Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Wednesday 12 July 1995

Health

Administration Costs

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of administration in the NHS within (a) trusts, (b) district health authorities, regional health authorities and family health service authorities and (c) in total, in real terms and as a percentage of total NHS expenditure in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1990–91. [30434]

The figures for administrative support in hospital departments, in trusts and at other levels, are regarded as operational expenditure and are not separately identifiable.Changes over the years in the roles and responsibilities of FPCs, which became family health services authorities, in 1990, and RHAs and DHAs which started to transfer provider functions to NHS trusts in 1991–92, and together with changes in accounting policies, particularly the inclusion of capital charges in health authorities' administration and purchasing expenditure, mean that the following figures are not comparable. Additionally, there were differences in management practices, geographical size and the numbers of DHAs, FPCs/FHSAs within regions.In 1990–91, the cost of administration in district health authorities, regional health authorities, and family practitioner committees, was £854,571,000, equivalent to £973,284,000 adjusted to 1993–94 prices; in 1993–94 the figure was £1,045,084,000. For an explanation of these figures, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 16 December 1994, columns

833–34. In 1990–91, revenue expenditure for the national health service was £19,826,937,000 equivalent to £22,581,196,000 adjusted to 1993–94 prices; in 1993–94, the figure was £27,627,018,000. In 1990–91, administration accounted for 4.31 per cent. of revenue expenditure and in 1993–94, 3.78 per cent.

Continuing Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to produce a seamless service between health authorities and social service departments in respect of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990; if he will help set up a working party to (a) advise on best practice in working relationships between (i) community health councils, (ii) district health authorities and (iii) social services departments,(b) consider the benefits of introducing a unified purchaser organisation fully accountable to the public and (c) examine how the statutory remit of community health councils can be extended to enable them to monitor care in the community services provided by local authorities, and if he will make a statement. [32995]

Local authority and health authority collaboration is crucial for the implementation of the community care arrangements. Local authorities have been required to reach agreements with health authorities on their respective responsibilities for long-term care and procedures for hospital discharge.A multi-disciplinary working group looking at joint commissioning between local authorities and health authorities published two documents recently, "An introduction to joint commissioning" and "Practical guidance on joint commissioning for project leaders", copies of which are available in the Library.We have no plans to establish a working party on collaboration between community health councils, district health authorities and social services departments.Single integrated health authorities are being introduced from 1 April 1996. Codes of conduct and accountability were published last year and are mandatory for all NHS boards. Compliance is a condition of appointment for all board members, both executive and non-executive.We have no plans to extend the role of CHCs to monitor mental health care in the community services provided by local authorities.Guidance issued in January 1994, EL(94)4, acknowledged that the community care arrangements would require health and local authorities to work closely together in the planning and delivery of care services. As such, the guidance pointed out that CHCs may find it useful to discuss with local authority social services departments the role that they play in joint health and social services arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will withdraw his Department's publication in respect of guidance on NHS continuing care and issue a revised publication consistent with the principles of a comprehensive national health service free at the point of delivery and available on the basis of clinical need; and if he will make a statement. [33035]

No. Once implemented, this guidance should lead to a substantial improvement in the provision of a full range of continuing health care services. As well as continuing in-patient care for people who need it, this includes specialist national health service support for people to meet their medical, nursing or other clinical needs, no matter where they live.

Eye Tests

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of restoring free eye tests to pensioners. [33142]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 19 January at column 638.

Prescriptions

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will guarantee the rights of rural general practitioners to dispense prescriptions irrespective of the opening of pharmacies in their locality. [33660]

The conditions which govern the rights of general practitioners to dispense medicines and appliances are contained in the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992, copies of which are available in the Library.

Leg Ulcers

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration his Department has given to making available on prescription the four-layer bandage system for the treatment of leg ulcers. [33076]

No applications have been received for the prescribing of a product which incorporates the four types of item used within this system. The community health service may purchase any of the dressings, which can be used as individual components of the system, as well as a combined pack of four particular items.

Cardiologists

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of specialist cardiologists in post in the NHS in England; and if he will list the numbers for each of the previous five years. [33325]

The available information is shown in the table.

Year	Consultant
1988	117.4
1989	127.3
1990	135.6
1991	147.8
1992	162.1
1993	180.3

Children Act 1989

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of standard spending assessment is earmarked to assist local authorities to implement the Children Act 1989; [33062](2) what representations he has received regarding the funding to councils to implement the Children Act 1989. [33063]

Standard spending assessments are not earmarked for particular Acts. It is for local authorities to decide how to divide the overall resources at their disposal between individual services. Between 1990–91—the last full year before implementation of the Act—and 1992–93—the first full year after implementation—the standard spending assessment for children's services grew by 15 per cent. in real terms.

Residual Estate

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has happened to properties and assets not vested by NHS trusts. [33935]

Property and other assets not transferred to national health service trusts remain in the ownership of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

Nhs Appointees

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investigations his Department or the NHS executive has undertaken into conflicts of interest involving either trust board or health authority members. [33938]

None. Under the codes of conduct and accountability, chairmen and directors of national health service authorities and trusts are required to declare any private interests that are potentially material and relevant to NHS business and to have those interests recorded in board minutes and entered into a register.

Information Division

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the budget for staff and running costs, excluding expenditure on publicity, in the information division in his Department in each of the last 10 years. [33694]

The available information, which excludes expenditure on publicity campaigns, is shown in the table. The information division now includes a public inquiry office and a central print unit which provides the Department with services for print and paper procurement and storage and distribution. The figures are therefore not comparable over the years.

Year	Manpower and running costs £ million
1989–90	0.890
1990–91	1.250
1991–92	1.491
1992–93	1.749
1993–94	1.897
1994–95	2.018
1995–96¹	2.714
Information for the years 1986–87 to 1988–89 is not available in form requested.
¹ budgets

Departmental Staff

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the numbers and salaries of persons employed in the private offices of each of the Ministers, including the Secretary of State, in his Department. [33695]

The number of staff employed in the private offices of Ministers of the Department of Health, including the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, is 27.The analysis of their salaries is:

Number of staff	Salary band £
12	10,000–14,999
10	15,000–19,999
3	20,000–24,999
2	40,000–49,999
27

Accident And Emergency Departments

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accident and emergency departments have been temporarily closed in each of the last 24 months for (a) blue light admissions and (b) walking wounded cases; and if he will make a statement on (i) staff shortages and (ii) other causes of these incidents. [33696]

This information is not available centrally.

Private Health Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 4 July, Official Report, column 105, if he will list for each NHS trust, the expenditure on the purchase of health care from non-NHS bodies, in each of the past four years. [33709]

The latest available figures are for the financial year 1993–94. Figures for 1991–92, 1992–93, and 1993–94 will be placed in the Library.

Leaving Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research his Department has carried out into the types of accommodation which young people go into on leaving care; [33834](2) what research his Department has carried out into the value and availability of leaving care grants. [33835]

The Department commissioned a four-year study by Leeds university leaving care research team into schemes available to young people leaving care. This study was published on the 30 June 1995. Copies of the study will be placed in the Library.

Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which firms have won computer consultancy contracts from his Department and its agencies over the last five years; and what is the number of contracts per firm. [33886]

This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33874]

This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The daily rates charged by firms of consultants would vary according to the number of consultants assigned to individual projects.

Clinical Negligence Claims

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 6 July, Official Report, column 340, if he will provide such information as is available on clinical negligence claims by trust. [33939]

Information about clinical negligence claims by trust is not available centrally.

Patient Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will institute an inquiry into the death of the patient from Slough who received cardiac surgery at the University hospital of Wales, Cardiff on Friday 7 July, into the shortage of intensive care beds allied with open heart surgery facilities and into the lack of a hospital to hospital information on bed availability. [33837]

I have no plans to institute such an inquiry.A study commissioned by the Department of Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has shown that demand for intensive care beds can very and in some instances, beds are being used inappropriately.The need for guidelines on admission to, and discharge from, intensive care is being considered by the Department of Health, together with representatives of the medical profession.

Lord Chancellor's Department

Consultants

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33868]

For the period 1 July 1994 to 30 June 1995, certain key elements of work completed under six external consultancy contracts were paid for at a daily rate exceeding £1,000.The firms in question are:

Binder, Hamlyn and Fry
Ernst and Young
Kinsley Lord
KPMG
Office of Public Management
Price Waterhouse

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much his Department and its agencies have spent on computer consultancy in each of the last five years; and what is the expected expenditure over the next five years. [33865]

The chief executives of the Land Registry and the Public Records Office will respond on behalf of their agencies. The chief executives of the Public Trust Office and Court Service will also respond on behalf of their agencies for expenditure from 1 July 1994 and 3 April 1995 respectively. Expenditure on computer consultancy for the remainder of the Department for the 1994–95 financial year was £387,574—see footnote. The information for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.Future expenditure on computer consultancy will be considered as the need arises.

Letter from Elizabeth Hallam Smith to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 12 July 1995:

EXPENDITURE ON COMPUTER CONSULTANCY

I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary, in the absence on leave of the Chief Executive of the Public Record Office, to reply to your question about expenditure on computer consultancy.

The Public Record Office has spent the following sums on computer consultancy over the last five years:

1990–91: £45,743
1991–92: £150,861
1992–93: £442,151
1993–94: £240,703
1994–95: £63,325

Expected expenditure over the next five years is approximately £828,000.

Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 12 July 1995:

COMPUTER CONSULTANCY

The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to the above Question concerning the cost of computer consultancy.

I should first explain that the Court Service became an Executive Agency on 3 April this year. Information about the amount spent in the last financial year will therefore be provided by the Parliamentary Secretary. I understand that figures for previous years are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

The anticipated cost of computer consultancy for the Court Service in the current and following three financial years is as follows:

1995–96: £707,544
1996–97: £1,363,900
1997–98: £1,264,900
1998–99: £1,133,100

The requirements beyond these financial years are not yet known.

Letter from Julia C. Lomas to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 12 July 1995:

The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to you as part of the Lord Chancellor's Department's response to your Parliamentary Question. listed on 7 July 1995, regarding the spending on computer consultancy in the last five years and the expected expenditure over the next five years.

The Public Trust Office has spent no money on computer consultancy in the last five years. This year, however, we intend carrying out an Information System Strategy Study with the aid of consultants although it is not possible to forecast expenditure on this study at this stage.

Letter from John Manthorpe to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 12 July 1995:

I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department to reply to your recent question about the amount spent by this Agency on computer consultancy in the last five years, and the expected expenditure over the next five years. The details are as follows:-

1990–91: £11,403
1991–92: £40,803
1992–93: £33,547
1993–94: £29,023
1994–95: £45,261

Expected Expenditure:

1995–96: £151,000
1996–97: £147,000
1997–98: £150,000
1998–99: £115,000
1999–2000: £115,000

The increase in planned expenditure over previous years is due to three major new initiatives. These are the proposed outsourcing of the management of data communications for our Direct Access Service, the development of a business application for a National Land Information Service, and the development of a computer mapping system.

I do hope that this answers the points raised with the Parliamentary Secretary, but please contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which firms have won computer consultancy contracts from his Department and its agencies over the last five years; and what is the number of contracts per firm. [33897]

The chief executives of the Land Registry and the Public Records Office will respond on behalf of their agencies. The chief executive of the Public Trust Office will also respond as appropriate on behalf of this agency for expenditure from 1 July 1994.The firms which have been awarded computer consultancy contracts from the remainder of my Department during the 1994–95 financial year are shown on the table—see footnote.Information for earlier financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Name	Number of contracts
Act Business Systems	1
Admiral Computing	3
AMTEC Consulting	1
W. S. Atkins Technology	1
Bull Information Systems	1
Class	1
CSS. Trident	1
Digital Equipment Co	1
Grasshopper Computers	1
Helistar	1
Hewlett Packard	1
Insight Computing	1
LBMS	1
MBA Consultants	2
Metron	1
Myriad Computer Services	9
Oracle Corporation	2
Parity	1
Parity Solutions	1
PC Associates	1
Property Logistics	1
Public Sector Software	1
Scoll	1

Includes the Court Service and, until 30 June 1994, the PTO.

Letter from John Manthorpe to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 12 July 1995:

COMPUTER CONSULTANCY CONTRACTS

I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department to reply to your recent question about the firms which have won computer consultancy contracts from this Agency over the last five years, and the number of contracts per firm. The names of the firms or organisations awarded contracts during this period are given in alphabetical order, as follows:-

Belvedere Associates
CCTA
Dynamic Communications
IBM
Intergraph
Lasercom
Secure Information Systems Limited
Sun Accounts

Each of the firms listed was awarded one contract except for Dynamic Communications which was awarded two contracts of a total value of £3,031.

I do hope that this answers the points raised with the Parliamentary Secretary, but please contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

Letter from Julia C. Lomas to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 12 July 1995:

The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to you as part of the Lord Chancellor's Department's response to your Parliamentary Question, listed on 7 July 1995, regarding the firms which have won computer consultancy contracts over the last five years.

The Public Trust Office has not awarded any computer consultancy contracts over the last five years.

Clwyd
Year	Conservative	Labour	Liberal/Democrat	Plaid Cymru	Independent	Not known	Total
1989	11	7	4	3	0	0	25
1990	5	9	5	2	2	0	23
1991	4	8	0	2	3	0	17
1992	18	10	9	1	1	0	39
1993	11	6	7	0	0	0	24
1994	9	6	5	1	0	0	21
1995¹	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
¹ No appointments yet made in 1995.

Dyfed
Year	Conservative	Labour	Liberal/Democrat	Plaid Cymru	Independent	Not known	Total
1989	6	1	3	1	1	0	12
1990	3	3	4	0	0	3	13
1991	5	6	3	3	2	0	19
1992	6	2	3	0	5	0	16
1993	4	7	5	3	5	0	24
1994	1	4	2	1	4	0	12
1995¹	1	0	2	4	2	0	9
¹ Additional appointments are expected in 1995.

Mid Glamorgan
Year	Conservative	Labour	Liberal/Democrat	Plaid Cymru	Independent	Not known	Total
1989	3	7	2	0	2	0	14
1990	6	11	0	1	0	1	19
1991	6	13	0	0	6	0	25

Letter from Elizabeth Hallam Smith to Mr. Alan Milburn dated 12 July 1995:

COMPUTER CONSULTANCY CONTRACTS

I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary, in the absence on leave of the Chief Executive of the Public Record Office, to reply to your question about computer consultancy contracts.

The following firms have won computer consultancy contracts from the Public Record Office over the last five years. The number of contracts won by each is stated in the second column:

	Number
AXSIS	1
Cray (formerly Aims)	2
CIMTECH	1
Data Sciences	1
EFD	2
EOSYS	1
Ernst & Young	2
HEDRA	2
Portlock Communications	1
ROYBOT Ltd	2
SISL	2
Touche Ross	1
WS Atkins	1

Magistrates (Wales)

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the perceived political loyalty of magistrates in each county in Wales appointed in each of the past seven years. [32103]

[holding answer 5 July 1995]: The stated political affiliation of magistrates in each county in Wales appointed in each of the past seven years is as follows:

Mid Glamorgan
Year	Conservative	Labour	Liberal/Democrat	Plaid Cymru	Independent	Not Known	Total
1992	3	11	1	1	0	0	16
1993	4	5	4	1	0	0	14
1994	3	7	2	1	3	0	16
1995	2	4	1	0	0	0	7

South Glamorgan
Year	Conservatie	Labour	Liberal/Democrat	Plaid Cymru	Independent	Not known	Total
1989	7	1	5	0	3	0	16
1990	7	6	6	1	3	0	23
1991	7	2	3	2	3	0	17
1992	9	6	6	1	0	3	25
1993	10	9	3	1	3	0	26
1994	6	8	2	0	5	0	21
1995¹	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
¹ No appointments yet made in 1995.

