To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has had from Manchester city council about protecting the Manchester ship canal from the possible impact of proposals related to a proposed landfill tax; what reply he is sending; and if he will make a statement. [30995]

The leader of Manchester city council, Councillor Graham Stringer, who is also director of the Manchester Ship Canal Co., wrote to my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor on 15 June about the effect of the landfill tax on dredging operations. I replied on 4 July. Copies of the correspondence have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Government tax subsidy was being allowed to the Shell UK company in respect of the sinking of the Brent Spar oil platform; whether it will still be eligible if the platform is broken up on land; whether this tax subsidy will be available to other oil companies when they wish to dispose of their offshore oil rig platforms; and if he will make a statement. [31500]

As with all other taxpayers, the tax affairs of Shell UK Ltd. are confidential between it and the Inland Revenue. Companies operating in the North sea can claim relief against petroleum revenue tax and corporation tax on the cost of decommissioning their offshore oil installations. In the case of Brent Spar, Shell has already announced publicly that it will forgo the tax relief on any additional cost if onshore disposal were to proceed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 21 June, Official Report, column 263, if he will place in the Library details of those specific provisions designed to guarantee continuity of service in information technology contracts in the event of a transfer to another supplier or divert to the Department. [31849]

I am unable, on the grounds of commercial confidentiality, to place in the Library any details of specific provisions contained within the contract between Inland Revenue and EDS.The negotiation of the contract between Inland Revenue and EDS took place in full recognition of the importance of the various constituent elements that ensure the continuity of service provided to the Inland Revenue and to taxpayers. Specific provisions have been made in the information technology service agreement to secure the computer equipment, software and expertise to ensure continuity of service throughout the contract period and beyond.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average length of time that items from the register of conditionally exempt works of art spend out on loan to public galleries, museums and other similar places to which the public have access. [31870]

The information requested is not available as there is no statutory power to require owners to keep statistics of such of their conditionally exempt items as are on loan to public institutions to which the public has access.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many works of art which are conditionally exempted from inheritance tax or capital transfer tax are currently out on loan to public galleries and museums. [31872]

The information requested is not available as there is no statutory power to require owners to keep statistics of such of their conditionally exempt works of art as are on loan to public galleries and museums.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appeals lodged by council tax payers are still waiting to be dealt with for each district value office in England and Wales. [32326]

The number of council tax appeals still outstanding as at 31 May 1995 with each listing officer in England and Wales is shown in the tables:

Council tax valuation list Valid proposals outstanding as at 31 May 1995 Region: Wales and West
Local office	Outstanding
Bangor	1,147
Barnstaple	951
Bath	1,372
Bristol	1,922
Cardiff	1,163
Carmarthen	2,186
Exeter	2,900
Gloucester	1,575
Merthyr Tydfil	547
Newport	331
Plymouth	2,131
St Austell	2,061
Swansea	700
Taunton	2,033
Wrexham	1,095
Regional total	22,114

Council tax valuation list Valid proposals outstanding as at 31 May 1995 National summary
Region	Outstanding
Central	22,991
East	24,785
London	20,787
North	13,018
South	34,593
Wales and West	22,114
Total E and W	138,288

Council Tax valuation list Valid proposals outstanding as at 31 May 1995 Region: Central
Local office	Outstanding
Birmingham	946
Bolton	845
Burnley	1,164
Chester	1,245
Coventry	835
Crewe	1,459
Kidderminster	856
Lancaster	981
Lichfield	912
Liverpool	1,364
Manchester	625
Preston	997
Rochdale	465
Salford	580
Sandwell	138
Shrewsbury	1,526
Stockport	862
Stoke	1,027
Warrington	1,442
Warwick	1,339
Wolverhampton	273
Worcester	3,110
Regional Total	22,991

Council Tax Valuation List Valid Proposals Outstanding as at 31 May 1995 Region: East
Local Office	Outstanding
Bedford	1,361
Cambridge	1,319
Chelmsford	1,751
Colchester	2,695
Derby	1,262
Grimsby	1,153
Ipswich	2,113
Leicester	1,003
Lincoln	1,172
Loughborough	1,132
Mansfield	761
Northampton	1,138
Norwich	2,404
Nottingham	956
Peterborough	1,608
St. Albans	1,523
Stevenage	1,434
Regional Total	24,785

Council tax valuation List Valid proposals outstanding as at 31 May 1995 Region: London
Local office	Outstanding
Barking	809
Bromley	2,895
Camden	1,173
City	1
Ealing	1,441
Enfield	3,638
Greenwich	1,771
Harrow	1,391
Islington	1,270
Kensington	1,517
Lambeth	1,616
Redbridge	1,215
Tower Hamlets	476
Westminster	294
Wimbledon	1,280
Regional total	20,787

