support submissions for approval of new pesticides must be generated in accordance with good laboratory practice—GLP. GLP involves regular internal checks and reviews and facilities operating to GLP are subject to independent inspection for compliance.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the specific criteria used by his Department before approval of a pesticide. [20070]

The key aims of the approvals system are that proper use of the pesticide carries no unacceptable risk to human health or to the environment and that the product is efficacious. The pursuit of these aims requires the examination of a number of issues including mammalian toxicity, operator exposure, pesticide chemistry, behaviour and toxicity in the environment and residue levels in food. Specific data relating to all relevant matters are required from the applicant company and evaluated according to best current standards and protocols.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to commission his Department to study the possible connections between the use of pesticides and allergies and other medical problems. [20071]

Companies applying for pesticide approvals must provide fully researched data which addresses potential allergic and other medical effects in pesticide users and food consumers. These data are rigorously evaluated before any approval is given.The chemical nature of pesticides and the fact that consumers are exposed only to very low levels mean that the risk of allergic reaction to pesticide residues is low compared with food allergens. Therefore, MAFF's continuing research concerned with allergies and intolerances will concentrate on foods rather than on pesticides.There will, however, continue to be projects which examine allergic responses or other medical issues at a general level and which assist with the development of risk assessment techniques used in pesticide evaluation. MAFF will also continue to draw on public results of research carried out by other bodies throughout the world.

Statutory Instruments

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the percentage of statutory instruments introduced by his Ministry which implement EU directives in the latest available year. [19739]

In the 1994 calendar year 22 per cent. of statutory instruments made or laid by MAFF implemented EU directives.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated cost (a) to his Ministry and (b) to the relevant industries of implementing statutory instruments introduced by his Ministry in (i) 1980, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1990 and (iv) 1994. [19739]

The cost to the Ministry of implementing statutory instruments for the years in question could be provided only at disproportionate cost. As far as costs to the industry are concerned, compliance cost assessments are prepared by the Department in line with Government policy. A list of all such CCAs issued between November 1993 and June 1994 was published in a command paper in December 1994, Cm 2769. Another command paper covering the period July to December 1994 will be published shortly. Copies of the CCAs prepared during these periods and since have been placed in the Library of the House. Details of compliance cost assessments for earlier periods cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of statutory instruments introduced by his Ministry in (a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990, (d) 1994 and (e) 1995, to date.

A total of 143 statutory instruments were made or laid by MAFF in the 1990 calendar year, 121 in 1994 and 55 in 1995 up to 21 April. Figures for the earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Tuberculosis

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of TB in cattle were reported in each county in each year since 1985. [20554]

Complete information in the form requested is not available and that information which is available for the years 1985 to 1987 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the numbers of confirmed cattle tuberculosis breakdowns in each county of England in each of the years form 1988 to 1991 were as follows:

	Year(s) in which cases occurred	Number of herds	Number of confirmed reactors
Avon	1988	8	42
	1989	10	49
	1990	9	10
	1991	17	23
Bedfordshire	1988	1	1
	1990	1	1
Cheshire	1991	1	2
Cornwall	1988	18	42
	1989	45	110
	1990	33	50
	1991	47	107
Derbyshire	1988	6	7
	1989	2	3
Devon	1988	17	33
	1989	12	22
	1990	19	35
	1991	10	19
Dorset	1988	6	8
	1989	5	5
	1990	4	6
	1991	4	10
Gloucestershire	1988	11	33
	1989	13	31
	1990	15	22
	1991	36	47
Hampshire	1989	1	1
	1991	1	1
Lancashire	1990	1	1
Leicestershire	1989	1	1
Lincolnshire	1989	1	2
Northamptonshire	1990	1	1
Northumberland	1988	1	1
	1989	1	1
	1990	2	2
Nottinghamshire	1988	1	1

	Years(s) in which cases occurred	Number of herds	Number of confirmed reactors
Shropshire	1990	1	1
	1991	1	1
Somerset	1988	2	2
Suffolk	1989	1	3
Surrey	1991	1	1
Sussex east	1989	1	5
	1991	2	2
Sussex west	1989	1	12
	1991	1	1
Warwickshire	1991	1	1
Wiltshire	1988	7	8
	1989	4	4
	1990	5	5
	1991	3	7
Yorkshire north	1991	2	2
Yorkshire south	1989	1	1
	1991	1	1

In the period 1992 to 1994 the numbers of confirmed cattle tuberculosis breakdowns in each of the Ministry's administrative areas of England were as follows:

	Year(s) in which cases occurred	Number of herds	Number of confirmed reactors
Berkshire/Buckinghamshire/Oxon	1993	2	9
	1994	2	2
Cheshire	1994	1	1
Cornwall	1992	49	129
	1993	82	277
	1994	106	351
Cumbria	1992	3	12
	1993	1	1
Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire	1994	1	1
Devon	1992	20	102
	1993	46	99
	1994	75	189
Dorset	1992	3	5
	1993	8	21
	1994	2	19
Durham/Tyne and Weir/Cleveland/Northumbria	1992	2	2
	1993	1	1
	1994	2	7
Gloucestershire and Avon	1992	37	120
	1993	64	175
	1994	63	214
Hereford/Worcestershire	1993	4	12
	1994	12	83
Humberside	1992	1	1
Kent and east Sussex	1994	1	3

	Year(s) in which cases occurred	Number of herds	Number of confirmed reactors
Lancashire/Merseyside	1992	1	1
	1993	1	1
	1994	1	1
Leicestershire	1992	2	2
	1993	1	1
	1994	1	1
Lincolnshire	1993	1	1
Somerset	1993	14	65
	1994	7	15
Warwickshire and west Midlands	1992	2	4
	1993	1	2
Wiltshire	1992	9	60
	1993	18	89
	1994	21	60
North Yorkshire	1992	4	4

Smoking Restrictions

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what facilities are provided and arrangements made for the well-being and comfort of staff who (a) smoke and (b) do not wish to be affected by smoking at (i) the work station and (ii) rest, recreation and refreshment facilities at Whitehall place, London. [20457]

Smoking restrictions in the Ministry's London headquarters buildings were introduced on 1 July 1993. MAFF's smoking at work policy came into full force on 1 January 1994. From that date smoking was allowed on Ministry premises only in suitably equipped and ventilated smoking rooms. There are three designated smoking rooms in the Whitehall place complex.Rest, recreation and refreshment facilities are available adjacent to one of the designated smoking areas.

Sheep Scab

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has had from markets in the United Kingdom on the prevalence of sheep scab. [21033]

Last spring, the state veterinary service launched a month-long surveillance exercise at sheep markets to identify the prevalence of sheep scab in the country and to establish a benchmark for further checks. The result indicated that sheep scab had increased from the levels recorded before deregulation.To help reduce the spread of scab the Government announced a joint industry—Government publicity campaign together with a significant increase in the official veterinary presence at markets. Only 46 out of 2,809 market visits conducted between 1 September 1994 and 3 March 1995 resulted in the detection of sheep suspected of being affected with scab. In total, only 363 animals had to be withdrawn and treated for sheep scab; a further 107 suspect animals were sent direct to slaughter.The SVS have just repeated last year's exercise and the findings will be compared against those for last year. The results are currently being collated and will be announced shortly. The provisional indications are, however, that the amount of scab found at markets has significantly decreased.

Meat Inspectors

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to extend the rebate given on meat inspector costs. [21100]

We have been considering how best to deploy the transitional assistance on meat hygiene service charges announced in the answer given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Atkinson) on 29 March, Official Report, columns 653–54, so as to assist the widest possible range of premises within the funds available. The MHS is now consulting plant operators on the following proposed reductions in its charges:

Charges for Official Veterinary Surgeons' normal time to be capped at £35 per hour at all plants for this financial year

Charges for Meat Inspectors' normal time to be reduced by £1 per hour at all plants for this financial year

A rebate equivalent to £1 per hour off Meat Inspectors' normal time after the end of the first two quarters of 1995–96 (i.e. in July and October 1995) to all plants, subject to the need to observe the requirements of European legislation which prohibits the subsidisation of inspection charges below the level of the Community Standard charge in the case of slaughterhouses.

Final decisions on these proposed charges will not be taken until after the end of the statutory consultation process. The charges would be subject to review in consultation with the Industry Forum—the consultative body which the MHS has set up to discuss issues with the industry—after the first six months of this financial year to see whether there was any further flexibility within the funds available to make any other adjustments for the remainder of the year.

Corncrake

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to encourage the return of the corncrake to its farmland habitat. [20243]

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: The present UK population of corncrakes is confined almost entirely to the north and west of Scotland where the Government have contributed to schemes designed to increase their numbers. English Nature has advised that a reintroduction programme for England is not considered feasible at present given the lack of any substantial areas of suitable habitat. However, the corncrake is a candidate species under consideration by the biodiversity steering group for an individual action plan to improve its conservation status.

North Sea (Aggregates)

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any sand or aggregates removed from the banks in the North sea off Lincolnshire is being exported abroad. [19747]

I have been asked to reply.Approximately 400,000 tonnes.

Health

Alzheimer's Disease

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the drugs available on the NHS for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. [19900]

The national health service provides different types of treatment for Alzheimer's disease which may include tranquillisers, physiotherapy and educational activities.There are, however, currently no licensed drugs available for the treatment of this serious condition, although the Medicines Control Agency is aware that the pharmaceutical industry has drugs under development.

Organ Donor Register

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many registrations have been made on the national computerised registration system for kidney donors; [20516](2) what guidelines and information have been given to transplant co-ordinators regarding the national computerised registration system; [20517](3) what is the progress of the national computerised registration scheme for kidney donors by region; and if she will make a statement. [20519]

Since the national health service organ donor register was launched on 6 October 1994 nearly 1,200,000¹ people have joined the register. A regional analysis is not available at present. The United Kingdom Transplant Co-ordinators Association is represented on the Health Departments' steering group for the NHS organ donor register. Transplant unit staff were informed about the register before it was launched and on 31 March 1995 the chief executive of the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority sent transplant co-ordinators the procedure for using the register. A resources and information pack was recently sent to all transplant co-ordinators.

¹ Around 440,000 of these were transferred from the existing Lifeline Wales register.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what efforts her Department has made to promote and advertise the national computerised registration system for kidney donors. [20518]

We have produced a wide range of publicity material to support the NHS organ donor register since its launch in October 1994, at a cost of £1.53 million in 1994–95. This has included the delivery of leaflets, including registration forms, to over 19 million homes with local free newspapers or via the Royal Mail; national, regional and local newspaper advertisements; TV fillers; 25,000 posters; freepost and freephone facilities; displays in post offices; and distribution of leaflets and forms to all chemists and GPs.

Me Funding

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the current and future plans for funding the national task force on CFS/PVFS/myalgic encephalomyelitis. [20557]

The task force, which is autonomous of the Department of Health, has received £20,000 funding over the past two years under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968. A bid for further funding has been received from the charity Westcare, which provides the secretariat to the task force, and the Department is in discussion with Westcare regarding this application. The decision on future funding will be made known to Westcare as soon as possible.

Nhs Trust Boards

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if persons with criminal records are eligible for appointment to NHS trusts as chairman or non-executive directors. [20698]

In accordance with the National Health Service Trusts (Membership and Procedure) Regulations 1990, a person is disqualified from appointment to an NHS trust as chairman or non-executive director if within the preceding five years he has been convicted in the United Kingdom of any offence resulting in a sentence of imprisonment of not less than three months.

Nhs Estates Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the key tasks and targets for 1995–96 for the NHS Estates Agency. [21568]

I have agreed the agency's key tasks and targets for 1995–96, and have placed copies in the Library.

Temazepam

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths occurred from temazepam abuse in each age group in each of the last five years. [19824]

This information is shown in the table.The number of deaths certified as due to abuse of Temazepam

¹ (ICDs 304.1, 304.7, 304.8, 305.4, 305.9), alone or with other drugs, by five year age groups for the years 1989–1993 in England and Wales.

	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993
15–19	1	1	1	2	0
20–24	2	0	2	2	3
25–29	0	3	1	5	4
30–34	2	1	2	0	3
35–39	1	1	5	1	3
40–44	0	1	0	1	1
45–49	0	2	2	1	0
50–54	0	1	0	1	1
55–59	0	1	0	0	0
60–64	1	1	0	0	0
65–69	0	0	0	1	0
70–74	0	0	0	1	0
¹ International Classification of Disease 9th revision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for the further control of temazepam capsules; and what indications there are for the use of temazepam capsules instead of temazepam pills. [19825]

The abuse of temazepam capsules by drug misusers is of particular concern and we are keeping the position under review.My Department, in consultation with other Departments, is considering the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to tighten the control of the drug temazepam.The licensed indications for temazepam capsules and tablets are the same, and include short-term use as a hypnotic and premedication before minor surgery.

Gp Recruitment

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the levels of recruitment of doctors to become general practitioners currently and five years ago. [19826]

In 1989–90 the number of general practitioners increased by 14–0.6 per cent.—in England. In 1993–94 the number increased by 278–1.0 per cent.—to an all-time high of 26,567.

Residential Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment she has made of the progress made by placing authorities in reviewing placements at Stoke Place and Stoke Green House, residential care homes operated by Longcare Ltd; [20600](2) what conclusions have been drawn by her Department from the investigation by Buckinghamshire county council social services department inspection unit conducted in the period November 1993 to June 1994 of Stoke Place and Stoke Green House; and what account has been taken of these conclusions in the formulation of a new circular to local authorities on the regulation of residential care homes under the Registered Homes Act 1984; [20602](3) if she will list the local authorities that have residents in Stoke Place and Stoke Green House; and if she will give the number of placements by each at 30 June 1994 and at present. [20601]

The social services inspectorate is continuing to keep in close contact with Buckinghamshire social services department on developments in the care of residents placed in homes operated by Longcare Ltd. The assessment and placing of residents is a matter for the authorities concerned. Information is not collected centrally on the authorities in relation to which placements in specific homes are made. The social services inspectorate will shortly begin a routine formal inspection of Buckinghamshire's inspection unit to check on the unit's effectiveness.

Learning Disabilities

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her current policy in respect of village communities for persons with learning disabilities; what factors led her to holding an evaluation of village communities for persons with learning disabilities; and what is the estimated cost of the exercise. [21040]

Guidance on residential services for people with learning disabilities is given in LAC(92)15, copies of which are available in the Library. Local authorities can purchase or provide places in village or residential communities if that is what individuals and their families prefer and the communities meet the criteria set out in the guidance. The planned evaluation will involve comparison with the cost and outcomes of other forms of provision and will help authorities make the best use of resources in meeting the needs of individuals in their area. Precise details of the evaluation including its cost have yet to be finalised.

Residential Care And Nursing Homes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the purpose and scope of the review of registration and inspection of residential care and nursing homes; and when it will begin. [21039]

In the consultative document, "Inspecting Social Services", issued in October 1992, the Government indicated that in 1995 they would review progress in implementing new arrangements for social services inspection and would consider what further steps might be necessary to achieve the essential objectives of effectiveness and independence. This review will begin later this year. Its precise scope is still under consideration.

