To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of gross domestic product in England and Wales is spent on education. [32238]

Gross domestic product by territory is published in table 12.1 of "Regional Trends" 1995 edition on a calendar year basis only, while general Government expenditure by territory is published in table 7.7 of the statistical supplement to the "Financial Statement an Budget Report 1995–96", Cm 2821, on a financial year basis only. In England and Wales, identifiable general Government expenditure on education in 1993–94 accounted for 6.1 per cent. of GDP for 1993.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent communications or discussions he has had with the chairman of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in regard to progress in continuing inquiries into alleged malpractice by companies or individuals in military import/export transactions. [32660]

Investigation into alleged breaches of import or export controls is a matter for the commissioners of Customs in their role as an independent investigating and prosecuting authority of the Crown.Neither the Chancellor nor I, the Treasury Minister with general responsibility for Customs matters, are consulted on decisions on investigation and prosecution in individual cases, but we are routinely informed of significant events in important cases. It would not be appropriate to make public details of communications on inquiries lest they prejudice current or future investigations or legal proceedings or cause unfairness to individuals.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy urgently to press the European Commission for changes to the regulations relating to value added tax and the tour operators margins scheme. [32879]

I share my hon. Friend's concern and I have recently written to Commissioner Monti urging that the European Commission should give greater priority to a full review of the EC rules on the application of VAT to tour operators.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what proposals he has to find means of compensating smaller tour operators for damage to their business as a result of the proposed implementation of the Valued Added Tax (Tour Operators) (Amendment) Order; [32881](2) what recent representations he has received concerning value added tax and the tour operators margins scheme; and if he will set out the action which he intends to take as a result of those representations. [32878]

I have received many representations about the Value Added Tax (Tour Operators) (Amendment) Order 1995 which was laid before the House on 9 June, and is due to come into effect on 1 January 1996.Many in the industry, but not all, wish to see the implementation of the change delayed.I am aware of the concern expressed about possible distortions of competition and the effect of the order, particularly on the smaller tour operators.Accordingly, Customs and Excise has begun a wide-ranging review of the scheme and has issued a consultation paper to trade bodies and other interested parties. It has requested replies on the particular issues arising from the 1 January 1996 change by the end of August. I shall then consider what further action, if any, is appropriate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will identify those sections of the European directives which have led to the promotion of the Value Added Tax (Tour Operators) (Amendment) Order. [32882]

The relevant EC legislation is article 26 of council directive 77/388/EEC—the Sixth VAT Directive.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the net cost to the United Kingdom travel industry of the proposed implementation from 1 January 1996 of the Value Added Tax (Tour Operators) (Amendment) Order; if that order has yet been subject to a compliance cost assessment; and if he will make a statement. [32880]

The increase in the total VAT due to the Exchequer as a consequence of the proposed implementation of the Value Added Tax (Tour Operators) (Amendment) Order 1995 is estimated at between £10 million and £40 million in a full year.The order is the subject of a compliance cost assessment, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends next to meet representatives of the Association of British Travel Agents to discuss the implications for the United Kingdom travel industry which will be caused by the implementation of the Value Added Tax (Tour Operators) (Amendment) Order. [32967]

I have no plans for a meeting at this stage. However, Customs and Excise has begun a wide-ranging review of the tour operators' margin scheme and issues arising from the proposed implementation of the Value Added Tax (Tour Operators) (Amendment) Order 1995 will be examined as a matter of priority. Customs has issued a consultation paper and offered to meet representative bodies at any mutually convenient time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement of his policy on the consistency of the proposed implementation of the Value Added Tax (Tour Operators) (Amendment) Order with help for small businesses. [32883]

I recognise the concern over the position of smaller tour operators affected by the Value Added Tax (Tour Operators) (Amendment) Order 1995. Their position is being examined as a matter of priority as part of the wide-ranging review of the tour operators' margin scheme, and in full consultation with the industry.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what seizures of tortoise products have been made by Customs and Excise in the last 12 months; and what advice is offered to travellers at ports of entry concerning tortoise products offered for sale in Morocco and other countries. [32747]

HM Customs and Excise seized the following tortoise products in the year ending 31 March 1995—the latest period for which figures are available:

• 8 tortoise shells
• 72 tablets stated to contain tortoise as an ingredient

While advice to passengers is not directed specifically at the sale of tortoise products in Morocco, international travellers are made aware of the controls on protected species in general by means of posters, leaflets and the display cases which appear at many major airports.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was raised last year on imported biodiesel. [32716]

The answer is as follows:

• Excise duty: None
• Customs duty: Negligible
• VAT: Negligible

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the expected capital spending figure for his Department for 1994–95; and what is the latest budget figure. [30872]

[holding answer 28 June 1995]: The provisional outturn figure for 1994–95 is £2.7 million. The budget provision for 1995–96 is £5.6 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of duty on (a) tobacco products, (b) alcohol products and (c) all other liable products for each of the last 10 fiscal years expressed (i) at April 1995 prices and (ii) as a percentage of total Exchequer income. [32331]

[holding answer 4 July 1995]: The figures are as follows:

	(a) Tobacco duty	(b) Alcohol duties	(c) Other duties1
(i) Duty receipts at April 1995 prices—£ million
1985–86	6,942	6,533	17,104
1986–87	7,174	6,312	18,731
1987–88	6,914	6,300	18,865
1988–89	6,829	6,183	19,522
1989–90	6,391	5,633	18,515
1990–91	6,523	5,620	17,871
1991–92	6,949	5,596	18,720
1992–93	6,470	5,471	18,905
1993–94	6,863	5,447	20,818
1994–95	7,576	5,702	22,068
(ii) Duty receipts as proportion of central government receipts— percentage
1985–86	3.4	3.2	8.5
1986–87	3.5	3.1	9.1
1987–88	3.2	2.9	8.7
1988–89	3.1	2.8	8.8
1989–90	2.9	2.6	8.4
1990–91	3.1	2.5	7.9
1991–92	2.9	2.5	8.4
1992–93	3.0	2.5	8.8
1993–94	3.1	2.5	9.5
1994–95	3.3	2.5	9.5
1 Other duties include vehicle excise duty and customs and Excise duties, other than those on tobacco and alcohol.

Figures for 1994–95 are provisional.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of VAT collected in each of the last 10 fiscal years expressed (a) at April 1995 prices and (b) as a percentage of total Exchequer income. [32329]

[holding answer 4 July 1995]: The figures are as follows:

Net VAT receipts
	(a) at April 1995 prices £ million	(b) as proportion of central government receipts percentage
1985–86	30,092	14.9
1986–87	32,234	15.7
1987–88	34,910	16.1
1988–89	37,401	16.8
1989–90	37,421	17.0
1990–91	35,885	15.9
1991–92	39,361	17.7
1992–93	39,891	18.5
1993–94	41,024	18.6
1994–95	42,879	18.5

Figures for 1994–95 are provisional.

To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee what information he has on the savings hon. Members will make by using the Internet as opposed to mail for correspondence.

Savings will accrue to the House if the Parliamentary data and video network connection to the Internet is used instead of traditional mail. However, in those cases where connection to the PDVN is via a modem, there will be an increased telephone charge.

To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee what training will be provided for hon. Members and their staff on the Internet.

Demonstrations by the Computer Office to Members of both Houses, their staff and staff of the two Houses in the use of the world wide web and Internet e-mail will be provided at workshop open days. In addition, leaflets will be available on the use of the Internet, and Members and other users can ask the PDVN helpdesk for assistance.

To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee if he will commission a study of the trends in hon. Member's work patterns and work load due to the advent of electronic mail; and what mechanisms and training are to be provided for assisting hon. Members and their researchers to deal with Internet e-mail.

It is too early to consider such a study, since trends of hon. Members'usage of the PDVN have not emerged. The Committee will consider in due course what mechanisms are appropriate for Internet e-mail and recommend appropriate guidance for users. As far as training is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to my preceding reply to him on this subject.

To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee for what reasons hon. Members' connection to the Internet via the PDVN has been delayed; and when he expects access to be available.

The Internet connection was completed in mid-May and early testing of the facility took place during late May and through June. General access to the service has depended on standardising PDVN equipment and on the availability of a mail conversion gateway received only at the end of June. Users of the PDVN who are interested in using the Internet are being asked to allow their machines to be converted during the summer recess and should contact the PDVN helpdesk to arrange a convenient time for the upgrade. At the same time, other new services are also being made available, including the Library's parliamentary electronic document distribution system, Novell Group Wise 4.1—the updated version of Wordperfect Office—and also remote Windows access.