Council tax valuation list Valid proposals outstanding as at 31 May 1995 Region: North
Local office	Outstanding
Alnwick	526
Bradford	1,382
Carlisle	734
Doncaster	577
Durham	560
Halifax	1,233
Harrogate	1,395
Hull	1,470
Leeds	868
Middlesbrough	483
Newcastle	317
Sheffield	454
Sunderland	352
Ulverston	1,030
York	1,637
Regional total	13,018

Council tax valuation list Valid proposals outstanding as at 31 May 1995 Region: South
Local office	Outstanding
Aylesbury	2,260
Basingstoke	2,135
Bournemouth	2,216
Brighton	1,206
Chatham	1,470
Dorchester	1,481
Eastbourne	2,000
Folkestone	1,546
Guildford	1,456
Oxford	1,891
Portsmouth	965
Portsmouth (IOW)	651
Reading	2,558
Reigate	3,028
Southampton	2,077
Swindon	2,414
Tunbridge Wells	2,663
Worthing	2,576
Regional total	34,593

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the reasons for the United Kingdom's opposition to EC draft 8205/94, calling for changes in excise duty on biodiesel. [32162]

At the meeting of the Council of Economic Ministers—ECOFIN—in Luxembourg on 19 June, my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor noted that the proposal has been considered by the Council from time to time without making any real progress, and he suggested that the Council should not expend further effort on it.The Government continue to find the proposal set out in EC draft 8205/94 unattractive for several reasons. We are opposed in principle to granting long-term tax subsidies to products which would not be financially viable without them. We are not persuaded of the agricultural, environmental or energy policy benefits of subsidising biofuels, and we remain concerned about the effect of tax subsidies on the market for by-products.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Government have to progress the recommendations for reforms to the World bank and International Monetary Fund, as outlined in the background paper to the communiqué presented at the recent G7 meeting in Halifax, Canada. [32209]

The proposals agreed at Halifax among the G7 for reform of the World bank and International Monetary Fund now need to be discussed by the entire membership of those institutions. The G7 recognises that changes will need broad support among the membership. The Canadian Finance Minister has written on behalf of the G7 to every governor of the two institutions, commending the proposals and seeking comments. The Government hope they will now be considered by the executive boards of the World bank and International Monetary Fund, and at the autumn ministerial meetings of the interim and development committees. The Government will also discuss the proposals in other forms, and bilaterally with other non-G7 countries. I hope, for example, that we will be able to have a useful exchange of views at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' conference in October.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the investors' compensation scheme. [33089]

The Treasury has today laid a minute to inform the House that the Treasury has issued a guarantee to the investors compensation scheme, ICS, for up to £17 million.This wholly exceptional course, which I very much regret the need to take, results from the current judicial review case brought by Sun Life. This challenges certain regulatory rules made by the Securities and Investments Board, SIB, and the Personal Investment Authority, PIA, which is one of the self-regulating organisations recognised by SIB under the Financial Services Act 1986. Mr. Justice Collins yesterday gave Sun Life leave to proceed with the case, which will be heard on 23 to 24 August.Because of the uncertainty created by this case, the PIA has decided, after taking legal advice, that it would not be prudent to levy its members to provide finance for the ICS as it would normally do. For similar reasons, the ICS board has also decided not to levy PIA members direct. Without the Treasury guarantee, the ICS would be unable to borrow commercially because of the same uncertainty about its ability to raise funds to service and repay loans.The Treasury guarantee is for £17 million, slightly more than the £15.8 million ICS levy on the PIA, to cover interest which may be incurred and the legal costs associated with the court case.The Treasury will review the need for the guarantee when the judicial review case is resolved after the hearing in August. In the meantime, the ICS will continue to operate normally, making offers of compensation to investors who have lost as a result of defaults by investment firms, and declaring firms in default in order to trigger claims, as usual. Investors can be confident that this important safety net will continue to function properly, underpinning investor protection.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 9 June, Official Report, column 339, if he will list the agreed specific delegation level agreed with each Department for authorising extra statutory payments. [28663]

[holding answer 15 June 1995]: The existing specific delegation levels agreed with the main Departments for authorising extra statutory and extra regulationary payments are set out. The limits reflect a number of considerations, including the nature of the payments that are likely to occur on a particular Department's programme and whether satisfactory ground rules can be agreed for dealing with them. The limits are kept under regular review.

Department	Delegation
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	Full delegation
Cabinet Office (including OPSS)	£5,000
Crown Prosecution Service	Full delegation
Customs and Excise	Full delegation
Ministry of Defence	£250,000
Department for Education	1Full delegation
Department of Employment	£5,000
Department of Environment —Local Government	£10,000
—Housing and other Environmental Services	£25,000
Export Credit Guarantee Department	£250,000
Foreign and Commonwealth Office	£5,000
Home Office (including prisons)	£20,000
Department of Health (including NHS Executive)	2Range from no delegation to full delegation depending on nature of expenditure item concerned.
Inland Revenue	Full delegation
Intervention Board	£100,000

Department	Delegation
Lord Chancellor's Department.	Full delegation
Department of National Heritage	£25,000
Northern Ireland Office	£50,000
Overseas Development Administration	£5,000
Property Holdings	No delegation
Property Services Agency Services	No delegation
Scottish Office	Range from £750 to full delegation depending on programme.
Department of Social Security	3£250,000
Department for Trade and Industry	No delegation
Department of Transport
—National Roads	£300,000
—Other	£1,000
Treasury	£1,000
Welsh Office	Range from no delegation to full delegation depending on programme.