Mental Illness

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new policy proposals she has to reduce the number of inmates and remand prisons who are transferred to mental institutions shortly after their arrest. [20803]

It is well-established Government policy that offenders suffering from mental disorder should, where necessary, receive care and treatment from the health and social services rather than in the criminal justice system. The transfer to hospital of prisoners requiring specialist psychiatric care plays an important part in this.The development of services for mentally disordered offenders and others with similar needs is a high priority for the national health service. My Department is working closely with the Home Department in establishing initiatives, such as multi-agency working in courts and the provision of specialist training, to ensure that mentally disordered people who come into contact with the criminal justice system obtain the care they need at the earliest possible stage.

Cannabis

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new proposals she has to legalise the therapeutic use of cannabis. [20806]

Any consideration of the therapeutic use of cannabis would have to take account of the potential risks associated with short and long-term use. If, as a result of research, evidence became available that the quality, safety and efficacy of a cannabis-based preparation was suitable for the grant of a product licence under the Medicines Act 1968, the Misuse of Drugs Act controls, for which my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary is responsible, could be modified to make such a medicine available to patients.

Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20886]

None.

Hospitals, London

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when she received the South Thames regional health authority submission on changes to London hospitals; and approximately how many hours she spent studying it before 4 April; [21068](2) when she received the North Thames regional health authority submission on changes to London hospitals; and approximately how many hours she spent studying it before 4 April. [21069]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 18 April at column 120.

St Bartholomew's And London Chest Hospital

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated land value of (a) the St. Bartholomew's hospital site and (b) the London chest hospital site. [21102]

The estimated land values of the St. Bartholomew's hospital site and the London chest hospital site are £65 million and £1.5 million respectively.

Health Services, London

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the increased investment in primary care, revenue and capital, in London in 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95; and what is planned for 1995–96 and 1996–97. [21103]

Total expenditure on primary care by family health services authorities in London in 1992–93 and 1993–94 together with increase over the previous year is shown in the table. Figures for 1994–95 are not yet available. No comparable planned figures are available for 1995–96 and 1996–97.

£000
	1992–93	1993–94
Total expenditure	859,482	926,820
Increase over previous year	101,848	67,338

Notes:

1. Source—Annual Accounts of FHSAs. Figures for 1993–94 are provisional, being subject to National Audit Office review.

2. Figures relate to all FHSAs in London.

3. The figures are for total FHSA expenditure (services and administration) excluding general practitioner fundholder expenditure on hospital services. Services expenditure is for both cash limited and non cash limited services, including general medical services, pharmaceutical services, optical services and dental services administered by FHSAs. Expenditure on dental services centrally administered by the Dental Practice Board is not included. Expenditure on administration is both revenue and capital expenditure. The accounting policy in respect of capital changed between the two years: in 1993–94 capital charges were introduced in respect of FHSAs.

Survey Organisations

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list the polling or public survey organisations employed by her Department in the financial year 1990–91; what were the values of individual contracts with these organisations; and what were the purposes of the research undertaken; [18171](2) how much was spent by her Department on contracts with polling or public survey organisations in the financial year 1994–95; [18172](3) if she will list the polling or public survey organisations employed by her Department in the financial year 1994–95; what were the values of individual contracts with these organisations; and what were the purposes of the research undertaken; [18173](4) what was the total amount of money spent by her Department on contracts with polling or public survey organisations in each financial year since 1990–91; [18189](5) if she will list the polling or public survey organisations employed by her Department in the financial year 1993–94, the values of individual contracts with these organisations and the purposes of the research undertaken; [18180](6) if she will list the polling or public survey organisations employed by her Department in the financial year 1992–93, the value of individual contracts with these organisations and the purposes of the research undertaken. [18181](7) if she will list the polling or public survey organisations employed by her Department in the financial year 1991–92, the values of individual contracts with these organisations and the purposes of the research undertaken. [18182]

[holding answer 5 April 1995]: A list of research projects commissioned from polling or public survey organisations for the financial years 1990–91 to 1994–95 will be placed in the Library. The cost of each individual survey is a matter of commercial confidentiality. Total costs of surveys in each year since 1990–91 are estimated as follows:

	£ million
1990–91	2.5
1991–92	3.4
1992–93	5.5
1993–94	6.7
1994–95	5.3

National Heritage

Relocation Costs

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list for each agency and the central Department for which he is responsible (a) the total amount of removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials who were required to relocate as part of their employment, (b) the amount of each of the highest three claims that were concluded and settled and (c) the average amount of each claim in each of the last three years. [19655]

The Department of National Heritage was created in April 1992. It has two agencies—the Royal Parks Agency, created in April 1993 and the Historic Royal Palaces Agency, created in October 1989. The information requested is shown in the following table:

	Total amount of removal costs (£)	Amounts of highest claims (£)	Average amount of each claim (£)
DNH central department
1992–93	nil	n/a	n/a
1993–94	nil	n/a	n/a
1994–95	nil	n/a	n/a
RPA
1992–93	n/a	n/a	n/a
1993–94	nil	n/a	n/a
1994–95	nil	n/a	n/a
HRPA
1992–93	nil	—	—
1993–94	2,521	Two claims only: 2,021 and 500	See data re actuals
1994–95	6,682	One claim only: 6,682	See data re actuals

Overtime And Sickness

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list for each agency and the central Department for which he is responsible (a) the total hours of overtime worked for which payment has been made, (b) the total amount paid in overtime and (c) the total time in days and its monetary equivalent lost through sickness in each of the last three years. [19680]

The Department of National Heritage was created in April 1992. It has two agencies—the Royal Parks Agency (RPA) created in April 1993 and the Historic Royal Palaces Agency (HRPA) created in October 1989. The information requested is shown in the following tables:

(a) and (b) Table 1—Overtime
	Total hours of overtime worked	Total amounts paid in overtime (£)
DNH central department
1992–93¹	Figures not available	Figures not available
1993–94	Figures not available	157,661.61
1994–95²	Figures not available	133,420.94
RPA
1992–93	Not applicable	Not applicable
1993–94	23,197	289,570.13
1994–95²	16,877	213,354.78
HRPA³
1992–93	Figures not available	584,000.00
1993–94	Figures not available	650,000.00
1994–95²	Figures not available	723,000.00

Notes:

¹ DNH did not have its own financial and management accounting arrangements in place until August 1992; for the year 1992–93, the information is therefore not available in the format requested.

² The 1994–95 figures (for year ending 31 March 1995) may change slightly as year-end accounts are finalised.

³ The HRPA figures cover both overtime and premium pay (for excess hours worked at weekends and on Public and Bank holidays. It is not possible to disaggregate the two.

c) Table 2—Sickness
	Number of days lost through sickness:
	DNH central department	RPA	HRPA
1992	366	Not applicable	2,090
1993	1,803	2,350	3,376
1994¹	—	—	—

Notes:

¹ 1994 data is not yet available.

1. It is not possible to give figures for the monetary equivalent of days lost through sickness as there are too many variables in this calculation and it would be difficult to rely on the accuracy of any such calculations.

Employment

Workplace Fatal Injuries

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons under 16 years died at a place of employment in each year since 1990. [20689]

The number of fatal injuries to persons under the age of 16 reported to health and safety enforcement authorities in each year since 1990–91 is shown in the following table:

Fatalities¹
Year	Employees²	Non-employees	Total
1990–91	0	46	46
1991–92	0	33	33
1992–93	1	32	33
1993–94³	1	29	30
¹ Figures are for Great Britain: as reported to the Health and Safety Executive's factory and agricultural and railway inspectorates, and to local authorities.
² Includes trainees.
³ Provisional.

Labour Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current percentage of adult males who are currently unemployed or economically inactive. [20824]

The latest estimates from the labour force survey for winter 1994–95 show that 34.8 per cent. of males aged 16 and over in Great Britain are ILO unemployed or economically inactive, a category which includes students, the long-term sick and disabled and retirees.Over four out of five of the economically inactive males included in this percentage state, in reply to the LFS, that they do not want a job; many of them are aged 65 or over.

Employment Service

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what support schemes for employees who take early retirement, early severance or voluntary redundancy are currently being operated by the Employment Service in the London region; how long these schemes have been in operation; and what plans there are to extend the cover of operation of these schemes. [21046]

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange a reply to be given.

Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Ms Harriet Harman, dated 26 April 1995:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about early retirement, early severance and voluntary redundancy schemes in the London Region.

Schemes are operated on a regional basis and the majority of the following information therefore relates to the London and South East region of the Employment Services (ES).

Voluntary early retirement and early severance schemes have been operated for a number of years by the Department of Employment (ED), such schemes being offered when the prevailing circumstances justify them and are not run separately for the ES. The need for schemes is considered each year by ED, on a regional basis. Schemes are operated where it is clear that staff surpluses will occur that cannot be accommodated in other ways.

During the current financial year 89 staff in the ED Group in London and the South East left on early retirement. Of these 58 were from the ES. The staff involved were mainly from the more junior grades and in outlying locations (only three were from the Greater London area) for whom redeployment into other alternative posts elsewhere was not a realistic alternative.

With unemployment continuing to fall sharply in the region, a similar scheme has just been announced for the current financial year. This will provide ED Group staff London and South East with 170 retirement opportunities. Most of these opportunities are likely to affect ES staff.

	Staff allocation 1994/95			Staff usage 1994/95
Grade	Permanent	Casual	Total	Permanent	Casual	Total
4	1.0	0.0	1.0	1.0	0.0	1.0
5	1.0	0.0	1.0	1.0	0.0	1.0
6	4.0	0.0	4.0	3.9	0.0	3.9
7	26.0	0.0	26.0	26.4	0.0	26.4
SEO	69.0	0.0	69.0	74.8	0.0	74.8
HEO	543.0	0.0	543.0	459.0	0.0	459.0
EO	3393.0	0.0	3393.0	3276.3	3.5	3279.8
AO	8048.0	365.0	8413.0	8187.7	611.0	8798.7
AA	829.0	1.0	830.0	367.0	109.0	476.0
Others	158.0	12.0	170.0	107.8	7.9	115.7
Total	13072.0	378.0	13450.0	12505.8	731.4	13237.2

Staffing levels and associated resource levels are determined largely, though not exclusively, by levels of unemployment. In LASER, unemployment fell by 15% between April 1994 and March 1995, although the fall was much sharper in some parts of South East England (up to 25%) than in the Region as a whole. This meant that staffing had to be reduced in LASER in phase with this and in fact staffing fell from 14,329 in April 1994 to 11,820 in March, or 17.5% As it is not possible to forecast with any reliability monthly changes in unemployment levels, ES Regions are not allocated staffing resources on a monthly basis.

It is also not possible to say with any precision how staffing will move in the year ahead, although during the 1980s unemployment rose more rapidly in London and the South East than in other Regions. That trend is now being matched by a more rapid decline in LASER, particularly outside London, although it is not possible to forecast with confidence whether this will continue. LASER is currently resourced on the basis that it will need an average of 11,650 staff during the current financial year.

As in all ES Regions, staffing levels are managed so as to keep as close a match as possible through the year between the levels of

Staff who take retirement under these schemes are offered retirement seminars to advise on financial planning and other matters. At this stage there are no plans for further schemes which would affect ES staff.

I hope this is helpful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of staff actually employed in the region and the number of established positions which allocated resources allow for in the region, for the Employment Service in the London region, for each of the past 12 months, expressing the data by staff grade; and if he will make a statement about the staffing levels of the Employment Service in the London region. [21045]

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange a reply to be given.

Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Ms Harriet Harman dated 26 April 1995:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the levels of staffing in the London region of the Employment Service (ES) over the past 12 months.

The information you have requested is recorded on an ES Regional basis rather than for specific geographic areas. I have therefore provided the following information for the ES London and South East Region (LASER).

In common with all ES regions, LASER was allocated resources for the 1994/95 financial year on the basis of expected business volumes. The staff allocation for this twelve month period was 13,450. This is shown by grade and compared with actual usage in the following table.

business to be performed and the staffing resources allocated. That this has been done successfully has been borne out by the fact that LASER placed 487,000 clients into jobs during the last financial year, 9.5% above target. Of these 37.8% were long term claimants (against a target of 36.0%) and 4.1% people with disabilities, against a target of 3.6%

I hope this is helpful.

Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20874]

None.

Home Department

Criminal Injuries Compensation

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost to the public purse of administering the change of the criminal injuries compensation awards to a tariff scheme. [20407]

A precise figure is not available, but the total additional cost was probably in the order of £1 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) firefighters, (b) police officers and (c) nurses have been made criminal injuries compensation awards under the tariff scheme which are less than they would have received under the old scheme; and, for each of these categories, what was the average amount by which each claimant received reduced remuneration. [20408]

Under the tariff scheme offers of awards were made to 10 firefighters, 226 police officers and 60 health professionals, including doctors and nurses. Until the cases are reassessed under the 1990 scheme by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board it will not be possible to say whether there was any difference in the awards payable under the two schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he plans to take with regard to claimants for criminal injuries compensation. [20409]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 6 February at column 113 and to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger) on 5 April at column 1250, pursuant to a reply given on 9 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claimants were awarded compensation by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority under the tariff scheme; and what action he now proposes to take with regard to those awards. [20406]

At 31 March 1995, 4,891 monetary awards had been offered or paid under the tariff scheme. All applications received on or after 1 April 1994 are now to be considered or reassessed under the 1990 scheme. Where a higher award results, the board will pay the balance to the applicant. In other cases the tariff award will be allowed to stand.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on legislation to place the criminal injuries compensation scheme on a statutory basis. [20745]

Meetings and correspondence between Ministers are confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many days a year the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board sits to consider claims; and if he will make a statement. [20616]

Claims are decided initially by individual board members or by staff under delegated authority. Only where those decisions are appealed do board members sit in panels of two or three, usually for a week at a time, with a number of panels operating simultaneously. In 1993–94 the resulting number of sitting days were 969.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases are currently outstanding with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and what is the average length of time taken to settle a claim. [20617]

At 31 March 1995, some 38,500 1990 scheme cases—including nearly 19,000 appeals cases—and some 72,000 former tariff scheme cases—which now fall to be considered or reassessed under the 1990 scheme—were outstanding. The board does not maintain statistics on the time taken to deal with cases in a form which enables the average time per case to be calculated, but the board normally aims to make a first decision within nine months of receipt of an application and to hear an appeal within 18 months of an application for appeal.