West Glamorgan
Year	Conservative	Labour	Liberal/Democrat	Plaid Cymru	Independent	Not known	Total
1989	12	12	3	0	1	0	28
1990	9	8	4	0	2	0	23
1991	8	6	1	0	0	0	15
1992	8	12	5	0	0	0	25
1993	8	5	2	1	4	0	20
1994	1	13	7	1	1	0	23
1995	0	9	0	0	2	0	11

Gwent
Year	Conservative	Labour	Liberal/Democrat	Plaid Cymru	Independent	Not known	Total
1989	4	5	3	0	1	0	13
1990	6	3	0	0	3	0	12
1991	6	4	3	0	0	0	13
1992	2	6	2	0	0	0	10
1993	5	5	1	0	1	0	12
1994	3	12	1	0	2	0	18
1995	3	5	0	0	2	0	10

Gwynedd
Year	Conservative	Labour	Liberal/Democrat	Plaid Cymru	Independent	Not known	Total
1989	4	0	2	2	0	0	8
1990	5	4	1	3	4	0	17
1991	1	1	0	0	0	0	2
1992	3	2	6	3	0	0	14
1993	0	0	0	2	0	0	2
1994	1	0	0	4	0	0	5
1995¹	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
¹ No appointments yet made in 1995.

Powys
Year	Conservative	Labour	Liberal/Democrat	Plaid Cymru	Independent	Not known	Total
1989	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1990	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1991	1	1	1	0	0	0	3
1992	2	0	1	1	2	0	6
1993	2	2	3	1	1	1	10
1994	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1995¹	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
¹ No appointments yet made in 1995.

Mental Incapacity

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who is serving upon the Lord Chancellor's interdepartmental working party which is working on the Government's response to the Law Commission report on mental incapacity; which Departments they represent; and if he will list those court decisions which have found advance directives legally binding and which form the basis of policy in this area. [33976]

The working group is made up of officials from the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Department of Health, the Home Office, the Department of Social Security, the Welsh Office and the Treasury.Certain forms of advance directive already have full legal effect at common law. The dicta in

Re T (Adult Refusal of Treatment) [1993] Fam 95 together with those in Airedale Trust v. Bland [1993] AC 789 in both the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords indicate that an advance refusal which is "clearly established" and "applicable in the circumstances" may be as effective as the decision of a capable adult. The case of Re C (Adult Refusal of Treatment) [1994] 1 WLR 290 clarified the position.

Judicial Appointments

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what is the practice of the Lord Chancellor's Department in respect of the number of names provided to the Prime Minister in respect of each senior judicial appointment; [32862](2) how many names were offered to the Prime Minister in respect of the appointment of the Lord Chief Justice in 1992. [32863]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on Monday 3 July, Official Report, column 18. It is not the practice to disclose information about communications between Ministers.

Small Claims Limit

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to raise the small claims limit; what is the proposed time scale; and what plans he has for a consultation period. [32706]

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 who 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 of 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 rules committee which, as part of its consideration of the matter, will consult interested parties. No timetable has yet been set for the laying of a statutory instrument before the House.

Statutes

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give the numbers and percentages of statutes from (a) 1990 and earlier, (b) 1985 and earlier and (c) 1980 and earlier whose provisions are not fully in force. [32942]

Of some 3,300 public general Acts which were enacted before the end of 1990, and remain on the statute book, approximately 100–3 per cent.—have not been brought fully into force. The figures for 1985 and 1980 are respectively 60 and 2 per cent. and 40 and 1 per cent.

Prime Minister

Questions Of Procedure For Ministers

To ask the Prime Minister how many members of the parliamentary Conservative party, including parliamentary private secretaries, unpaid Whips and others, were subject to collective responsibilityas defined in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" on 4 July. [33651]

The 108 Members of the Conservative party who hold ministerial office.

Nursery Education

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 6 July, Official Report, columns 512–13, concerning the introduction of nursery education for all four year-olds, (1) by how many he expects the number of attendances of children of this age group to increase for each year commencing September 1996 up to 2000 due to (a) a reduction in the proportion of four year-old receiving full-time nursery education and (b) a reduction in the proportion of the three year-olds receiving full-time nursery education; [33979](2) what is the increase in the number of nursery school places he expects to be available for this age group for each year commencing September 1996 up to 2000 arising from

(a) an increase in the number of qualified nursery school teachers and (b) places made available by a reduction in the proportion of attendances by three year-olds, full or part-time. [33980]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on 6 July, Official Report, columns 517–19. The number and type of places which become available will depend on parental demand and providers' response to it. The proposed funding method will allow local education authorities and other providers to continue to supply as many full-time places and places for three-year-olds as they do now.

Treasury

Voluntary Organisations

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [31302]

None.

Beverage Containers (Disposal)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that the treatment of beverage containers confiscated by HM Customs and Excise conform with the Government's waste management strategy of reuse and recovery rather than disposal. [33221]

Customs and Excise is committed to support the Government's sustainable development strategy and this is reflected in the action that it has taken on the disposal of beverage containers.Following a consultants' report on the best environmental options for the disposal of seized goods Customs intends to let a contract, or contracts, which will cover the disposal of beverage containers. It will seek the optimum recovery of liquor and packaging—glass, aluminium, cardboard and plastics—from these contracts.

Staff (Shareholdings)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department or its agencies have (a) declared any company shareholdings they hold or (b) been advised to dispose of shareholdings in the last five years, indicating the companies concerned. [33420]

The information requested is not held centrally.

Labour Statistics (Coventry)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list separately, by each office of his

Registrations and deregistrations by calendar year Registrations
Collection	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
Northern Ireland	4,074	4,226	3,607	3,674	4,034	3,652
Central England	24,888	22,257	18,239	18,983	17,735	16,161
Anglia	20,286	17,436	15,347	14,087	14,350	13,083
South East England	17,498	16,122	13,562	12,403	12,689	11,522
South England	23,440	18,813	15,544	13,934	14,295	13,056
Thames Valley	26,878	25,524	21,723	20,478	20,956	19,999
London Central	17,978	15,840	13,907	14,194	13,705	12,468
London South and Thames	10,795	9,303	8,018	7,519	11,176	10,171
East England	26,153	22,923	19,599	17,559	18,280	16,665
North West England	22,384	20,574	18,645	17,326	16,412	15,174
North England	21,696	19,180	16,362	15,374	15,331	14,081
Scotland	16,525	15,350	13,395	12,792	12,966	11,985
Wales West and Borders	29,138	25,381	21,578	20,066	20,030	18,621

Department, the numbers and grades of casuals, fixed appointments and vacancies in the Coventry travel-to-work area. [33777]

The Treasury has no offices in the Coventry travel-to-work area.

Pensioners (Tax)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pensioners pay tax at 40 per cent. [32523]

[holding answer 4 July 1995]: Based on the latest estimates, only 1.5 per cent.—about 150,000 of the 10 million people aged 65 or over—are expected to pay income tax at 40 per cent. in 1995–96.

Income Tax Allowances

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of raising the personal income tax allowance by £500; and how many people would be removed from the tax net as a result. [32532]

[holding answer 5 July 1995]: The direct revenue cost would be about £3.2 billion in a full year at 1995–96 income levels and about a million taxpayers would be removed from tax.

Value Added Tax

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) VAT registrations and (b) VAT deregistrations have taken place in each county area in each (i) financial year since 1989–90- and (ii) calendar year since 1989. [32985]

[holding answer 6 July 1995]: Customs and Excise holds registration and deregistration information by local offices and groups these offices to form collections. The following tables, which contain the information sought, reflect changes to the VAT registration and deregistration thresholds, particularly for the significant increase of 1991 and, to a lesser extent, that of December 1993.The tables also represent any changes to collection boundaries over the years.

Deregistrations
Collection	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
Northern Ireland	3,224	3,113	3,783	3,595	3,176	3,495
Central England	17,077	16,799	22,540	22,082	20,822	17,979
Anglia	12,413	13,851	21,972	19,977	17,511	16,303
South East England	10,928	11,648	19,650	18,342	15,906	14,317
South England	12,868	14,782	21,828	20,813	19,457	16,422
Thames Valley	16,528	17,943	24,925	25,509	23,518	21,162
London Central	12,624	12,666	15,779	17,109	14,818	11,905
London South and Thames	7,002	7,531	9,247	8,989	10,546	9,604
East England	17,845	18,483	24,212	22,424	21,145	18,729
North West England	16,731	16,015	21,486	21,420	20,752	18,600
North England	15,404	16,154	20,649	18,904	17,427	16,955
Scotland	12,321	12,619	15,399	13,790	14,206	12,877
Wales West and Borders	20,193	20,773	27,797	25,691	25,236	23,346

Registrations and deregistrations by financial year Registrations
Collection	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95
Northern Ireland	4,053	4195	3,600	3,759	4,000	3,666
Central England	25,309	20,639	17,968	17,593	16,685	16,469
Anglia	20,014	16,166	12,695	14,104	14,230	13,470
South East England	17,920	14,067	10,682	12,439	12,405	11,339
South England	23,646	17,621	14,956	13,853	13,984	12,979
Thames Valley	28,722	24,028	21,201	20,108	20,899	20,325
London Central	17,995	15,197	12,564	13,946	13,472	12,456
London South and Thames	11,553	8,349	8,043	8,328	10,857	9,588
East England	28,761	21,492	18,677	17,919	17,402	17,028
North West England	22,889	20,752	18,091	17,003	15,876	15,064
North England	21,813	18,350	15,777	15,382	14,817	13,795
Scotland	16,670	15,020	12,799	12,891	12,682	12,103
Wales West and Borders	29,729	23,605	23,531	19,993	19,621	17,771

Deregistrations
Collection	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95
Northern Ireland	3,442	3.128	3,934	3,303	3,417	3,280
Central England	16,848	17,007	23,887	21,698	20,607	17,593
Anglia	12,624	14,443	20,244	19,332	17,924	15,283
South East England	11,266	11,544	17,115	17,600	16,121	13,193
South England	15,729	15,185	22,852	20,675	18,065	16,687
Thames Valley	16,899	18,641	26,612	24,822	23,514	20,130
London Central	13,014	12,848	15,905	16,197	14,222	11,558
London South and Thames	7,472	7,680	9,610	6,999	11,151	8,696
East England	18,390	18,839	25,010	21,822	21,197	18,851
North West England	16,806	15,971	23,017	20,868	21,104	17,304
North England	14,407	16,470	21,289	18,708	17,030	16,665
Scotland	12,424	12,852	15,777	13,368	14,458	12,316
Wales West and Borders	20,156	21,516	29,357	25,971	25,396	21,996

Taxpayers

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number and percentage of standard rate and higher ate taxpayers in (a) each county, (b) each region and nation and (c) the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [33146]

Basic and higher rate taxpayers, 1992–93
	Taxpayer liable at basic rate but not higher rate		Taxpayers liable at higher rate
	Thousands	Percentage¹	Thousands	Percentage¹
United Kingdom²	19,500	76.0	1,720	6.7
England	16,400	76.2	1,510	7.0
North	967	76.1	56	4.4
Cleveland	171	81.4	10	4.9
Cumbria	182	75.4	10	4.0

[holding answer 10 July 1995]: The table provides estimates for 1992–93, the latest available year for which information can be provided below the United Kingdom level.

Basic and higher rate taxpayers, 1992–93
	Taxpayer liable at basic rate but not higher rate		Taxpayers liable at higher rate
	Thousands	Percentage ¹	Thousands	Percentage ¹
Durham	188	75.8	8	3.2
Northumberland	97	73.6	10	7.5
Tyne and Wear	330	74.8	18	4.1
Yorkshire and Humberside	1,590	76.2	100	4.8
Humberside	281	71.9	17	4.4
North Yorkshire	246	76.7	25	7.6
South Yorkshire	376	75.0	15	3.0
West Yorkshire	683	78.7	43	5.0
North West	2,020	76.2	120	4.5
Cheshire	323	74.2	32	7.4
Greater Manchester	825	80.0	41	4.0
Lancashire	428	72.3	27	4.6
Merseyside	442	75.1	19	3.3
East Midlands	1,320	75.6	92	5.3
Derbyshire	308	75.7	19	4.7
Leicestershire	308	75.7	19	4.7
Lincolnshire	305	80.9	19	5.0
Northamptonshire	204	77.1	15	5.5
Nottinghamshire	295	71.4	23	5.6
West Midlands	1,780	78.6	119	5.3
Hereford and Worcestershire	262	79.1	24	7.1
Shropshire	126	75.8	7	4.4
Staffordshire	357	79.1	20	4.5
Warwickshire	183	77.4	21	9.1
West Midlands	848	79.1	46	4.3
East Anglia	735	77.7	56	5.9
Cambridgeshire	231	79.5	21	7.3
Norfolk	260	76.9	19	5.7
Suffolk	244	77.2	15	4.8
South east	6,380	75.6	835	9.9
Bedfordshire	189	79.2	20	8.2
Berkshire	300	73.7	46	11.2
Buckinghamshire	237	73.0	44	13.6
East Sussex	239	77.6	21	6.9
Essex	575	77.6	65	8.8
Greater London	2,410	75.6	338	10.6
Hampshire	593	77.3	55	7.2
Hertfordshire	373	75.8	58	11.7
Kent	514	75.1	51	7.5
Oxfordshire	194	73.0	27	10.2
Surrey	433	73.2	79	13.3
West Sussex	273	75.6	27	7.4
Isle of Wight	39	71.8	4	7.1
South west	1,630	75.9	129	6.0
Avon	375	76.3	28	5.8
Cornwall	136	71.2	9	4.6
Devon	343	75.6	24	5.3
Dorset	230	77.0	25	8.3
Gloucestershire	187	78.3	15	6.2
Somerset	157	75.2	9	4.2
Wiltshire	200	76.1	20	7.5
Wales	854	76.3	48	4.3
Clwyd	135	77.1	8	4.4
Dyfed	108	77.9	5	3.8
Gwent	122	76.3	8	5.0
Gwynedd	77	71.4	3	2.7
Mid Glamorgan	164	77.9	7	3.4
Powys	42	74.2	1	2.3
South Glamorgan	95	81.3	8	7.0
West Glamorgan	112	72.9	8	5.2
Scotland	1,700	74.9	126	5.5
Borders	32	68.7	2	5.0
Central	66	73.6	4	5.0
Dumfries and Galloway	46	71.7	4	6.3

Basic and higher rate taxpayers, 1992–93
	Taxpayer liable at basic rate but not higher rate		Taxpayers liable at higher rate
	Thousands	Percentage ¹	Thousands	Percentage ¹
Fife	112	83.8	9	6.9
Grampian	193	73.5	20	7.6
Highlands	80	75.7	5	4.8
Lothian	285	76.3	21	5.5
Strathclyde	741	75.1	42	4.3
Tayside	127	72.1	14	8.1
Island authorities	12	47.6	1	5.3
Northern Ireland	420	72.7	22	3.9
¹ Of total numbers of taxpayers including those liable to only the lower rate of tax.
² Includes members of Her Majesty's Forces, the Merchant Navy, Civil Servants serving overseas and non-residents liable to United Kingdom tax who cannot be allocated to regions or counties.