To ask the Attorney-General how many voluntary sector organisations his Department has (a) paid grants to or (b) entered into contracts with in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95 and what was the total value of these grants and contracts. [31301]

The Crown Prosecution Service paid a grant of £20,000 to the Nuffield Foundation for its interpreter project in 1993–94 and a further grant of the same amount to the same organisation in 1994–95. The service entered into contracts with Shaw House and the Royal London Society for the Blind in 1993–94 under the sheltered placement scheme, the value to the organisations being the employment of disabled persons by the service.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many voluntary sector organisations his Department has (a) paid grants to or (b) entered into contracts within (i) 1993–94; and (ii) 1994–95; and what was the total value of these grants and contracts. [31307]

In 1993–94, my Department paid grants to 32 voluntary sector organisations. The total value of

	Conservative	Labour	Liberal Democrat	Independent	Not known/other	Male	Female
Appleby	11	1	0	0	0	6	6
Carlisle	33	19	12	3	11	44	34
Furness and District	37	8	3	3	9	34	26
Kendal and Lonsdale	16	6	8	2	5	22	15
Keswick	5	1	0	0	2	4	4

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many hotels are included in the English tourist board's crown grading scheme; and how many are covered by the schemes operated by the Royal Automobile Club and the Automobile Association. [32031]

The English tourist board crown classification and grading scheme covers 11,500 serviced establishments. This includes 3,500 hotels. The Automobile Association scheme in England covers approximately 5,500 serviced establishments, of which 3,019 are hotels. The Royal Automobile Club scheme includes some 5,200 serviced establishments throughout Britain, 3,400 of which are hotels.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will detail the amount of travel claims at constant prices his Department in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95 broken down by (i) public transport, (ii) car mileage allowance and (iii) bicycle allowance. [32171]

[holding answer 4 July 1995]: The information requested for the Department of National Heritage, including the Historic Royal Palaces Agency, Royal Parks Agency, Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts and Royal Commission on Historical Monuments of England is:

	1993–94£	1994–95 £
Car mileage allowance	30,734	23,452
Bicycle allowance	0	0

The amount of travel claims by public transport could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the number of justices of the peace on the bench in each of the divisions in the county of Cumbria by (a) political or non-political affiliation and (b) by gender. [32617]

The number of justices of the peace in each division of the county of Cumbria by (a) political or non-political affiliation and (b) by gender, on the latest information available, is:

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many voluntary sector organisations his Department has (a) paid grants to or (b) entered into contracts with in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what was the total value of these grants and contracts. [31299]

The Lord Chancellor's Department paid grants to two voluntary sector organisations in 1993–94 and to two in 1994–95. The total value of the grants was £195,000 in 1993–94 and £188,000 in 1994–95.The Legal Aid Board, a non-departmental public body, paid grants to 10 voluntary sector organisations in 1993–94 and 60 in 1994–95. The total value of the grants was £942,000 in 1993–94 and £2,377,000 in 1994–95. In addition, one law centre and one advice agency with a solicitor received payments under franchise contracts on a case-by-case basis.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many (a) proceedings were commenced to repossess homes and (b) homes were repossessed in (i) York, (ii) North Yorkshire, (iii) Yorkshire and Humberside and (iv) England in each year since 1979. [31597]

The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases relating to political asylum in the United Kingdom were heard at the immigration appeals tribunal; and how many such appeals were successful in each of the last five years. [31316]

Figures on asylum appeals were not kept prior to the enactment of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993. A separate figure for appeals by the Home Office was not kept until January 1994. The table sets out the available information:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount of funding allocated by his Department to Highlands and Islands Enterprise excluding objective 1 figures for development initiatives in (a) Argyll and Bute and (b) Kintyre for the years 1993–94 and 1994–95. [30446]

The allocation of funds to specific local enterprise company areas for economic and social development purposes is the responsibility of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what are the criteria which he applies to reschedule drug substances under the terms of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; how temazepam relates to these criteria; and if he will make a statement; [31395](2) what further plans he has to reschedule temazepam; and if he will make a statement. [31383]

