To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the availability of docking facilities for nuclear-powered submarines. [25183]

We are currently assessing the availability of the facilities for docking RN nuclear-powered submarines, taking into account nuclear safety requirements and latest estimates of the time the submarines will need to spend in dry dock. The assessment is concerned only with existing facilities and does not involve consideration of future refitting facilities needed for Vanguard class submarines.Two factors have led to the need for this work. First, an on-going survey of existing docking facilities at both Rosyth and Devonport, taking into account increasingly stringent nuclear safety practices, has identified a requirement for improvements to be made to some facilities. Secondly, in addition to delays arising from this work, the time which some nuclear-powered submarines need to spend in dock during refit has increased, typically by about three months.We are therefore considering ways of limiting the resulting disruption to the docking programme for nuclear-powered submarines, including the possibility of deferring the ending of nuclear work at Rosyth which was previously planned for 1997. The assessment will include discussions with both the nuclear regulatory authorities and the dockyard companies. No decisions have yet been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will be renewing investment decisions on (a) the replacement or enhancement of all three services' individual computer systems and (b) the establishment of a new Army personnel centre in Glasgow following the Bett study report. [23701]

Harmonisation of all defence administrative computer systems is a departmental aim arising from the "Front Line First" studies. In the case of personnel administration and pay systems, Mr. Bett has recommended that the harmonisation process should be undertaken by a defence agency, which should be set up within three years. He envisaged that it might then take about five years to develop a fully integrated personnel administration and pay system to operate across the services. We shall be examining this recommendation carefully in consultation with the services. In the meantime, our plans for the creation of the Army personnel centre in Glasgow are not inconsistent with the ultimate creation of a defence agency and we are proceeding with them.Investment decisions on replacement or enhancement of the services' existing systems will take fully into account the need for harmonisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the guardships which have attended the port of Dartmouth royal regatta in each of the last 15 years; and which ship will be on guard at the August 1995 regatta. [24737]

The following ships have attended the port of Dartmouth royal regatta during the last 15 years:

• 1980: Diomede and Alfriston
• 1981: Alfriston
• 1982: Alfriston
• 1983: Achilles
• 1984: Euryalus
• 1985: Diomede
• 1986: Hermione
• 1987: Plymouth
• 1988: Avenger
• 1989: Cardiff
• 1990: Active
• 1991: Battleaxe
• 1992: Sirius
• 1993: Battleaxe
• 1994: Battleaxe

Regrettably, there will not be a ship available to attend the 1995 Dartmouth royal regatta due to other operational commitments, and the number required for additional official duties during August, principally as a result of the VJ day commemorations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all Navy, Royal Air Force and Army bases which have been sold in the last two financial years and the buyers. [24549]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 3 May, Official Report, columns 234–37, to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many RAF Tornado sorties have flown to the United Kingdom on exercise from their base at RAF Bruggen in the latest 12-month period for which figures are available. [23860](2) how many Tornados have participated in training sorties flown from their base in RAF Bruggen to the United Kingdom in the latest 12-month period for which figures are available. [23861]

RAF Bruggen Tornados flew 2,718 sorties to the United Kingdom between 1 May 1994 and 30 April 1995. Records are not maintained in such a way as to identify the purpose of each flight.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many bids he received for the freehold of Old Sarum airfield; and when he will announce his decision. [24546]

In all, four tenders were received. One of them has been accepted and the successful party was notified in writing on 10 May.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the

£
	Annual compensation payment to age 60(rate pa)	Superannuation lump sum	Lump sum compensation payment	Compensation in lieu of notice (if any)
1990–91
Compulsory	—	—	—	—
Flexible	20,738.68	56,618.79	—	—
1991–92
Compulsory	4,071.45	11,383.07	6,935.42	—
Flexible	10,428.50	29,935.88	—	—
1992–93
Compulsory	8,809.23	26,238.43	1,447.29	—
Flexible	—	—	—	—
1993–94
Compulsory	—	—	—	—
Flexible	35,879.38	102,324.52	—	—
1994–95
Compulsory	—	—	—	—
Flexible	30,703.19	84,945.71	—	—

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to publish his Green Paper proposing reforms to the legal aid system in England and Wales. [25187]

The Lord Chancellor has today published a Green Paper, "Legal Aid—Targeting Need, The Future of Publicly Funded Help in Solving Legal Problems and Disputes in England and Wales". I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many objections have been registered by right hon. and hon. Members under the Ponsonby rule procedures, for instruments of ratification laid before Parliament in a Command Paper in the miscellaneous series in each year since 1979; and if he will indicate the resolution of the objection in each case. [24398]

I know of none.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit Spain and Germany to assess the value of devolved government and subsidiarity; and if he will make a statement. [24060]

[holding answer 2 May 1995]: Compensation payments for early retirement on the ground of limited efficiency are age, salary and service related. Details of limited efficiency early retirements for each of the last five financial years are as follows:

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary hopes to discuss subsidiarity—the relationship between member states and the European Union—when he has talks with the German Foreign Minister on 26 May, and when he visits Spain under the Spanish presidency of the European Union. Devolution is an entirely separate issue, as all EU Heads of State or Government recognised at the 1992 Birmingham European Council:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the contribution of the growth of independent environmental non-governmental organisations in the Czech Republic to democracy there. [24716]

Independent environment non-governmental organisations in the Czech Republic have helped raise public consciousness both before and after the end of the communist regime in 1989, notably in north Bohemia and Prague, the areas worst affected by environmental damage. Together with other independent groups, they have made a positive contribution to the growth of democracy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much subsidy has been given to Spain in each of the last three years from the European Community for infrastructure; and what is the forecast of funding to Spain for each of the next three years. [24685]

It is not possible to give a global figure for Spanish receipts from the European Community for infrastructure, but I will write to the hon. Member with a breakdown of the figures he requests.

I have received a letter from Richard V. Giordano, KBE, chairman of British Gas plc, the text of which says:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the implications for the business community of the proposed division of Berkshire into six unitary authorities. [24537]

The potential benefits of unitary authorities include cost-effective service delivery, reduced bureaucracy and clear accountability. These benefits will accrue to the business community, among others.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what provisions Nuclear Electric has made for decommissioning of Magnex power stations in each year since 1990; and what estimate his Department has made of the provisons that will be outstanding if Magnox stations are transferred to a separate public sector company in 1996. [24574]

I refer the hon. Member to the annual reports and accounts of Nuclear Electric, available in the Library of the House. The estimated provisions outstanding, if Magnox stations are transferred to a separate public sector company in 1996, will be published in the accounts of that company.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is the current value of investments made by Nuclear Electric to cover decommissioning costs; and what value his Department estimates such investments will have at the end of 1996; [24571](2) what cash balance Nuclear Electric has accumulated in the national loans fund at the end of each financial year form 1990–91 to 1994–95; and what balance his Department expects by the end of 1996. [24573]

I refer the hon. Member to the annual reports and accounts of Nuclear Electric, available in the Library of the House. Information for future years will be published in the accounts of the various companies for those years.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the net annual financial saving, or cost, of his Department's submission for the proposed White Paper on the rural economy. [24331]

Proposals for the Rural White Paper remain subject to continuing collective consideration and discussion. The cost of measures contained in the White Paper will be taken into account in the public expenditure survey.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will advise British Coal to refrain from seeking to dispose of land for development and to seek the removal of land from the green belt where the planning authority and the local community wish that classification to be maintained. [24199]

The disposal of British Coal property is a matter for the corporation, which is currently considering the detailed options for the transfer of its land holdings, including those with development potential, out of its ownership.The designation of any land for green belt purposes is not a matter for British Coal.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the chairman of the Post Office about its policy of paying for the television advertising of national lottery instant scratch cards; what steps he has taken to ensure that Camelot contributes towards the cost of this advertising; and if he will make a statement. [24117]

Commercial arrangements between the Post Office and its clients are a matter for the board.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the total (a) set-up and (b) recurrent annual costs of the Companies House Cardiff contracting out team; how many civil servants are allocated to it and on what grade they are established; when it was set-up; and for how long he estimates the work of this team will continue; [23980](2) if he will list the total

[holding answers 15 May 1995]: Companies House contracting directorate was set up following my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade's announcement on 20 December 1994, Official Report, column 1046, to implement the contracting out of the London Edinburgh and English satellite offices. At present the directorate comprises of:

1 part time grade 5, 2 grade 7, 1 higher executive officer (D), 1 executive officer, 1 personal secretary and 1 administrative assistant.

It is also planned to recruit another HEO.The Cardiff-based contracting team presently comprises: one G7, one EO and one AA. The team was set up at the beginning of April. It is envisaged that both teams will remain in place until the completion of the contracting out programme.The target is to have contractors in place by the end of March 1996. The estimated staff costs for the contracting directorate are £45,000 in financial year 1994–95 and £273,000 in financial year 1995–96. The staff costs for the Cardiff team fall in 1995–96 and are likely to be in the region of £70,000. There will be further costs of contract monitoring and management but it is not possible to specify these at this stage.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) who commissioned the report "Deregulation Now" published by his Department on 21 March; [24000]

The report of the independent group of Anglo-German business men was commissioned by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and Chancellor Kohl at the Anglo-German summit in April 1994. Members of the group were appointed by their respective Governments, with United Kingdom members being drawn from the deregulation task force. Apart from the right hon. Francis Maude, I am not aware of the political affiliations of any other UK member of the group.The group met twice and had access to a small team of UK and German officials who provided secretariat support. Assistance and research facilities were drawn from members' own organisations. Group members conducted independent consultations, collected evidence from sectoral representative bodies and their own organisations.The report has the status of independent advice from senior business men to Government, and is not a policy document from either the UK or German Governments. I am currently consulting other Whitehall Departments, and the Health and Safety Commission, on their specific recommendations. The UK's share of publication, distribution and related costs totalled £25,240. Members of the group received no remuneration from public funds. Travel and subsistence expenses totalling £2,930 were met for the five UK members of the group who are listed in the groups's report "Deregulation Now", which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 10 May, Official Report, columns 517–18, if he will list the goods that fall under each category in the military list of the Export of Goods (Control) Order. [24663]

Export of Goods (Control) Orders contain the details of each of the categories of goods which are controlled. The orders are placed in the Library of the House on the date that they are published. Recent orders' dates of publication are as follows:

EGCO 1989—14 February 1990; EGCO 1991—31 December 1990; EGCO 1992—31 December 1992; EGCO 1994—25 May 1994.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what conclusions the House of Commons Commission has reached about the future pricing of the Official Report following the adjournment debate on 3 April.