Public Sector Borrowing Requirement

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the difference in money terms and what has been the percentage change between the PSBR forecast at the time of the 1994 autumn Budget and the 1995 summer economic forecast estimates; and what are the main reasons for the difference. [33116]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: The summer economic forecast for the PSBR in 1995–96 is £23½ billion. This is £2 billion higher than forecast at the time of the last Budget. As a proportion of GDP, the PSBR is now forecast at 3¼ per cent., ¼ percentage point higher than in the Budget.The main reason for this increase is the assumption that lower than expected tax receipts seen in 1994–95 will be reflected in the level of receipts in 1995–96. Control total expenditure is assumed to be the same as in the plans announced in the last Budget. The Cabinet has recently confirmed that it is the Government's intention that spending will be no higher than in the plans announced in the Budget, reinforcing the Government's commitment to sound public finances.

Tower Hamlets Residents

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the economic position for members of each ethnic group in Tower Hamlets by enumeration district. [33653]

I have been asked to reply.The information requested has been taken from the 1991 census of population for England and Wales small area statistics and will be placed in the Library. The full ethnic breakdown of 10 categories is not available at enumeration district level.

Transport

Bull Bars

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 4 July, Official Report, columns 117–18, on bull bars, what percentage of the population this answer covers; and what factor should be used to multiply the figure in order to calculate the total figure for the United Kingdom. [33502]

The police forces which noted injury accidents involving bull bars during 1994 covered an area with a population of 29 million people. This figure represents 53 per cent. of the population of England, Scotland and Wales. These police forces covered 50 per cent. of all reported injury accidents, 57 per cent. of all fatal accidents and 53 per cent. of all serious-injury accidents. In principle, therefore, the figures for accidents involving vehicles fitted with bull bars should be approximately doubled to give an estimate for the United Kingdom; but such extrapolation should be treated with caution in view of the possibility both of under-reporting and of regional variation.It should be noted that the number of casualties involving vehicles fitted with bull bars is not the same as the number of casualties due to bull bars, which can be determined only be analysis of the police reports of the accidents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which police forces submitted figures on accidents involving bull bars in 1994 for his Department's study and which did not. [33832]

The two lists show those police forces which took part in the special study and those which did not.

Contributing forces
England
Avon and Somerset
Cambridgeshire
Cumbria
Cheshire
Derbyshire
Essex
Greater Manchester
Hampshire
Hertfordshire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Norfolk
North Yorkshire
Nottinghamshire
Northamptonshire
South Yorkshire
Staffordshire
Suffolk

Surrey
Sussex
West Midlands
West Mercia
Wiltshire
Wales
South Wales
Scotland
Central
Fife
Grampian
Northern
Strathclyde
Tayside
Non-contributing forces
England
Bedfordshire
Cleveland
Devon and Cornwall
Dorset
Durham
Gloucestershire
Humberside
Kent
Lancashire
Merseyside
Metropolitan
Northumbria
Thames valley
Warwickshire
West Yorkshire
Wales
Dyfed-Powys
Gwent
North Wales
Scotland
Lothian and Borders
Dumfries and Galloway

Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33927]

For reasons of commercial confidentiality, the Department does not reveal information about the fees paid to individual consultants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department or its agencies has spent on computer consultancy in each of the last five years; and what is the expected expenditure over the next five years. [33928]

Expenditure for the last five years is as follows:

1990–91: £760,000
1991–92: £452,000
1992–93: £1,019,000

1993–94: £1,005,000
1994–95: £2,548,000

Estimated expenditure and commissioned work is available only for two forward years.

1995–96: £3,111,000
1996–97: £2,469,000

Heavy Goods Vehicles

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the total number of journeys made each year by heavy goods vehicles. [33707]

In total, there are about 560 million journeys made each year by goods vehicle over 3.5 tonnes gross weight.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 3 July, Official Report, column 58, how many heavy goods vehicles were weighed by the Vehicle Inspectorate in the most recent year; and how many were found to be overweight. [33708]

This is an operational matter for the Vehicle Inspectorate agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. John Denham, dated 12 July 1995:

WEIGHING HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) weighed and the number found to be overweight.

In 1994–95, 120,297 HGVs were weighed and 4,545 were prohibited.

Highway Engineering

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport following the formation of the Highways Agency, what means are being employed to ensure highway engineering remains integrated within his Department's overall work on road safety. [33848]

The framework document which establishes the Highways Agency has an objective of contributing to the target of reducing road casualties by one third by the year 2000 compared with the annual average from 1981 to 1985. The agency's road users' charter sets out its commitment to contributing to the above target through a programme of implementing road safety schemes, providing better lighting and safety barriers between carriageways, encouraging safer driving at roadworks and developing winter maintenance practice. The enhancement of road safety is also a key objective of the programme of road improvements. The agency's performance is monitored against its business plan targets.

Travelcard

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has held with London Transport and British Rail on the future of the travelcard and the consideration of unit pricing of tickets in London. [33830]

The Government are committed to the continuation of the existing London travelcard and has taken the necessary steps to ensure its future. My Department discusses a variety of issues, including developments in ticketing, with London Transport and the rail operators as required.

Refuse (Transport)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the proposed transport of refuse by road from Westminster rather than by the use of the Thames. [33804]

I have received one representation concerning Westminster's decision to transfer its waste by road rather than by river. I understand that my ministerial colleagues in the Department of the Environment have received a further two.

A1 (Air Quality)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what monitoring is done by his Department of air quality on the A1, Archway road, in Haringey and Islington. [33813]

My Department has not conducted any monitoring of air quality on the A1 Archway road, in the London borough of Haringey or the London borough of Islington. We do not routinely monitor air quality beside existing trunk roads.The overall responsibility for the control of air quality rest with the Department of the Environment, which in January 1995 published the Government's strategic policies for air quality management "Air Quality: Meeting the Challenge". Under this strategy, the initial responsibility for air quality would rest with local authorities, which already have considerable responsibilities. They will liaise with bodies such as the Highways Agency, when drawing up their air quality management plans.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when it first became apparent to him that the timetable he set in March 1994 for concluding the development agreement with the successful bidder for the construction of the channel tunnel rail link was likely to slip beyond mid-1995. [33534]

The then Secretary of State announced on 31 August 1994 that he hoped to conclude the process of evaluation and negotiation by mid to late 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what transport benefits he took into account when selecting the successful first stage bidders for the channel tunnel rail link construction contract. [33532]

As the Secretary of State announced on 3 July—Official Report, columns 61–62, the ranking of bids in the first stage of the competition was based mainly on an evaluation of the level and timing of the Government contribution and the approach taken by the bidders to risk, together with a qualitative assessment of their financial proposals. Transport benefits were also taken into account, particularly non-financial benefits to international and domestic passengers on the rail link and existing network.

White Hart Roundabout, Northolt

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take measures to ensure the early completion of phased traffic lights at the White Hart roundabout, Northolt; and if he will make a statement. [33301]

This is a matter for the London borough of Ealing.

Staff (Shareholdings)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff in his Department or its agencies have (a) declared any company shareholdings they hold or (b) been advised to dispose of shareholdings in the last five years, indicating the companies concerned. [33419]

(a) In accordance with the service-wide rules, the Department's staff handbook requires staff to declare any financial interests in matters they may be called upon to deal with in the course of their official duties. In the majority of cases, such conflicts of interest are reported to, and resolved immediately by, line management. The Department does not maintain a central record of all declared shareholdings and, for this reason, it is not possible to provide the detail of information requested without a special exercise incurring disproportionate cost.

(b) There have been no cases in the last five years where staff have been formally advised to dispose of shareholdings.

Vehicle Owner Records (Disclosures)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many disclosures from vehicle owner records at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency were made to bailiffs in the last 12 months. [33351]

The information is not recorded separately.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what circumstances he will authorise the release of records from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in connection with offences unrelated to the actual vehicle concerned. [33353]

Information may be released in circumstances where "reasonable cause" has been demonstrated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his definition of "good cause" in relation to the disclosure of records from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to a firm of bailiffs. [33352]

Regulations permit the release of information from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's vehicle record in circumstances where "reasonable cause" has been demonstrated. "Reasonable cause" is not defined and each case is dealt with on its merits.Information may also be released to local authorities for any purpose connected with the investigation of an offence or criminalised parking contravention.

Most inquiries from bailiffs are made on behalf of local authorities and the courts as a result of distress warrants and for non-payments of fines, rates and so on. Inquiries are also made in cases of outstanding debts where sight of a court judgment is required before confirmation of keeper details is provided.

Vehicle Inspectorate

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much extra resources have been provided to the Vehicle Inspectorate in the current financial year; how many additional traffic examiners and vehicle examiners will be employed as a result; and if the extra money will be provided annually. [33590]

An additional £350,000 in funding has been made available to VI for additional enforcement activities. We will be looking to sustain continued high levels of enforcement in future years. The number of additional traffic examiners and vehicle examiners to be employed as a result of extra resources is an operational matter for the chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Ron Oliver to Ms Joan Walley, dated 12 July 1995:

As Chief Executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate, I have been asked by the Secretary of State to reply to your question on how many additional traffic examiners and vehicle examiners will be employed as a result of extra resources provided to VI.

The number of additional posts being created as a result of the extra funding is 11.5 traffic examiners and 2.5 vehicle examiners.

Environment

Hybrid Wolves

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what advice his Department issues to local authorities about the seizure of hybrid wolves which are owned or kept as domestic pets; [33101](2) if he will make a statement on the application of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 to the ownership or keeping of second or subsequent generation hybrid wolves. [33109]

Keeping a wolf or any hybrid wolf requires a licence issued by the local authority under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. Local authorities may attach to any licence conditions covering accommodation or other issues. They are also empowered to seize any hybrid wolf for which a licence has not been issued or if a condition on a licence is breached. It is for the local authority to decide whether seizure is appropriate in a particular case.

Eds

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the contracts his Department has with the computer company EDS. [33170]

None currently.

Waste Spreading

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received regarding problems caused by the spreading of waste paper sludge at Thieveley Pike, Cliviger, Burnley; [33620](2) if he will ensure that funds are made available immediately to repair the damage caused to ecologically sensitive areas by inappropriate schemes for waste spreading; [33619](3) what steps he has taken to ensure waste spreading on agricultural land is done in conformity with EEC directive 91/692; [33617](4) what steps he proposes to take to ensure waste spreading on agricultural land complies with environmental protection requirements; [33615](5) if he will make it his policy to ensure that the spreading of waste on water catchment areas for rivers and reservoirs and on ecologically sensitive areas is halted immediately; [33618](6) how many incidents have been reported of waste spreading on agricultural land being carried out using methods harmful to the environment; and if he will make a statement. [33616]

On 1 May 1994, the Government brought into force the waste management licensing provisions of part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994—S.I. 1994 No. 1056. The new licensing system is the main means by which the Government have transposed into national legislation the requirements of the amended EC Framework Directive on waste—Council Directive 75/442/EEC as amended by 91/156/EEC and 91/692/EEC.It is an offence under section 33(1)(a) or (b) of the 1990 Act to deposit, recover or dispose of controlled waste without a waste management licence or contrary to the conditions of a licence exemption. It is also an offence under section 33(1)(c) of the 1990 Act to carry out these activities in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health.Article 4 of the framework directive has been transposed in paragraph 4(1)(a) of schedule 4 to the 1994 regulations. This provision makes it a relevant objective to ensure that waste is recovered or disposed of without endangering human health and without using processes or methods which could harm the environment and in particular without:

(a) risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals; or

(b) causing nuisance through noise or odours; or

Exemptions from waste management licensing have been provided in regulation 17 of and schedule 3 to the 1994 regulations. Regulation 17(4) provides that the exemptions are valid only if the type and quantity of waste, and the method of disposal or recovery, are consistent with the need to attain the objectives set out in paragraph 4(1)(a) of schedule 4 to the 1994 regulations. A person who purports to be carrying out an exempt activity but fails to comply with the terms and conditions of an exemption may be prosecuted under section 33(1)(a) or (b) of 1990 Act for carrying out a licensable activity without a licence; or, if appropriate, under 33(1)(c) of the 1990 Act.

Responsibility for the enforcement of waste management controls rests with waste regulation authorities and there is no requirement for incidents of the kind referred to by the hon. Member to be reported to the Department. The cost of repairing any damage arising from the inappropriate spreading of waste is a matter for the parties concerned.

In relation to the incident at Thieveley Pike, the Department has received representations from the secretary to Save The Moors From Open Cast and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Audit Commission

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what pay increase has been offered to the staff of the Audit Commission. [33349]

There has been no offer of an increase in basic pay to staff of the Audit Commission for 1995–96. However, individuals will be eligible for increases in pay of between 0 and 3.5 per cent., depending on their performance against set targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration led him to agree that the commissioners of the Audit Commission should receive a pay increase of 2.5 per cent. [33350]

On 9 February, Official Report, column 347, the Prime Minister announced the Government's decisions on the recommendations of the Senior Salaries Review Board, which was that the chairmen and members of public boards whose salaries are treated as SSRB consequentials may be paid an increase of 2.5 per cent. The Secretary of State decided to award a pay increase of 2.5 per cent. to the chairman and members of the board of the Audit Commission on this basis.

Education Ssa (Devon)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the percentage change in real terms of the education standard spending assessment for Devon since 1989–90. [33493]

Standard spending assessments were not introduced until 1 April 1990. Between 1990–91 and 1995–96, Devon county council's education standard spending assessment decreased in real terms by 0.4 per cent.

Local Government Finance

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by region the total amount of (a) useable and (b) set-aside capital receipts held by each local authority in England at 31 March. [33473]

A list by region of the amounts of accumulated usable capital receipts and the amounts set aside as provision for credit liabilities for each English local authority at 31 March 1994 has been placed in the Library of the House.The regional totals for these amounts are:

Amounts held as at 31 March 1994 (£ million)
Region	Usable receipts	PCL set aside
South East	1,184	2,837
South West	162	629
East Anglia	93	323
West Midlands	117	437
East Midlands	123	508
North West	142	489
Yorkshire and Humberside	79	460
Northern	65	225

The provision for credit liabilities includes amounts set aside from both capital receipts and revenue. Separate figures are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average percentage change in the rateable values list between 1990 and 1995 (a) for each region in England, (b) for Cornwall and (c) for Cornwall and Devon. [33630]

The latest information shows the following average changes in rateable value between the 1990 and 1995 rating lists:

	Per cent.
(a)
Northern region	+26
North west	+32
Yorkshire and Humberside	+28
East Midlands	+22
West Midlands	+36
East Anglia	+14
South west	+13
South east	+2
Outer London	+6
Inner London	-41
(b)
Cornwall +9 per cent.	—
(c)
Cornwall and Devon +14 per cent.	—

Water Industry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on competition regulation in the water industry. [32132]

We are keen to encourage direct competition where it is appropriate. The Competition and Service (Utilities) Act 1992 introduced a number of measures to facilitate it in the case of water.On 4 July the Director General of Water Services published a paper entitled "Competition in the water industry: inset appointments and their regulation", in response to an increasing number of inquiries into the introduction of competition into the water industry.

Emergency Hostels

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many 16 and 17-year-olds are staying in emergency hostels, and what plans he has to reduce the number. [33061]

The information requested is not available in my Department.The Children Act 1989 requires social services departments to provide accommodation for a child in need who has reached the age of 16 and whose welfare is likely to be seriously prejudiced if they do not provide him with accommodation. Social services departments also have power to provide accommodation for any child in their area if they consider that this would safeguard and promote the child's welfare.Young people who are homeless can approach the local housing authority for assistance under part II of the Housing Act 1985. Housing authorities and social services departments are expected to co-operate in discharging their respective duties.

Housing Corporation

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has made to increase the Housing Corporation's annual development programme; [33064](2) what plans he has to extend the Housing Corporation's housing for rent programme. [33065]

The budget for the Housing Corporation's approved development programme for 1995–96, including housing for rent, was announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration on 15 December 1994 Official Report, column 734. Details were placed in the Library of the House.The budget for the approved development programme for 1996–97 and later years is being considered as part of the Government's annual review of public expenditure.