Mentally Ill Prisoners

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new policy decisions he plans to reduce the number of prisoners who are transferred to mental institutions (a) before sentence and (b) after sentence; and if he will make a statement. [20804]

It is well established Government policy that offenders suffering from mental disorder should, where necessary, receive care and treatment from the health and social services rather than in the criminal justice system. The transfer to hospital of prisoners requiring specialist care plays an important part in this.The development of services for mentally disordered offenders and others with similar needs is a high priority for the NHS. My Department is working closely with the Department of Health in establishing initiatives, such as multi-agency working in courts and the provision of specialist training, to ensure that mentally disordered people who come into contact with the criminal justice system obtain the care that they need at the earliest possible stage.

Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20885]

None. However, the Data Protection Registrar is under a duty, under section 36 of the Data Protection Act 1984 to disseminate information about the operation of the Act.

Fingerprints

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the abandonment of the advanced fingerprint recognition system. [20685]

The national automated fingerprint identification system—NAFIS—which is being procured by the Government on behalf of the police forces of England and Wales, remains on schedule for implementation from 1998. So far as the termination of the contract between the AFR Consortium and IBM for the provision of automated fingerprint recognition services is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 5 April at columns 1249–50.

Miscarriages Of Justice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 19 April at column 193, if he will list the recently completed investigations to which he refers and the cost in each case. [20775]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 April to the question from the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) at column 271.

Phoenix Database

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will have access to the Phoenix database when it comes into service. [20466]

The following organisations, all of which currently have access to the police national computer criminal names file, will have access to the Phoenix criminal justice record service database when it comes into service:

All police forces maintained under the Police Act 1964, or the Police (Scotland) Act 1967
The Metropolitan police
The City of London police
Regional crime squads, including the Scottish crime squad
National Identification Service
Scottish Criminal Record Office
National Criminal Intelligence Service
Regional criminal intelligence offices
Royal Ulster Constabulary
Isle of Man police
Jersey police
Guernsey police
British Transport police
Ministry of Defence police
Dover Harbour Board police
National Ports Office
HM Customs and Excise

The following four organisations will have access to the database for maintenance, development, or training purposes only:

Hendon data centre
Central police national computer training centre
Home Office technical policy division (maintenance and development)
The Police Staff college, Bramshill (training access only)

In addition, as I announced to the House on 22 March at column 200, six Government Departments and agencies

	May 1992-April 1993		May 1993-April 1994		May 1994-April 1995
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Hunger Strikers	¹—	¹—	74	—	50	—
Suicides	—	—	—	—	—	—
¹ Records of hunger-strikers in prisons prior to May 1993 do not distinguish between immigration detainees and others.

will also be given limited access to the system, for the purpose of conducting preliminary security vetting checks. Limited direct access has also been approved in principle for the Forensic Science Service to allow the addition of markers to indicate that a sample has been taken and whether a DNA profile is available, and to ensure that their separate DNA database is appropriately weeded.

Asylum Seekers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 5 April, Official Report, columns 1240–41 regarding asylum applications in 1994, if he will provide the comparable statistics for the period from 1 August 1993 to 31 December 1993, in the same format. [20582]

The information requested is provided in the table.

Decisions during the period August to December 1993, excluding dependants, on applications for asylum¹ made before and after the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act, 1993
Number of principal applicants
	Pre-act applications	Post-act applications	Total
Total decisions²	⁴585	⁴3,355	4,745
Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum	70	175	245
Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave to remain³	110	680	790
Total refusals	⁴405	⁴2,500	3,710
Refused asylum and ELR after full consideration	405	2,140	2,545
Refused on safe third country grounds	0	360	360
Refused under para. 340 of the Immigration Rules⁴	—	—	805
¹ Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5.
² Figures exclude information on applications made overseas.
³ Usually granted for a year in the first instance, subject then to further review.
⁴ Figures for refusals under para. 340 for failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period (para. 180F prior to 1 October 1994) are not available split between pre- and post-Act cases.

Immigration Detainees

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of (a) hunger strikes and (b) suicides by (i) male and (ii) female immigration detainees in prisons in England and Wales during each of the last three years. [20356]

The available information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of his Department regarding keeping immigration detainees being held in prison in England and Wales informed of the position of their cases; which service is responsible for it; and if he will make a statement. [20355]

All immigration detainees, including those held in prisons, receive written notification from the Immigration Service, on a monthly basis, of the progress of their case. Asylum applicants receive, in addition, a report from the asylum division on the position reached in considering their application.

Airlines

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state for each year since 1987 the total sum paid in carriers' liability by each airline. [20394]

The administration of the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987 involves the Home Office in sensitive discussions with air and sea carriers. These are conducted on a "commercial in confidence" basis, and to disclose information on individual carriers, including the level of charges paid by each airline, would represent a breach of confidentiality, which could jeopardise both the carriers' commercial operations, and our own debt recovery programme.The total sums paid between 1987 and the end of 1994 by all carriers, together with total—cumulative—charges outstanding at the end of each year are as follows:

£ millions
Year	Paid	Total outstanding
1987	1,403,000	2,361,000
1988	2,274,000	4,680,000
1989	1,721,000	10,170,000
1990	3,433,000	15,653,000
1991¹	7,581,000	19,440,000
1992	4,789,000	25,775,000
1993	11,500,000	22,003,000
1994	8,652,000	²24,527,000
Total paid	41,353,000
¹ Charge increased from £1,000 to £2,000 per improperly documented passenger on 1 August 1991.
² Of this sum, £9.269 million is currently the subject of settlement discussions.

Wandsworth Prison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the board of visitors at Wandsworth prison as to the physical conditions in A wing; and if he will make a statement of his Department's policy to improve conditions there. [20357]

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.

Letter from B. Landers to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 26 April 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about what representations he had received from the Board of Visitors at Wandsworth prison about the physical conditions in A wing and what plans there are to improve the conditions there.

The Board of Visitors raised their concerns about the physical conditions on A wing in their Annual Report for 1994.

A wing will be closed at the end of January 1996 for major refurbishment, although showers have already been installed. A wing already provides better accommodation and facilities than would be available to prisoners in police cells. The delay in closing A wing was necessary in order to avoid the locking out of prisoners into police cells in the London area this year.

Police National Computer

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what bodies other than police forces have access to the police national computer or criminal records; what safeguards exist against misuse; and what sanctions can be taken to remove access when individuals or organisations misuse the data. [20583]

The following bodies other than police forces currently have direct access to the police national computer:

HM Customs and Excise
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (vehicles application only)
National Ports Office
National Identification Service
Scottish Criminal Record Office
National Criminal Intelligence Service
Regional criminal intelligence offices
Regional crime squads, including the Scottish crime squad

The following four organisations have access for maintenance, development, or training purposes only:

Hendon data centre
Home Office technical and policy division
Central police national computer training centre
Police staff college, Bramshill

In addition, I announced to the House on 22 March at column 200 that limited direct access for security vetting purposes would be made available to six Government Departments and agencies. Data on stolen vehicles is also supplied directly on tape from the police national computer to HPI (Equifax), CCN Group Limited and the Association of British Insurers.

All data on the police national computer so far as it relates to identifiable individuals is subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984, and the provisions of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 are also relevant. All transactions undertaken on the police national computer are automatically logged. Security arrangements are formalised in access agreements which have been or will be concluded with each user. These agreements specify, amongst other matters, the purposes for which the data may be used, security procedures, and arrangements for audit, including external compliance audits to be conducted by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary. Provisions exist for terminating direct access should this prove necessary.

There are also statutory and administrative arrangements under which the police conduct criminal record checks on individuals on behalf of a range of employers and licensing authorities, without the recipients of the information having direct access to the police national computer. These bodies are listed in the applications for registration completed separately by each data user and subsequently entered on the register held by the Office of the Data Protection Registrar.

Vulnerable Prisoner Units

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of vulnerable prisoner units in prisons in England and Wales as of 24 April (a) for men and (b) for women. [20353]

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.

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 26 April 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the Office, to reply to your recent Question about the number of vulnerable prisoner units for men and women in prisons in England and Wales as of 24 April.

The latest available information is for 30 June 1994, when there were 38 vulnerable prisoner units for males and three for females.

Prisoners (Rule 43)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of (a) men and (b) women, who were on rule 43 in prisons in England and Wales on 17 April. [19953]

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.

£000
	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95 (provisional)
Home Office (excluding HM Prison Service, the Forensic Science and the Fire Service College)	3,944	3,758	2,646
HM Prison Service¹	²37,500	29,830	18,189
Forensic Science Service	n/a	96	71
Fire Service College	10	nil	nil
¹ Prison Service figures cover payments made centrally but exclude payments made locally.
² Figure includes repayable advances of salary which cannot be identified centrally.

At the Fire Service college, there were two claims in 1992–93 involving amounts of £5,774 and £4,241. The average was £5,007.It is not possible to identify the highest claims that were concluded and settled in any one year or the average amount of each claim in any one year in other parts of the Home Office without disproportionate cost.

Prison Service Director

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Director General of the Prison Service's contract ceases; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply 20 January 1995, column 695]: Mr. Lewis's original contract was for three years from 6 January 1993 extendable to five years by agreement. He was informed in March 1995 that the Home Office would not be offering him the two-year extension.His contract has, however, been varied so that as from 22 April 1995 he continues to serve as Director General

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 26 April 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General to reply to your recent Question about the number of men and women who were on Rule 43 in prisons in England and Wales on 17 April.

The latest available information is for 30 June 1994. On that date the number of inmates held on Prison Rule 43 or Young Offender Institution Rule 46 for their own interests or for good order and discipline were as follows:

	Good order and discipline	Own interest
Males	302	887
Females	8	0
Total	310	887

Relocation Costs

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each agency and the central Department for which he is responsible (a) the total amount of removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials who were required to relocate as part of their employment, (b) the amount of each of the highest three claims that were concluded and settled and (c) the average amount of each claim in each of the last three years. [19658]

Following is the available information about expenditure on removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials of my Department.for a period of 12 months which may be rolled forward on a month-by-month basis. The contract will in any event not continue beyond 6 January 1998.

Northern Ireland

Local Enterprise Development Unit

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the results of the survey of the client companies of the Local Enterprise Development Unit on the success of its total quality policy as announced in section 6.22 of the Northern Ireland expenditure plans and priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97; and how these results are being made available. [19864]

LEDU's 1994 "Client Company Quality of Service Survey" showed an overall rate of satisfaction for its services of 78 per cent. among its clients. An analysis of the survey results was published in LEDU's "Business Brief' magazine in February 1995, a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

Damage To Property (Compensation Claims)

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the reasons for the trend in the level of outstanding claims for damage to property in Northern Ireland between 1990 and 1994; and what provision he intends to make to deal with these outstanding claims as quickly as possible. [19873]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Compensation Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Denis Stanley. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from D. A. Stanley to Ms Marjorie Mowlam, dated 21 April 1995:

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply, on behalf of the Compensation Agency, to your recent Question regarding claims for criminal damage to property.

The following table shows the number of criminal damage claims outstanding at each year ending 31 March from 1991 to 1995 along with the projected figure for the end of the current year:

Year	Number of claims outstanding at year end
1990–91	4,213
1991–92	6,238
1992–93	6,432
1993–94	6,612
1994–95	2,795
1995–96	¹950
¹ Estimated. The number of claims outstanding at the end of any year is directly related to the numbers of new claims received in that year. The rising trend over the three years up to 1993–94 reflected the terrorist bombing campaign over this period when, in particular, town centres were targeted resulting in a large number of claims involving commercial property, much of which took considerable time to rebuild.

A significant downturn in new claims occurred in 1994–95 particular following the paramilitary ceasefires of last Autumn. As a consequence, a substantial reduction was made in the number of outstanding claims. On the assumption that this downturn in new claims will continue, it is estimated that by the end of 1995–96 the number of outstanding claims will have been reduced to about 950.

The Agency remains committed to processing claims as quickly as possible. Resources and procedures are targeted at ensuring that the Agency provides the best possible service to the innocent victims of violent crime.

Arrests

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many arrests were made in Northern Ireland in each year since 1991. [20480]

Figures for all arrests are not held centrally and to obtain these would incur disproportionate cost. Arrests under the Police and Criminal Evidence Order and section 14 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act are set out below:

	PACE	Section 14 PTA
1991	145	1,620
1992	267	1,748
1993	441	1,640
1994	628	1,503

Conviction Rates

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many convictions there have been for offences committed in Northern Ireland in each year since 1991. [20479]

The number of persons convicted of offences in Northern Ireland in each year since 1991 is as follows:

1991: 33,303
1992: 33,459
1993: 35,085
1994: 34,216

Housing Associations (Capital Grants)

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce the capital grants available to housing associations in Northern Ireland. [20536]

None. The capital grants available to housing associations in Northern Ireland increased from £41.4 million in 1994–95 to £45.7 million in 1995–96.

Emergency Provisions Act

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been (a) arrested and (b) convicted under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991 in each year since 1991. [20228]

[holding answer 24 April 1995]: Figures for arrests under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991 are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.The number of persons convicted under the Act is as follows:

Year of court	Number
1991	2
1992	233
1993	241
1994	177

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by category of offence each (a) arrest made and (b) conviction obtained under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991 in each year since 1991. [20229]

[holding answer 24 April 1995]: Figures for arrests under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991 are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.Convictions for offences under the Act are as follows:

Year of court	Conviction obtained	Number of persons convicted
1991	Unattended parking within control zone	2
1992	Unattended parking within control zone	184
	Insecure vehicle	25
	Failing to rendervehicle incapable ofbeing driven	16
	Possessinginformation useful to terrorists	3
	Failing to answer question of security forces	2
	Failing to stop for member of security forces	1

Year of court	Conviction obtained	Number of persons convicted
	Possessing items for terrorist purposes	1
	Recording information useful to terrorists	1
1993	Unattended parking within control zone	179
	Insecure vehicle	30
	Failing to render vehicle incapable of being driven	14
	Possessing items for terrorist purposes	10
	Possessing information useful to terrorists	6
	Attempting to elicit information useful to terrorists	1
	Wearing hood in public place	1
1994	Unattended parking within control zone	129
	Insecure vehicle	29
	Possessing items for terrorist purposes	6
	Failing to lock doors	3
	Failing to render vehicle incapable of being driven	2
	Belonging to proscribed organisation	2
	Arrange meeting to support proscribed organisation	2
	Possessing information useful to terrorists	2
	Collecting information useful to terrorists	1
	Recording information useful to terrorists	1

Name of body	Publish annual report	Publish annual accounts	Publish minutes of meetings	Publish agendas of meetings	Publish register of members' interests
Department of Agriculture:
Livestock and Meat Commission	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Pig Production Development Committee	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Agricultural Wages Board	Yes(S)	¹No	No	No	No
Agricultural Research Institute	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Foyle Fisheries Commission	Yes(S)	Yes(V)	No	No	No
Fishery Harbour Authority	Yes(V)	Yes(V)	No	No	No
Fisheries Conservancy Board	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Department of Economic Development:
Labour Relations Agency	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
NI Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Northern Ireland Tourist Board	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Local Enterprise Development Unit	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Fair Employment Commission	Yes(S)	Yes(V)	No	No	No
Equal Opportunities Commission	Yes(S)	Yes(V)	No	No	No
General Consumer Council	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Construction Industry Training Board	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Enterprise Ulster	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Ulster Sheltered Employment Ltd.	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Department of Education:
Belfast Education and Library Board	Yes(V)	Yes(S)	Yes(V)	No	No
South Eastern Education and Library Board	Yes(V)	Yes(S)	Yes(V)	No	No
North Eastern Education and Library Board	Yes(V)	Yes(S)	Yes(V)	No	No
Southern Education and Library Board	Yes(V)	Yes(S)	Yes(V)	No	No
Western Education and Library Board	Yes(V)	Yes(S)	Yes(V)	No	No
Youth Council for NI	Yes(V)	Yes(S)	No	No	No