I am pleased to advise the hon. Member that agreement has been reached with HMSO for a reduction in the price of the Weekly Hansard from its present level of £22 to £12. This will enable purchasers to obtain Hansard at a price equivalent to £2.40 per sitting day, while for public libraries, which can take advantage of the Government discount scheme provided for in class XVIII, vote 5 of the supply estimates, the price will be equivalent to £1.20 per sitting day. Following advice from the Administration Committee, this price reduction has been endorsed by the House of Commons Commission and will take effect when the House returns after the late spring adjournment. It has been made possible by the computerisation of production in the Department of the Official Report, and will be achieved at no additional cost to the House.Discussions are continuing on a new, long-term agreement with HMSO for the printing and publication of the different categories of House documents. The results of these discussions are expected to be submitted to the Commission later this year. In the meantime, there will be no change in the price of the daily

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what key targets have been set for the Central Statistical Office for 1995–96. [25038]

The Central Statistical Office's key targets for 1995–96 are set out in "CSO Programme Strategies 1995–98", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. As before, these targets cover the timeliness of published statistics, the size of revisions, the coherence of key economic statistics, the response rates for statistical inquiries, action to minimise the load on respondents, response times to public requests for information and the CSO's running costs, efficiency improvements and receipts. A number of the targets have been tightened for 1995–96 in recognition of the continuing improvements in the CSO's performance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Bank of England has now invested in the EMI in Frankfurt. [22448]

[holding answer 4 May 1995]: I refer to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Llanelli (Mr. Davies) on 6 February, Official Report, column 63. The position is unchanged since that reply was given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish estimates for the revenue cost in 1995–96, 1996–97 and for a full year of extending the 20 per cent, tax band by (a) £1,000, (b) £2,500, (c) £5,000, (d) £7,500, (e) £10,000, (f) £12,500, (g) £15,000, (h) £17,500 and (i) £20,000. [23352]

[holding answer 9 May 1995]: Available estimates are as follows:

Increasing the lower rate band by: £	Full year revenue cost at 1995–96 levels1£ billion
1,000	1.0
2,500	2.3
5,000	4.2
7,500	5.6
10,000	6.8
12,500	7.6
15,000	8.3
17,500	8.7
20,000	9.1
1 The figures include consequential effects on the yield of capital gains tax.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will (a) list the rates of income tax below 25 per cent., and the brands of income in (i) local currency terms and (ii) sterling equivalents, to which they apply, for each OECD country and (b) provide estimates for the number of different tax bands applying in the income tax system of each OECD country; [24368](2) if he will update the answer to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) of 28 October 1993,

[holding answer 16 May 1995]: The information requested in the two questions, giving all rates of tax and income bands for each OECD country, has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the change in real take-home pay for single wage earners in the bottom 10 per cent. of earnings in the north-east region of England between (a) 1974 and 1979 and (b) 1979 and 1995. [21316]

The real take-home pay for an unmarried man at the bottom 10 per cent. of the full-time male wage distribution in the Northern region increased by 1.2 per cent. or £1.50—in 1993–94 prices—between 1973–74 and 1978–79, and by 17.7 per cent. or £20.50 between 1978–79 and 1993–94.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much subsidy has been given to Spain in each of the last three years from the European Community for employment; and what is the forecast of funding to Spain for each of the next three years. [24682]

The information is not available in the form requested. Amounts committed to Spain from the European social fund to part finance a variety of measures in the field of vocational training and employment in recent years are as follows:

Period	Source	Amount (Mecu)
1989–1993	Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5b	4,151.00
1991–1993	Community Initiatives	152.19
1994–1996	Objective 2	259.90
1994–1999	Objective 1, 3, 4	7,890.00

A commitment of 664 mecu has also been made to Spain for objective 5b across all the structural funds, but information on the proportion that will be committed to ESF activities is not held. Information on community initiatives over the period from 1994 is not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government intend to provide to Africa through (a) bilateral channels and (b) multilateral channels over the next three years. [23795]

[holding answer 15 May 1995]: Over the next three years, we plan to provide over £900 million of development assistance to Africa, including the middle east, through our bilateral programme. In addition to this, certain low-income, credit-worthy countries in Africa are eligible for assistance under the aid and trade provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many chief education officers are currently employed in Berkshire; and how many she expects will be employed when the proposed reorganisation of local government has been completed. [24532]