Housing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the terms of reference of the intended review of the Housing Act 1985. [33066]

We set out our housing policies in the White Paper, "Our Future Homes", Cm 2901, which was published on 27 June 1995. The White Paper indicated that the Government were consulting on a number of proposals and described the consultation arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers he plans to grant to local authorities to ensure decent facilities in low-rent private accommodation. [33067]

Local authorities have a range of statutory powers to secure improvements to properties they consider to be unfit, including privately rented accommodation. We propose to strengthen their powers to deal with houses in multiple occupation to improve the safety and amenity of this type of accommodation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has in respect of privately rented accommodation for poor people. [33068]

We propose to:

legislate to make it easier for landlords to let their property to build on progress made since 1988 on increasing the supply of good quality privately rented accommodation;

make it easier for people on low incomes to obtain accommodation by placing a statutory duty on local housing authorities to secure suitable advisory services, including advice on affordable private rented housing;

introduce pre-tenancy determinations to enable prospective tenants and their landlords to find out how much rent will be covered by housing benefit, before signing a tenancy agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will review the effectiveness of the business expansion scheme for privately rented accommodation. [33069]

My Department reviewed the effectiveness of the business expansion scheme in 1991–92. We concluded that the scheme was successful as a temporary measure to pump-prime investment, adding some 80,000 rental units to the private rented sector. We also concluded that the boost to the sector was likely to be shortlived and that the scheme was relatively expensive. The concession therefore ended, as planned, in 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has evaluated on landlords attitudes to unemployed people and those on housing benefit as tenants; and what proposals he has. [33070]

Recent research for my Department found that landlords' attitudes to prospective tenants varied—some landlords were cautious about taking on tenants in receipt of housing benefit, others were content to do so.Unemployed people and those on housing benefit will find it easier to obtain accommodation if landlords are confident that the rent will be paid. We have made it easier for local authorities to offer landlords rent guarantees, helping people who cannot raise a rent deposit. We propose to introduce pre-tenancy determinations to remove the uncertainty about how much rent will be covered by housing benefit, before the tenancy agreement is signed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Social Security and local authorities to encourage people to take housing benefit or unemployed tenants by speeding up the housing benefit application process. [33071]

My Department and the Department of Social Security work together closely with local authorities on issues affecting the operation of the housing benefit system. In 1994, nearly 80 per cent. of all housing benefit claims were paid within the statutory 15 days. About 70 per cent. of authorities achieved or exceeded this target. The introduction of pre-tenancy determinations in January should allow local authorities to improve their response times further.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the extent to which the slump in the housing market has encouraged an increase in privately rented accommodation. [33072]

The number of households living in privately rented property has increased by 300,000 since 1988. The increased availability of this type of accommodation reflects a number of factors, particularly the deregulation of lettings since 1989. The current state of the housing market is, of course, another such factor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the Secretary of State has made in encouraging (a) the authorised housing investment trusts and (b) other bodies to invest in privately rented accommodation. [33073]

We announced in the housing White Paper our proposal to legislate to allow housing investment trusts to be formed. The removal of rent controls in 1988 for new lettings allows landlords to make a more realistic return on their investment. Since 1988, the number of privately rented households has increased from 1.7 million to 2 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to address the concerns of the financial institutions in respect of the risks of investment in privately rented accommodation. [33047]

We propose to allow housing investment trusts to be formed so that financial institutions will be able to invest in privately rented housing without managing the properties directly and on a scale which will enable them to diversify risks. Trusts will benefit from exemption on capital gains within the trust, and a reduced rate of corporation tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of grants to companies to invest in privately rented accommodation; and what is his policy in respect of such grants. [33075]

We propose to allow private sector landlords to bid for funds to building housing at below market levels for social renting, but do not propose to offer grants for housing at market rents.

Opencast Mining

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the oral answer of 17 May to the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane), Official Report, column 316, when his Department will publish the findings of the research that it is currently undertaking into the problems of dust, blasting and transport caused by opencast mining. [33501]

These projects are concerned with all mineral workings, not simply opencast coal. The findings on dust and blasting will be published at the end of this year and in early 1996 respectively. The results of the transport research will be available in late summer 1996.

Director General Of Water Services

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current salary of the Director General of Water Services; and what has been the salary for this post since 1990. [33552]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) by my right hon. Friend the former Minister for the Environment and Countryside on 3 July 1995, Official Report, column 17.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the criteria used to determine the salary of the Director General of Water Services. [33553]

Mr. Byatt's salary is based on that of a grade 2 civil servant, and has been increased in line with increases awarded to senior civil servants in the light of the Government's decisions on the recommendations of the Senior Salaries Review Body.

Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which firms have won computer consultancy contracts from his Department and its agencies over the last five years; and what is the number of contracts per firm. [33891]

This information is available centrally only for some of the consultancy contracts. The available information for the period April 1990 to April 1995 is as follows:

Company name	Number of contracts awarded
Touche Ross	3
Infologistics	3
BIS Applied Systems	5
Logica	9
Comshare	2
Computer People	8
Peter Peregrinus Ltd.	1
ISMa Consultants	1
Coopers and Lybrand	11
PA Consulting	1
Mindworks	1
World Systems	6
Hanlon Computer Services	2
W. S. Atkins	7
Yale Data Management	11
Softlab	1
Sapphire Software Services	2
Kermon Management Consultants	1
Abraxas Computer Systems	4
Mouncey and Partners	7
FI Group plc	3
Ernst and Young	9
Trident Project Services	1
Hoskyns Group plc	1
Elan Computing	2
CSL	2
Ron Streeter Methods Ltd.	1
Amtec Consulting	3
CTEC	1
Hunterskil	3
Logical Communication Systems	1
Park Place Training	1
Frost Berkeley Associates	6
Chajnsielem Heritage Systems	1
Thomas Consultancy	1

Company name	Number of contracts awarded
Isles Technology Resources	4
Almondhall Computer Staff	6
AMP Computer Recruitment	1
CSS Trident	2
Nobleprospect Ltd.	1
Myriad Computer Services	5
Intertech Computer Consultants	1
Systeme Evolutif	2
Database Solutions	1
Modulo 4	1
Consultancy Corporation	1
Sue Sheppard Staff Bureau	1
KPG Computer Support Services	1
Thorogood Associates	1
Admiral Management Services	5
VNG Nationwide	1
Methods Application	2
Lorien Technical Services	2
Brooklands Information Services	1
Prolog Systems	1
Gmap Ltd.	1
Task Force	2
Mind Consultancy	1
Arrow Corps	1
David Warrilow Associates	3
International Training Services	1
Easams Ltd.	2
Express Computer Consultants	1
Basis Ltd.	2
Axsis Consultants	1
ABC Ltd.	1
PWA Professional Personnel	1
Total number of contracts	180

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last five years have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33879]

The information requested is not held centrally by my Department and is obtainable only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department and its agencies have spent on computer consultancy in each of the last five years; and what is the expected expenditure over the next five years. [33860]

Information is available centrally only for some of the expenditure on computer consultancies. The available total cost for each of the last five years is as follows:

1990–91: £1,427,230
1991–92: £4,029,342
1992–93: £2,742,459
1993–94: £1,794,048
1994–95: £316,045

In respect of the next five years, it is not possible centrally to disaggregate bids for computer consultancy from bids for other forms of consultancy assistance. This information is obtainable only at disproportionate cost.

Public Bodies

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total value of quangos undertaking local government responsibilities in London, their total income and income per organisation and the names of all their members. [33940]

My right hon. Friend has responsibility for the following non-departmental public bodies which exercise in London functions, some of which are the same as those exercisable by local authorities.

LONDON RESIDUARY BODY
Membership
Sir Godfrey Taylor, DL (Chairman)
Mr. Wallace Mackenzie, OBE
Mr. Michael Roberts, FCA
Mr. Jack Wolkind, CBE
At 31 March 1995—latest available annual accounts—the value of net assets was £22.5 million and total revenue income in 1994–95 was £0.4 million.
LONDON PENSIONS FUND AUTHORITY
Membership
Mr. Cholmeley Messer (Chairman)
Mr. Michael Roberts, FCA (Deputy Chairman)
Sir Nigel Althaus
Councillor Dennis Barkway
Councillor Stephen Bullock
Miss Caroline Burton
Councillor Judith Jorsling
Councillor Serge Lourie
At 31 March 1994—Latest available annual accounts—the value of the authority's superannuation fund was £2 billion and the value of the LPFA's other net assets was some £33 million. The total income in 1993–94 on the authority's management revenue account, net of recoverable payments, was around £30 million.
LONDON DOCKLANDS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Membership
Mr. Michael Pickard (Chairman)
Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe (Deputy Chairman)
Viscountess Cobham
Sir Christopher Foster
Sir Brian Hill
Mr. William Jack
Councillor Rajan Jalal
Councillor Conor McAuley
Councillor John McTernan
Mr. Peter Mead
Mr. Eric Sorensen
Mr. Neil Spence
Mr. Ronald Spinney
At 31 March 1994—latest available annual accounts—the value of the corporation's net assets was £623 million and the total income on the consolidated income and expenditure account was £94 million.

Radioactive Waste Management

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what responses he has received to his White Paper reviewing radioactive waste management policy, Cm. 2919. [33641]

None; the White Paper already takes account of responses received to the preliminary conclusions of the review, which were published in a consultation document last August.

Protection Of Species And Habitats

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action the United Kingdom Government propose to take to protect species and habitats within its national jurisdiction but beyond territorial limits; and what is the timetable for such action. [33849]

The UK Government will contribute fully to the international action and timetables agreed in the ministerial declaration of the fourth North sea conference in respect of the protection of species and habitats. The 1995 joint meeting of the Oslo and Paris Commissions held on 26 to 30 June agreed to consider questions on the protection of species and habitats raised by the declaration at working group level in October.

County Hall

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning matters in relation to county hall, London SE1, have been considered by his Department. [33829]

In recent years, the Secretary of State for the Environment has determined a number of appeals on county hall planning and listed building consent applications.The Secretary of State dismissed appeals on 20 October 1987 for change of use of the county hall complex to hotel and residential use, but allowed a change to offices.On 5 September 1991, the Secretary of State allowed a second set of appeals and consents to demolish all the buildings within the complex and for their replacement by new office buildings, apart from the listed riverside building. Consent was given for the riverside building to be refurbished and altered to provide hotel and conference facilities and some 300 residential flats.

Packaging Waste

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will give up-to-date details on the response he has received to each of the six packaging schemes listed in his consultation paper on packaging and packaging waste; [33692](2) how many

(a) written and (b) oral representations his Department has received to the consultation paper on the shared producers responsibility scheme (i) from industry and (ii) from trade associations and companies; [33689]

(3) how many (a) written and (b) oral representations his Department has received on the suggested V-WRAG scheme on shared producers responsibility for packaging waste scheme (i) in favour of the V-WRAG scheme and (ii) against the scheme; [33690]

(4) if he will consider including the V-WRAG suggested scheme as an addition in his consultation paper, "Shared Producers Responsibility for Packaging Waste Scheme"; and if he will make a statement. [33691]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: The Department has received approximately 200 letters from businesses and trade associations, largely in the food and drink and packaging manufacturing sectors, in support of a document entitled "Shared Producer Responsibility for Packaging Waste" which was submitted to Government by the VALPAK—Working Representative Advisory Group (V—WRAG) on 13 June. There have also been a number of oral expressions of support.The previous Minister for the Environment and Countryside wrote to the chairman of V-WRAG explaining that, in their present form, these proposals fall well short of meeting the criteria for an effective legal obligation to support the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. These criteria were published by the Government on 2 February,

Official Report, column 763–64. I have placed copies of the correspondence in the library.

The Government published their consultation paper on "Producer Responsibility for Packaging Waste" on 25 May, copies of which are in the library. Consultation closes on 18 August. The paper sets out six options for legislation on the recovery and recycling of packaging waste, all of which have been worked up by representatives of businesses in the packaging industry or who manufacture or supply packaged goods. At this stage, very few responses on the relative merits of the various options have been received.

Leasehold Exchange Scheme

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish an analysis of the leasehold exchange scheme, indicating the cash sum received by a local authority and the net effect on a local authority's (a) capital receipts and (b) total borrowing and the new mortgage required by the leaseholder utilising the leasehold exchange scheme if the original leasehold property were (i) valued at £30,000 and sold with full discount in 1986 and (ii) valued at £20,000 and sold with full discount in 1982, and the new leasehold property is currently (1) a flat valued at £40,000 and (2) a house valued at £50,000, on the same assumptions as (i) if the original property now has a nil market value. [30789]

[holding answer 26 June 1995]: An illustrative analysis based on the examples would be as follows:

Example (i)
	£	£
Surrendered flat:
Value of flat when purchased in 1986:	30,000
Maximum discount (60 per cent.):	18,000
Right to buy purchase price:	12,000
Exchange property:	example (1)	example (2)
	Flat valued at 40,000	House valued at 50,000
Discount¹ (flat 40 per cent., house 30 per cent.):	16,000	15,000
Total consideration:	24,000	35,000

Example (i)
	£	£
Credit for surrendered flat:	12,000	12,000
Cash sum received by local authority:	12,000	23,000
Effect on local authority's capital receipts:
Notional receipt:	12,000	12,000
(in each case, the RTB price paid)	(24,000–12,000)	(35,000–23,000)
Set-aside, 75 per cent, of (in this case, total consideration minus credit for surrendered flat):	9,000	17,250
Effect on local authority's total borrowing:	This would depend on the authority's policy with regard to the use of amount set aside
Effect on new mortgage required by leaseholder:	The additional amount required (whether by a new loan or otherwise) in each case would be:
	12,000	23,000
¹ The percentage defined by paragraph A3.3A(b)(ii) of the General Consent for the Disposal of Part II Dwelling-Houses 1994.

Example (ii)
	£	£
Surrendered flat:
Value of flat when purchased in 1982:	20,000
Maximum discount (60 per cent.):	12,000
Right to buy purchase price:	8,000
Exchange property:	Example (1)	Example (2)
	Flat valued at 40,000	House valued at 50,000
Discount¹ (flat 40 per cent, house 30 per cent:	16,000	15,000
Total consideration:	24,000	35,000
Credit for surrendered flat:	8,000	8,000
Cash sum received by local authority:	16,000	27,000
Effect on local authority's capital receipts:
Notional receipt:	8,000	8,000
(in each case, the RTB price paid)	(24,000–16,000)	(35,000–27,000)
Set-aside, 75 per cent. of (in this case, total consideration minus credit for surrendered flat):	12,000	20,250
Effect on local authority's total borrowing:	This would depend on the authority's policy with regard to the use of amount set aside

Example (ii)
	£	£
Effect on new mortgage required by leaseholder:	The additional amount required (whether by a new loan or otherwise) in each case would be:
	16,000	27,000

As in your Question, no account is taken of administrative coasts, which would also be deductible from the capital receipt before set-aside is calculated.

¹ The percentage defined by paragraph A3.3A(b)(ii) of the General Consent for the Disposal of Part II Dwelling-Houses 1994.

Attorney-General

Consultants

To ask the Attorney-General which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33871]

The information requested is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Attorney-General how much his Department and its agencies have spent on computer consultancy in each of the last five years; and what is the expected expenditure over the next five years. [33851]

The expenditure over the past five years for the Departments for which I am responsible is given in the following table:

Expenditure in £000
Year	Treasury Solicitor's Department	Crown Prosecution Service	Serious Fraud Office	Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers
1990–91	not known	not known	114.5	0
1991–92	22	428	87.8	0
1992–93	62	487	99.9	0
1993–94	14.2	449	153.1	0
1994–95	6.4	369	¹213.7	0
¹ Unaudited.