To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee, if POLIS will be made available to the general public via the Internet.

No.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has received an annual report from the subsidence adviser appointed under section 46 of the Coal Industry Act 1994. [33340]

I have today received the subsidence adviser's first annual report. In accordance with the Coal Mining (Subsidence Adviser) Regulations 1994, copies have been laid in both Libraries of the Houses.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what will be the maximum distance bankrupts and company directors will be required to travel to attend for further interview by the official receiver, in order that the official receiver can investigate possible offences which may have been committed if the initial enquiries of the official receiver are contracted out. [32322]

No decisions have yet been taken in relation to the residual size and location of the Insolvency Service should contracting out go ahead.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the maximum distance any of the constituents of the hon. Member for Great Grimsby who become bankrupt can expect to travel in the event of any of the functions of the official receiver being contracted out. [32584]

Accessibility will be an issue for discussion with potential bidders in the course of the negotiations on their proposals for contracting out. It is expected, however, that bankrupts will not be required to travel substantially farther than is presently necessary.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what evidence of illegal subsidies his Steel Subsidies Monitoring Committee has so far passed to the European Commission. [31144]

The committee was formed in February 1995 to encourage the UK steel industry and other Government Departments to bring forward information which might point to the existence of illegal subsidies. A good deal of background information has been collected, and discussed with the Commission, including information about Italian, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Irish cases.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 26 June, Official Report, columns 447–48, if hon. Members other than Ministers were present at the meetings in 1992 and 1995 between Ministers and Messrs Amway UK Ltd., or the Direct Selling Association. [32619]

[holding answer 5 July 1995]: The hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) was present at both meetings.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what consultation his Department has carried out to consider increases in the small claims limit since July 1994; and if he will make a statement. [32737]

The small claims limit fell within the scope of the first stage of Lord Woolf's review of access to justice. During this review, Lord Woolf himself conducted an extensive consultation exercise including a programme of public seminars. A list of the individuals and organisations which contributed to the inquiry is annexed to the interim report, which was published last month. In view of that wide-ranging consultation, the Lord Chancellor does not intend to undertake further public consultation on the question whether he should implement Lord Woolf's recommendation that the limit for small claims, other than those for personal injury, should be raised to £3,000. The power to make the necessary amendments rests with the County Court Rule Committee which, as part of its consideration of the matter, will consult interested parties.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans his Department has to ensure that the public gallery in court is cleared during the evidence of children in cases of alleged abuse. [32039]

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 what was the cost to public funds of the recent prosecution by Plymouth trading standards department of a resident of south Brent, south Devon, for the sale of a horse. [31838]

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 landlords were taken to the small claims courts by former tenants for not repaying their deposits in each of the last 20 years; and if he will make a statement. [31919]

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 Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what measures are in place which allow (a) local authorities, (b) mortgage lenders, (c) police forces, (d) council tax registration officers or (e) private citizens to take action to force owner-occupiers who (i) neglect owner-occupied property to the extent that it detrimentally affects the amenity and quality of life of neighbours or (ii) use residential property for trading, storage or warehousing purposes, to cease such practices and return such residential property to proper use; what plans he has to introduce additional measures; and if he will make a statement; [31387](2) what action can be taken against a householder of an owner-occupied property in a residential area who

The responsibility for dealing with houses in poor condition lies with local authorities and they have wide-ranging powers. Where it is drawn to their attention that a house has been neglected they may take action under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897, or the Building (Scotland) Act 1959, or the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 or the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 to require that it be repaired or up-graded. These powers may also be used where neighbours are affected and there is a provision to require the maintenance of private open spaces. Planning permission for change of use is required if a residential property is used for business purposes and that use is more than incidental to the enjoyment of the property as a dwelling house. Authorities have power to take action against those who breach planning control under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972. There are no present plans to introduce measures additional to these powers.Any action which a mortgage lender could take over the condition or use of a property would be determined in individual circumstances by the terms of the mortgage agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from smaller colleges of higher education alleging difficulties in coping with Scottish Higher Education Funding Council-imposed budget reductions over the next three years; and what response he has made. [32232]