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many people have been (a) arrested and (b) convicted for offences under (i) section 27, (ii) section 28 and (iii) section 29 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991 in each year since 1991; [20230](2) how many people have been

(a) arrested and (b) convicted under (i) section 53, (ii) section 54 and (iii) section 54A of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991 in each year since 1991. [20231]

[holding answer 24 April 1995]: Figures for arrests under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991 are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.The number of persons convicted under specific sections of the Act is as follows:

Section	1991	1992	1993	1994
27	0	0	0	0
28	0	0	0	4
29	0	0	0	0
53	0	0	0	0
54	0	0	0	0

Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern bodies sponsored by his Department publish (a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) registers of members' interests; and whether this in each case is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [20502]

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: The information requested is as follows:

Name of body	Publish annual reports	Publish annual accounts	Publish minutes of meetings	Publish agendas of meetings	Publish register of members' interests
Arts Council for NI	Yes(V)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
NI Museums Council	Yes(V)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Sports Council for NI	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Ulster Museum	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Council for Catholic Maintained Schools	No	Yes(S)	No	No	No
NI Council for the Curriculum, Exams and Assessment (NICCEA)	No	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards	No	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Department of the Environment:
Fire Authority for NI	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Langanside	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
NI Housing Executive	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
NI Transport Holding Company	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
NI Local Government Officers' Staff Commission	Yes(V)	Yes(V)	No	No	No
Department of Finance and Personnel:
The Department does not sponsor any executive non-departmental public bodies.
Department of Health and Social Services:
National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland	Yes(S)	Yes(S)	No	No	No
Northern Ireland Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education	No	No	No	No	No
Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland	Yes(S)	²Yes(S)	No	No	No
(S) Statutory requirement. (V) Voluntary.
¹ Report is published bi-annually.
² Report is published biennially.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board

	Statutory requirements to
Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies	Admit members of the public to all board/committee meetings	Admit members of the public to all sub-committee meetings	Hold open meetings for the public
Department of Education
Belfast Education and Library Board	Yes	Yes	No
South-Eastern Education and Library Board	Yes	Yes	No
North-Eastern Education and Library Board	Yes	yes	No
Southern Education and Library Board	Yes	Yes	No
Western Education and Library Board	Yes	Yes	No
Council for Catholic Maintained Schools	Yes	No	No
NIO
Boundary Commission—Public inquiries only

In respect of all other executive non-departmental pubic bodies in Northern Ireland, the answer is Nil.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

British High Commission, Nairobi

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total cost to date of building the new British high commission office in Nairobi. [20940]

The total cost to date of building the British high commission office in Nairobi is £4,989,917 including consultants' fees.

or committee meetings; and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20882]

The information requested is as follows:

Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20887]

None.

Education

Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for Education which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public.

None.

Mature Students

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many mature students were registered for degrees at British universities in the last three years for which figures are available.[20790]

The latest available data on all home domiciled, first year, full-time and part-time mature students on higher education courses at publicly funded institutions in Great Britain was published in September 1994 in statistical bulletin 16/94. The numbers of mature students enroling on a first degree course are shown in the table.

Thousands
	Academic year beginning
	1990	1991	1992
Full-time	34.7	50.5	66.4
Part-time	14.6	21.2	27.1

Illiteracy

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the current reported rate of illiteracy; and what were the figures for each of the previous four years. [20725]

The number of people in England and Wales who cannot read and write at all is minimal. However, the Basic Skills Agency estimates that one in six adults in England and Wales is unable to read, write and/or speak in English at a level necessary to function and progress at work and in society in general. There is no evidence that this proportion has changed significantly in recent years.

Barnsley And Doncaster Training And Enterprise Council

To ask the Secretary of State for Education when the contract of the current chairman of the Barnsley and Doncaster TEC was terminated; when the new chairman will be appointed; and what organisations were or are being consulted over this appointment. [20739]

I have been asked to reply.The chairman of the Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council has informed the TEC's board of directors that he intends to step down from the role of chairman before the end of 1995. The appointment of a new chairman is a matter for the TEC board, which has appointed a sub-group to consult local organisations, including both local authorities and chambers of commerce in the TEC area.

Trade And Industry

Coal Privatisation

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to release details of the advice given by civil servants to the Secretary of State for Energy in 1991 on the awarding of the contract for advice on the privatisation of the coal industry to the National Audit Office. [20513]

The National Audit Office has access to all the relevant papers on the appointment of N. M. Rothschild as advisers to the Government on coal privatisation.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any of the information concerning the reasons for awarding the consultancy contract on the privatisation of the coal industry to N. M. Rothschild, the advice given by civil servants to Ministers, the terms on which the contract was awarded, how value for money was to be judged and subsequent costs controlled is held in files marked as being not for National Audit Office eyes. [20514]

No.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date his Department became aware that Mr. Richard Budge had provided advice to N. M. Rothschild and Son on matters relating to the privatisation of the coal industry. [20515]

In connection with the privatisation of the coal mining operations of British Coal the Department and N. M. Rothschild and Sons Ltd. held discussions with a wide selection of then existing and prospective coal industry participants, including Mr. Budge, in the period prior to the submission of tenders for the regional coal companies in September 1994. At no time has Mr. Budge provided advice to N. M. Rothschild and Sons Ltd.

Instruments Of Torture

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what Government or training and enterprise council support has been provided in the last five years to companies that produced equipment used for purposes of torture. [20286]

My Department has not knowingly supported companies which produce equipment intended for the purpose of torture.Questions on TEC support should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the value of the trade in British torture equipment. [20296]

I know of no such trade. Export licences would not be granted for licensable goods if there were good reasons to suppose that they would be used for the purposes of torture.

Business Links

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much was spent on business links before September 1994. [19454]

The total amount spent on the development of business links by DTI up to 31 August 1994 was £3.61 million.

Allowances And Costs

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each agency and the central Department for which he is responsible (a) the total amount of removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials who were required to relocate as part of their employment, (b) the amount of each of the highest three claims that were concluded and settled and (c) the average amount of each claim in each of the last three years. [19650]

As regards the central DTI, the following amounts of removal costs and associated expenses were reimbursed to officials required to relocate as part of their employment:

	£	£
1994–95	2,234,526	(includes 694,559 provision for relocation costs for merger of WSL with AEA)
1993–94	1,634,070	(includes 143,108 provision for relocation costs for merger of WSL with AEA)
1992–93	1,418,515	—

The other expenditure details requested are not identified separately and to provide the information would entail disproportionate cost.I have asked agency chief executives to reply direct in respect of the expenditure for which they are responsible.

Letter from W. Edgar to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

I refer to your question to the President of the Board of Trade concerning the amount of removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials who are required to relocate as part of their employment. The expenditure of NEL is as shown below. Please note that in both years where expenditure was incurred only one official was involved and thus the total also represents the answer to part (b) and part (c) of your question. I trust you will find the information supplied to be satisfactory for your purposes.

	£
1992–93	nil
1993–94	1,927
1994–95	3,073

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the total amount paid by his central Department and each agency for which he is responsible in subsistence allowances for travel (a) within the United Kingdom and (b) outside the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [19564]

As regards the central DTI, the subsistence element of claims by officers who travel on official business (a) within the United Kingdom and (b) outside the United Kingdom is not recorded separately from the travel costs element.To provide the information requested would entail disproportionate cost.I have asked agency chief executives to reply direct to the hon. Member as they have their own budgetary responsibility for United Kingdom and overseas travel and subsistence.

Letter from W. Edgar to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

I would refer to your question to the President of the Board of Trade concerning the total amount paid in subsistence allowances for travel, within and outside the United Kingdom in the last three years. The management information system NEL does not separate travel and subsistence costs and does not differentiate between travel and subsistence within or outside the UK. It is not possible therefore to supply the information you require.

Letter from Peter Clapham to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

I am writing in response to your questions to the President of the Board of Trade regarding i) subsistence allowances and ii) removal costs and associated expenses, in each of the last three years.

Subsistence Allowances

a) Within the UK—disproportionate cost rule applies. NPL's accounts do not separately identify subsistence costs from travel costs.

b) Overseas—disproportionate cost rule applies for the reason given above.

Removal Costs

a) Total removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed—£17,643 in 1992/93, £15,613 in 1993/94 and £9,354 in 1994/95.

b) Amount of each of the three highest claims concluded and settled—disproportionate cost rule applies. To obtain this information NPL would need to request that CSL Managed Services (formerly ASA), who handle claims on NPL's behalf, consult each individual relocation file for the last three years and total all expenses paid from each individual file.

c) Average amount of each claim in the last three years—disproportionate cost rule applies. All files from last three years would need to be consulted to endure that cases did not start outside the three year period, or started within the three year period but have yet to be completed.

I hope this provides the information you require.

Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

You recently tabled two questions to the President of the Board of Trade, concerning subsistence allowances and removal costs. I have been asked to reply with respect to the Patent Office.

I am afraid that subsistence payments—in connection with both UK and overseas travel—are not separately identified from the related travel costs on our information system, and differentiating them would involve disproportionate cost.

The total amount of removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to Patent Office officials over the past three years was £748,000 in 1992–93; £381,000 in 1993–94; and £354,000 in 199495. These figures exclude advance of salary for house purchase, since this amounts to a repayable loan. The number of relocation cases in the Patent Office has been high over the past three years, since we have been completing the move from London to South Wales. We would need to research individual files in order to determine the three highest claims, which I regret would involve disproportionate cost. The same is true for the average amount of each claim, since many cases are protracted and will overlap with the three years in question.

Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your Question about removal costs paid to officers relocated in the last three years.

The Insolvency Service Executive Agency paid the following removal and associated costs:

1992–93: £427,000
1993–94: £252,000
1994–95: £250,000

The figure for 1994–95 is provisional pending clearance of the final accounts for the year.

The further information which you have sought about the three highest claims and the average amount of each claim is not readily identified by CSL Managed Services (formerly the Accounts Services Agency) which maintain The Insolvency Service's Vote accounts, and could only be obtained from the examination of individual files at disproportionate cost.

Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your Question about the amounts paid in subsistence allowances in the last three years.

The Insolvency Service Executive Agency paid the following travel costs and subsistence allowances, chargeable against the Vote:

1992–93: £328,000
1993–94: £342,000
1994–95: £370,000

CSL Managed Services (formerly the Accounts Services Agency) which maintain The Insolvency Service's Vote accounts do not separately identify subsistence allowances from travel costs nor differentiate between UK and overseas travel and subsistence. The specific information which you have sought in relation to subsistence allowances could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The figure for travel and subsistence for 1994–95 is provisional pending clearance of the final accounts for the year.

The figures do not include travel costs and subsistence allowances chargeable against the estates of bankrupts and companies in compulsory liquidation incurred by Official Receivers and their staff in carrying out their functions under the Insolvency Act 1986. Information in relation to such costs and allowances could only be obtained from the examination of individual estate accounts at disproportionate cost.

Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26th April 1995:

The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency to your two written Parliamentary Questions concerning subsistence allowances and removal costs.

SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCES

There would be a disproportionate cost involved in providing the information requested for each of the last three years as we do not separately identify subsistence costs and travel costs for either UK or overseas travel.

REMOVAL COSTS

The Radiocommunications Agency has spent the following amount on removal costs for its staff relocating as part of their employment:

1992–93: £64,439
1993–94: £55,338
1994–95 £104,038

You have asked for details of the three highest claims and the average amount of each claim in the last three years. There would be a disproportionate cost invovled in providing this information as we would have to consult each case for the last three years to total all expenses paid from each individual file and to ensure that cases did not start outside the three year period or started within the three year period but have yet to be completed.

I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

Letter from R. D. Worswick to Mr. David Shaw, dated 11 April 1995:

The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your questions about subsistence allowances and removal and associated expenses with respect to the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.

Most of the information you requested is not readily available, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

We do not keep records which distinguish between the subsistence costs of any trip and the travel costs. We record the total of "travel and subsistence". The total "travel and subsistence" costs for the last three years is (in £k):

1992–93

1993–94

1994–95

Within UK

167

156

115

Outside UK

This expenditure is associated with fulfilling contracts for customers, attending scientific meetings and pursuing new areas of business.

Removal Allowances

The total amount of removal costs and associated expenses charged to the Laboratory of the Government Chemist are (£k):

1992–93: 18
1993–94: 6
1994–95: 6

I regret that it would require manual searches of records and would not be cost effective to provide further breakdown of these figures.

Letter from Seton Bennett to Mr. David Shaw, dated 26 April 1995:

The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your questions about subsistence allowances and removal costs.

(a) Subsistence allowances

The CSL Managed Services (formerly ASA) do not separately identify subsistence costs from travel costs, nor do they differentiate between UK and overseas travel and subsistence. However, I am able to provide composite figures for expenditure on all travel and subsistence for the last three years.

They are:—

1992–93: £55,126
1993–94: £66,098
1994–95: £46,529 (Provisional)

(b) Removal costs

This Agency has had no expenditure on removal costs in the last three years.

Letter from David Durham to Mr. David Shaw, dated 6 April 1995:

You recently tabled two Parliamentary Questions requesting information about removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials on relocation, and subsistence allowances for travel within and outside the United Kingdom. I have been asked to reply as Chief Executive of the Companies House Executive Agency.

As far as removal costs are concerned, this agency has not incurred any of these expenses. As regards subsistence allowances, I am afraid this information is not available except at disproportionate costs. This is because we do not separately identify subsistence costs from travel costs when recording claims in our accounting system.

Manufacturing Firms

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of United Kingdom companies he now assesses to be world class. [20561]

A recent study by IBM and the London The table shows the estimated staff time and associated business school shows that the United Kingdom has a costs of the editorial team for each departmental report similar proportion to Germany of world-class manufacturing firms. Forty UK firms are in the Fortune 500 list of top global companies. In terms of profitability, 16 of the top 25 companies in Europe are UK-based.

Sellafield

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what application British Nuclear Fuels has made for a change of use in its site licence for Sellafield, as part of its decision to offer Nuclear Electric and Scottish Nuclear long-term storage contracts for spent nuclear fuel. [20398]

None. No change is required to BNFL's Sellafield site licence to allow long term storage of spent fuel, although BNFL will be submitting a revised safety case to the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate which takes account of the new contracts.