Under section 88 of the Education Act 1994, each local education authority has to have a chief education officer. Berkshire has one. Following reorganisation, each new LEA in the Berkshire area will have one.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on the expected provision, quality and accountability of education services in the Reading urban area when that area is governed by three education authorities under the proposed reorganisation of local government in Berkshire. [24534]

The Government's aim in reorganising local government is to improve cost-effectiveness and the quality and co-ordination of local services. The role of local education authorities will not change specifically as a result of the reorganisation of local government. It will be for the new LEAs to play their part in ensuring that the education service is run at least as effectively as now.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education for how many schools and pupils each of the proposed unitary authorities in England will have responsibility. [24583]

The information requested is not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the difference in levels of pay for lecturers in the old and new universities in 1988–89; and what is the difference currently. [24379]

Lecturers in the old universities were paid on average £37.10 per week more in April 1989 and £48.80 per week more in April 1994 than those in former local authority further and higher education. It is not possible to give a separate figure for new universities from the "New Earnings Survey".

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is her estimate of the net annual saving, or cost, of her Department's submission for the proposed White Paper on the rural economy. [24330]

Proposals for the White Paper remain subject to continuing collective consideration and discussion. The cost of measures contained in the White Paper will be taken into account in the public expenditure survey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many professors there were in the (a) old and (b) new universities for 1988–89; and how many there are currently. [24380]

In the academic year 1988–89 there were 3,442 full-time staff at professorial grade in English former University Funding Council-funded universities. The comparable figure for 1992–93 was 4,391.In the former PCFC-funded English polytechnics granted university status, there were 3,614 wholly institution financed full-time academic staff at principal lecturer grade, and some 925 full-time academic staff graded above principal lecturer in the academic year 1992–93. Data for 1988–89 were not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many promoted posts there were in the (a) old and (b) new universities for 1988–89; and how many there are currently. [24378]

Data on promoted posts are not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many students in receipt of dependency grant last year were (a) women and (b) men; [24591](2) how many students in receipt of dependency grant last year were married; [24592](3) how many students last year received dependency grant; and at what cost to the Exchequer. [24590]

Provisional figures for the academic year 1993–94 show that 27,000 mandatory award holders resident in England and Wales received dependants' allowances. The gross value of these allowances was £55 million. Since these allowances are means-tested, the cost to the Exchequer will have been less that this amount.Information on the marital status or gender of students in receipt of dependants' allowances is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will bring forward regulations to ensure that women students with dependent children do not lose their entitlement to dependency grant when they marry. [24589]

Under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations, the additional allowance to the student's grant which can be made for children who are wholly or mainly financially dependent on him or her will continue after marriage if the children remain his or her dependants.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what policy and procedure exists for dealing with complaints against central Government Departments by members of the public; when each Department last updated its policy; what time limit and target for dealing with complaints by members of the public exists for each central Government Department; and what follow-up procedure exists where complainants against each central Government Department are not satisfied with the Department's response to a complaint. [23715]

Each central Government Department is responsible for its own policy and procedure for handling complaints. The information requested is not held centrally.Any member of the public who is dissatisfied with how a Department has dealt with his complaint may ask a Member of Parliament to submit his complaint to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration for investigation and review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what performance indicators there are for measuring the performance of central Government Departments in answering letters from members of the public; what is each Government Department's target for answering letters; how performance is monitored by each Government Department; and what is the performance against the target set by each Government Department. [23717]

Government Departments are responsible for ensuring that their handling of letters from members of the public is effective, and for setting their own targets. Departments and agencies are encouraged to publish such targets in their charter statements as appropriate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what performance indicators there are for measuring the performance of central Government Departments in answering telephone calls from members of the public; what is each Government Department's target for answering calls; how performance is monitored by each Government Department; and what has been the performance against the target set by each Government Department. [23716]

It is for individual Departments to decide whether performance standards for answering telephone calls from members of the public should be set, and at what level. Standards may cover all or part of the Department. The monitoring of calls to see whether standards are met, and any resulting management action, is the responsibility of individual Departments. Information on the performance of Government Departments in answering telephone calls is not held centrally and could not be collected without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on CCTA's participation in the electronic on-line meetings "People and their Governments", organised by the US Administration. [24598]

"People and Their Governments in the Information Age" was a two-week electronic on-line conference, held on 1 to 14 May, organised by the US Administration using the world-wide web and the Internet. The purpose of the conference was to garner public opinion on the use of information technology by federal, state and local governments.I am delighted to report that CCTA, the Government centre for information systems, was the only non-American organisation specifically invited to participate. It did so by establishing an Internet mailbox to facilitate United Kingdom contributions, to be consolidated into a single response.In the UK we have had collaborative open groups established on the Internet for the past six months, allowing users to contribute to discussions on a wide range of topics relating to the Government's use of information superhighways. We are exploring ways in which the participation in these debates can be widened.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the name, former occupation and supervising Minister of each special adviser currently employed from any Government funding source; and if he will list the salary range of such advisers as of 5 May; and if he will make a statement. [24211]