My Department has received letters from the principals of two monotechnic higher education institutions and nine copies of a campaign letter from representatives of St. Andrew's College of Higher Education. My right hon. Friend has also received formal representations from the Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principals in relation to the 1995 public expenditure survey.It is for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to determine the relative needs of institutions within the total resources available to it. The council keeps in close touch with all the institutions it funds.My right hon. Friend will be considering carefully the council's assessment of the needs of higher education during the forthcoming public expenditure survey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what distinction the SHEFC made in deciding budgets for higher education colleges in the next three years, between colleges which had reserves and colleges which had not been permitted to acquire reserves. [32234]

None. The SHEFC set out its allocations of funding to higher education institutions in its circular letter No. 10/95 on 15 March 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the impact of funding cuts in the next three years on the quality of provision in higher education colleges. [32235]

	Full-time			Part-time
	First degree	Other HE	Total under-graduates	First degree	Other HE	Total under-graduates
1980–81	15,987	7,340	23,327	604	24,477	25,081
1981–82	16,249	7,309	23,558	829	19,808	20,637
1982–83	15,966	7,763	23,729	741	21,571	22,312
1983–84	16,199	8,006	24,205	922	22,395	23,317
1984–85	16,877	7,878	24,755	1,080	21,763	22,843
1985–86	17,321	7,893	25,214	1,107	24,037	25,144
1986–87	17,816	7,963	25,779	1,362	23,884	25,246
1987–88	18,312	8,425	26,737	1,424	23,793	25,217
1988–89	18,784	8,374	27,158	1,335	22,902	24,237
1989–90	21,393	9,265	30,658	1,508	23,218	24,726
1990–91	22,940	9,410	32,350	1,613	22,608	24,221

Our expenditure plans for higher education until the 1997–98 financial year were set out in the departmental report "Serving Scotland's Needs", Cm 2814. This included a summary of the quality assessment reports on teaching by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council in the academic session 1993–94, and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to greater accountability of HEIs in terms of relevant, up-to-date information about quality and standards to such as employers and current and prospective students. The funding councils, including SHEFC, are working to develop indicators for performance including teaching quality.My right hon. Friend will be considering evidence as to teaching quality and various representations he has received in the forthcoming public expenditure survey. So far almost 30 per cent. of the quality assessments of teaching published by SHEFC have been rated as excellent and only 2 per cent. as unsatisfactory.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many overseas students there were in Scottish higher education institutions in each year since 1985; and what proportion they represented of the total. [32236]

The number and percentage of full-time overseas students in higher education institutions from 1985–86 to 1993–94 is shown in the table.

	Number of full-time overseas students	Percentage
1985–86	6,274	8.6
1986–87	7,015	9.5
1987–88	7,087	9.4
1988–89	7,183	9.3
1989–90	8,063	9.9
1990–91	8,779	10.0
1991–92	9,610	10.0
1992–93	10,722	10.2
1993–94	11,953	10.7

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the change in the pattern of undergraduate entry to higher education (a) between 1980 and 1987 and (b) between 1987 and 1993, and what studies he has initiated into it. [32241]

The number of entrants to higher education in Scotland by mode and level of study, for the years 1980–81 to 1993–94, has been published in the Statistical Bulletin "Scottish Higher Education statistics 1993–94". Summary information is given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the amount per capita in real terms spent on higher education students in (a) 1980, (b) 1987 and (c) 1993. [32242]

The information requested is not readily available for all higher education students. For those students attending universities previously funded by the Universities Funding Council I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 9 February, Official Report, columns 228–29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of gross domestic product in Scotland is spent on education. [32237]

Identifiable Government expenditure on education in Scotland in 1993–94 was equivalent to 8.1 per cent. of gross domestic product for 1993.The following points are relevant to the interpretation of this figure:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the accounts statement of the Scottish Record Office executive agency will be published. [33339]

Copies of the accounts statement for 1994–95 have today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will show, by type, the number of cases of fowl pest in each year since 1985. [32291]

No cases of fowl pest—avian influenza or Newcastle disease—have been reported in Wales since 1985.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many individual reactors to the cattle tuberculosis skin test have been slaughtered in each Welsh county in each of the last five years; and how many of those had visible lesions post-mortem. [31740]

The information is not available in the form requested. However, the numbers of reactors to the cattle tuberculosis skin test in each animal health office area in Wales which have been slaughtered in each of the last five years are given in the following table. The figures in brackets give the number of reactors slaughtered which had visible lesion at post-mortem.