Approximate expected expenditure for the next five years, at current prices, is as follows:

Expenditure in £000
Year	Treasury Solicitor's Department	Crown Prosecution Service	Serious Fraud Office	Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers
1995–96	40	204	193.5	0
1996–97¹	30	²200	² 200	0
¹ and each subsequent year
² not more than

To ask the Attorney-General which firms have won computer consultancy contracts from his Department and its agencies over the last five years; and what is the number of contracts per firm. [33898]

The Departments for which I am responsible have entered into computer consultancy contracts with the following companies over the last five years —1990–91 to 1994–95. The figures in brackets give the number of contracts awarded to each company.

Treasury Solicitor's Department
Axsis Consultants Ltd. (2)
CCTA (6)
Exact Profiles Ltd (1)
Telecom Capita (1)
Triad Special Systems Ltd. (2)
Brian D Yates (1)
Crown Prosecution Service
Amtec Consulting (1)
The Art of Management Ltd. (1)
Axsis Consultants Ltd. (3)
Bull Information Systems Ltd. (1)
Comshare Ltd. (1)
Harvard Associates Ltd. (2)
Hoskyns Group plc (1)
Hunterskil Ltd. (2)
Infact Ltd. (4)
Integrated Project Support (2)
ISIS Computer Services (1)
Mouncey and Partners (1)
Olivetti UK Ltd. (1)
Oracle Corporation UK Ltd. (1)
Quadratron Systems UK Ltd. (1)
Relational Designers Ltd. (1)
SCOLL (1)
Sema Group Systems Ltd. (1)
Sequelogic Ltd. (4)
Simdell Office Systems Ltd. (1)
Verity (1)
VNG Nationwide Ltd. (1)
Yale Consulting (2)
Serious Fraud Office
(ACT) Network SI Group Ltd. (2)
Admiral Management Services Ltd. (1)
Amtec Consulting (2)
Digitus Ltd. (1)
Ernst and Young (1)
Hedra Ltd (2)
Hoskyns Group plc (2)
Insight Consulting (2)
LogicaUK Ltd. (l)
Oracle Corporation UK Ltd. (1)
Rand Information Systems Ltd. (1)
Secure Information Systems Ltd. (1)
SHL Systemhouse Inc (2)
Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers
None.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many contracts his Department has had with consultants; and what has been the total cost in each of the last five years. [33570]

There are three categories of consultants as defined by the Cabinet Office Efficiency Scrutiny. These are:

"Investigating problems; providing analysis or advice; and assisting with the development of new systems, new structures or new capabilities within the organisation."

For the year 1994–95, the diplomatic wing had 13 contracts with management consultants at a total cost of £76,887; 523 contracts for estate and building works consultants at a cost of £8,625,000 and 187 contracts for information technology consultants at a cost of £4,984,000.The aid wing had 15 contracts with management consultants at a total cost of £847,545 and 1,060 contracts with consultants involved in the aid programme overseas at a total cost of £199,221,375.Similar information for the periods 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate which five consultancy firms have received most contracts from his Departments by (a) number of contracts and (b) monetary value in the last five years for which figures are available. [33439]

The information required could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the cost of employing consultants in connection with privatisation programmes in which his Department has been engaged since 1980. [33459]

The cost of employing consultants in connection with privatisation programmes in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including the ODA, since 1980 is £326,890.94.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33881]

The following management consultants employed by the diplomatic wing have been paid more than £1,000 per day in the last year:

Psychometric Research Development

Kinsley Lord

Other consultancies within the diplomatic wing and ODA are not necessarily charged on a daily basis and such figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many contracts and for what total sum were let out by his Department and agencies for which it is responsible to (a) Coopers and Lybrand and its subsidiaries, (b) Peat Marwick and its subsidiaries, (c) Ernst and Young and its subsidiaries, (d) Arthur Andersen and its subsidiaries, (e) Price Waterhouse and its subsidiaries, (f) Grant Thornton and its subsidiaries, (g) Stoy Hayward and its subsidiaries, (h) Robson Rhodes and its subsidiaries and (i) Pannell Kerr Forster and its subsidiaries for privatisation, market testing, management advice, accounting, audit, consultancy and other services in 1993–94 and 1994–95. [33916]

The table sets out the number of contracts and the total costs paid to the firms mentioned.The figures cover both the diplomatic wing and the ODA and include contracts let under the aid programme.

	1993–94	1994–95
1. DIPLOMATIC WING
(a) Coopers and Lybrand
Total number of contracts	3	3
Total costs	£133,000	£385,000
(c) Ernst and Young
Total number of contracts	2	1
Total costs	£23,000	£4,000
(g) Stay Hayward
Total number of contracts	2	1
Total costs	£164,000	£59,000
(i) Pannell Kerr Forster
Total number of contracts	—	2
Total costs	—	£26,000
2. AID WING
(i) UK Running Costs
(b) Peat Marwick (KPMG)
Total number of contracts	—	2
Total costs	—	£234,500
(ii) Aid programme
(a) Coopers and Lybrand
Total number of contracts	9	13
Total costs	£1,406,342	£1,462,955
(b) Peat Marwick (KPMG)
Total number of contracts	9	11
Total costs	£475,977	£1,325,504
(c) Ernst and Young
Total number of contracts	6	—
Total costs	£2,382,040	—
(d) Arthur Andersen
Total number of contracts	1	1
Total costs	£46,000	£1,330,000
(e) Price Waterhouse
Total number of contracts	12	3
Total costs	£1,280,657	£5,307,209
(i) Pannell Kerr Forster
Total number of contracts	1	—
Total costs	£197,250	—

Staff (Shareholdings)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department or its agencies have (a) declared any company shareholdings they hold or (b) been advised to dispose of shareholdings in the last five years, indicating the companies concerned. [33416]

None.

Sex Tourism

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the last date that the subject of British sex tourists was raised with the Government of Cambodia; and what were the results of that discussion. [33706]

We have not raised the subject of sex tourism with the Cambodian Government. However, the British embassy in Phnom Penh monitors this question closely and maintains contacts with NGOs in Cambodia, which are involved in tackling child prostitution.

Land Mines

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with fellow members of the European Union as to a joint policy banning the selling of landmines; and if he will make a statement. [33488]

On 12 May 1995, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted a European Union joint action on anti-personnel landmines. This comprises a European Union-wide moratorium on the export of anti-personnel landmines, identical in scope to our own national moratorium; joint efforts to strengthen the 1981 United Nations weaponry convention at a review conference due to take place in September; and support for demining.

Kurdish People

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings and discussions have been held with representatives of the Kurdish people of (a) Iraq, (b) Iran and (c) Turkey; and if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of Kurdish demands. [33800]

We are in frequent contact with representatives of the Iraqi Kurdish people. We have no contact with representatives of the Iranian Kurdish people. In Turkey, we maintain a broad range of contacts with people of Kurdish origin in public life, including those arguing for Kurdish autonomy.We frequently make clear to the Turkish Government our view that the conflict in the south-east of Turkey must be settled within the rule of law and with due respect for human rights; we encourage Turkey to seek a political rather than a military solution.The Iraqi Kurds are aware of the Government's support for the territorial integrity of Iraq.We support Iraqi Kurdish demands that Iraq cease repression of its people as required by UN Security Council resolution 688.

Myanmar

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions representatives of Her Majesty's Government have held with representatives of political parties in Myanmar; and if he will make a statement. [33801]

The British embassy in Rangoon has consistently maintained contact with representatives of the Burmese pro-democracy groups. The British chargé d'affaires, in company with other diplomats, took part in a meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and members of the National League for Democracy on 11 July.We warmly welcome the SLORC's decision to lift the restrictions from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We hope that, as she said in her statement on 11 July, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the State Law and Order Restoration Council will be able to work together in the spirit of reconciliation and co-operation to achieve a prosperous and democratic Burma.

Ireland

To ask the Secretary of State of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what indications he has received from the Irish Government as to when the Irish Parliament will ratify the appropriate convention to receive sentenced prisoners in the Irish Republic; and if he will make a statement. [33945]

I understand that a Bill to ratify the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons completed its passage through the Irish Parliament on 7 July and should shortly come into effect.

China

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Government of China concerning human rights and the use of child labour. [33831]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) gave on 23 February 1995, Official Report, column 279.The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd), discussed human rights in China with Chinese Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen in New York on 18 April.

Ministerial Responsibilities

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of his ministerial colleagues is responsible for consular matters relating to the Indian sub-continent; which ministerial colleague will be responsible for the migration and visa correspondence unit; and if he will make a statement. [33973]

I have the honour to be the Minister responsible for consular matters in the Indian sub-continent and for the migration and visa correspondence unit.

Nigeria

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what help his Department intends to give to Nigeria in drawing up a new electoral register. [33037]

We have received no request from the Nigerian authorities for such assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he received a copy of the report of the national constitutional conference in Nigeria and if he will make a statement explaining his policy in regard to steps which might be taken to encourage its implementation. [33038]

We have not yet received a copy of the report, despite repeated requests. As my right hon. Friend the the Foreign Secretary made clear in a statement on 28 June, it is in Nigeria's own interests that there should be an accelerated and credible timetable for a transition to civilian democratic rule.

Kenya

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what ways his policy on Kenya has changed and developed over the past year. [33797]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: There has been no change in our approach. Kenya remains an important partner for Britain and we have continued to develop closer relations. As part of that process, we have given encouragement and support to the Government of Kenya to promote economic reform, good government and the development of a pluralist democracy.

Home Department

Terrorist Prisoners

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the contribution to the Irish peace process that could be made by a phased release from Her Majesty's prisons of those convicted of terrorist-related crimes; and if he will make a statement. [33941]

I have received a small number of representations from Members of the House, members of the public and others arguing for and against the early release of terrorist prisoners. The Government's position is clear. There will be no amnesty for prisoners convicted of terrorist offences. They should expect to serve their sentences in accordance with the law.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he expects to release prisoners convicted of terrorist-related crimes from her Majesty's prisons; when he expects such prisoners to be told of their release dates; and if he will make a statement; [33942](2) how many republican prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons, who have served sentences of more than 20 years, have not yet been informed of their release date; and when he intends to tell these prisoners when they can expect to be released. [33943]

The release of prisoners, irrespective of their offence, is considered in accordance with the Criminal Justice Act 1991 and its associated procedures. I have no knowledge of the release date of any prisoner until, in each individual case, the proper procedures have been completed.Two prisoners convicted of terrorist offences have served sentences of more than 20 years. A further three such prisoners will have been detained for more than 20 years by the end of July 1995. All five are discretionary life sentence prisoners and they have each been told that the period to be served for retribution and deterrence is 20 years. Their release will be a matter for a discretionary lifer panel of the Parole Board.

Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which firms have won computer consultancy contracts from his Department and its agencies over the last five years; and what is the number of contracts per firm. [33895]

My Department has let 595 contracts for computer consultancy to 164 companies, over the five years from 1990–91 to 1994–95, as follows:

Firms which have won computer consultancy contracts	Number of contracts
ACT Business Systems	1
Admiral	14
AEA Technology	1
Aims Systems	1
AMTEC Consulting	1
APD-s.-Com	2
AT & T Professional Services	2
AXSIS Consultants	11
Bell Software	2
BIS	1
Bransom	1
Brian Whitworth	1
Bristol Transputer Centre	1
Bull Information Systems	4
Bureau Veritas Quality	2
California Institute of Technology	1
Capita Management	1
CCTA	16
Charles Douglas Organisation	5
Civil Service College	1
CMG Information Services	4
Communications Planning	1
Computer Capacity Management Services	2
Computer People North	5
Concorde Services	1
Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte	10
Compass Ltd.	1
Computer Application Services	1
Cornwell Affiliates	1
Cray Systems	8
CSC	7
CSS Trident	18
Data Sciences	2
DataEase International	1
Daton Systems	2
Daymount Computing	2
Dart Resourcing Group	1
DBI Associates	14
DEC	4
Devron	1
Doric Computer Systems	1
Easams	1
Ealing Electro Optics	2
Edinburgh Parallel Comp.	4
EDS Defence	2
Electronic Facilities Des.	1
ENE	1
ERA Technology	5
Ernst and Young	4
ESRI(UK)	1
Eurolink Group PLC	1
Eurosource	1
Ewbank Preece	1
Express Computer Consultants	3
Forvus	1
Gartner Group UK	1
Genesis Computer Res.	1
Glossa	2
Grafton	8
Hans Grefte	2
R Grundy Associates	1
GST	1
Harvey Consultants	2
HDX	1
Hedra	4

Firms which have won computer consultancy contracts	Number of contracts
Hoskyns Group	50
Human Applications	1
IBIS	1
ICL	5
IHSM Consultants	1
Image Science	1
Intac	1
Interskil Consulting	1
Information Partnership	1
Insight Consulting	3
ITA	1
Kermon	26
Kingston & Associates	1
LA International	1
LBMS	7
Leatherhead Food Research	1
Liverpool Polytechnic Services	1
Logica	16
Logical Systems International	1
Lorien Group	3
Lucas Management Systems	1
Mackenzie Tribbeck	1
Mancos Computers	1
Marketing Generics	1
Metier	2
Method Application	3
MFT	3
Microprism (UK)	1
MIS	1
MMT Computing	1
Model Systems	1
Modus International	2
MSG Business Systems	1
Myriad Computer Services	3
National Computing Centre	1
National Transputer Supp.	2
Nostradamus Computing	1
Nucleus Networking Systems	3
Office	5
Oracle Corporation	14
Origin IQ	1
PA Consulting	31
Pace Consultancy	1
Paradis Consultants	6
Parity PLC	2
P-E International	4
Peter Lomax	1
Picdar	1
Pink Elephant	1
Portsmouth Building Society	1
Premier Data Services	2
Price Waterhouse	6
QA Research	1
Quanta Learning Systems	2
Radius	3
Recognition Research	4
Rede Group	1
Resources International	1
Robin Verney Associates	3
RW Comms	1
SAA Consultants	1
Scoll	1
S-Com	1
SD Scicon	1
Search International	2
Sema Group	12
Siemens Nixdorf	15
Sitpro	1
Skytronics	1
Smith Systems Engineering	6
Software AG	6
Software Quality Assurance	3
Software Sciences	1

Firms which have won computer consultancy contracts	Number of contracts
Span Contracts	3
SSADM College	3
St. George's Hospital	1
Strand information	1
Strategy & Vision Research	2
System Concepts	2
TABS	1
Taymar Consultants	1
Teesside Polytechnic	1
Theodore Goddard	5
Thorcom	1
TIS	1
Touche Ross	5
Touchstone Consultancy	2
Unisys	1
University of Aberdeen	6
University of Dundee	1
Unicorn Business Solutions	2
VNG Nationwide	14
White Waghorn	3
Winstead	1
Winway Systems	8
World Quality Systems	8
WS Atkins	2
Yale Data	2
Zentech	1

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33882]

A number of consultancy contracts would include some rates at more than £1,000 per day, but typically the average rates charged would be less than £1,000. An exhaustive list of all commissions where the daily rate might exceed £1,000 per day could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department and its agencies have spent on computer consultancy in each of the last five years; and what is the expected expenditure over the next five years. [33852]

My Department has spent in each of the last five years the following amounts:

1990–91: £4,820,000
1991–92: £6,000,000
1992–93: £4,210,000
1993–94: £3,500,000
1994–95: £2,730,000

Expenditure in future years will depend on need and affordability within overall financial provision, but is likely to be of the order of £4 million to £5 million per year.