There are 36 special advisers currently employed by Government Departments; details of their names, former occupations, and Ministers are as follows. For information on the salary range of special advisers I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 28 February 1995, Official Report, columns 484–85.The following is the information:

Name	Former occupation	Minister
K. Adams	Personal Assistant to the Right Hon. John Gummer	Secretary of State for the Environment
P. Barnes	Management Consultant, Boston Consulting Group	Secretary of State for Social Security
J. Bercow	Director, Rowland Sallingbury Casey	Chief Secretary
N. Blackwell	Partner, McKinsey and Co. Consultants	Prime Minister
C. Blunt	Public Affairs Consultant, PI Political	Secretary of State for Defence
Miss A. Broom	Freelance Political Consultant	Secretary of State for Employment
T. Burke*	Director, Green Alliance	Secretary of State for Environment
J. Caine	Desk Officer, Conservative Research Department	Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
T. Collins	Communications Director, Conservative Central Office	Prime Minister
Dr. E. Cottrell	Assistant Director, Conservative Research Department	Secretary of State for Education

Name	Former occupation	Minister
Dr. W. Eltis*	Director General, National and Economic Development Office	President of the Board of Trade
Miss C. Fairbairn	Strategy Consultant, McKinsey and Co. Consultants	Prime Minister
M. Fraser	Assistant Director, Conservative Research Department	Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
A. Hockley	Economic Adviser, Air Transport Users Council, and Freelance Adviser	Secretary of State for Health
Miss S. Hole	Secretary to Lord Rothschild	Chief Whip
M. Izatt	Research Assistant to Mr. Raymond Robertson MP	Secretary of State for Scotland
A. Kemp*	Owner of ODP Nexus Ltd.	President of the Board of Trade
G. Maclay	Economic Researcher, Pieda plc	Secretary of State for Scotland
M. Maclay	Associate Editor, "The European"	Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
R. Marsh	Writer and Researcher on Environment and Local Government, Conservative Central Office	Secretary of State for Health
Ms S. McEwean	Account Executive Namara Cowan Ltd.	Lord Privy Seal
M. McManus	Desk Officer for Wales, Conservative Central Office	Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
P. Moman	Self Employed Consultant and Writer	Lord President
L. O'Connor*	Self Employed Architect	Secretary of State for the Environment
Mrs. K. Ramsay	Desk Officer, Conservative Central Office Research Department	Prime Minister
P. Rock	Assistant Director Conservative Central Office	Home Secretary
D. Ruffley	Solicitor, Clifford Chance	Chancellor of the Exchequer
D. Rutley	Business Development Director, Pepsi Cola	Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
M. Simmonds	Researcher, BBC Political Research Unit	Secretary of State for Transport
D. Soskin	Chief Executive of Asquith Courts Schools Ltd	Prime Minister
Lady Strathnaver	Adviser to Right Hon. Michael Heseltine MP	President of the Board of Trade
N. True	Director, Public Policy Unit	Prime Minister
Miss A. Warburton	Private Secretary	Prime Minister
Miss R. Whetstone	Head of Political Section, Conservative Central Office	Home Secretary
H. Williams	Governing Body of Rugby School, also Freelance Journalist and Writer	Secretary of State for Wales
S. Williams	Company Secretary, Williams Lea Group	Prime Minister

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the cost of (a) terminating and (b) terminating in perpetuity the contractual commitments relating to intellectual property rights of contractors to Eastleigh Rail Maintenance Ltd. for rolling stock maintenance in order to complete the privatisation contract of Eastleigh Rail Maintenance Ltd.; [24045]

The British Railways Board is taking steps to ensure that the BR Maintenance Ltd. depots, including Eastleigh, are transferred to the private sector with adequate access to intellectual property rights. The terms of sale and purchase contracts, both in relation to such rights and generally, are a matter of commercial confidence between the BR Board and purchasers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions over the past 12 months services have been interrupted on the London-Tilbury-Southend line due to broken rail track; and if he will make a statement. [24496]

Railtrack informs me that services on the London-Tilbury-Southend line have been affected by broken rails on seven occasions during the past 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 27 March, Official Report, column 510, when he will announce the date for the start of the round-table conference on improvements to the A303 at Stonehenge; and who will be its chairman. [24687]

I will announce the arrangements for a conference including the name of the chairman later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which contractor was awarded the contract to clear the protestors involved with the M65 extension; what was the cost of the work undertaken; and whether the contract was subject to competitive tendering. [24403]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the full cost of his Department, the Driving Standards Agency and the Treasury of the recent market test of the Driving Standards Agency booking service and list the costs according to consultancies, implementation costs, the establishment of residual functions, accommodation and staffing costs including the costs of redundancies and recruitment; [24426](2) what is his estimate of the short and long-term savings which will be made as a result of the market test of the Driving Standards Agency booking service; [24427](3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the successful bid for the Driving Standards Agency booking service. [24425]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are employed in the Scottish booking office of the Driving Standards Agency; how many of them will transfer to Newcastle if the office is relocated there; and what will be the cost to the Exchequer of these transfer and of any voluntary redundancy or early retirement packages taken up because of the relocation decision. [24277]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many driving tests were booked through the Scottish booking office of the Driving Standards Agency in each of the past three years; [24275](2) what is the annual cost of running the