Area	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
Cardiff	—	20(20)	3(3)	28(22)	46(42)
Llandrindod Wells	—	—	4(4)	—	25(21)
Caernarfon	5(1)	1(1)	—	1	1
Carmarthen	18(16)	60(57)	48(37)	62(54)	188(180)

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many herds in each of the Welsh counties have tested positively for tuberculosis in each of the last five years. [31738]

The information is not available in the form requested. However, the numbers of herds in which cattle tested positive for bovine tuberculosis in each Animal Health Office area in Wales in each of the last five years were as follows:

Area	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
Cardiff	—	4	3	10	18
Llandrindod Wells	—	—	—	—	6
Caernarfon	1	—	—	—	—
Carmarthen	5	14	13	17	38

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has paid out in compensation for cattle slaughtered as positive reactors or dangerous contacts in each of the Welsh counties in each of the last five years. [31735]

The information is not available on a county basis. The following table shows the amounts paid for cattle which reacted to TB tests, by divisional office area.

£
Division	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95
Caernarfon	1—	1—	1—	6,940	4,644
Carmarthen	1—	1—	1—	191,997	323,163
Llandrindod Wells	1—	1—	1—	142,179	87,096
Wales	86,159	74,854	102,316	341,116	414,903
1 No separate data available. The counties covered by the Divisional Offices are:
Caernarfon—Clwyd and Gwynedd.
Carmarthen—Dyfed.
Llandrindod—Gwent, Powys, Mid-Glamorgan, South Glamorgan and West Glamorgan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of rabies there were in each year since 1967. [32288]

No cases of rabies have been reported in Wales since 1967.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of epizootic haemorrhagic viris disease occurred in each year since 1985. [32282]

No case of epizootic haemorrhagic viris disease has ever been reported in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many cases of African horse sickness occurred in each year since 1985; [32300](2) how many cases of peste des petits ruminants occurred in each year since 1985; [32285](3) how many cases of contagious equine metritis occurred in each year since 1985. [32303]

No cases have occurred in Wales since 1985.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the percentage of each agricultural grant dealt with within the time targets set in "Commitment to Service". [32157]

It will take some time to compile the latest data. I will write to the hon. Member when we have done so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many claims for compensation due to late payment of agricultural grants have been lodged; how many claimants have received compensation; and what was the total cost of compensation. [32423]

This information is not centrally collected and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy occurred in each year since 1985. [32374]

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy was first diagnosed in November 1986; there are no figures available prior to this date.The numbers of confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Wales in each year since 1985 are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the population of working age for Wales for the most recent date for which figures are available and in 1991, 1981 and 1971. [32441]

The resident population of Wales, of men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59 is shown in the following table.

	Residents of working age
1971	1,582,000
1981	1,662,700
1991	1,723,600
1993	1,724,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that when recording the periods of activation time for emergency ambulances those times are related to the ambulance which arrives at the relevant scene of the emergency. [32495]

The activation time for emergency ambulances is the difference between the time that an emergency call is received and the time that the nearest available ambulance is dispatched. This gives an accurate indication of the time taken within the ambulance trust to react to a call.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for (a) dairy farmers (b) sheep farmers. [32937]

The latest available information on the prospects for dairy and sheep farmers is published in "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom 1993/94", available from the Library of the House. Data for 1994–95 will become available in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the possible designation of the Usk river catchment as a special area of conservation under the terms of the European wildlife directive. [31142]

We have received five letters and a petition on the subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for the financial years 1992– 94, 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 the applications for project capital funding made by grant-maintained schools, indicating the amount received for each school in each year and the purposes for which the funding was granted. [32620]

The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the value of moneys held in trust by individual national health service trusts and health authorities. [32955]

The value of moneys held on trust by individual national health service trust and health authorities in Wales as at 31 March 1994 is as follows:

	£000
Health Authority
Clywd District Health Authority	3,084
East Dyfed District Health Authority	3,890
Gwent District Health Authority	2,906
Gwynedd District Health Authority	2,942
Mid Glamorgan District Health Authority	1,345
Powys District Health Authority	370
South Glamorgan District Health Authority	5,866
West Glamorgan District Health Authority	3,284
Welsh Health Common Services Authority	55
NHS Trust
Pembrokeshire NHS Trust	536
Powys Healthcare NHS Trust	142
Bridgend and District NHS Trust	4
Llanelli/Dinefwr NHS Trust	5
Carmarthen and District NHS Trust	0
Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust	2
South and East Wales Ambulance NHS Trust	4