Royal Mail

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy that the Royal Mail should be able to negotiate a single contract with all the train operating units or companies. [20647]

Contracts for transport services are a commercial matter for the Post Office. I understand from the Post Office that all Royal Mail's external rail transport services are covered by contractual arrangements with Rail Express Systems.

Departmental Report

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much staff time, and at what estimated cost, was put into compiling the departmental annual report; and what were the figures for each year for which figures are available since 1990. [20175]

Drafting and editing of the departmental report is co-ordinated by a small editorial team, using information gathered from a wide variety of sources within the Department. It is not possible to quantify the time devoted by staff other than the editorial team to these activities.

	Annual Reports	Annual Accounts	Minutes of Meetings	Agendas of Meetings	Register of Members Interests
British Hallmarking Council	¹Y	¹Y	²Y	²Y	²Y
English National Advisory Committee on Telecommunications	¹Y	N	²Y	²Y	²Y
Northern Ireland Advisory Committee on Telecommunications	¹Y	N	²Y	²Y	²Y
Scottish Advisory Committee on Telecommunications	¹Y	N	²Y	²Y	²Y
Welsh Advisory Committee on Telecommunications	¹Y	N	²Y	²Y	²Y
Gas Consumers Council	¹Y	N	²Y	²Y	N
Post Office Users National Council	¹Y	N	²Y	²Y	N
Post Office Users Council for Northern Ireland	¹Y	N	²Y	²Y	N
Post Office Users Council for Scotland	¹Y	N	²Y	²Y	N
Post Office Users Council for Wales	¹Y	N	²Y	²Y	N
National Consumer Council	¹Y	¹Y	²Y	²Y	²Y
Design Council	³Y	³Y	N	N	N
Hearing Aid Council	¹Y	¹Y	N	N	N
Monopolies and Mergers Commission	²Y	N	N	N	N

The table shows the estimated staff time and associated costs of edtorial team for each departmental report since 1992–92. These figures are published each year in MINIS. Figures are not available for the year 1990–91 report, which predated MINIS, but are not expected to have been substantially different from 1991–92. Costs are expressed in 1994–95 prices.

	Time man years	Cost £000
1992	0.6	20
1993	0.8	26
1994	1.1	36
1995	1.1	36

In addition, some staff time is devoted to the design and production of the report. In 1993–94 and 1994–95, this amounted to 0.1 and 0.2 man years and £12,000 and £21,000 respectively—costs expressed in cash terms. These figures are not shown separately in MINIS and information on similar costs for earlier years is not available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures the Department takes to assess the cost and staff implications of compiling material for the departmental annual report. [20176]

The resources needed to coordinate drafting and production of the departmental report are considered as part of my annual examination of the Department's activities and resources in MINIS, the results of which are published each year. Budgets are set for non-staff costs at the beginning of work on each report.

Public Bodies

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish (a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) registers of members' interests; and whether this in each case is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [20505]

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: The information requested is as follows:

	Annual Reports	Annual Accounts	Minutes of Meetings	Agendas of Meetings	Register of Members Interests
NEB/NRDC	N	N	N	N	N
Policyholders Protection Board	¹Y	¹Y	N	N	N
Simpler Trade Procedures Board	³Y	³Y	N	N	N
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority	¹Y	¹Y	N	N	N
¹ Statutory requirement.² Voluntary.
³ Condition of grant in aid.

British Coal Projects

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those British Coal projects which received European regional development funding over the last 10 years, indicating (a) the level of funding and (b) the dates when it was received. [20402]

[holding answer 24 April 19951: The amounts of European regional development fund grant approved for British Coal projects up to 31 March 1995 are as listed, except for information for Scotland before 1989, which is not readily available. The dates shown are those of the offers of grant. Most of the grants have been for British Coal Enterprise job creation projects. Most of the others have been to British Coal property for activities such as clearing and renovating old mine areas.

Date	Area	£
20 October 1988	Carcroft	215,640
19 December 1988	South Tyneside	159,250
2 February 1990	Carcroft	135,765
2 February 1990	Carcroft	326,285
2 February 1990	Carcroft	110,000
15 March 1990	Coatbridge	350,400
14 August 1990	Tyne and Wear	69,896
14 August 1990	Tyne and Wear	292,000
14 August 1990	Tyne and Wear	171,997
30 October 1990	Durham and Cleveland	179,656
21 February 1991	Strathclyde	602,500
9 April 1991	Durham and Cleveland	157,962
21 June 1991	Lothian	200,000
21 June 1991	Cowdenbeath	40,000
28 November 1991	Strathclyde	100,000
14 January 1992	Mansfield	184,763
17 January 1992	Dinnington	113,659
17 January 1992	Dinnington	323,492
17 January 1992	Dinnington	196,111
17 March 1992	Mansfield	164,446
23 June 1992	Mansfield	498,187
29 June 1992	Midlothian	64,000
29 June 1992	Midlothian	35,900
29 June 1992	Central Scotland	50,000
29 June 1992	Central Scotland	10,000
29 June 1992	Bathgate	64,000
29 June 1992	Bathgate	36,000
29 June 1992	Kirkcaldy	45,000
29 June 1992	Kirkcaldy	25,000
18 July 1992	Bolsover	292,596
29 July 1992	Fife	520,000
3 August 1992	Bolsover	112,305
12 August 1992	Falkirk	188,400
26 August 1992	Lothian	660,400
13 October 1992	Ashfield	128,833
13 October 1992	Ashfield	9,637
20 October 1992	South Yorkshire	500,000
26 October 1992	Mansfield	117,252
27 November 1992	Cumnock	10,272

Date	Area	£
27 November 1992	Cumnock and Doon Valley	32,000
27 November 1992	Cumnock and Doon Valley	66,500
27 November 1992	Cumnock and Doon Valley	33,750
10 December 1992	South Yorkshire	493,819
15 December 1992	Blaenavon	76,396
18 Decmber 1992	Ashfield	3,871
18 December 1992	Newark and Sherwood	284,500
18 December 1992	Bassetlaw	133,000
5 February 1993	Carcroft	136,513
23 February 1993	South Yorkshire	209,379
2 March 1993	Whitehaven	76,750
16 March 1993	West Lothian	375,000
16 March 1993	West Lothian	150,000
16 March 1993	Lothian	240,000
31 March 1993	Tyne and Wear	711,049
31 March 1993	Tyne and Wear	350,000
31 March 1993	Tyne and Wear	300,000
31 March 1993	Tyne and Wear	10,000
1 April 1993	Durham	439,201
30 April 1993	South Yorkshire	800,000
25 June 1993	Durham	143,955
29 June 1993	Lothian	240,000
16 July 1993	Dinnington	826,165
20 July 1993	Tyne and Wear	1,250,000
13 August 1993	Newark and Sherwood	175,553
17 September 1993	Durham	620,400
17 September 1993	Templeborough	1,089,021
23 September 1993	Sherbourn	46,844
28 September 1993	Nottingham	11,574
2 November 1993	Coventry	695,250
4 November 1993	Blaenavon	75,000
16 November 1993	Wombwell	294,500
16 November 1993	Armthorpe	233,611
18 November 1993	Strathclyde	78,125
18 November 1993	East Midlands	25,258
19 November 1993	East Midlands	75,000
19 November 1993	East Midlands	50,000
22 November 1993	East Midlands	128,500
22 November 1993	East Midlands	350,000
24 November 1993	Bassetlaw	442,049
26 November 1993	Chesterfield	222,500
30 November 1993	Ashfield	470,447
15 December 1993	Ashfield	40,031
15 December 1993	Ashfield	157,126
15 December 1993	Newark and Sherwood	55,000
15 December 1993	Ashfield	422,550
15 December 1993	Mansfield	191,250
15 December 1993	East Midlands	174,750
15 December 1993	South Yorkshire	901,215
23 December 1993	Cumnock and Doon Valley	142,669
23 December 1993	Cumnock and Doon Valley	171,204
31 December 1993	Mansfield	127,872
31 December 1993	East Midlands	210,500
31 December 1993	East Midlands	73,000

Overseas Development Administration

Rms St Helena

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the MARSPEC report on the condition of RMS St. Helena. [20366]

The MARSPEC report was produced for the Government of St. Helena. With the agreement of the Governor, a copy of the report has been placed in the Library of the House.

Forest Stewardship Council

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding has been made available by the Overseas Development Administration to the Forest Stewardship Council; and for what purpose. [20781]

The ODA made a grant of £14,000 to the World Wide Fund for Nature to meet the costs of attendance of developing country representatives at the founding assembly of the council in 1993. We are presently discussing with the Forest Stewardship Council the possibility of providing funding to support national workshops in developing countries to discuss timber certification issues.

English Language Book Society

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons he has indicated that he wishes to terminate the subsidy to the English Language Book Society. [19891]

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: The subsidy to British publishers under the educational low-priced books scheme—ELBS—is being phased out over two years because it is not fully meeting ODA's developmental priorities. A review carried out in 1994 revealed that about a third of books sold under ELBS went to prosperous countries, including Hong Kong, Malaysia and Turkey, although our aim for the scheme was to reach poorer students in poorer countries who cannot afford to buy books. The review concluded that the money could be spent more effectively if targeted at specific countries and institutions to which poorer students have access. Over the coming months we will be developing new strategies to achieve improved targeting of and access to key text books and other essential learning materials for students in the poorer countries, in pursuit of our developmental objectives.

Defence

Russian Forces

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the number of Russian forces stationed in each sovereign state outside present Russian borders. [20280]

Some Russian-controlled military units stationed outside Russia are mixed-manned with Russians and local ethnic groups. The rounded figures for Russian-controlled units are as follows:

Turkmenistan around 1,000
Tajikistan: 25,000
Kazakhstan: 23,000
Uzbekistan: around 100
Kyrgyzstan: around 500
Estonia: none
Lithuania: none
Latvia: 600
Armenia: 15,000
Azerbaijan: 300
Georgia: 25,000
Moldova: 8,000
Ukraine: 35,000
Belarus: 3,000

Low Flying

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he is likely to complete his investigation into the low-flying incident over Barnoldswick and Earby in January. [20002]

Although the RAF police investigation is well advanced, there is still a need to interview eye witnesses. The RAF police aim to conduct these interviews as soon as possible and to conclude their investigation shortly thereafter.

Military Attaches

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what countries the United Kingdom posts have defence attaches; and what number of serving military personnel is attached to each one, together with their rank. [19958]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) on 2 March, Official Report, column 687.

Rifle Grenades

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom capability exists for the design and manufacture of rifle grenades: which company was responsible for the production of rifle grenades currently in service: for what reasons no British company has been invited to tender for the design and supply of rifle grenades under tender No. LWS 2a/459; and if he will make a statement. [20332]

Any accredited United Kingdom ammunition manufacturer would have the capability to design and manufacture rifle grenades as the technology is not complex. Current in-service grenades were manufactured by Luchaire (France) and Martin Marietta (US). Two UK companies registered an interest in the advance notice of tender LWS 2a/459, Heckler and Koch (UK) and Hunting Engineering. However, Heckler and Koch (UK) withdrew from the tender in August 1993, and the Hunting Engineering proposal did not meet the services' requirements.

Helicopters

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the six reports on cost and operational effectiveness investment appraisal of the EH101 helicopter. [20478]

This material is classified, and it would not therefore be appropriate to place it in the House of Commons Library.

Abbey Wood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) the functions and (b) the staff which he intends to transfer to the new facilities at Abbey wood, Bristol. [20801]

The function to be transferred is defence equipment procurement and related policy support which is undertaken by the Department's Procurement Executive. Current plans envisage transferring some 4,300 PE civilian and military posts together with a further 600 PE-related project support and integrated logistics specialist personnel. Of the total PE strength, some 500 administrative or secretarial staff will be recruited locally with the balance transferring from existing locations. Consideration is being given to accommodating additional staff at Abbey wood to allow further rationalisation of MOD property holdings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out (a) the original completion date, (b) the current completion date, (c) the confirmed cost and (d) the expected cost for the construction of Abbey wood, Bristol. [20802]

The original completion date including occupation of Abbey wood by the Procurement Executive headquarters staff was autumn 1996. The current completion date is 31 October 1996. The approved and estimated cost of the development is £254.136 million—inclusive of VAT—at 1993 prices. The project remains within budget.

University Recruits

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying members of each university air squadron were recruited into the RAF on leaving university in the last available year. [20888]

The number of former university air squadron flying members who were recruited into the Royal Air Force as pilots on leaving university during financial year 1993–94 is as follows:

Aberdeen, Dundee and St. Andrews	1
Birmingham	6
Bristol	3
Cambridge	2
East Lowlands	1
East Midlands	4
Glasgow and Strathclyde	1
Liverpool	3
London	4
Manchester and Salford	4
Northumbrian	6
Oxford	6
Queen's	0
Southampton	6
Wales	1
Yorkshire	4

Plutonium

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the fuel-grade plutonium owned by his Department and stored at Sellafield will be transferred to the civilian stockpile, following the announcement of an end to the production of fissile materials for explosive purposes. [21015]

We have no such plans. Radioactive Waste

Radioactive Waste

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to take any action against the individuals who, on 17 April, damaged the radioactive waste discharge pipeline which runs from AWE Aldermaston to the River Thames. [21010]

This matter is currently under consideration by my Department.

Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20872]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on this subject on 25 April, Official Report, column 497.

Us Naval Facility, Brawdy

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the US Navy has provided the Ministry of Defence with a base closure report on environmental issues for the US naval facility at Brawdy in Pembrokeshire. [21081]

Although the US naval facility at Brawdy has not yet closed, we have discussed such a document with the US authorities and they have agreed to provide one at the appropriate time.

Transport

British Rail Rolling Stock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he expects to announce the outcome of the bids for the privatisation of British Rail Maintenance Ltd.; [20546](2) what legal rights are held by Asea Brown Boveri to undertake rolling stock engineering and maintenance work for British Rail and rolling stock leasing companies; [20544](3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the agreement reached with Asea Brown Boveri at the time of the privatisation of British Rail Engineering Ltd. regarding the future placing of orders for rolling stock engineering and maintenance work by British Rail; [20542](4) what reference was made to legal obligations on the railway rolling stock leasing companies regarding any requirement to place heavy engineering and maintenance work with any publicly or privately owned maintenance companies and to legal rights held by Asea Brown Boveri to undertake rolling stock engineering and maintenance work for British Rail and rolling stock leasing companies, in the documentation provided to potential purchasers of British Rail Maintenance Ltd.; [20545](5) what legal obligations rest on the railway rolling stock leasing companies regarding any requirement to place heavy engineering and maintenance work with any publicly or privately owned maintenance companies. [20543]

The British Railways Board and the rolling stock companies have contractual commitments for rolling stock maintenance with a number of private sector suppliers, and with BR Maintenance Ltd.—level 5 maintenance depots. BR described these latter commitments and associated matters in the British Rail Maintenance Ltd.—level 5 information memoranda, other sales documents and in subsequent discussions with bidders for the depots. The documents are commercially confidential and cannot therefore be released. BR hopes to announce sales of the depots shortly.