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish his response to the judgment of the Colonel Owen case on compensation for those affected by public works with special reference to motorways; and if he will make a statement. [24364]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave my right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Sir J. Stanley) on 23 March, Official Report, column 317.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the date for the conclusion of the public inquiry on the proposed widening of the M42; and if he will make a statement; [24363]

This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of whether all rules relating to outside business appointments have been met following the appointment of the former roads programme director to the company Ove-Arup and Partners; if advice has been sought from the Cabinet Office; and if he will make a statement. [24429]

The rules relating to outside business appointments were fully complied with prior to the appointment of the former roads programme director to the company Ove-Arup and Partners. The appointment was referred to the Cabinet Office and the relevant trade associations were also content.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange a trial of the dryshod evacuation of (a) 500, (b) 1,000 and (c) 2,000 passengers from roll on/roll off ferries. [24484]

[holding reply 16 May 1995]: This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made on the affect on accident levels of (a) motorway lane closures and (b) motorway lighting. [24486]

[holding reply for 16 May]: This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure the provision of more open spaces in built-up areas; and if he will make a statement. [23207]

We fully recognise the importance of open space for amenity and recreation and our planning policy guidance encourages its provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses have been sold to sitting tenants in England since May 1979. [23210]

Over 1.42 million tenants bought their homes from English local authorities and new towns between April 1979 and December 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the number of homeless people in the city of Leicester. [23211]

A total of 1,305 households were accepted as statutorily homeless by Leicester city council during 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the prospects for the construction industry. [23212]

Construction output increased by 3 per cent. last year. British firms are doing well abroad and industry forecasts point to continuing modest growth this year and in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans his Department has to increase resources to local government in Dorset to help it to cope with the economic effects of defence job losses. [23213]

Standard spending assessments use the most up-to-date information available to take account of changes in economic conditions.In addition, South Dorset is getting £2.7 million over five years from the single regeneration budget in connection with the closure of the Portland naval base. It is also eligible for KONVER funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about eco-labelling. [23214]

I am pleased to report that since my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment intervened at the October Environment Council over the continuing delays with this European Community scheme, considerable progress has been made. In all, there are eight product groups for which criteria have been established; including soil improvers, tissue paper, kitchen rolls, household detergents, paints, varnishes and lightbulbs, which significantly improves the prospects for a range of eco-labelled goods being available in the shops later this year. Further speedy progress is anticipated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to make the Government Office for London open to public scrutiny. [23215]

The Government Office for London is responsible to Ministers, who are answerable to Parliament, in the same way as other parts of the civil service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to visit Hackney to discuss urban regeneration with the new council leadership. [23216]

I visited Hackney 6 March 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on new housing starts in the latest quarter for which figures are available. [23217]

There were 30,200 private enterprise housing starts in England in the first quarter of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend the City Pride initiative. [23218]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend the City Pride initiative. [23223]

Birmingham, London and Manchester have made tremendous progress in pursuing City Pride. We will look at what they have achieved before extending the initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest in Norfolk and in Suffolk have been damaged in each of the past five years. [23220]

The information requested for years 1989–90 to 1991–92 is as follows:

Year	Norfolk	Suffolk
1989–90	2	7
1990–91	2	4
1991–92	7	3

These figures do not reflect the on-going and cumulative damage.Change were made in 1992 to the method of recording of damage to reflect continuing and cumulative effects. The information for years 1992–93 and 1993–94 reflect this as follows:

Year	Norfolk	Suffolk
1992–93	21	3
1993–94	21	4

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the total Government spending on regenerating inner cities. [23221]

Economic, social and physical regeneration is supported through main programme expenditure by several Government Departments. This is supplemented by targeted programmes which have been brought together into the single regeneration budget. The SRB will fund more than £1.3 billion of regeneration work in 1995–96 in inner city and other areas.The SRB challenge fund reflects the Government's commitment to encourage local councils, the private sector and community groups to work together in partnership to develop comprehensive strategies which address all of an areas's fundamental problems and opportunities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research information he has on the number of young people living with their parents who are unable to find affordable alternative accommodation. [23222]

My Department commissioned research in this area in 1990. A copy of the research report, "Shared accommodation in England 1990", is in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the relationship between the Thames Gateway scheme and local government reorganisation in Essex. [23224]

An integrated approach to regeneration will be required to secure the objectives for the Thames Gateway. We wish to consider whether unitary authorities offer advantages, for this purpose, over the two-tier system. This is one of the reasons why we are referring some authorities in the Thames Gateway area, including Thurrock in Essex, to the Local Government Commission for fresh reviews.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list his Department's responsibilities in the operation of the nuclear power industry. [23225]