No rescheduling may occur under the 1971 Act except after consultation with, or on the recommendation of, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. The council is required to have regard to misused drugs which are having, or appear to it to be capable of having, harmful effects sufficient to constitute a social problem. The council has recommended that temazepam should be controlled under schedule 3 of the relevant regulations rather than schedule 4. The Government's careful consideration of this recommendation is continuing.As my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council announced on 10 May, we are taking steps to impose safe custody requirements on manufacturers and wholesalers, and are engaged in consultations with a view to banning the prescribing by general practitioners under the National Health Service of the soft gelatin gel-filled temazepam capsules.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he was informed that an employee of Scottish Enterprise had been given leave of absence to become international marketing director of Health Care International in Clydebank; what reports he received on the outcome of the appointment in terms of contracts for the hospital; and when he received these reports. [31347]

The granting of leave of absence to an employee Of Scottish Enterprise was an operational matter for that body, in respect of which there was no requirement for my right hon. Friend to be informed or to receive reports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland from whom Strathclyde police have received representations on the firearms incident involving Mr. Stefan Kock in Scotland in January 1990. [32197]

Strathclyde police have received no representations in relation to this incident.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will keep the name M74 when the A74 construction to motorway standard is completed; and if he will make a statement. [32613]

[holding answer 4 July 1995]: My right hon. Friend announced in November 1991 that, on completion of the A74 upgrade, the new motorway will be designated as the M6. However, until the whole route is upgraded, the upgraded section of the route will retain the "74".My right hon. Friend recently announced that we intend to seek tenders later this year for the last section in Scotland to be upgraded between Cleuchbrae and Paddy's Rickle on a design, build, finance and operate basis and this should see the completion of the upgrade by the end of the century.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what maximum period of time compensation schemes for council workers made redundant by local government reorganisation operate. [32185]

The compensation scheme provided under the Local Government (Compensation for Redundancy or Premature Retirement on Reorganisation) (Scotland) Regulations 1995 for any local authority employee made redundant as a result of local government reorganisation will be available until 31 March 1997. The period will, however, be subject to review in December 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take in respect of the school board of Tongue school, Sutherland. [32657]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what procedures apply when the parents of children attending a school indicate by a clear majority of all parents on successive occasions at a properly constituted meeting with the school board that they have no confidence in the board. [32677]

Under section 30 of the School Boards (Scotland) Act 1988, whenever the requisite number of parents so request in writing, the school board must hold a meeting to enable parents to make inquiries and to discuss matters relating to the activities of the board and to make resolutions relating to the activities of the board. The board is required to consider any resolution passed at such a meeting. The requisite number of parents for the purpose of requesting a meeting is 30, or a number of parents equal to at least one quarter of those who were entitled to vote at the most recently held elections of parent members, whichever is the less.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to publish the report on the 10-year review of demands and resources for public water supplies in Scotland. [33091]

A report has been published today by the Scottish Office Environment Department describing the outcome of the Department's third long-term assessment of demands and resources for public water supplies in Scotland carried out during 1994, previous studies having been done in 1973 and 1984. I have arranged for copies of the report to be placed in the Library.The report shows that, at the national and regional levels, resources are more than sufficient to meet average demands for public water supplies beyond 2016, the period covered by the study.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what boundary he intends for the new Strathclyde passenger transport area following his recent consultation exercise. [33092]

Following careful consideration of the responses received to the consultation exercise, we have concluded that the Strathclyde passenger transport area should cover the existing Strathclyde zonecard travel area, and the whole of the present Strathclyde supported rail network. This will ensure that the Strathclyde passenger transport authority and executive can carry out effectively its local transport responsibilities in Glasgow and the surrounding areas.I have placed maps illustrating the new area in the Library of the House. I am making arrangements to lay the necessary designation order before Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average proportion in poor quality air of pollution that comes from (a) car fumes and (b) industrial emissions. [31412]

Each episode of poor air quality has its own individual characteristics, so it is not possible to directly attribute the relative contribution that road traffic or industrial emissions contribute to air pollution incidents across the UK. However, detailed emissions inventories of the overall pollutant contributions of the various sectors are available. The table shows the proportions for NOx, SO₂, CO and black smoke for London in 1991.

Percentage air emissions by sector for London in 1991 Figures are all rounded to one decimal place.
Per cent.
	Pollutant
	NOx	SO2	CO	CO2	Black smoke
Road transport	75.4	24.5	98.6	32.5	95.2
Domestic	6.5	0.7	0.2	31.4	0.1
Commercial and industrial	11.8	72.6	0.2	29.9	2.4
Other transport	6.4	2.1	1.0	6.3	2.4

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has of the number of home owners wishing to take up a home improvement grant who are unable to do so because of inability to afford the temporary accommodation required while the work in question is carried out; what assistance is available to them; and if he will make a statement. [31906]

The legislation for house renovation grants makes no specific provision to cover the costs of temporary accommodation for applicants while works are in progress. Local authorities may rehouse applicants under their discretionary powers in the Housing Act 1985, but correspondence to my Department suggests that many grant applicants prefer to stay in their homes while the works are carried out.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures his Department takes to protect and clean ponds; and what is the budget for these projects. [32160]