Bull Bars

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to sponsor new research by the Transport Research Laboratory into accidents in which bull bars are involved. [20805]

None. I am waiting for the results of the accident study based on police reports of injuries to pedestrians involving cars fitted with bull bars, which should be available towards the end of this year.

Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20878]

Only the London regional passengers committee is subject to any statutory requirements. Meetings of the committee are required to be open to the public, except during discussion on items of business defined in paragraph 11A of schedule 3 to the London Regional Transport Act 1984—for example, where a breach of confidence would be involved.

Railway Passenger Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if passenger transport executives will be able to specify timetabling and fares for the rail services they support. [18015]

The Railways Act 1993 provides for passenger transport executives to submit to the franchising director a statement of their requirements for inclusion in the specification of services in respect of which the franchising director proposes to issue an invitation to tender. Such a statement shall specify the railway passenger services which the passenger transport authority considers it appropriate to secure to meet any public transport requirements within the relevant passenger transport area. The statement may also specify requirements with respect to the fares to be charged to persons using those services.

Ship Inspections

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of ship inspectors employed at each marine office for each of the last five years. [19381]

This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from R. M. Bradley to Ms Joan Walley, dated 26 April 1995:

The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of ship inspectors employed at each Marine Office during the last five years.

The number of ship inspectors, including fishing vessel inspectors, in post in each marine district are set out in the table below. The number of inspectors in post by district is not available for the financial years 1989–90 and 1990–91.

	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94
London	—	—	18	18	19
Southampton	—	—	30	23	21
Liverpool	—	—	20	19	21
Glasgow	—	—	22	21	21
Aberdeen	—	—	17.5	20	20.5
Newcastle	—	—	25	27.5	27.5
Total number of inspectors in post	129	137	132.5	128.5	130

The figure for the number of inspectors in post in 1994–95 is being collated and will be published in the MSA's annual report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many unannounced inspections have been carried out by the Marine Safety Agency for each of the last five years; [19383](2) if he will list for each of the last five years the number of ship inspections undertaken by the Marine Safety Agency. [19379]

These are operational matters for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from R. M. Bradley to Ms Joan Walley dated 26 April 1995:

The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your two Questions about the number of ship inspections and the number of unannounced ship inspections carried out by the Marine Safety Agency (MSA) in each of the last five years.

Virtually all inspections made by the MSA are unannounced, by occasionally for operational reasons the inspection may be pre-arranged. The records held by the MSA do not identify which inspections might have been announced in advance.

The number of inspections carried out in the last five years by the MSA and the Surveyor General's Organisation (before 1993) are set out in the table below. The figures include fishing vessel inspections and port state control inspections.

1989–90

1990–91

1991–92

1992–93

1993–94

Total number of inspections

6,018

5,801

6,654

6,211

6,663

The inspection figures for 1994–95 are being collated and will be published in the MSA's annual report.

Marine Safety Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the total budget for the Marine Safety Agency and its predecessor for each of the last five years. [19387]

The gross budgets for the Marine Safety Agency for the financial years 1990–91 to 1994–95 are as follows:

	£ million
1990–91	26.9
1991–92	28.6
1992–93	27.6
1993–94	28.5
1994–95	31.7

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last two years the number of port state control checks undertaken by the Marine Safety Agency. [19380]

This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from R. M. Bradley to Ms Joan Walley, dated 26 April 1995:

The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of port state control inspections undertaken by the Marine Safety Agency (MSA) in the last two years.

The MSA carried out 2,132 port state control inspections in the financial year 1992/93 and 2,218 inspections in 1993/94. Information on the inspections undertaken in 1994/95 is being collated and the number of port state control inspections carried out will be published in the MSA's annual report.

Ferry Safety

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the ferries sailing from United Kingdom waters that do not meet the standards set out in SOLAS 90. [19382]

In his oral statement to the House on 5 April 1995, Official Report, columns 1753–61, the Secretary of State announced the publication of lists of roll-on roll-off ferries serving the United Kingdom ports. The lists show whether the vessels meet the SOLAS 90 survivability standard or the date by which they need to be modified in accordance with the north-west European ferry stability agreement which applies SOLAS 90 to roll-on roll-off ferries built before 1990. A copy of those lists and an explanatory note were placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it is mandatory for ferry operators to carry out fire evacuation exercises while passengers are on board; and if he will make a statement. [19384]

This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from R. M. Bradley to Ms Joan Walley, dated 26 April 1995:

The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your question about fire evacuation exercises whilst passengers are on board ferries.

Passengers are not required to participate in fire drills unless the ship is engaged on a long international voyage, in which case a muster of the passengers must take place within 24 hours of their embarkation. In addition, all passenger ships on international voyages, including ferries, are subject to requirements that call for a weekly fire drill when the crew receive training and practise the functions that they are expected to carry out in an emergency. In the event of a fire passengers would be alerted using the general emergency alarm system and instructed on the public address system to muster at specified positions in the same way as any other emergency. Instructions are required to be posted in passenger cabins, muster stations and other passenger spaces to inform passengers of their muster station and the essential actions they must take in an emergency.

Railway Signalling Systems

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates work started or will start on site on the renewal of (a) Winchester/Weston, (b) Dorking-Arundel AHB level crossings, (c) Kingmoor area, (d) east Kent AHB level crossings, (e) Holmwood, (f) central Scotland, (g) Medway valley, (h) Olive Mount, (i) Great Eastern, (j) Manchester north, (k) Manchester south—Stockport(l) Manchester south, (m) Hither Green, (n) Willesden, (o) Barnes, (p) Dartford and (q) Guildford railway signalling systems; and in each case when the renewal is due to be completed. [20303]

Railtrack has supplied me with the following information:

a. Winchester/Weston

The start date was April 1994. The implementation phase started in June 1994. The project is due to be completed in early 1996.

b. Dorking—Arundel AHB Level Crossings

Crossings are renewed when their life has expired. No indication that remedial action is required at present.

c. Kingmoor Area

The programme for this project is currently under review.

d. East Kent AHB Level Crossings

No specific programme. Crossings are renewed when their life has expired. No indication that remedial action is required at present.

e. Holmwood

This signal box has not been used for over 10 years. Plans are being drawn up for decommissioning, but no date fixed.

f Central Scotland

Installation work has been completed at Hilton and largely completed at Grangemouth junction. At Carmuirs East and Dunblane work has been completed.

g. Medway Valley

Most boxes have had their interlocking refurbished over the last two years. There is no immediate plan to renew.

h. Olive Mount

No scheme is in progress at this moment in time.

i. Great Eastern

The project started in 1988 and is due to finish commissioning at Easter 1998.

j. Manchester North

The design contracts for this project are about to be let. Site surveys are beginning now but implementation is likely to start in early 1996 and to end towards the close of 1997.

k. Manchester South (Stockport)

Signalling work will be started this year and finished during 1996.

l. Manchester South

No work currently under way except that on the Stockport section.

m. Hither Green

No plans at present for this location.

n. Willesden

The Willesden work is due to start during 1995 and finish during 1996.

o. Barnes

The implementation phase of this project is planned to start during 1995 and the project completed during 1997.

p. Dartford

Repairs were undertaken in November 1994 which removed immediate problems. Various options are currently under consideration, but at this stage, no fixed date for start of works.

q. Guildford

The start date was July 1994. The implementation phase is planned to start in April 1996. The project is due to be completed in July 1998.

Jubilee Line

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting the completion deadline for construction of the Jubilee line. [20988]

Construction of the line continues. London Underground is still aiming for it to be completed in early 1998.

Container Freight Lorries

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many container freight lorries enter each United Kingdom port annually through ferry facilities. [20765]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many container freight lorries have entered the United Kingdom via the channel tunnel since its opening. [20764]

The information requested is not available.

Motorways (Abnormal Loads)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to privatise the escorting of wide and heavy loads on motorways by the police; and if he will make a statement. [20470]

I have been asked to reply.The Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers are examining the idea that on motorways and linking dual carriageways the escorting of abnormal loads which are between 4.3 and 4.6 m wide and 80 to 150 tonnes in weight might be carried out by suitably trained and qualified private escorts. The issue has recently been examined by consultants and their report is under consideration. The road haulage industry associations concerned with abnormal loads will be invited to comment on the report.

Social Security

Pensioners

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Scotland (a) are dependent on income support, (b) have incomes less than £10 above income support levels and (c) are placed above these levels by receipt of a contributory pension or superannuation scheme. [18986]

The number of pensioners¹ in Scotland in receipt of income support is 153,0002².

It is estimated that 95,000 pensioners in Scotland will have income within £10 of income support thresholds including housing requirements in 1995–96³ .

It is estimated that 500,000 pensioners in Scotland would be placed above income support thresholds including housing requirements by the receipt of a contributory pension or superannuation scheme in 1995–96³ .

Notes:

¹ The definition of "pensioner" used throughout is women aged 60 and over and men aged 65 and over.

² The figure is rounded to the nearest 1,000.

Source: income support statistics quarterly inquiry May 1994.

³ (a) Case load figures are rounded to the nearest 5,000.

(b) This is estimated using income brought to account for income support purposes, modelled from 1990, 1991 and 1992 family expenditure survey data uprated to 1995–96 prices and benefit levels.

—public and private pensions—occupational pensions;

—state retirement pensions.

Income-Related Benefits

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many British nationals who have paid tax and national insurance contributions in the United Kingdom have been excluded from income-related benefits on the grounds of the habitual residence test, before taking up appeals after returning to the United Kingdom from another member state of the European Union. [19267]

This information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to limit income-related benefit payments to claimants who have paid tax and national insurance contributions in the United Kingdom. [19271]

None. Tax and national insurance contributions are not taken into account when deciding entitlement to the income-related benefits.

Executive Agencies

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the number and location of Benefits Agency, Child Support Agency, Contributions Agency, the Information Technology Services Agency, Resettlement Agency, War Pensions Agency offices closed and the number of jobs lost or transferred as a result of agency work transferring from Scotland to the rest of the United Kingdom over the past five years and the number and location of offices opened and jobs gained in Scotland as the result of agency work transferring to Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom over the same period. [20263]

The Benefits Agency opened the Glasgow benefit office in August 1989 and over the following 18 months 831 posts were gained as a result of work transferring from the rest of the United Kingdom. The central office for Scotland was closed in March 1992. During the 18–month run-down period the majority of posts were redistributed within Scotland and approximately 50 posts transferred to Leeds.The Child Support Agency opened an agency center—CSAC—at Falkirk during 1993. As at the end of February 1995, the CSAC had a total of 721 posts dealing with new work created following the Child Support Act 1991.

Over the last four years, the Contributions Agency has centralised some work at Newcastle while maintaining a local presence for face-to-face contact with customers. This has entailed some posts transferring to Newcastle from around the United Kingdom. Exact figures for posts transferring from Scotland to Newcastle could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

The Information Technology Services Agency, the Resettlement Agency and the War Pensions Agency have not transferred any work between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Residential And Nursing Homes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information his Department has in respect of the numbers of people who are entering private residential or nursing homes, where such care is publicly financed but does not involve the local authority social services department in any assessment of need, or in any expenditure. [19898]

Information is not available in the form requested. In November 1994, the number of residents who were in receipt of income support that included residential allowance was 80,000. It is not known how many of these had been assessed or financially supported by social services. In addition, 201,000 residents have preserved rights to the higher levels of income support. It is not known how many of these receive financial support from the local authority.Source: income support statistics quarterly enquiry, November 1994.

Expenditure

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the underlying rate of growth in social security expenditure in the next 10 years, assuming level unemployment and assuming the full effects of all recently announced changes from the previous year. [20464]

The latest long-term projections of underlying growth in expenditure were published in the departmental report "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1995–96 to 1997–98", Cm 2813, which stated that recently announced reforms would contain growth between 1997–98 and 2000–01 to 2.1 per cent. a year, assuming level unemployment. Projections of social security expenditure over a 10–year period would be subject to considerable uncertainty.

Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many former members of staff of his Department or its agencies are currently employed as consultants within his Department or its agencies; what is the length of the consultancy in each case; and what were their previous grades; [20343](2) how many former members of his staff are currently employed as consultants by DSS headquarters; what is the length of the consultancy in each case; and what were their previous grades. [20344]

Two former members of staff are currently employed as consultants by DSS headquarters. Their previous grade and length of consultancy are as follows:

Previous grade

Length of consultancy

Grade 2

Four days in total during April and May 1995.

Grade 3

Two/three days per week on continuing basis.

The information requested for the Department's agencies is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Family Credit

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the proportion of (a) married couples and (b) single parents who claim family credit. [20390]

The information is set out in the table.

Family credit case load July 1994	Cases	Percentage
Couples¹	327,700	57
Lone parents	243,980	43

Note:

¹ Not categorised by marital status.

Source:

Family credit statistics: quarterly tables, July 1994.

Incapacity Benefit

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 28 March, Official Report, column 557, (1) how many of the 45,000 new incapacity benefit claimants who will be found capable of work in 1995–96 he estimates will (a) sign on as unemployed and receive unemployment benefit, (b) sign on as unemployed and receive income support only, (c) sign on and receive national insurance credits only, (d) receive retirement pension, (e) receive invalidity care allowance, (f) receive widows benefits and (g) receive income support without having to sign on; [21020](2) how many of the 55,000 new incapacity benefit claimants who will be found capable of work in 1996–97 he estimates will

(a) sign on as unemployed and receive unemployment benefit, (b) sign on as unemployed and receive income support only, (c) sign on and receive national insurance credits only, (d) receive retirement pension, (e) receive invalidity care allowance, (f) receive widows benefits and (g) receive income support without having to sign on; [21021]

(3) how many of the 80,000 existing invalidity benefit claimants who will be found capable of work in 1996–97 he estimates will (a) sign on as unemployed and receive unemployment benefit, (b) sign on as unemployed and receive income support only, (c) sign on and receive national insurance credits only, (d) receive retirement pension, (e) receive invalidity care allowance, (f) receive widows benefits and (g) receive income support without having to sign on; [21018]

(4) how many of the 140,000 existing invalidity benefit claimants who will be found capable of work in 1995–96 he estimates will (a) sign on as unemployed and receive unemployment benefit, (b) sign on as unemployed and receive income support only, (c) sign on and receive national insurance credits only, (d) receive retirement pension, (e) receive invalidity care allowance, (f) receive widows benefits and (g) receive income support without having to sign on. [21016]

There are no estimates of the number of Figures based on the estimated number of people found capable of work who will receive retirement pension, invalidity care allowance or widow's benefits. Such information as is available is in the table.