Teenage Prisoners

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average time a teenager is held in prison awaiting trial. [33809]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 12 july 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the current average time a teenage is held in prison awaiting trial.

The latest available provisional information is for time spent in custody before conviction and time spent in custody after conviction before sentence in 1994. It is given in the attached table.

Estimated average time spent in custody for untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners, aged 15–19, in Prison Service establishments in 1994 ¹
Type of custody	Receptions in 1994	Estimated average number of days in custody ⁴
Untried²	13,056	44
Convicted
unsentenced³	8,052	33
¹ Provisional figures.
² Time spent in custody before conviction.
³ Time spent in custody after conviction before sentence.
⁴ Estimated from the number of receptions and population in 1994, as measured by population on 30 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost to public funds of keeping a 15 or 16-year-old in prison for each day they await trial. [33814]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 12 July 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the daily 'cost of keeping a 15 or 16 year old in prison while awaiting trial.

In 1993–94 the average daily cost of holding a prisoner in a young offender remand establishment was £55.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to phase out the use of prison custody for teenagers. [33808]

We are committed to ending the remanding of 15 and 16-year-olds boys to Prison Service establishments as soon as there are sufficient secure local authority places to accommodate them. A building programme of 170 new secure places in under way. We expect the majority of these places to be finished in 1996. Prison Service accommodation is not used for other remanded juveniles. We have no plans to phase out the use of Prison Service accommodation for sentenced juveniles.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths of 15 and 16-year-olds awaiting trial in prison have occurred in the last 10 years, in which prisons and on what dates. [33810]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 12 July 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about suicides among fifteen and sixteen year olds in prison during the last ten years.

Between June 1985 and June 1995 there was one self-inflicted death of a fifteen or sixteen year old at a Prison Service establishment who was awaiting trial. This occurred on 13 July 1990 at Swansea prison.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which adult prisons 15 and 16-year-olds are currently held; and how many are held in each prison. [33812]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 12 July 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking in which adult prisons 15 to 16 year olds are currently held; and how many are held in each prison.

The information requested is given in the attached table.

Population of 15 and 16 year olds in adult Prison Service establishments on 31 May 1995 ¹
Prison Service establishment	Number
Askham Grange	2
Cardiff	7
Doncaster	21
Exeter	1
Holloway	5
Hull	13
Low Newton	2
Wormwood Scrubs	1
Total	52
¹ Provisional figures.

Charitable Funds

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rules or guidance his Department has issued about how trusts or health authorities can invest moneys held in trust. [33936]

The Charity Commission, which is responsible for providing advice to health service bodies on the administration of their charitable funds, has produced a guide for them which includes guidance on their duties towards the selection of investments for, and management of, these funds. The guide has been sent to all regional, district and special health authorities, Special trustees, NHS trusts and trustees appointed for NHS trusts in England and Wales which hold charitable funds.

Immigration (Removal Procedures)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home department what further action has taken place since the issue of the report of the joint Home Office and police review of removal procedures in immigration cases involving the police; and if he will make a statement. [34427]

Following detailed discussions between officials in the immigration department and senior police officers, a Home Office circular has been issued. This follows up the recommendations of the review, which were accepted by my right hon. and learned Friend. A copy of the circular is being placed in the Library.

Sex Tourism

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department is he will make a statement about his plans for dealing with the problem of sex tourism [34513]

The Government share the abhorrence felt by the vast majority of people about the sexual exploitation abroad of young children. The introduction, by Lord Hylton of his Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill has done much to highlight the issue and we have listened very carefully to all that has been said both inside Parliament and more generally We are anxious that effective action should be taken to deal with this problem. That must involve action by the foreign governments concerned, but that alone is not enough. We must also do all that we can.Despite its admirable aim, Lord Hylton's Bill is, in the Government's view, seriously flawed and does not provide a workable or effective solution to the problems posed by sex tourism. The Government cannot therefore support it.We are, however, urgently examining the scope of the law in each of the United Kingdom jurisdictions to see what steps could be taken to deal with those who in this country conspire or incite others to commit offences abroad. This would enable us to deal with those who organise sex tours or encourage others to travel abroad for the purpose of sexually exploiting children.Any legislation which might be brought forward to achieve this aim would need careful thought to ensure that it would be effective. We would hope to have proposals for legislation ready as soon as the details can be satisfactorily resolved.

Car Crime

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by police force the budgets allocated for preventing car crime for each of the last five years. [33578]

This information is not held centrally. The allocation of available resources within each force area is a matter for the chief officer of police.

Prisoners (Hiv)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the breakdown of his Department's budget for use in the treatment of prison inmates suffering from the HIV virus and the AIDS infection; and if he will make a statement. [33485]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 12 July 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the budget treatment of inmates suffering from the HIV virus and AIDS infection.

The Prison Service budget for health care is not broken down into treatment costs for individuals or for particular diseases. The policy on treatment of prison inmates generally is that the Prison Service pays for or provides treatment which is carried out within the prison setting and the National Health Service provides for the treatment of inmates who go to outside hospitals to receive specialist care or in-patient treatment.

Animal Experiments

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's response to each of the 11 recommendations of the Animal Procedures Committee report to the Home Secretary on regulatory toxicity of March 1994; what has been the reason for the delay in responding; what action he now proposes to take which will reduce unnecessary animal experiments; and how many fewer such experiments he estimates will now occur. [33525]

The report was published in July 1994 as a basis for public consultation. We are now preparing, in discussion with colleagues, a response to the committee, taking into account the comments we have received. This should be available shortly and I will send the hon. Member a copy.

National Lottery

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many poverty-related projects have been submitted for consideration for proceeds arising from the national lottery; how many have been approved; and what was the total value of funds approved. [33658]

The National Lottery Charities Board began accepting applications for its first round of grants on 15 May 1995. It is accepting applications up to 1 August, and it is too early to specify the numbers and types of applications received. The board hopes to announce details of its first grants in October. Decisions on individual applications are a matter for the board.

Asylum Seekers (Kenya)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from Kenya have sought refugee status in each of the past five years and in each month of this year. [33039]

Information on asylum applications from Kenyan nationals for the years 1990 to 1994 is published in table 2.1 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1994", issue 15/95. A copy of this publication is available in the Library.Information on applications during January to May 1995 is given in the table.

Applications¹ received for asylum in the United Kingdom from Kenyan nationals, excluding dependents, January to May 1995
1995	Number of principal applicants
January	60
February	80
March	40
April	70
May	110
Total	360
¹ Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5.

Ministerial Visits

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list (a) details of all overseas trips made by him, or ministerial colleagues in his Department, paid for wholly or partly from public funds and (b) the purpose, destination and duration of such overseas trips, which officials accompanied him and the total cost in each case, including that of officials, to public funds for each year since 1992. [32264]

The information below reflects that which is available centrally. Precise details of officials who travelled with Ministers are not available, but generally, Ministers will have been accompanied by a private secretary and an official.

1–9 January 1992: Right hon. Kenneth Baker; India and Pakistan on immigration matters
21–22 January 1992: Right hon. Dame Angela Rumbold; Luxembourg
22–23 January 1992: Right hon. Dame Angela Rumbold; The Netherlands
3–4 March 1992: Right hon. Kenneth Baker; Lisbon for meeting with Minister of the Interior
10–11 June 1992: Right hon. Kenneth Clarke; Lisbon for TREVI Council
8–11 June 1992: Mr. Jack; European Ministers of Justice meeting in Cyprus
6–15 September 1992: Right hon. Kenneth Clarke; South America
17–18 September 1992: Right hon. Kenneth Clarke; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Brussels
14–29 September 1992: Mr. Wardle; India on immigration matters
16–18 October 1992: Right hon. Sir Peter Lloyd; USA
23–24 November 1992: Right hon. Kenneth Clarke; Committee on Civil Liberties, Brussels
14–16 February 1993: Right hon. Kenneth, Clarke; Conference in Budapest
5–6 May 1993: Right hon. Kenneth Clarke; Report on International Organised Crime, Denmark
27–28 May 1993: Right hon. Sir Peter Lloyd; Italy
1–3 June 1993: Mr. Wardle; Belgium and Holland
28–29 September 1993: Right hon. David Maclean; European Ministers of Justice meeting in Brussels
21–22 October 1993: Right hon. David Maclean; 3rd European Ministerial Conference on Equality between Men and Women in Rome
18–19 November 1993: Mr. Wardle; Greece
28–30 November 1993: Mr. Wardle; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Brussels
1–8 January 1994: Home Secretary; visit to USA
11 March 1994: Home Secretary; meeting with French Minister of Justice, Paris

22 March 1994: Home Secretary; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Brussels
5–7 May 1994: Mr. Wardle; Thessalonika
13–15 June 1994: Right hon. David Maclean; 19th Conference of European Ministers of Justice, Malta
19–20 June 1994: Mr. Wardle; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Luxembourg
20 August-3 September 1994: Home Secretary; visit to South America
7 September 1994: Right hon. Michael Forsyth; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Berlin
7–8 September 1994: Home Secretary; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Berlin
20–23 November 1994: Right hon. David Maclean; UN Conference on Organised Crime in Naples
30 November 1994: Home Secretary; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Brussels
1 December 1994: Mr. Baker; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Brussels
8 December 1994: The Right hon. The Baroness Blatch; Internal Market Council, Brussels
18–20 December 1994: Right hon.David Maclean; visit to Bosnia
21 December 1994: Mr. Baker; Coquelles (immigration trip)
4–5 January 1995: The Right hon. The Baroness Blatch; Stockholm, meeting Swedish Minister of Justice
11–12 January 1995: The Right hon. The Baroness Blatch; Copenhagen/The Hague for meetings with the Danish Minister of Justice and the Dutch Minister for European Affairs
13 January 1995: Home Secretary; meeting French Ministers of the Interior, Paris
16–17 January 1995: Right hon. Michael Forsyth; Data Protection meeting in Vienna and Rome
19–20 January 1995: The Right hon. The Baroness Blatch; Helsinki/Bonn to attend meetings with the Finnish and German Ministers of Justice
25–26 January 1995: Right hon. Michael Forsyth; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Paris
30 January 1995: The Right hon. The Baroness Blatch; Madrid to meet Spanish Minister for Europe
6 February 1995: The Right hon. The Baroness Blatch; Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels
10 February 1995: Right hon. David Maclean; Council of Europe Conference on Equality and Democracy, Strasbourg
21–23 February 1995: Right hon. David Maclean; South Africa on export promotion
9–10 March 1995: Right hon. Michael Forsyth; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Brussels
19 April 1995: Right hon. Michael Forsyth; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Paris
24–27 April 1995: Right hon. Michael Forsyth; visit high security prisons in the USA
30 April-2 May 1995: Right hon. David Maclean; visit to Bosnia
12 June 1995:Home Secretary; meeting new French Minister of the Interior in Paris

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Date	Destination	Purpose	Duration	Officials attending	Cost to public funds
28–29 April 1992	Brussels/Luxembourg	EC Research Council	2 days	Five	¹—
29–30 July 1992	Paris	Carnegie Group	2 days	None	¹—
8–9 September 1992	Rome/Bonn	Science Visit	2 days	Two	¹—i
11–12 October 1992	Luxembourg	EC Research Council	2 days	Five	¹—

20–21 June 1995: Home Secretary; Justice and Home Affairs Council, Luxembourg.

For 1993–94 the cost of ministerial visits, excluding private secretaries and other accompanying officials, was £39,891. On the same basis the cost for 1994–95 was £40,440 and £13,191 for the same period April to June 1995.

The only figures available for 1992–93 relate to visits by Ministers and senior officials. The costs of these amounted to £131,792. The figures cannot be compared with those for later years since they are on a different basis.

Duchy Of Lancaster

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the First Secretary of State if he will list his responsibilities upon which he is prepared to answer written parliamentary questions, and the arrangements for right hon. and hon. Members to ask him oral parliamentary question on a regular basis at other times than when he is deputising for the Prime Minister. [33974]

I propose to answer questions on my responsibilities for all Office of Public Service matters. I will be assisted on all business by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to whom questions on Duchy matters should be addressed. Further announcements will be made in due course on the rota for answering oral parliamentary questions.

Deputy Prime Minister

To ask the First Secretary of State where his office is located; how many staff are directly responsible to him; what is the total number of staff he expects will be responsible to him; if he has a separate departmental budget; and if he will make a statement about the role of his office. [33975]

I refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Members for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger) and for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 11 July 1995 Official Report, columns 496–97.

Ministerial Visits

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list (a) details of all overseas trips made by him, or ministerial colleagues in his Department, paid for wholly or partly from public funds and (b) the purpose, destination and duration of such overseas trips, which officials accompanied him and the total cost in each case, including that of officials to public funds for each year since 1992. [32259]

The information requested is given in the table:

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Date	Destination	Purpose	Duration	Officials attending	Cost to public funds
10 November 1992	Madrid	Science Visit	1 day	Two	¹—
8–9 December 1992	Brussels	EC Research Council	2 days	Five	¹—
21–24 May 1993	Toronto	Carnegie Group	4 days	None	£2,239
30 June 1993	Luxembourg	EC Research Council	1 day	Five	£1,995
0–13 September 1993	Geneva	Visit to CERN	4 days	Four	£1,604
23–30 September 1993	Japan	Science Visit	8 days	Three	£28,216
17–18 October 1993	Washington	Science and Public Service Visit	2 days	Two	£12,641
3–6 December 1993	Bonn/Brussels	Carnegie Group	4 days	None	£506
21 March 1994	Brussels	EC Research Council	1 day	One	£1,397
9–13 June 1994	Japan	Carnegie Group	5 days	None	£4,986
17–18 July 1994	Germany	EC Research Council	2 days	Five	£1,176
29 September 1994 to 9	Israel/Jordan/Occupied	Science and in the Occupied	11 days	Two	£4,787
October 1994	Territories	Territories Public Services Visit
8 February 1994	Paris	Meeting with the French Minister for Science	1 day	Two	£683
23–28 February 1995	Mauritius/South Africa	Speech in Mauritius on Public Sector Reform; Science	6 days	Five	£22,001
		Mission to South Africa (including signature of agreement)
7–8 March 1995	Geneva	Visit to CERN	2 days	Four	£1,995
11–18 May 1995	Washington/Ottawa	Carnegie Group; Discussions on Machinery of Government; Public Service Reform and Science	8 days	Six	£31,509
27 May 1995 to 6 June 1995	Mexico/Brazil	Building Links on Science and Technology and Public Sector Reform	11 days	Four	£27,048

Note:

¹ Figures for financial year 1992/93 could only be provided at disproportionate costs.

Parliamentary Secretary
Date	Destination	Purpose	Duration	Officials attending	Cost to public funds
Summer 1992	Milan/Rome	Joint Research Centre/meeting with Italian Minister for Public Service	Not known	One	¹—
September 1992	Brussels/Budapest	EC Research Council/Academic Europa	Not known	One	¹—
11 October 1993	Luxembourg	EC Research Council	1 day	Three	£2,076
4 March 1994	Brussels	EC Research Council	1 day	Three	£1,574
23–30 September 1994	Brussels/Geneva/Glenoble	EC Research Council/visit to CERN/Inauguration Ceremony for the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility	2 days	Five	£3,803
1–2 December 1994	Brussels	EC Research Council	2 days	Three	£1,941
16 February 1995	Nancy, France	Meeting of European Public Service Ministers	1 day	Two	£1,136
9 June 1995	Luxembourg	EC Research Council	1 day	Three	£1,728

Note:

¹ Figures for financial year 1992–93 could only be provided at disproportionate costs.