The Department supports a number of environmental grant schemes, such as countryside stewardship, which include provision for the creation or restoration of ponds. Under the Countryside Act 1968, local authorities can carry out pond restoration and creation, and under the rural action scheme, which is sponsored by the three countryside agencies, grants are available for environmental improvements, including the clearing of ponds. With regard to water quality, many ponds will be subject to the general pollution control functions of the National Rivers Authority.Ponds are protected through a number of schemes and mechanisms, including some via the site of special scientific interest system under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is not possible to identify within the overall budgets the amount spent on protecting and clearing ponds.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the landfill waste disposal sites in Great Britain where environmental pollution problems have arisen in the last 10 years. [32439]

Landfill waste disposal operations in Great Britain are regulated by the waste regulation authorities. Information about pollution incidents at individual landfill sites is held by the responsible authority. A sample study carried out in 1990 by the Association of County Councils identified 11 cases in the previous 15 years where remedial action to landfill sites was required by waste regulation authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the guidelines followed by Government Departments in the use of asbestos or asbestos products in any building work taking place within Government-owned properties; and if he will make a statement. [32671]

The Department of the Environment, through the Property Holdings central advice unit, formerly property advisory services division, provides Government Departments with guidelines in the "Guide to Estate Management Responsibilities" and the "Housekeeping Guide for Accommodation Managers".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the fifth annual report of the Drinking Water Inspectorate will be published. [32850]

The Drinking Water Inspectorate published its fifth annual report today. Once again, it shows that drinking water in England and Wales is of a very high quality. In 1994, 99.3 per cent. of the 3.5 million tests carried out by water companies on drinking water met the relevant standard, compared with 98.9 per cent. in 1993.The report provides a detailed picture of water quality in England and Wales which has been tested against the stringent criteria of the water quality regulations which incorporate the limits in the EC drinking water directive.The inspectorate also published today two leaflets for consumers. "How Good is Your Drinking Water?", summarises the main points of the report. "About Your Water Company" gives brief details of the quality of drinking water supplied by individual water companies.Copies of the report and leaflets have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from Manchester city council about protecting the Manchester ship canal from the possible impact of proposals related to a proposed landfill tax; what reply he is sending; and if he will make a statement. [30994]

The leader of Manchester city council, Councillor Graham Stringer, who is also a director of the Manchester Ship Canal Co., wrote to my right hon. Friend about the potential impact of the proposed landfill tax on the company's dredging operations on 15 June. I replied on Tuesday 4 July. Copies of the correspondence have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is estimated total annual United Kingdom emissions of airborne vanadium pentoxide: and what are the main sources. [32003]

Emissions of heavy metals into the atmosphere are not speciated by individual chemical compound type. This is because of analytical difficulties in determining the composition of fly ash on other than an elemental basis. There is, therefore, no information available on emissions of V₂O₅. Emissions of vanadium are not yet included in the national atmospheric emissions inventory. However, the Department's research programme includes work on vanadium and the results will be reported later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the World Health Organisation's guideline for the maximum permitted concentration of vanadium in the atmosphere; and what is the range of concentrations found near (a) power stations, (b) oil refineries and (c) other industrial sources of airborne vanadium. [32004]

The WHO air quality guideline for vanadium for a 24-hour averaging period is 1µgm^-3—1000 ng m^-3.The Department of the Environment has been monitoring airborne concentrations of vanadium at three rural sites at Chilton, Oxfordshire; Styrrup, Nottinghamshire and Wraymires in Cumbria since 1972 and at one urban site in Central London since 1976.The results from the central London site are given as annual averages for each year since 1976. The results from the rural network are given in summary form with the central London site given for comparison.

Annual average vanadium concentrations in air (µgm-3) in central London
Year	Central London
1976	50
1977	33
1978	48
1979	22
1980	20
1981	24
1982	23

Annual average vanadium concentrations in air (µgm-3) in central London
Year	Central London
1983	19
1984	32
1985	14
1986	14
1987	14
1988	16
1989	15
1990	20
1991	15
1992	12

Vanadium concentrations in air (ng m-3) at urban and rural sites in the UK1
	London	Chiltern	Styrrup	Wraymires
mean 1972–81	133	11	14.7	7.2
mean 1982–91	18.4	6.1	8.1	3.3
1 "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" HMSO, No. 17, 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is issued to local authorities concerning the method of consultation with representatives of their tenants; and if he will make a statement. [32221]

Guidance to local authorities about consultation with tenants is provided in:

"Large-scale voluntary transfers guidelines", December 1993;

"Tenant Involvement in Housing Management", March 1994;

and

"Housing Strategies: Guidance for local authorities on the preparation of housing strategies", 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what maximum period of time compensation schemes for council workers made redundant by local government reorganisation operate. [32186]