	1995–96		1996–97
Invalidity benefit/incapacity benefit claimants	Existing cases	New cases	Existing cases	New cases
Estimated number of claimants found capable of work	140,000	45,000	80,000	55,000
Estimated number who will be unemployed and receive unemployment benefit/contributory jobseeker's allowance	70,000	25,000	40,000	30,000
Estimated number who will be unemployed and receive Income support/income-based jobseeker's allowance only¹	25,000	10,000	15,000	10,000
Estimated number who will be unemployed and receive national insurance credits only	20,000	10,000	15,000	10,000
Estimated number who will receive income support without having to sign on as unemployed	10,000	5,000	5,000	5,000

Note:

¹ Not receiving unemployment benefit/contributory jobseeker's allowance but may receive other benefits—for example, housing benefit, council tax benefit.

All estimates rounded to nearest 5,000. Totals may not sum due to rounding and because not all groups are included—for example, those found capable of work who do not register for employment or receive any other benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 28 March, Official Report, column 557 (1) if he will break down by region the estimates of the numbers of (a) existing invalidity benefit claimants, (b) existing income support claimants, (c) new incapacity benefit claimants and (d) new income support claimants who will be found capable of work in each of the years (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98; [21019](2) if he will break down by gender the estimates of the numbers of

(a) existing invalidity benefit claimants, (b) existing income support claimants, (c) new incapacity benefit claimants and (d) new income support claimants who will be found capable of work in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98. [21017]

The information is not available in the form requested. Estimates are available only on a national basis. There is insufficient data to allow them to be broken down regionally, or by gender.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many of those who move off incapacity benefit in 1995 he estimates will not qualify for unemployment benefit for reasons of (a) failing the contribution test or (b) failing the availability test; [21011](2) pursuant to this answer of 28 March,

Official Report. column 557, how many of the people who will fail to qualify for contributory jobseeker's allowance will do so for reasons of (a) failing the contributions test or (b) failing the availability tests; [21022]

(3) how many people who move off incapacity benefit in 1995–96 he estimates will not qualify for unemployment benefit. [21012]

It is estimated that around 95,000¹ new and existing claimants found fit for work in 1995–96 will not qualify for unemployment benefit because of failure to satisfy the contribution conditions.Information is not available as to the number of people who will not qualify for unemployment benefit or contributory jobseeker's allowance due to failure to satisfy the availability for work tests.

¹ Figure rounded to the nearest 5,000.

Figures based on the estimated number of people leaving incapacity benefit earlier than they would done under current arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who move off incapacity benefit in 1995–96 will qualify for contributory jobseeker's allowance in each of the years 1996–97 and 1997–98. [21013]

The information requested is not available.

Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board of committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20880]

The Occupational Pensions Board is the only executive non-departmental public body sponsored by this Department. There is no statutory requirement to admit members of the public to its board or committee meetings. However, there is a statutory requirement, under the provisions of the Occupational Pensions Board (Determinations and Review Procedure) Regulations 1973 to hold formal public hearings, in connection with reviews of the board's determinations, unless the board for any special reasons directs otherwise. If such a hearing is held privately, a member of the Council on Tribunals is entitled to attend.

Child Support Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many complaints have now been made to his Department or the Child Support Agency concerning the Child Support Agency. [19239]

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

Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Allan Rogers, dated 26 April 1995:

I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of complaints received by the Child Support Agency.

The precise information you request is not available. Since launch to the end of February 1995, the Agency has recorded a total of 34,449 letters of complaint; but a significant proportion of those complaints concern areas such as general policy or the powers of this Agency. Many of these letters are from persons who are opposed to the legislation but not actually affected by it. The number of letters received that contain complaints specifically about the Agency's performance is not separately identified, but it is considerably less than the overall figure shown above.

I hope this is helpful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average amount of maintenance payable as a result of a full assessment by the Child Support Agency in cases where there are (a) one, (b) two and (c) more than two children, and the overall average figure excluding cases where the absent parent is on income support or other benefit and so paying the standard minimum contribution at the latest date for which figures are available. [19281]

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

Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 26 April 1995:

I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the average amount of child maintenance payable following a full maintenance assessment by the Child Support Agency.

As at 11 March 1995, the average weekly maintenance payable by absent parents with income from employment, but excluding those receiving income support, following a full maintenance assessment, was £43.46. Information on the average maintenance payments broken down by the number of qualifying children involved is not available.

I hope this is of help.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number to date of maintenance application forms issued by the Child Support Agency to parents with care that have not been returned, broken down to show (a) where good cause was accepted, (b) where good cause was investigated and not accepted, (c) where MAFs were issued at a parent with care's request which were subsequently found to have been duplicated, (d) where the parent with care ceased to claim benefit before returning the MAF and (e) the number of unreturned MAFs which were issued prior to 1 July 1994. [19152]

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

Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Frank Field, dated 26 April 1995:

I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of maintenance application forms (MAF) issued by the Child Support Agency that have yet to be returned by the parent with care.

Since launch to the end of February 1995, a total of 1,217,941 maintenance application forms (MAF's) have been issued 867,883 of which have been returned, leaving an outstanding balance of 350,058. At that time 27,800 of the outstanding forms had only been issued during February. It is not possible to break the remaining 322,200 forms down into the categories that you request.

Some information that is available is as follows. The requirement to co-operate has been considered in a total of 146,790 cases. Good cause was accepted in 69,228 cases and refused in a further 53,174. The remainder (24,388) were cases where the parent with care (PWC) chose to name the absent parent (AP) before a decision on good cause was made.

Since September 1994, it has been possible to conduct good cause investigations without a MAF having been issued. No separate record is made of this type of investigation. Good cause may also be considered, for example, after a MAF has been returned if, in the case of a multiple assessment unit, the PWC chooses to name one or more APs while claiming good cause not to name one or more of the other APs, or where a MAF is returned incomplete but with a claim for good cause. The number of good cause investigations completed does not therefore provide a direct comparison with the number of MAF's not yet returned.

Cases where a MAF is issued and is subsequently found to have been a duplicate, along with cases where a PWC ceases to claim benefit before a maintenance assessment is completed, are recorded as "other" clearances or closures. This is regardless of whether the MAF has been returned or not. No data are collected on the number of closures falling into particular categories, except for cases where good cause is accepted. Other examples of closures are: reconciliation of AP and PWC; AP abroad; AP not traced. This list is not exhaustive.

At present the Agency cannot provide a detailed analysis of the age of those cases where a MAF has not been returned but future enhancements to the Child Support Computer System which will provide this information are planned. However, as at the end of February, 16,254 cases had been identified as part of the one off deferral exercise, announced in December 1994, referring to MAFs issued before 1 July 1994. This figure includes cases where no MAF had been returned and those where a partially completed form was received by the Agency and the PWC does not wish to pursue the matter.

Wales

West Wales Ambulance Nhs Trust

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, in respect of the newly established West Glamorgan and Dyfed ambulance trust, (a) the date when the trust commenced its operational duties, (b) the date on which the chief executive was appointed, (c) the date when the chairman was appointed, (d) the number of applications he has received for the executive positions and the date he will announce the appointments and (e) the number of applications he has received for the lay membership and the date he will announce the appointments. [19929]

The information requested is as follows:

a. The Trust became operational on 1 April 1995.

b. The appointment of the Chief Executive is a matter for the Trust Board (i.e. Chairman and non-Executive Director).

c. The appointment of Mr. Roger Hayes as Chairman of the Trust was announced on 27 March 1995 and took effect from 1 April 1995.

d. Responsibility for the appointment of the Executive Directors lies with the Trust Board, including the Chief Executive.

e. More than 300 applications have been received for the non-Executive Director posts of the five new NHS Trusts. I shall announce the names of those who have been appointed as soon as possible.

General Dental Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish information for Wales corresponding to that contained in table 23 on page 63 of the Department of Health's departmental report, cm 2812 (March 1995). [19918]

The information is given in the following table.

Family Health Services—Key Statistics on General Dental Services
General Dental Services¹	1983–84	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	Per cent. change 1983–84 to 1993–94	Per cent. change 1992–93 to 1993–94
Gross expenditure (£ millions)²	30.320	50.115	57.055	69.513	73.794	67.964	124.2	-7.9
Gross expenditure in real term (1994–95 prices)(£ millions)	52.201	62.886	66.284	75.983	77.573	69.323	32.8	-10.6
Proportion of gross expenditure met from charges (per cent.)³	23.5	33.3	31.8	28.9	27.7	28.0	19.1	1.1
Number of general dental practitioners (GDPs)⁴	702	827	837	832	831	843	20.1	1.4
Adult courses of treatment (thousands)	1,048	1,192	1,327	1,031	1,398	1,409	34.4	0.8
Adult courses of treatment per GDP	1,493	1,441	1,585	1,239	1,682	1,671	11.9	-0.7
Children registered into capitation (thousands)⁵	—	—	—	338	416	431	—	3.6
Children registered per GDP⁶	—	—	—	407	501	511	—	2.0
Average gross cost of adult courses of treatment in real terms (1994–95 prices) (£)⁷	38.79	43.71	39.96	39.77	36.93	31.99	-17.5	-13.4
Gross cost of general dental services per GDP in real terms 1994–95 prices)	74,360	76,041	79,192	91,326	93,349	82,234	10.6	-11.9
¹ General dental services are the care and treatment provided by independent dental practitioners, who provide services under arrangements made with local Family Health Services Authorities.
² Gross expenditure is based on Appropriation Account (cash) figures. It includes that proportion of costs met from patient charges and excludes charge refunds. Appropriation Account figures.
³ Charge income collected from patients (net of refunds) as a proportion of gross expenditure.
⁴ Principals and assistants at 30 September.
⁵ Number of children registered as at 30 September. Capitation registration only began with the introduction of the new dental contract from 1 October 1990.
⁶ Average number of children registered per dentist, including principals and assistants, although patient registrations are formally attributed to principals only.
⁷ Average cost of adult courses of treatment, as measured by Dental Practice Board data recording only item of service fees payable for such treatments up to September 1990, from October 1990 onwards, costs are based on item of service fees payable and adult continuing care payments. Prior to 1986–87, data is only available on a calendar year basis.

Health Authorities

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of whether all health authorities' members in Wales have now publicly declared any outside interests in which they participate. [19931]

At the annual review meetings to be held in June authorities will be asked to confirm that they have implemented a recently introduced requirement that they maintain a register of relevant private interests.

Paramedical Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information is collected by his Department on

	Community nursing and midwifery			Chiropodists			Speech therapists
	Expenditure¹	Staff in post (Wte)²		Expenditure¹	Staff in post (Wte)²		Expenditure¹	Staff in post (Wte)²
		September 1993	December 1994		September 1993	December 1994		September 1993	December 1994
Trusts
Bridgend and District	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	8	9	n/a	6	5
Carmarthen and District	2,259.8	n/a	n/a	158.0	6	6	81.1	5	5
Ceredigion and Mid Wales	1,555.9	n/a	n/a	88.1	3	3	68.5	3	2
Clwydian Community Care	12,515.2	n/a	n/a	454.5	18	19	682.6	26	25
Glan Clwyd General Hospital	647.8	n/a	n/a	12.1	—	—	69.7	2	3
Glan Hafren	1,309.1	n/a	n/a	14.6	—	—	41.0	—	—
Gwent Community	11,200.5	n/a	n/a	510.4	23	27	337.0	24	20

the numbers employed, expressed as whole-time equivalents, and the total expenditure for each NHS provider in Wales on each of the paramedical services in the community, with particular reference to (a) community nurses, (b) health visitors, (c) chiropodists, (d) speech therapists, (e) occupational therapists, (f) physiotherapists and (g) community dentists. [19930]

The available information is in the following table. Reliable estimates of the numbers of nursing staff employed in specific occupational groups, such as community nursing and health visiting, are not available centrally. As the expenditure data relates to the financial year 1993–94, staffing figures for September 1993 and 1994 are given.

	Community nursing and midwifery			Chiropodists			Speech therapists
	Expenditure ¹	Staff in post (Wte)²		Expenditure¹	Staff in post (Wte)²		Expenditure¹	Staff in post (Wte)²
		September 1993	December 1994		September 1993	December 1994		September 1993	December 1994
Llandough Hospital	360.0	n/a	n/a	3.1	—	—	20.8	—	—
Llanelli/Dinefwr	2,881.5	n/a	n/a	171.1	8	8	100.4	4	4
Pembrokeshire	3,902.7	n/a	n/a	242.1	5	—	115.7	5	4
Powys Health Care	3,697.0	n/a	n/a	333.8	15	—	225.2	8	10
Swansea	675.3	n/a	n/a	22.4	—	—	22.4	—	1
Wrexham Maelor Hospital	508.1	n/a	n/a	5.7	—	—	90.6	4	3
Directly Managed Units:
East Dyfed Mental Health Unit	2,435.3	n/a	n/a	17.7	1	1	125.6	5	5
North Gwent Unit	396.2	n/a	n/a	—	—	—	—	—	—
Gwynedd DHA³	8,404.2	n/a	n/a	386.0	14	14	447.0	14	15
Mid Glamorgan
Hensol	308.8	n/a	n/a	—	—	—	89.7	5	7
Merthyr/Cynon	n/a	n/a	n/a	—	10	10	n/a	5	7
Rhondda	4,169.4	n/a	n/a	279.4	11	11	97.4	6	7
Rhymney Valley	2,321.4	n/a	n/a	132.9	6	5	37.8	3	5
Taff Ely	1,074.0	n/a	n/a	—	—	—	—	—	—
South Glamorgan
Community	10,746.9	n/a	n/a	736.0	29	30	550.8	33	29
UHW/CRI	333.0	n/a	n/a	—	—	—	26.1	1	1
West Glamorgan
DHA⁴	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	35	35	n/a	17	16

	Occupational therapists			Physiotherapists			Community dentists
	Expenditure¹	Staff in post(Wte)²		Expenditure¹	Staff in post (Wte)²		Expenditure¹	Staff in post (Wte)²
		September 1993	December 1994		September 1993	December 1994		September 1993	December 1994
Trusts
Bridgend and District	n/a	24	21	n/a	19	19	n/a	—	—
Carmarthen and District	86.2	3	3	402.1	16	17	96.1	2	2
Ceredigion and Mid Wales	143.3	4	3	311.3	14	13	219.7	4	4
Clwydian Community Care	962.4	34	35	1,124.6	44	42	1,063.8	10	14
Glan Clwyd General Hospital	134.5	6	5	510.7	24	23	—	—	—
Glan Hafren	430.3	21	17	1,215.2	51	56	—	—	—
Gwent Community	1,172.4	34	40	378.0	20	23	910.0	14	12
Llandough Hospital	427.0	16	16	667.7	30	32	—	—	—
Llanelli/Dinefwr	181.6	8	9	362.7	14	15	197.2	2	3
Pembrokeshire	327.0	5	—	621.0	16	—	373.8	6	6
Powys Health Care	708.3	19	1	950.5	36	1	449.5	4	6
Swansea	166.8	4	7	742.9	21	24	—	—	—
Wrexham Maelor Hospital	166.1	8	7	517.4	24	26	—	—	—
Directly Managed Units
East Dyfed Mental Health Unit	604.6	16	17	116.6	3	5	—	—	—
North Gwent Unit	274.9	13	11	517.6	23	23	—	—	—
Gwynedd DHA³	796.9	34	35	1,535.6	64	63	594.2	8	9
Mid Glamorgan:
Hensol	178.8	4	7	124.6	3	4	—	—	—
Merthyr/Cynon	n/a	12	13	n/a	22	18	n/a	—	—
Rhondda	298.8	10	12	351.5	14	13	—	—	—
Rhymney Valley	81.7	3	3	172.7	8	7	—	3	1
Taff Ely	181.6	7	7	504.7	23	21	—	5	5
South Glamorgan
Community	729.7	34	35	680.2	32	33	808.4	12	11
UHW/CRI	967.0	41	37	1,940.7	81	85	—	1	1
West Glamorgan DHA⁴	n/a	32	38	n/a	62	69	n/a	12	11
¹ £ thousands 1993–94.
² Qualified staff. Staff paid on local payscales for whom no details of occupation are available centrally are excluded from the table. In order that a comparison of the two figures can be made staff employed in provider units which obtained Trust status on 1 April 1994 are shown under their previous management unit.
³ Includes staff employed by Gwynedd Acute NHS Trust, Gwynedd Community NHS Trust (Data for these were not available separately in 1993) and Gwynedd DHA.
⁴ Includes staff employed centrally by West Glamorgan DHA.
n/a Information not available.