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of blood supplies in each region was supplied to private hospitals in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will indicate the number of units involved. [32971]

In south Wales, the National Blood Transfusion Service (Wales) supplied 1 per cent.—1,100 units—of donated blood to private hospitals in 1994–95. The National Blood Authority is responsible for collecting and supplying blood in north Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about pre-school education in Wales. [33471]

The scheme announced today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to give parents of all four-year-olds a voucher that can be exchanged for pre-school education, will apply equally in Wales.Wales has a good record in this field with some 90 per cent. of four-year-olds already receiving some form of pre-school education. I hope the scheme will enable all four-year-olds to benefit from a pre-school place.The voucher will be exchangeable for a part-time place in any private, voluntary or maintained institution providing nursery education, a full-time place in a reception class in a maintained school where this is available, up to a full-time place in a playgroup of a combination of these options. The value of the voucher will initially be set at £1,100.Parents will be able to top up the value of the voucher in the private and voluntary sector if that is necessary. But provision in maintained schools will continue to be free.Providers of places for which vouchers are exchanged will be expected to meet certain minimum quality criteria and be subject to light-touch inspection arrangements. The scheme will be funded by a mixture of recoupment of some of the money already spent on pre-school education in the maintained sector and of new money.It is my intention that the scheme will be fully operational in Wales from April 1997. I shall be consulting interested parties about implementation of the scheme, including how to make sure we are well prepared to secure its successful introduction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to ensure that Crown property is not being used for tobacco smuggling in Gibraltar. [32092]

The Gibraltar law enforcement authorities have taken a number of steps to combat smuggling generally, including increased sea patrols with the help of the Gibraltar Squadron. These law enforcement authorities would take action against smugglers if there was hard evidence that Crown property was being used as a base for smuggling.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of tobacco smuggling between Gibraltar and Spain. [32090]

We do not have exact figures for the amount of tobacco smuggled between Gibraltar and Spain. For the period 1 January 1995 to 3 July 1995 the Royal Gibraltar police seized 199 boxes of contraband tobacco.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the Gibraltar Government regarding tobacco smuggling. [32091]

We regularly discuss smuggling with the Gibraltar Government, including tobacco smuggling. Discussions were held recently on the need to tackle the activities of fast boats.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to open an embassy in Albania. [32670]

We re-established diplomatic relations with Albania on 29 May 1991. HM ambassador at Rome is accredited to Albania and a charge d'affairs is resident in Tirana. We have told the Albanian Government that we cannot consider opening a full embassy until an outstanding property claim has been settled.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will made a statement on the meeting of the reflections group held in Toledo on 1 and 2 July. [32886]

The third meeting of the intergovernmental conference study group took place on 30 June and 1 July in Toledo, Spain. It was an informal meeting at which the head of the European secretariat at the Cabinet Office, Mr. Brian Bender, represented me.The meeting discussed the EU and the citizen, and the justice and home affairs pillar of the Maastricht treaty. On the question of the EU and the citizen, Mr. Bender argued that the EU needed to be made more relevant to people's lives. This was best achieved by addressing issues of real concern to people, such as jobs, growth, less interference by the EU, and less EC fraud and waste. Further development of the concept of European citizenship which was proposed, for example, in the reports to the study group by the Commission and the European Parliament, raised difficulties. In the UK the concept of European citizenship was seen as coming into potential conflict with national identity. People were also concerned about possible future obligations of citizenship.With regard to simplifying the treaty to make it less complex and more readable Mr. Bender applauded the objective but expressed some scepticism about whether it could be achieved without altering the substance of the treaty. A careful balance had been achieved in the Maastricht treaty which needed to be preserved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each new car acquired by embassies or posts abroad in the last five years, indicating (a) the name of the embassy or post, (b) the make of the car and (c) the cost. [32975]

The information, in the form requested, is not readily available, and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.In the last five years the FCO, including ODA, has spent £20,985,391 on the purchase of 1,201 vehicles for 215 overseas posts. These have included more than 20 different makes and types ranging from motor-cycles, cars, minibuses, vans and trucks to meet specific local needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the refurbishments made to the properties of embassies or posts abroad in each of the last three years, indicating (a) the name of the embassy or post, (b) the nature of the alteration and (c) the cost. [32982]