In England, entitlement to payment of redundancy compensation arising from reorganisation can arise in the period from the date the relevant reorganisation order is made to 18 months after reorganisation takes place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration is given by his Department to the location of large supermarkets in urban areas; what criteria are used in respect of car parking and the effects on other shopping areas; and if he will make a statement. [32357]

The Government's policy is to encourage supermarkets to locate in existing shopping centres in urban areas. Where this is not possible, an edge-of-centre site should be sought, within easy walking distance of the centre, to ensure it is accessible by a choice of means of transport. Applications for out-of-centre supermarkets should be assessed in terms of their likely impact on existing centres, their accessibility by a choice of means of transport and their effect on overall car use. With regard to their impact on existing centres, they should be assessed in terms of its impact on trade, future investment in the centre and on the authority's strategy for the centre.Car parking standards for large supermarkets vary from authority to authority and reflect the location of the store. In London, suburban out-of-centre stores tend on average to have one space per 10 sq m of gross floor space; inner suburban out-of-centre stores one space per 13 sq m, whereas town centre stores can mange comfortably with 1 per 20 to 25 sq m gross floor space. This reflects their respective reliance on the car for access. The Government are proposing a general review of car parking standards, including those for large food stores.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those planning authorities whose standing orders make provision for members of the public to present their case in person during the discussion of planning applications. [32655]

My Department does not collect this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what circumstances the power to establish a statutory joint authority under section 21 of the Local Government Act 1992 will be available to him. [33090]

The Government's policy is that local authorities which are granted unitary powers should be capable of undertaking the full range of functions entrusted to them. Our guidance to the Local Government Commission reflects this aim and we have carried it through in our decisions.Under Section 14(5)(c) of the Local Government Act 1992, the Local Government Commission may recommend that joint arrangements are made in relation to local authority functions in an area affected by structural change. It has recommended joint arrangements for structure planning in a number of areas. We have endorsed those recommendations and look to the authorities concerned to make voluntary arrangements accordingly.Section 21 of the Local Government Act 1992 contains back-up powers for the Secretary of State to establish a statutory joint authority where voluntary arrangements have not been made, or have broken down. Previous ministerial statements about joint working have suggested that the power granted by this section may be exercised in any case where, having regard to the recommendations of the commission, the Secretary of State had requested authorities affected by a structural change order to carry out a function jointly and those arrangements had failed or had failed to materialise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Environment Council on 22 and 23 June. [33218]

I represented the UK at the Environment Council in Luxembourg held on 22 and 23 June. Agreement was reached, subject to a parliamentary scrutiny reserve, on four key measures.I was able to support the common position the Council reached on the proposal for integrated pollution prevention and control. This measure follows a UK initiative and will lead to an integrated approach to pollution control decisions taking into account emissions to all environmental media. Overall, the directive will raise environmental standards across Europe and help to provide a level playing field for UK industry.There was a short discussion of the proposal for a directive on ambient air quality assessment and management and a common position was agreed unanimously. I joined colleagues from all member states in welcoming the proposed directive which will help to tackle the problems of air pollution across Europe and is in line with existing UK practice.A common position was also achieved by unanimity on the proposal for the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances—amended Seveso directive. The proposal closely reflects UK philosophy and practice.The Council reached a common position unanimously on a new regulation to replace the existing Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species measures. I welcome the regulation which will require all member states to control trade in endangered species more effectively. The Council also agreed to a UK proposal to retain the existing 1981 regulation banning commercial imports of whale products.Agreement was also reached on Council conclusions on the follow-up to the Berlin conference of the parties to the climate change convention. I made it clear during the discussion that the UK continued to oppose a mandatory EU wide carbon energy tax. There were discussions on many other issues, including the disposal of disused oil installations, motor vehicle emissions and the proposal for a directive on the ecological quality of water.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the explosion which occurred in May 1977 at the Dounreay nuclear power plant station near Thurso in Scotland; what is his assessment of the damage caused by the explosion; and what are the environmental consequences both then and now. [32431]

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland on 13 June 1994,

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she has to alter the distribution and budget for the publications "Birth to Five" and "The Pregnancy Book". [32161]

None. Both the publications are published by the Health Education Authority and issued free to all first-time mothers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 22nd June, Official Report, column 344, what action she will now take following the completion of research for her Department in May into foetuses feeling pain while being aborted. [32506]

No action is called for.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to extend the current market testing programme to core clinical services. [32359]

The selection of clinical services for market testing is a matter for local management. Guidance was set out in EL (95)29, issued in April, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if physiotherapy is categorised as a core clinical service. [32220]

The national health service does not use the term "core clinical services". The nature of physiotherapy services required in hospital or community health services is a matter for purchasers to determine in collaboration with providers, taking account of appropriate professional advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what records her Department keeps of the numbers of doctors and other health workers who commit suicide while working in the NHS, together with information on the causes of death. [32226]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures are in place to monitor the success rate for the detection of glaucoma; and if she will make a statement; [32351](2) if she will make a statement as to what measures are planned to improve the detection rate of glaucoma. [32341]