Overseas Development Administration

China

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the assistance given by the United Nations Population Fund in helping China organise censuses and demographic surveys; and if the data acquired from such activities have been or can be used for targeting areas for population control. [32020]

The United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, assisted with China's 1980 and 1990 censuses, providing equipment, technical advice on data tabulation and analysis and training abroad at places such as the United States Bureau of Census. Census data in China, as in all other countries, are used as the basis for the Government's development plans. UNFPA's assistance is a basis for encouraging the development of humane population policies in China. It is not provided with the intention of supporting or sanctioning any particular aspect of current Chinese population policy, or its interpretation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when delegations from Her Majesty's Government have investigated Chinese population policies since 1979; and what conclusions were reached. [32015]

Lord Howe led an official delegation to China in December 1992 to look at human rights issues. The mission noted the growing attention paid by the Chinese authorities to international concerns about human rights and welcomed their willingness to continue the dialogue on human rights issues with any subsequent missions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the number of individual associations within the Chinese family planning association; and what figures exist for the number of household links established by the CFPA. [32011]

We understand from the International Planned Parenthood Federation that the China Family Planning Association, CFPA, consists of about 915,000 individual associations. We do not have reliable information on the number of household links established by the CFPA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the date at which it first became obligatory under Chinese law to have intrauterine devices inserted after a first child; and what estimates he has on the number of IUD insertions since that date. [32019]

We understand that there is no Chinese national law making it obligatory to insert IUDs after a first child. Information provided by the United Nations Population Fund suggests that approximately 40 per cent. of all female contraceptive acceptors are using the IUD.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the system of birth permits in China; how the system operates; whether he interprets it as coercive; and what statement regarding birth permits have been made by the IPPF and the UNFPA. [32013]

We are aware that local authorities in China have attempted to influence fertility rates by approving which women may give birth in a given community in any year. Both the United Nations Population Fund, and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, have repeatedly made it clear that women and men should be able to choose freely the number and spacing of their children and have expressed their abhorrence of coercion in any form. The Chinese Government are aware that the UNFPA will fund activities that take place in provinces only where systems of birth permits, quotas and targets do not exist.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the number of UNFPA employees based in China since

Name	Rank	Date training commenced	Date training completed
1990–91
Scholarships
Mr. Yusnar Arsyad	Lieutenant Colonel	16 August 1990	15th December 1990
Mr. Adjie Rustarn Ramdja	Major	16 August 1990	15th December 1990
Mr. Deddy S.K.	Lieutenant Colonel	16 August 1990	15th December 1990
Mr. Medhy Chumadi	Lieutenant	16 August 1990	15th December 1990

1979; and how many have been seconded to, attached to or worked in association with the Chinese State Family Planning Commission. [32021]

The United Nations Population Fund's staffing in China has varied depending on the size of its programme. In mid-1994, there were eight international staff, 10 full-time Chinese staff and two part-time Chinese staff. There has always been one country director co-ordinating the work of UNFPA. The present one is its sixth since 1979. At no time has any UNFPA staff member been assigned to work for the State Family Planning Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the links between the Chinese State Family Planning Commission and the Chinese Family Planning Association with the Chinese national family planning journal and Chinese provincial family planning reports; if his Department receives copies of the journal and reports; and what information he has on the prevalence of recommendations for coercive methods of population control in both sources since 1990. [32009]

We do not receive copies of these publications, and cannot comment on their content or links with the Chinese State Family Planning Commission and the China Family Planning Association.

Indonesia

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many current or former Indonesian police officers who received any form of training paid for by his Department served with the riot police, Sabhara unit of the Indonesian national police (a) before such training, (b) during such training and (c) after such training; if he will give the name of each such officer, the dates of his training and the dates of his service with the riot police. [31757]

According to the Indonesian national police, no officer who has received training support under the police project has served with the Sabhara unit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 March, Official Report, column 727, if he will name the Indonesian police officers who have been trained, for whatever length of time, under the police management training project since it began, in each case specifying the officer's rank and the date of commencement and of completion of the training. [31705]

Since the national police management training project began in June 1990 we have provided UK training for the following:

Name	Rank	Date training commenced	Date training completed
Study tours
Mr. C.H.M. Waskito	Colonel	July 1990	July 1990
Mr. F. Sumampow	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1990	July 1990
Mr. H. Rasyid	Colonel	July 1990	July 1990
Mr. Soebariliyono	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1990	July 1990
Mr. Suryaningprang	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1990	July 1990
Mr. Y.Y. Laoli	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1990	July 1990
Mr. D. Rustadi	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1990	July 1990
Mr. M. Thonyib	Captain	July 1990	July 1990
Mr. N. Eko	Captain	July 1990	July 1990
Mr. Lihawa	Brigadier General	July 1990	July 1990
1991–92
Scholarships
Mrs. Minton Mariaty Simanjuntak	Major	13 September 1991	12th December 1991
Mr. Soekamid	Major	1 October 1991	30th September 1992
Mr Yadi Ermlady	Captain	1 October 1991	30th September 1992
Study tours
Mr. G. Sumampow	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1991	July 1991
Mr. H. Rasyid	Colonel	July 1991	July 1991
Mr. Soebarilyono	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1991	July 1991
Mr. M. Suryaningprang	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1991	July 1991
Mr. Y.Y. Laoli	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1991	July 1991
Mr. D. Rustadi	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1991	July 1991
Mr. M. Thoyib	Captain	July 1991	July 1991
Mr. N. Eko	Captain	July 1991	July 1991
1991–92
Study tours
Mr. Soekamid	Major	July 1991	July 1991
Mr. Y. Ermlady	Captain	July 1991	July 1991
1992–93
Scholarships
Mr. Soekamid	Major	1 October 1992	30th September 1993
Mr. Yadi Ermlady	Captain	1 October 1992	30th September 1994
Ms Pengasihan Gaut	Major	1 August 1992	30th November 1992
Mr. Adjie Rustam Ramdja	Major	8 December 1992	7th April 1993
Mr. Pepe Tjhjana	Lieutenant Colonel	8 December 1992	7th April 1993
Study tours
Mr. C.H.M Waskito	Colonel	July 1992	July 1992
Mr. F. Sumampow	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1992	July 1992
Mr. H. Rasyid	Colonel	July 1992	July 1992
Mr. Soebariliyono	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1992	July 1992
Mr. Suryaningprang	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1992	July 1992
Mr. Y.Y. Laoli	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1992	July 1992
Mr. D. Rustadi	Lieutenant Colonel	July 1992	July 1992
Ms Hemawati	Major	July 1992	July 1992
Ms M. Simanjuntak	Major	July 1992	July 1992
Ms R.P. Gaut	Major	July 1992	July 1992
Mr. M. Thoyib	Captain	July 1992	July 1992
Mr. N. Eko	Captain	July 1992	July 1992
Mr. M.B. Hutagalung	Major General	July 1992	July 1992
Mr. R. Lihawa	Brigadier General	July 1992	July 1992
Mr. Karyoso	Brigadier General	July 1992	July 1992
1993–94
Scholarships
Mr. Herman Rasyid	Colonel	21 May 1993	20th June 1993
1994–95
Scholarships
Mr. Wakin	Major	1 July 1994	30th October 1994
Mr. Nicholas Eko	Captain	1 August 1994
Mr. James Sitorus	Lieutenant Colonel	1 August 1994
Mr. Fred Sumampow	Lieutenant Colonel	13 April 1995	12th June 1995

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 March, Official Report, column 727, if he will name the Indonesian police officers who have undergone study tours, for whatever length of time, to the United Kingdom since 1985, in each case specifying the officer's rank and the date of commencement and completion of the study tour. [21758]

[holding reply 30 June 1995]: No study tours—visits of less than one month duration—took place between 1985 and 1990. Details of training since 1990 were given in my answer to the hon. Lady's further

Name	Rank	Date training commenced	Date training completed
1985–86
Mr. Isnawan	Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Baruno	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Yusar H.	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Kresno Sukamso	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Heru Tjipto Harsono	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. A. H. Sitorus	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. S. A. Supardi	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Hamami Nata	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Sebastian Koto	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Astika	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Ledwijk	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Herman Hidayat	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Adna Isa	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. J. D. Sitorus	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Fred Sumampow	Lieutenant Colonel	30 July 1985	18 December 1985
Mr. Chaerudin	Lieutenant Colonel	Dates not known	Date not known
1986–87
Mr. Djumjatni G	Colonel	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Murni Tukiman	Colonel	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. I. N. Yudana	Colonel	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Iksan	Colonel	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Asikin Nadikusumah	Colonel	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Soemitro	Colonel	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Dasuki	Colonel	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Pepe Tjahjana	Lieutenant Colonel	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Dadang Garnida	Lieutenant Colonel	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Deddy S K	Lieutenant Colonel	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Tjoek Sugiarso	Major	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Basjir A. Barmawai	Major	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Riswadi Herry S	Major	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
1986–87
Scholarships
Mr. M. Nian Sjafudin	Major	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Moch Saudi	Major	6 October 1986	6 December 1986
Mr. Rachmat	Lieutenant Colonel	Date not known	Date not known
Mr. M. Hindarto	Colonel	April 1986	September 1986
1998–99
Mr. Ronny Lihawa	Colonel	October 1988	September 1989
Mr. Isnawan	Colonel	October 1988	September 1989

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 30 June, Official Report, column 802, what were the "relevant quarters" from which advice was sought on the police management training project in Indonesia; what advice was given on the issue of human rights; and at what Departmental level the project was approved. [33033]

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Baldry) on 30 June. Official advice to Ministers is given in confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 12 June, Official Report, column 381, if he will make a statement on the term "appropriate appraisals"; if he will define the term "full appraisal" in the letter of the Minister for Overseas Development of 20 January; and what is the difference between the two forms of appraisal. [33032]

question concerning this project—No. 31705. The following longer-term training was undertaken during the period 1985–90.

In a statement made on 17 June 1993 by the Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the House was informed of the future of the aid and trade provision, ATP, following a review of the programme. This included specific measures to improve the effectiveness of ATP. Appraisal procedures were brought into line with those applied to other bilateral aid projects to provide the same level of assurance concerning their soundness and sustainability.The new procedures came into effect on 17 June 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to monitor the post-training careers of Indonesian police officers who have received any form of training paid for by his Department for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of the training in improving the officers respect for human rights. [31759]

[holding reply 30 June 1995]: The project, including training, is monitored on an annual basis.

Burma

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the current restrictions on non-governmental organisation funding in Burma to allow a greater availability of funding for long-term community development projects implemented by NGOs. [32429]

United Kingdom assistance to Burma is currently available only for funding of humanitarian projects by NGOs. The policy is kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support the continuation of the work of the United Nations Development Programme in Burma, implementing a programme based on direct assistance to communities, when the governing council reviews the agency's mandate. [32428]

We have supported the UNDP's approach so far and will consider maintaining this position when the Burma country programme is next reviewed in the UNDP executive board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of international assistance currently devoted to aid projects helping Burmese communities; and if he will make a statement on future United Kingdom aid plans for Burma. [32430]

We have not undertaken an assessment of the level of international assistance currently devoted to aid projects helping Burmese communities. Other than funding of certain humanitarian projects by

Joint funding scheme contracts issued in 1994–95
Asia region 48 projects	Africa region 78 projects	America region 21 projects	Oceania region 2 projects	Various regions 1 project
Bangladesh 3	Africa 1	Belize 1	Fiji 1	Various 1
Cambodia 5	Cameroon 1	Bolivia 1	Papua New Guinea 1
India 20	Chad 2	Brazil 2
Indonesia 1	Ethiopia 8	Caribbean 1
Lebanon 1	Gambia 2	Chile 1
Nepal 2	Ghana 3	Costa Rica 1
Occupied Territories 2	Kenya 8	Ecuador 1
Pakistan 2	Malawi 4	El Salvador 2
Philippines 4	Mali 3	Guatemala 1
Sri Lanka 5	Mozambique 1	Honduras 1
Thailand 1	Sierra Leone 3	Nicaragua 6
Vietnam 1	South Africa 3	Peru 3
West Bank 1	Southern Africa 1
	Sudan 2
	Swaziland 2
	Tanzania 6
	Togo 2
	Uganda 17
	Zaire 1
	Zambia 2
	Zimbabwe 6

non-governmental organisations, there are no plans to provide official development aid to Burma at present. This policy has been agreed with our EU partners.

Joint Funding Scheme

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the number of joint funding scheme contracts issued by country and region in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95.

Details of the numbers of joint funding scheme contracts issued by country and region in 1993–94 and 1994–95 are shown in the tables.

Joint funding scheme contracts issued in 1993–94
Asia region 44 projects	Africa region 49 projects	Americas region 12 projects	Oceania region 3 projects
Asia Gen 1	Africa Gen 4	Bolivia 1	Fiji 2
Bangladesh 8	Angola 1	Brazil 2	Vanuatu 1
Bhutan 1	Botswana 1	Chile 1
Cambodia 6	Cameroon 1	El Salvador 2
India 17	Egypt 1	Guatemala 1
Laos 2	Ethiopia 3	Nicaragua 2
Nepal 1	Gambia 1	Peru 3
Pakistan 1	Ghana 2
Philippines 2	Kenya 8
Lebanon 1	Lesotho 2
Sri Lanka 4	Mozambique 1
	Namibia 2
	Niger 2
	Sierra Leone 4
	South Africa 2
	Swaziland 1
	Tanzania 2
	Togo 1
	Uganda 6
	Zambia 1
	Zimbabwe 3

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the size of the joint funding scheme budget in (a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95, and (c) 1995–96. [33264]

The joint funding scheme budget was £29 million in 1993–94 and £33 million in 1994–95. The budget for 1995–96 has risen to £34.85 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications were made to the joint funding scheme in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and how many were successful. [33263]

A total of 241 applications were made to the joint funding scheme for funding in 1993–94, 108 of which were successful; 291 applications were made for funding in 1994–95, 150 of which were successful.

Central Africa

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the impact of the International Monetary Fund-sponsored good government initiative, on the economies of central Africa, with particular reference to the impact of the initiative on training and development and on the indigenous co-operative movements in central Africa. [32428]

We are not aware of any such initiative.

Ei Salvador

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the activities of the Commonwealth Development Corporation in El Salvador. [33267]

The Commonwealth Development Corporation, CDC, received approval to operate in El Salvador from my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development in September 1994. As yet, the CDC has made no investments or commitments there, but it is currently looking at opportunities in tourism, manufacturing and industry.

Kenya

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will be leading the British team at the donors' meeting with the Government of Kenya on 24 July; what undertakings the British Government will be seeking from the Government of Kenya; which human rights issues he will be raising with the Government of Kenya; and if he will raise the trial of Koigi Wa Wamwere and other issues related to the conduct of justice in Kenya. [33046]

The British team will be led by the head of the British development division in east Africa. Democracy, good government and human rights, as well as economic issues, are likely to be discussed. Whilst there has been good progress in some respects, we shall he pressing the Kenyan authorities to maintain their efforts on all aspects of the reform process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government of Kenya have sought or been offered to help in the development of a better justice system. [33798]

[holding reply 11 July 1995]: We have discussed a number of possible areas of assistance with the Government of Kenya, including support for the office of the Attorney-General and for the Kenya police force. We have conducted institutional appraisals of both organisations, and expect to sign shortly a senior command and human rights awareness police training programme. We are also considering support for non-governmental organisations providing legal aid.

Social Security

Incapacity Benefit

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance and training is being given to staff concerning the treatment of people who are appealing against a decision that they are capable of work but are signing on as unemployed pending their appeal. [32042]

This is a matter for Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Alan Howarth, dated 11 July 1995:

The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the guidance and training given to staff concerning the treatment of people who appeal against a decision that they are capable of work but are signing on as unemployed pending their appeal.