The information requested is not immediately available. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as it has been assembled.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (a) how many state-funded housing association and (b) council-owned homes there were, and how many were unoccupied, on 1 April in (i) York, (ii) north Yorkshire, (iii) Yorkshire and Humberside and (iv) England in each since 1979. [31585]

The available information is set out in the tables. The housing association data for 1988 and earlier years are based on estimates provided by local authorities and there is known to be some under-reporting of vacant dwellings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Department's estimate of the number of local authority houses that will be built in the current financial year. [32821]

The Department does not prepare forecasts of new house building.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many asylum seekers were allocated social housing in each of the last 10 years as a percentage of the total number of allocations made by each local authority in England, Scotland and Wales; and if he will make a statement; [31920](2) how many

The information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many starts were made in social housing for rent in each Hampshire district in each of the past five years; and how many starts he estimates will be made in each district in each of the next two years. [31844]

The publication "Local Housing Statistics" shows estimates of housebuilding starts by housing associations and by local authorities for each local authority area Hampshire. Figures are shown in table 1 of each of the following issues:

Year	Issue number
1990	103
1991	105
1992	109
1993	110
1994 (first three quarters only)	112

Copies of these publications are in the Library.The Department does not prepare forecasts of new house building starts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) which members of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment receive a grant from (a) the National Environment Research Council and (b) a private company; and in the latter case if he will list the companies and the size of grants; [32499](2) if he will list the members of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment with the name of their present employer; and whether they receive any form of research grant from any Department. [32500]

The current membership of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment comprises:

• Professor J. Beringer: University of Bristol
• Professor E. M. Cooke: Public Health Laboratory Service
• Dr. P. Dale: Institute of Plant Science Research
• Dr. A. Garland: Glaxo-Wellcome plc
• Dr. C. Gliddon: University of Wales
• Dr. A. Gray: Institute of Terrestrial Ecology
• Ms J. Hill: Green Alliance
• Dr. J. Kinderlerer: University of Sheffield
• Mr. J. McLeod: National Institute of Agricultural Botany
• Professor D. Onions: University of Glasgow Veterinary School
• Professor N. Poole: Zeneca Ltd.
• Dr. D. Robinson: Scottish Crop Research Institute

Members are not required to provide comprehensive information on sources of funds for research, and such information is not therefore held by my Department. However, the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, the Scottish Crop Research Institute, and the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology all currently hold research contracts from my Department. Members are required to disclose any personal or professional interest, or any interest of the organisation which employs them before review of specific applications by the committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if members of the public are allowed to attend committee meetings of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. [32502]

Members of the public are not allowed to attend meetings of the committee. They may make written submissions to the committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place the annual reports of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment for the last five years in the Library. [32496]

The first annual report of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment was published last year and it was placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations has taken place on the decision by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment to allow the testing of genetically modified scorpion venom virus in open fields. [32497]

The confined release of a genetically modified scorpion venom virus was the subject of a consent issued by the Secretary of State to the Institute of Virology and Environmental Microbiology in April 1994, following advice received from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment.Following the receipt of communications from some members of the public, the proposed release was reviewed for a second time by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, and its advice was that the consent should be maintained.During the course of the release, the site was visited by specialist inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive, whose report confirmed that the release was being carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions of the issued consent. A satisfactory report of the release has been submitted by IVEM to the Secretary of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many forms of genetically modified viruses have been permitted by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. [32501]

The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment has no authority to permit releases; consents for releases are given by the Secretary of State for the Environment, acting jointly with, as appropriate, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Secretary of State for Scotland, or the Secretary of State for Wales.The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment has to date given advice to the Secretary of State for consents to release two forms of virus, one, a baculovirus, the other a bacteriophage.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the applications for the release of genetically modified organisms which have been refused by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. [32498]

The committee has no powers to approve applications. Since the committee was placed on a statutory basis in 1993, it has not advised that any applications be refused. It has delayed its advice on specific applications pending the provision of additional information, and it has advised on precautions to be taken in making specific releases.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if registered restricted covenants that seek to preserve the character of a development are considered as other material considerations when a planning application is being considered. [32421]

While restrictive covenants and planning controls impinge upon each other to some extent, they constitute different systems of control and each has an independent existence. It is, however, ultimately for the courts to decide what is a material consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the implications for planning applications for the absence of the term, building line. [32422]