Although the Government recognise the importance of the early detection of glaucoma, this is primarily a matter for the medical and optometric professions. However, we are currently working with the relevant professional bodies to improve the quality of detection and referral of eye disease, including glaucoma.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has indicating whether there is a universal standard of testing for glaucoma by optometrists across the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [32353]

Screening for diseases of the eye, of which glaucoma is one, is part of the routine sight test procedure carried out by optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitioners. We have no reason to believe that standards of sight testing vary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated for glaucoma, per family health service authority, for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [32350]

Figures in the form requested are not available centrally.From "Morbidity Statistics from General Practice" it is estimated that, in England, about 101,000 patients suffering from glaucoma were treated by general practitioners during the 1991–92 financial year. Figures are not available for the other years requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to ensure that all people with a higher risk of developing glaucoma obtain all three available tests for the condition from an optometrist; and if she will make a statement. [32352]

Close relatives aged 40 or over of diagnosed glaucoma sufferers are automatically entitled to a free national health service sight test, to enable their eyesight to be monitored at no cost to themselves. The examination techniques used in carrying out a sight test are a matter for the clinical decision of the practitioner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to empower health authorities and commissions to treat the causes as well as the effects of asthma; and if she will make a statement. [32346]

The causes of asthma are unclear, but it is likely that both generic and environmental factors, including exposure to a range of possible allergens, are involved. Work on investigating possible causes is continuing. We have no plans to increase the powers of health authorities and commissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total amount being spent by the National Blood Authority on national new donor day. [32111]

The National Blood Authority anticipates that the estimated expenditure on local publicity is likely to be around £15,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider funding the development of medical education materials for the ethnic health unit for use at both undergraduate and postgraduate level; and if she will make a statement. [32342]

The national health service ethnic health unit was established to work with health authorities and trusts to secure greater benefit for people from ethnic minorities, from the implementation of national and local health strategies. The unit is not responsible for medical education and training. This is a matter for the General Medical Council, the medical royal colleges and the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has commissioned or examined into racism as a factor in access to health services; and if she will make a statement [32344]

The Department of Health and other Government Departments have funded the fourth national survey of ethnic minorities, which is being conducted by the Policy Studies Institute. The health section of the survey examines ethnic minorities' access to health services and factors which may facilitate or deter access. The experience of ethnic minorities will be compared with that of whites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider appointing to each national health service executive region mangers with responsibility for implementing and monitoring her Department's policy on multi-cultural health care; and if she will make a statement. [32343]

After abolition of regional health authorities, it will not be appropriate for public health functions to be managed directly by national health service executive regional offices. Ownership of these functions lies at local level, reflecting the responsibility of health authorities for the overall health of the population. The NHS ethnic health unit works with health authorities and NHS trusts to secure greater benefit for minority ethnic people from the health service.The priorities and planning guidance for 1996–97, published by the NHS executive in June 1995, requires health authorities and trusts to pay particular attention in seeking and addressing the concerns of those with special needs. The performance management arm of the NHS executive regional offices hold health authorities to account for the implementation of national policies, including the development of services for minority ethnic people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what formal education in the health and health care of different cultural groups is available to the medical profession; and if she will make a statement. [32345]

The General Medical Council is responsible for the standard of undergraduate medical education. Its most recent recommendations, published in "Tomorrow's Doctors" in December 1993, recognise the need for matters concerning ethnicity to be addressed within the undergraduate medical curriculum.The medical royal colleges are responsible for the content of postgraduate medical training and education.The body responsible for general practice vocational training—the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice—expects general practitioners to be knowledgeable about the social, cultural and environmental factors which contribute to health and illness. The specific curricular arrangements to achieve these attributes are the responsibility of regional postgraduate organisations. Further training and experience are provided as part of the continuing education of practitioners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received indicating an increase in emergency consultations by patients with general practitioners concerning dental problems; and if she will make a statement. [32347]

Two general practitioners have written to the Department of Health on this subject over the past year. Under their terms and conditions of service, GPs are not required to provide dental treatment to their patients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on global supply and demand of specialist cancer surgeons. [32402]

Cancer is treated by doctors in a number of specialities. Consultants in the specialties of medical oncology, clinical oncology—radiotherapy— radiology/nuclear medicine, haematology and general surgery all treat cancer patients. However, they are not all involved full time in the treatment of cancer. In addition, other specialties are also involved in the treatment of cancer.The Government seek to ensure an adequate supply of appropriately trained doctors in each specialty, including those involved in the treatment of cancer. This involves planning the number of doctors in higher specialist training on a specialty by specialty basis. Employment of consultants is a matter for local employing bodies, which make medical staffing decisions in the light of competing priorities and the health care needs of the local population.On 24 April 1995, following wide consultation, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced a strategic framework for the future development of cancer services based on the report "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services", copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list (a) the number of staff who have been offered and accepted early retirement or voluntary redundancy at the national health service executive headquarters, Quarry house, Leeds, in 1995, (b) the cost of the voluntary redundancies and early retirements and (c) the initial costs of relocating the relevant staff to Leeds. [32529]