Under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, my Department—together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food—is responsible for authorising the disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear licensed sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority houses have been built in England and Wales in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [23226]

Local authorities in England and Wales completed about 1,000 dwellings in the 12 months from April 1994 to March 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funding is available in this financial year for the improvement of council housing estates. [23229]

Under the housing investment programme and other programmes, over £1.2 billion has been allocated to local authorities for 1995–96; a number of the programmes lever in additional resources from the private sector.Local authorities also fund capital expenditure on housing from usable capital receipts and revenue contributions to capital.It is up to each local authority to decide how to use its allocation on the basis of local needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received about the principle of council tax capping. [23227]

I have received a number of representations about the principle of council tax capping.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in achieving cleaner beaches; and if he will make a statement. [23228]

Considerable progress has been made. Compliance with the relevant coliform bacteria standards of the EC directive has risen from 56 per cent. in 1987 to 82 per cent, in 1994. I expect further improvements as the remaining schemes in the clean-up programme are completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to improve air quality. [23230]

I intend shortly to bring forward amendments to the Environment Bill implementing the proposals set out earlier this year in "Air Quality: Meeting the Challenge".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the capital expenditure of the water industry in providing equipment designed to remove nitrates and pesticides; and if he will make a statement. [23208]

Information published by the Director General of Water Services estimates that £128 million has been spent on removing nitrates up to 1993–94. Similar information was not collected for the removal of pesticides. I estimate that around £430 million has been spent on this up to 1993–94.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites the UK has designated under the EC birds directive. [23219]

A total of 105 special protection areas have been designated in the United Kingdom. Further designations are expected shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on green belt expansion, with special reference to Sheffield. [24361]

National planning policy for green belts is set out in "Planning Policy Guidance Note 2". This states that existing green belt boundaries should be altered only in exceptional circumstances. The Sheffield unitary development fund, which is currently being considered at a local public inquiry, proposes a net addition to the green belt of 53 hectares—0.6 per cent. of the total area. It is for the inspector conducting the UDP inquiry to consider the appropriateness of the proposed changes to the green belt and make his recommendations to the city council, who will then be responsible for deciding whether to accept them and reflect them in the final version of the UDP.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what protection consumers have if a water authority refuses to change business water rates to domestic water rates, in cases where a business property has been changed to a home. [24037]

It is for each water company to decide the basis of charging for water in its area. If the occupant considers that the latest rateable value is no longer appropriate, the occupant has the option of switching to a measured basis of charge. Alternatively, the water company may agree to charge on the basis of a domestic rateable value if such a value is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent water authorities are required to take account of changes since the last valuation of a property in calculating water rates; and what proposal he has to improve the situation. [24035]

Where water charges are based on rateable values, the latest available valuations are used by the water companies. Where the occupant considers the subsequent changes to the property render the latest valuation inappropriate, the occupant has the option of switching to a measured basis of charge.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice his Department has given to local planning authorities and applicants for planning permission on the impact since 1 January of the units of measurement directive. [24202]

The interpretation of the directive is ultimately for the courts. However, our advice in response to inquiries is that any risk of successful legal challenge is avoided if a metric conversion is substituted for any imperial measurements in a planning application. The imperial measurements may also be retained as a supplementary indication.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a statement on his Department's policy on a construction contracts Bill. [24019]

My Department is currently consulting on proposals for possible legislative provisions arising out of the recommendations in Sir Michael Latham's report, "Construction the Team". The results of the consultation process will be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made in implementing the recommendations in Sir Michael Latham's report, "Construction the Team", on legislation for construction contracts. [24809]

I have today published a consultation document entitled, "Fair Construction Contracts" containing proposals for taking forward the recommendations in "Constructing the Team". These proposals are designed to help reduce the number of disputes in the industry and improve its performance.Our paper contains proposals for rapid resolution of disputes, limitation of the right of set-off of debts, encouragement of prompt payment and protection against insolvency. It will be widely distributed and we expect both factual comment and informed views from all sectors of the construction industry.Copies of the document have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to raising the ceiling for compensation levels for those tenants who are required to leave their property; what representations he has received concerning concerns about the present compensation ceiling; what formula was used to set it; what power local authorities have to set compensation limits to suit local conditions; and if he will consider allowing more discretion for local authorities to decide their own compensation ceiling. [24029]

The current level of home loss payment for permanently displaced tenants is £1,500. This level was set during the passage of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. There are no immediate plans to change it.The new provisions apply to anyone displaced on or after 16 November 1990. Since they came into force, we have received occasional representations, but there has been no widespread pressure to have this level increased.Prior to the 1991 Act, the amount of home loss payment was calculated as 10 times the rateable value of the dwelling concerned, subject to a minimum payment of £1,200 and a maximum of £1,500. The minimum period of residence prior to displacement in order to qualify for a payment was five years. The 1991 Act fixed the amount payable to tenants at £1,500 and reduced the minimum period of residence to one year.The amount of the home loss payment for displaced tenants is fixed at £1,500 and there is no provision for local authorities to vary it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has issued to local authorities as to the levels of compensation a council should provide to tenants who are obliged to move because of redevelopment; and what specific guidelines he provides in respect of compensation for long-term tenants. [24028]