It is for a local planning authority to determine in the first instance whether a planning application adequately describes a proposed development. The validity of applications is ultimately a matter for the courts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government will support the Oslo Commission decision of 29 June to ban the dumping at sea of North sea oil and gas platforms. [32503]

No decision on this subject could be reached by the Oslo Commission on 29 June for procedural reasons, but a majority of the contracting parties indicated that they would vote in an intersessional written procedure for a decision for a moratorium on deep sea disposal pending the development of a ban as soon as possible. The UK and Norway—the only two countries which have deep-sea installations—indicated that they will not vote for that decision. Under the convention, they will thus not be bound by it. Any ban will be mere posturing by countries without such installations. These countries less than three years ago signed the OSPAR convention which provides for case-by-case assessment to determine the best way for the environment as a whole of decommissioning each major offshore installation—this remains the most effective way of dealing with this difficult problem.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on the subject of compensation for planning blight; and if he will make a statement. [31159]

My Department regularly receives inquiries and comments about compulsory purchase and the compensation that may be payable.During an Adjournment debate on 5 April,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is being taken to stop the destruction of marine ecosystems in the North sea. [31163]

A range of national, European Union and international action is being taken to protect North sea ecosystems. The fourth North sea conference in June concluded that, within territorial waters, implementation of the EC habitats and birds directives was a priority. The conference asked the Oslo and Paris Commissions to consider what action is needed in respect of those waters outside territorial limits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the levels of revenue reserves held by local authorities. [33468]

My Department has recently conducted a survey of the general fund revenue reserves held by local authorities during 1994–95. The results show that authorities held about £5.7 billion in revenue reserves at 1 April 1994, of which about £2.3 billion was unallocated, the remainder being earmarked for specific purposes or held on behalf of schools under local management of schools schemes.Authorities expect their reserves to decrease by 1 April 1995 to about £4.8 billion, of which £0.6 billion would be held on behalf of schools, £2.3 billion in other earmarked reserves, and £1.9 billion in working balances and other unallocated reserves. This compares with their budgeted revenue expenditure of £45.6 billion for 1995–96.Assuming that authorities appropriate from reserves the amounts which they have taken into account in their 1995–96 budgets, their reserves would total £3.9 billion on 31 March 1996, of which we estimate that between £1.25 billion and £1.5 billion would be unallocated.I have today placed in the Library of the House a copy of the available figures for the reserves which each authority expects to hold at 1 April 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment pursuant to his answer of 26 June, Official Report, column 541, if he will list by local authority in England and Wales (a) the total value of indemnities given on mortgages under section 442 of the Housing Act 1985 and (b) the total value of indemnities given on loans for all purposes. [32340]

[holding answer 4 July 1995]: The available information on the total value of indemnities given on mortgages under section 442 of the Housing Act 1985 between April 1986 and 31 March 1995 is given in the table. This is based on data as reported by local authorities during the course of the year and does not incorporate any estimation for non-response.Information on the value of indemnities given on other types of loan is not collected.Information in respect of Welsh local authorities is the responsibility of my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Mortgage indemnity agreements entered into by local authorities England: April 1986-March 1995
	Total value £000
Basildon	12
Bolton	2,438
Broadland	21
Bromsgrove	18
Broxbourne	6,747
Calderdale	1,175
Cherwell	751
Cleethorpes	18
Crawley	1,715
Crewe and Nantwich	3
Derby	275
Dudley	1,050
Easington	65
Ellesmere Port	100
Elmsbridge	684
Guildford	780
Hammersmith	60
Hertsmere	1,098
Kings Lynn	104
Kirklees	10
Knowsley	1,648
Langbaurgh	594
Leicester	143
Malvern Hills	6
Manchester	13
Middlesborough	213
North Warwickshire	220
Oldham	22
Preston	970
Reading	263
Reigate and Banstead	50
Rossendale	412
Rushcliffe	8,286
Salisbury	322
South Hams	581
South Kesteven	534
South Wight	693
Spelthorne	2,436
St. Edmundsbury	482
Staffordshire Moorlands	94
Stockton on Tees	514
Tameside	164
Tendring	1,064
The Wrekin	46
Torridge	54
Wandsworth	7,820
Wealden	174
West Devon	871
Westminster	1,616
Windsor and Maidenhead	576
Woking	1,294
Woodspring	13
England total	49,312