Some 143 staff at the national health service executive headquarters, Leeds have been offered and accepted voluntary early severance or retirement. On redundancy and early retirement costs I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Barking (Ms Hodge) on 25 May 1995, columns 759–60. On relocation costs, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 13 January, column 258.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many organisations there are in London which provide support services for women and girls who have been raped or sexually assaulted; if she will list those organisations; and what is the current level of government funding for those services. [32530]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will reconsider the closure recommendation made by the district health authority for the accident and emergency department of Edgware General hospital, Edgware, Middlesex, pursuant to the letter sent on 27 June by the hon. Member for Harrow, East to the Prime Minister. [32656]

No. I have nothing to add to the replies I gave my hon. Friend on 21 June, column 259.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide a list, by region, of those trusts which (a) have joined and (b) not joined the clinical negligence scheme for trusts. [27902]

[holding answer 12 June 1995]: This information will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many single-handed general practitioners' practices were in receipt of payments under part VI, paragraph 34, section 2(u) of the NHS (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992 in (a) 1992, (b) 1993, (c) 1994 and (d) in the current year; [28102](2) what was

[holding answer 12 June 1995]: The numbers in each financial year were as follows:

• 1992–93: 5
• 1993–94: 6
• 1994–95: 5

However, not all practices were in receipt of payments throughout the whole of each financial year.Information available centrally does not identify payments made to individual general practitioners.In 1994–95, the average payment was £19,057.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing for each of the last three years and the current year the number of Orders in Council applying to Northern Ireland under (a) affirmative, (b) negative and (c) emergency procedures. [32383]

The information in respect of Orders in Council made under paragraph 1 of schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act 1974 is as follows:

Year	Affirmative	Negative	Emergency procedures
1992	12	8	nil
1993	12	4	nil
1994	12	4	1
1995	6	nil	nil

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recruits to the RUC full-time and part-time reserve will have training designed to improve community awareness and understanding; and if such training is available to longer serving officers in the RUC full-time and part-time reserve. [31048]

All new recruits to the RUC (full-time) reserve receive community awareness training. The training is currently under evaluation and it is proposed that it should be extended to the RUC (part-time) reserve.A programme of divisional training is provided to longer serving officers. During the present cycle of divisional training, one of the subjects covered is professional police ethics which deals with community awareness perspective.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisations have supported his proposals to abolish the South Eastern education and library board. [31421]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 June, Official Report, column 471.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent by Making Belfast Work on administration in the last year, and what proportion of the total budget this represents. [31653]

The administrative costs of Making Belfast Work, including nine actions teams, in 1994–95 was £1,510,794. This represents 5.59 per cent. of the total MBW and action team budget for 1994–95.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will show, by type, the number of cases of fowl pest in each year since 1985. [32293]

The term fowl pest includes both avian influenza—fowl plague—and Newcastle disease. Avian influenza has never occurred in Northern Ireland. Since 1985, Newcastle disease has been identified only in Northern Ireland in 1991 when six cases occurred.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of epizootic haemorrhagic virus disease occurred in each year since 1985. [32284]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy occurred in each year since 1985. [32375]

The information is as follows:

• 1985: 0
• 1986: 0
• 1987: 0
• 1988: 3
• 1989: 30
• 1990: 100
• 1991: 170
• 1992: 333
• 1993: 487
• 1994: 363
• 1995: 88 (to 16 June)

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of African horse sickness occurred in each year since 1985. [32302]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of contagious equine metritis occurred in each year since 1985. [32281]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of rabies there were in each year since 1967. [32290]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of peste des petits ruminants occurred in each year since 1985. [32287]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give for each integrated school the sums expended on (a) capital expenditure, (b) running costs exclusive of teachers' salaries and (c) other running costs, (i) per school and (ii) per child; and if he will give the figure equivalent to (b) and (c) for (1) maintained, (2) controlled and (3) voluntary schools in (A) the primary and (B) the secondary levels, in the last year for which figures are available. [32434]

Capital expenditure incurred by education and library boards on controlled integrated schools in 1994–95 was as follows:

	£
All Children Together Primary	2,614
Carnhill Primary	64,878
Forge Primary	38,277
Brownlow College	32,799

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had about the peace process; and if he will make a statement. [29816]

I have held bilateral meetings with the Ulster Unionist party and the Alliance party respectively, when there was an explanation of some issues that need to be addressed if there is to be a comprehensive and widely acceptable political settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many school age pupils resident in each local education authority area attend independent schools. [31899]