Circular 15/91 on land compensation and compulsory purchase, issued jointly by my Department and the Welsh Office, describes the new provisions for home losses payments included in the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. At paragraph 23, it sets out the level of compensation payable to displaced tenants. These provisions apply to tenants who have been in residence for at least one year before displacement. All such tenants receive a home loss payment of £1,500. In addition, my Department issues a series of booklets called "Land Compensation—Your Rights Explained". Booklet number 1 in the series, "Your Home and Compulsory Purchase", provides further information about home loss payments. It is available free of charge to the public as well as to local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses have been built in co-operation with the Housing Corporation in each of the last three years: and if he will make a statement. [24358]

The table shows the number of houses built through the Housing Corporation's approved development programme and local authority funding of housing associations supported by housing association grant LA HAG in 1992–93 to 1994–95. The table also shows the number of other lettings provided through the ADP and local authority funding of housing associations, through rehabilitation, shared ownership and sale schemes.

	1992–93	1993–94	1994–951
New build
ADP	36,240	35,604	37,925
LA HAG	4,480	5,894	8,487
Total	40,720	41,498	46,412
Other lettings provided
ADF	25,897	20,896	21,039
LA HAG	1,858	2,465	4,073
Total	27,755	23,361	25,112
Total lettings provided	68,475	64,859	71,524
1 Figures for 1994–95 are estimates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many water meters have been installed to date in each region and nationally. [24038]

In 1994–95 the number of metered properties in each region of England and Wales covered by Ofwat's customer service committees was:

Thousands
	Domestic	Non-domestic
Eastern	195	147
Northumbria	15	45
North West	89	169
Central	206	210
Southern	149	102
South West	39	83
Thames	207	257
Wales	37	77
Wessex	62	68
Yorkshire	93	124
Total	1,092	1,282

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what circumstances a water authority can oblige customers to accept water meters. [24036]

It is for water companies to decide on the most appropriate method of charging for water in their area. Since 1990, most companies have had a policy of metering new or substantially converted domestic properties on a compulsory basis. Most companies also have a policy of metering commercial premises on a compulsory basis. Where companies are extending metering to existing domestic properties they may give customers the option of continuing to pay an unmeasured charge.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households have been insulated under programmes initiated by the energy efficiency office in each of the last two years in (a) Sheffield and (b) the Sheffield, Hallam constituency; and how many are expected to be insulated in the next year. [24360]

The home energy efficiency scheme pays grants towards the cost of basic insulation measures in the homes of people who are over 60, receive disability living allowance or an income-related benefit. The information requested, based on financial years, is as follows:

	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96 (estimated)
Sheffield	3,709	6,139	7,500
Sheffield, Hallam	640	1,059	1,300

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect of an 8 per cent, cut in electricity prices on CO₂ emissions. [24218]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new measures to cut CO₂ emissions as a result of the nuclear review. [24216]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for the Environment, gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, North-East (Mr. Congdon) on 11 May 1995, Official Report, column 564–65.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much subsidy has been given to Spain in each of the last three years from the European Community, for the environment; and what is the forecast of funding to Spain for each of the next three years. [24683]

The main sources of Community funding for the environment are the structural and cohesion funds, various research programmes and the LIFE grant fund. The information the department has available is as follows. More detailed information will be available from the European Commission.

a) The Structural Funds: allocations for environmental protection and improvement projects—

Objective 1—1730m ecu for 1994–99 (£1437m)

Objective 2—39.5m ecu for 1994–96 (£32.8m)

Objective 5(b)—Spain has been allocated 664m ecu in total at 1994 prices (£551.5m) for 1994–99. Some of this may be allocated to environmental projects, but we do not have details.

b) The Cohesion Fund
Millions
	Total (ecu)	Environment (ecu)1
1993	858.45 (£713.0)	252.08 (£209.37
1994	962.5 (£799.4)	385 (£319.8)
1995	1100 (£913.6)	440 (£365,4)
1996	1,237.5 (£1,027.8)	495 (£411.1)
1997	1,375 (£1,142.0)	550 (£456.8)
1998	1,402.5 (£1,164.9)	561 (£456.9)
1 There are no guidelines for the breakdown of the Fund between environment and transport projects. Estimates for 1994 onwards are based on the commission's division of 40 per cent. transport and 60 per cent. environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional measures he has taken to monitor air pollution in London; and if he will make a statement. [23304]

The Government propose to bring forward by a year completion of their current programme of enhanced urban network sites. Suitable locations for a further nine stations will be installed by the end of 1996, two of which will be in London. Additionally, the Government will seek to integrate three further centrally-funded sites and around 35 local authority sites by the end of 1997. My officials are in contact with the Association of London Government and the South East Institute of public health, which co-ordinate the London air quality monitoring network.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has consulted the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the administrative costs of his proposals for local government reorganisation in Berkshire. [24529]

Government decisions are collective.