Dental Caries

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of children had caries-free permanent teeth in (a) 1973, (b) 1983 and (c) 1993, and what was the dental caries experience of deciduous teeth of five-year-old children in the same years. [19917]

Three national surveys of children's dental health have been carried out—1973, 1983 and 1993–by the social survey division of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys and results were published by HMSO. The publications show separate information for Wales and copies are in the Library of the House. The ISBN numbers are as follows:

1973: ISBN 0 11 700687 4
1983: ISBN 0 11 691136 0
1993: ISBN 0 11 691136 0

Environment Powers

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list those powers available to him, by order, to further the interest of the natural environment, forestry and agriculture; [19993](2) if he will list those powers available to him by executive action to further the interests of the natural environment, forestry and agriculture. [19992]

This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Official Receivers

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in full the replies of the official receivers to the consultation on privatisation under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. [20262]

This is a matter for the President of the Board of Trade.

Electoral Reviews

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will next instigate a review of electoral wards by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales; and if he will make a statement. [20373]

The reviews of local government electoral arrangements are instigated not by my right hon. Friend, but by the relevant provisions of the Local Government Act 1972. Section 64(1) of that Act, as substituted by section 6 of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994, requires the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales to undertake reviews of the electorial arrangements in each of the new unitary authorities "as soon as practicable" after the first elections to be held next month.

Planning Policy Guidance

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list (a) the planning policy guidance notes and (b) the mineral policy guidance notes that have been issued in England but not in Wales over the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [21051]

The following is the information.

(a) Planning Policy Guidance—(PPG)—note 2 "Green Belts" (DOE: January 1995);

PPG9 "Nature Conservation" (DOE: October 1994);

PPG13 "Transport" (DOE/DOT: March 1994);

PPG15 "Planning and the Historic Environment" (DOE/DNH: September 1994);

PPG23 "Planning and Pollution Control" (DOE: July 1994); and

PPG24 "Planning and Noise" (DOE: September 1994).

(b) Minerals Planning Guidance note 6 "Guidelines for Aggregates Provision in England" (DOE: April 1994).

Draft planning policy guidance for Wales is currently being prepared and consultation with Welsh interests will follow.

Housing

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the percentage grant available to Welsh housing associations for new and existing properties in each year since Tai Cymru was established. [21083]

Percentage rates for the standard housing association grant in Wales are set out as follows:

Date	Percentage
1989–90	72
1990–91	75
1991–92	70
1992–93	67
1993–94	65
1994–95	62
1995–96	58

Scotland

Tourism

16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the way in which Scottish Enterprise, Tayside supports tourist-related capital projects. [19585]

The only representations received by my right hon. Friend about the way in which Scottish Enterprise, Tayside supports tourist-related capital projects have been those made by my hon. Friend.

Public Inquiries

17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider paying local authorities' costs of holding public inquiries where these are caused by his own amendments to local plans. [19586]

My right hon. Friend has no plans to make payments in respect of the costs to local authorities of holding public inquiries. Such costs are provided for within the rate support grant.

Local Government

18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reorganise Scottish local government. [19587]

None.

24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will re-evaluate his proposals for local government. [19593]

I refer to the reply given earlier to the hon. Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) by my right hon. Friend.

26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local government funding. [19595]

27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local government finance. [19596]

My right hon. Friend and I are scheduled to meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 12 June as part of the normal consultation on local government finance matters.

Psychiatric Hospitals

19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last discussed the closure of psychiatric hospitals with the health boards; and if he will make a statement. [19588]

My noble and learned Friend the Minister of State regularly meets representatives from all health boards to discuss health issues.

Strathclyde Regional Council

21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the leadership of Strathclyde regional council to discuss the resources available to the council in the current financial year. [19590]

My right hon. Friend has no plans for such a meeting; such discussions on local government finance are conducted with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

Scottish Homes

22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet officials of Scottish Homes to discuss transfer of properties. [19591]

My right hon. Friend meets the board of Scottish Homes from time to time. He has issued guidance to Scottish Homes on the future ownership of its housing stock following which it has published procedures for the disposal of its stock.

Nursery Education

23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for the development of nursery education. [19592]

The Government have given a commitment to provide, over time, quality pre-school places for all four-year-olds whose parents wish to take them up. Work is currently going on to develop the details of the policy and this has involved contacts with a number of organisations in Scotland. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

Dentistry

28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many dentists in Scotland are refusing to treat certain categories of NHS patients. [19597]

The information requested is not available. General dental practitioners on health board NHS dental lists are free to decide in each case whether to provide NHS treatment to an individual patient.

Inward Investment

29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about inward investment in Scotland. [19598]

The Government's pro-business policies have created a business climate in which companies can flourish and this continues to make Scotland—and indeed the United Kingdom as a whole—a very attractive location for inward investment.

In the five years to March 1994, Locate in Scotland and the Scottish Office industry department helped to attract to Scotland nearly 350 inward investment projects involving planned investment of £2.6 billion associated with the expected creation or safeguarding of over 47,000 jobs. That success was maintained during 1994–95, with Scotland attracting inward investment projects at the rate of almost two per week.

The success announced during the year to March 1995 included Motorola's decision to invest a further £250 million at its East Kilbride plant, creating 250 new jobs; NEC's decision to invest £530 million in setting up a new state-of-the-art wafer fabrication facility in Livingston, creating 430 new jobs; and BSkyB's decision to set up a new subscriber management centre in Dunfermline, creating up to 1,000 full-time jobs over the next few years.

Detailed figures for inward investment in Scotland in 1994–95 will be published in the Locate in Scotland annual review in June.

Japanese Companies

30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent meetings he has had with Japanese companies concerning trade and investment; and if he will make a statement. [19599]

My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet representatives of Japanese companies to discuss trade and investment. My right hon. Friend's most recent such meeting was on 24 February when he accompanied my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister at a ground-breaking ceremony on the site of NEC's proposed new silicon wafer fabrication facility in Livingston.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will also visit Japan later this year, when trade promotion activities and meetings with existing and potential inward investors will play a key part in his programme.

Bus Services, Strathclyde

31.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans to meet the director general of Strathclyde passenger transport executive to discuss bus services in Strathclyde. [19600]

No such meeting has been arranged.

Employment Prospects

32.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends meeting the chair of Scottish Enterprise to discuss employment prospects. [19601]

My right hon. Friend meets the chairman of Scottish Enterprise from time to time to discuss a range of issues affecting the Scottish economy. No date has yet been arranged for the next meeting.

Monklands District Council

33.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many police inquiries have been initiated into (a) Monklands district council's affairs and (b) those of its councillors in the last five years. [19602]

During this period Strathclyde police conducted one inquiry into the affairs of Monklands district council and two separate inquiries into those of some councillors.

Education, South Lanarkshire

34.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake to meet representatives of the new South Lanarkshire council to discuss educational priorities within the council area. [19603]

The setting of educational priorities within its area will be an important matter for the new South Lanarkshire council. If the council in due course seeks a meeting, its request would be given full consideration as are all such requests for meetings. My hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government will wish to meet the new councils individually in due course.

Arts Funding

35.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to meet the chairman of the Scottish Arts Council to discuss the funding of the arts in Scotland. [19604]

My right hon. Friend meets the chairman of the Scottish Arts Council from time to time to discuss a range of issues concerning the arts in Scotland. He has no current plans for a meeting.

Non-Domestic Rates

36.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the system of non-domestic rates relief available to small businesses in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [19605]

The Non-domestic Rates (Levying) (Scotland) Regulations 1995 introduced provisions to protect all ratepayers including small businesses from unexpected and significant increases in rates bills resulting from the combined effects of the 1995 Revaluation and the introduction of the national non-domestic rate in Scotland.The Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 also introduced with effect from 1 April 1995 a power permitting rating authorities to remit any rate levied by them where the ratepayer would otherwise suffer hardship and where it would be in the interests of the authority's council tax payers to do so.I have no plans to review further the arrangements for non-domestic rating relief.

Drug-Taking Kits

37.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation making it an offence for anyone to sell drug-taking kits; and if he will make a statement. [19606]

It is already an offence under section 9A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 for a person to supply any article which may be used for the administration of a controlled drug, if he believes that the article is to be so used in circumstances where the administration is unlawful. If the hon. Member has a specific issue in mind, he might wish to write to my right hon. Friend.

Ec Aid

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects funds from the EC aid programme the borders objective 5b scheme to be made available to the appropriate authorities for distribution in the borders region; and what measures he is taking to ensure that receipt of funds is as soon as possible. [20249]

I understand the Commission will take the formal decision on the borders objective 5b single programme document before the end of April. To facilitate early release of funds, the monitoring committee met on 20 April and decided in principle which projects should be supported in the first round of applications under the programme. Formal offer letters will be issued to successful project sponsors immediately after the decisions of the committee are ratified, following the formal decision. Successful applicants can then claim structural funds grant against progress on their projects.

Urban Programme

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers he has to investigate (a) an inquiry, (b) an investigation and (c) an audit into the accounts or trading activities of community businesses established with public funds; and if he will make a statement. [21008]

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: Where financial assistance is being provided through the urban programme, my right hon. Friend has the right to ensure that the expenditure has been incurred for the purposes approved by him and seeks re-assurance from the sponsoring local authorities on this. My right hon. Friend has no powers in relation to community businesses once the period of any urban programme funding has expired.

Auditors

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which body is responsible for auditing the accounts or trading activities of FCB Enterprise Securities; and if he will make a statement. [21009]

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: Under the Companies Act 1985 all companies other than certain categories of small companies and dormant companies are required to appoint auditors. The Companies Act 1989 makes provision to secure that persons appointed as company auditors are appropriately qualified and independent. A copy of a company's annual accounts must be lodged, normally in the case of a private company within 10 months after the end of the company's financial year, with the Registrar of Companies. As my right hon. Friend is not involved in the running of FCB Enterprise Securities, he is unable to supply the information requested, which should be available from the Registrar of Companies.

Large Combustion Plant Directive

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many installations in Scotland are covered by the large combustion plant directive; and if he will list them. [20845]

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: In Scotland, 19 installations, as listed, are subject to control under the United Kingdom's programme and national plan for reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen from existing large combustion plants which addresses the requirements of the large combustion plant directive in respect of existing plants. To date there is one plant at BP Chemicals Ltd. subject to the controls contained in the directive relating to new plants. The plants covered by the national plan are:Electricity Supply Industry:

Longannet PS
Cockenzie PS
Peterhead PS
Kincardine PS

Refineries:

BP Oil Grangemouth Refinery Limited

Other Industry:

Methill PS
Roche Products Limited
Exxon Chemicals Olefins Inc
C. Davidson and Sons
Limited Nobels Explosives Co. Limited
BP Chemicals Limited
Tullis Russell Limited
Caledonian Paper plc
Michelin Tyre plc
Donside Paper Co. Limited
BP Sullom Voe Terminal
Ciba-Geigy plc
Royal Ordnance plc
Allied Distillers Limited

Tabasco

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action has been taken by his Department to support the TABASCO application by Strathclyde regional council and others for EU 4th framework programme funding. [20799]

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: TABASCO is based on collaborative links actively promoted by The Scottish Office with partners in Germany. Within the TABASCO project the Scottish Office is leading the work modules relating to travel and traffic control and information management and regional traffic control. The Scottish Office is supporting the TABASCO project bid through the implementation of the forth estuary driver information and control system—FEDICS—its committed joint funding with Strathclyde region of the new CITRAC traffic control system and the plans to develop a Scottish travel information centre.

Marine Discharges

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many installations in Scotland require consents for marine discharges; and if he will list them. [20841]

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: Marine discharges are controlled either by the river purification authorities under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, part II as amended or, where relevant, by Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate and river purification authorities acting together under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 part 1. Information relating to all such discharges is available for public inspection in registers maintained by river purification authorities, but a complete record is not held centrally.

Volume 258: debated on Wednesday 26 April 1995

Written Answers To Questions

Treasury

Adult Placement Carers

National Insurance Numbers

Smuggling

Income Tax

Privatisation

Agencies

Beer

Public Bodies

Income Tax

House Buyers

Prime Minister

Kashmir

Lord Chancellor's Department

Public Bodies

Legal Aid

Duchy Of Lancaster

Public Bodies

Environment

Derelict Land Grant

Dry Stone Walls

Local Government Reorganisation

Secondary Liquid Fuel

Defective Housing

Sunspots

Public Bodies

Housing Association Rents

Power Station Emissions

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Allowances

Pesticides

Statutory Instruments

Tuberculosis

Smoking Restrictions

Sheep Scab

Meat Inspectors

Corncrake

North Sea (Aggregates)

Health

Alzheimer's Disease

Organ Donor Register

Me Funding

Nhs Trust Boards

Nhs Estates Agency

Temazepam

Gp Recruitment

Residential Care

Learning Disabilities

Residential Care And Nursing Homes

Mental Illness

Cannabis

Public Bodies

Hospitals, London

St Bartholomew's And London Chest Hospital

Health Services, London

Survey Organisations

National Heritage

Relocation Costs

Overtime And Sickness

Employment

Workplace Fatal Injuries

Labour Statistics

Employment Service

Public Bodies

Home Department

Criminal Injuries Compensation

Mentally Ill Prisoners

Public Bodies

Fingerprints

Miscarriages Of Justice

Phoenix Database

Asylum Seekers

Immigration Detainees

Airlines

Wandsworth Prison

Police National Computer

Vulnerable Prisoner Units