General advice to staff dealing with incapacity benefits and customers found capable of work has not changed with the introduction of Incapacity Benefit (IB). Customers are advised to claim Unemployment Benefit and or Income Support until their appeal is heard. Guidance is given in standing instructions which were amended to take account of the introduction of IB.

Training material was issued to Income Support staff at Benefits Agency offices in January 1995 and was followed by a comprehensive procedures circular issued in March 1995; both documents reminded staff of existing procedures.

Benefit Agency staff are acutely aware of the sensitivities in dealing with customers who appeal against a decision that they are capable of work.

I hope you find this reply helpful.

Social Fund

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those Benefits Agency offices which achieved targets for community care grants decisions between I April 1994 and 31 March 1995. [33687]

The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. William O'Brien, dated 11 July 1995:

The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about listing those Benefits Agency (BA) offices which achieved their targets for Community Care Grants (CCG) between 1st April 1994 and 31st March 1995.

At present, Social Fund performance is measured against a standard time for processing each type of application. This is based on the time it takes to clear the more straightforward cases. For CCG applications the aim is to process 65 per cent. in the standard time of seven days. To ensure proper emphasis is given to the remaining applications, a secondary measure is set which is 95 per cent. in 20 days.

I have provided, at Annex A, details of the CCG performance of all BA Districts for 1994/95. I am pleased to state that all BA Districts met the primary CCG target.

I hope you find this reply helpful.

Annex A: Community Care grant performance by district 1994–95
District	Target: 65 per cent. in 7 days Achievement Per cent.	Target: 95 per cent. in 20 days Achievement Per cent.
Bankside	93.20	98.65
Barking and Havering	91.03	98.48
Barnet	91.23	99.38
Barnsley	96.91	99.74
Bedfordshire	83.23	98.39
Berkshire	87.22	96.69
Birmingham Chamberlain	85.31	98.82
Birmingham Heartlands	86.13	98.57
Birmingham North West	93.27	99.10
Birmingham South East	79.75	99.20
Birmingham South West	89.87	98.51
Blackburn and Accrington	88.88	98.34
Blackpool	85.74	98.59
Bolton	91.75	98.42
Bradford	93.64	98.81
Bristol Severnside	78.33	97.59
Brunel	81.39	98.14
Buckinghamshire	92.45	98.70
Burnley Pendle Rossendale	85.16	98.42
Cambridgeshire	88.62	98.27
Canterbury and Thanet	79.07	97.46
Central Derbyshire	89.77	97.95
Central Staffordshire	77.09	98.95
Channel	90.03	97.94
Chesterfield and Worksop	79.30	96.72
City East	83.68	98.47
Clyde Coast and Cowal	92.39	99.35
Clyde Valley	89.99	99.32
Coatbridge	93.23	99.08
Cornwall	85.12	97.70
Coventry¹	72.48	94.90
Cynon Merthyr Rhymney Valley	93.24	99.31
Devonia	85.75	97.77
Doncaster	84.47	97.47
Dorset	90.07	98.18
Essex Southwest	92.05	99.37
Ealing¹	72.12	94.06
East Lowlands	79.28	96.80
East Nottinghamshire	88.02	98.41
East Sussex	85.63	97.43
East Yorkshire	89.75	99.09
Essex South East	95.24	99.03
Euston¹	67.62	94.97
Fife	93.54	99.13
Forth Valley	87.95	99.05
Glasgow City	91.61	98.63
Glasgow East	87.15	98.11
Glasgow Laurieston	91.89	98.97
Glasgow South West	94.90	99.23
Glasgow West	97.18	99.44
Gloucestershire	78.78	98.02
Grampian and Shetland	86.64	98.37
Gwennigion	86.80	98.41
Hackney and Islington	81.45	97.59
Hampshire North	90.24	97.55
Harrow and Hillingdon	89.55	98.76
Hereford and Worcester	83.52	97.15
Highlands and Islands	86.58	98.64
Hounslow and Kingston¹	69.91	91.92

Annex A: Community Care grant performance by district 1994–95
District	Target: 65 per cent. in 7 days Achievement Per cent.	Target: 95 per cent. in 20 days Achievement Per cent.
Hull	91.39	98.64
Irvine Kilmarnock	79.56	97.20
Kirklees	90.35	98.22
Knowsley	80.86	98.37
Lancaster and South Cumbria	85.28	97.77
Lea Roding	85.26	96.92
Leaside	62.55	95.68
Leeds Aire and Wharfe	89.52	98.33
Leeds Ridings	90.45	98.44
Lewisham and Brixton	84.43	97.75
Liverpool Central	92.97	98.97
Liverpool North	85.05	98.45
Liverpool South	83.14	98.40
Lomond and Argyll	89.47	98.24
London Central	94.82	99.31
Lothian Central	92.71	98.73
Lothian West	91.77	99.01
Manchester Central	85.34	97.05
Manchester South	96.48	99.23
Manchester Trinity	81.59	97.97
Mid Wales and Maelor	96.79	99.36
Neasden	72.84	95.43
Newcastle upon Tyne	92.33	99.33
Newham	84.03	96.48
North and East Herts.	90.20	98.12
North Cheshire	93.35	99.04
North Cumbria	73.40	97.85
North Durham	90.61	99.06
North Essex	91.07	98.47
North Gwent and Brecon	94.74	99.44
North Kent	83.80	96.63
North Leicestershire¹	81.65	93.48
North Nottinghamshire	86.04	97.94
North Staffordshire	94.17	98.88
North Surrey	84.57	97.57
North Tees	83.50	99.08
North Tyneside	88.67	98.74
North Wales Coast	82.97	96.88
North Worcestershire	95.96	99.51
North Yorkshire	91.44	98.36
Northamptonshire	83.19	97.29
Northumberland	86.74	98.63
Norwich	90.31	98.83
Nottinghamshire West	78.83	97.95
Ogwr Afan Nedd	80.18	98.27
Oldham	88.47	98.01
Oxfordshire	85.88	96.78
Palace	80.77	95.92
Preston	92.80	98.94
Renfrew	85.35	99.10
Rother and Dearne	88.98	99.30
Sale and East Cheshire	90.61	98.66
Salford	86.57	98.28
Sandwell	94.74	99.07
Sefton	91.71	97.99
Sheffield East	87.49	97.26
Sheffield West	81.65	98.60
Shropshire	95.34	99.02
Solent and Forest	81.42	97.43
Somerset	82.33	97.79
South Cheshire	90.20	98.84
South Derbyshire	81.65	97.63
South Devon	88.64	98.06
South Downs	86.29	98.30
South Durham	95.35	99.17
South East Hants, and Wight	76.58	98.59
South Glamorgan	91.21	97.77
South Gwent and Islwyn	90.55	99.34
South Humberside	93.40	98.77

Annex A: Community Care grant performance by district 1994–95
District	Target: 65 per cent. in 7 days Achievement Per cent.	Target: 95 per cent. in 20 days Achievement Per cent.
South Leicestershire	77.08	97.94
South Tees	81.63	97.74
South Tyneside	86.27	98.54
South West Lancashire	88.95	98.84
South West Scotland	89.80	98.59
South West Thames	84.24	97.23
Springburn and Cumbernauld	87.54	99.50
Stockport	85.64	97.68
Suffolk	85.14	98.02
Surrey Downs	90.96	98.47
Swansea	87.73	98.51
Taff Rhondda	92.19	99.03
Tameside	95.08	99.08
Tayside	82.94	99.53
Thameside	83.85	96.54
Wakefield	85.31	98.18
Walsall	92.92	99.26
Warwickshire	76.83	98.38
Wash Coast	95.05	99.42
Wearside	95.10	99.34
West Herts.	79.80	96.83
West Kent	82.58	96.83
West Lincolnshire	90.62	99.11
West Pennine	96.07	99.49
West Sussex	85.70	98.20
West Wales	92.19	98.31
Wigan and Leigh	76.76	97.61
Wiltshire	72.59	97.00
Wirral	88.04	98.72
Wolverhampton	95.35	99.61
Yorkshire Pennine	84.33	97.62
¹ BA Districts which did not meet the secondary target of 95 per cent., clearance in 20 days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were successful in gaining an exceptional needs payment in the last year of operation of the scheme; and how many people were granted similar payments from the social fund in the last year for which figures are available. [32832]

There were 1.1 million exceptional needs payments made in 1979–80, the last year of the scheme. There were 1.9 million awards from the discretionary social fund made in 1994–95.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how may (a) claimants and (b) organisations have made representations about difficulty experienced in the repayment of social security loans. [32830]

The information requested is not available.

Mortgage Interest

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what response he has made to representations from the mortgage insurance industry about the availability of private mortgage insurance for poor families. [32834]

I have had no such specific representations from the mortgage insurance industry about the availability of private mortgage insurance for poor families. However, the Association of British Insurers takes the view that if a person qualifies for a mortgage then there is no reason why they should not also qualify for insurance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the implications of his proposals for cuts in mortgage interest payments for the 1991 agreement in respect of Council of Mortgage Lenders. [32835]

From October this year, we expect the 1991 agreement to apply to cases where we continue to meet the full interest payments. In cases where the 1991 agreement no longer applies we would not expect to see an increase in arrears or repossessions as most borrowers will take out insurance.We believe that it is important that lenders make clear to their borrowers their practice in relation to arrears, and that borrowers fully understand their obligations when entering into a mortgage contract. We are working closely with the council of Mortgage Lenders to develop a leaflet which sets out details of benefit entitlement and borrowers' rights and responsibilities in relation to lenders and insurers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received alleging that inadequacy of income support in respect of mortgage interest payments is resulting in claimants going into rented accommodation and claiming the higher rate of housing benefit. [32836]

I have had no such representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the cost in housing benefit in the last year of claimants formerly receiving income support in respect of mortgage interest payments and subsequently going into rented accommodation. [32837]

The information requested is not available.

Funeral Expenses

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what his estimated savings will be (a) in restricting social fund funeral expenses towards the cost of embalming the body for a journey in excess of 25 miles, (h) by limiting social fund funeral expenses towards the cost of floral tributes to £25 and (c) by the alteration of the definition of close relative and partner in relation to the social fund payments of funeral expenses. [32707]

We estimate the savings will be in the order of: (a) £2 million; (b) £2 million; (c) £1.3 million.

Social Security Expenditure

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total annual spending on social security in (a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92, (c) 1992–93 and (d) 1993–94; and if he will list the total (i) in real and (ii) in percentage terms of gross domestic product. [32951]

The information requested is in the table.

Social Security expenditure:
	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94
Cash terms	£59,713 million	£69,878 million	£79,342 million	£86,896 million
Real terms (93–94 prices)	£68,012 million	£74,884 million	£81,770 million	£86,896 million
As percentage of GDP	11 per cent.	12 per cent.	13 per cent.	14 per cent.
The figures have been taken from the 1995 Social Security Departmental Report and include administrative costs as well as additional local authority expenditure on housing and community charge\council tax benefits.

Income Support

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 6 July, Official Report, column 359, what information on severe hardship claims and awards is available other than national figures. [33937]

Information is available from 1988 by Department of Social Security region, monthly on a national basis, broken down into successful and unsuccessful applications. A monthly breakdown by Benefits Agency territory is available from 1992. Since April 1993 information has been collected monthly by district offices in the categories new, repeat or continuous application; and whether successful or unsuccessful.

Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department and its agencies have spent on computer consultancy in each of the last five years; and what is the expected expenditure over the next five years. [33859]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which firms have won computer consultancy contracts from his Department and its agencies over the last five years; and what is the number of contracts per firm. [33890]

The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33878]

The information requested is not available.

Habitual Residence Test

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost of administration of the habitual residence test and of the appeal system; and what proportion of the money saved by non-payment is spent on administration. [33799]

The cost of administering the habitual residence test for 1995–96 is estimated at £3.3 million. The allocation to the Independent Tribunal Service for administering the appeal system as a whole in 1995–96 is £48.6 million. It is not possible to apportion the costs of appeals against the habitual residence test. The estimated saving from introducing the habitual residence test is £30 million annually.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants have been refused benefit, per month, since the introduction of the habitual residence test; of these, how many have appealed; and how many appeals have been upheld. [33803]

I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave to the hon. Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Timms) on 18 April, Official Report, column 43, on 21 April, Official Report, column 314, on 1 May, Official Report, column 7 and on 10 July, Official Report, columns 449–50.Numbers of claimants who have been refused housing benefit and council tax benefit because of the habitual residence test are being recorded from the 1995–96 tax year and will be available in December 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received concerning the future of the habitual residence test; and what plans he has to make changes in its operation. [33805]

I have received a number of letters from Members of Parliament and the public. I have no current plans to change the test.

Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cumulative sums saved by the Exchequer and his Department by the departure and domicile of those qualified for United Kingdom old age pensions, by virtue of their exemption from uprating, for the decade 1985–95, in (a) Australia, (b) Canada, (c) New Zealand and (d) South Africa, stating for each the increased sums in sterling to which each as a basic pension would receive for a pension first paid in 1985. [33047]

It is estimated that the cumulative cost' to the Social Security budget of paying all upratings of retirement pension from November 1985 to April 1994' to UK pensioners in the countries specified would have been (a) Australia £500 million, (b) Canada £275 million, (c) New Zealand £175 million, (d) South Africa £100 million.The rate of basic pension payable to any individual depends on that person's national insurance contribution record. In November 1985, the rate payable to a person who fully satisfied the contribution conditions for a basic pension was £38.30. It is currently £58.85. Where the contribution conditions are not fully satisfied, a reduced pro rata pension is payable at rates varying from 98 per cent. to 25 per cent. of the full basic rate.

Note:

¹ The cost figures are estimates rounded to the nearest £25 million.

² The estimated cost of paying the April 1995 uprating to pensioners in countries where UK pensions are not uprated is not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the answer of 3 July, Official Report, column 79, if he will estimate the percentage of pensioners retiring on an income between 75 per cent. and 100 per cent. of average earnings; and what figure has been used as average earnings. [33710]

It is estimated that 12 per cent. of recently retired pensioner units have an income between 75 and 100 per cent. of average earnings. The average earnings figure used for the reply is £304.60 per week.

Source:

Family Expenditure Survey 1992.

Employment Gazette, February 1995.

Notes:

1. Average earnings are based on full time employees on adult rate in all industries and services for 1992.

2. Recently retired pensioner units are defined as single pensioner units and married couples where the individual or head of the household is less than five years over state pension age.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the answer of 3 July, Official Report, column 79, if he will estimate the expenditure on rebates to members of contracted out money purchase schemes in (a) 2010, (b) 2020 and (c) 2030; and what estimate he has made of the number of members of (i) APPS and (ii) COMPS in each of those three years. [33711]

The estimated expenditure on the rebate for contracted-out money purchase schemes and the estimated numbers of members of appropriate personal pensions and COMPS are shown in the table. The level of the rebate will be reviewed regularly under the terms of the Pensions Bill 1995.

Year	APP numbers 000s	COMPS numbers 000s	COMPS rebates £ billion
2010	4,200	400	0.2
2020	3,600	400	0.3
2030	2,800	400	0.3
(Figures based on the assumptions detailed in the Government Actuary's report on the Pensions Bill 1995 CM 2714).

Wales

Eds

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the contracts his Department has with the computer company EDS. [33171]

The Welsh Office has no contracts with the computer company EDS.

Local Government Reorganisation

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning local government reorganisation and job security of council employees. [33496]

The new authorities are responsible for deciding their staffing structures, including the number and grade of posts.I wrote to the chairman of the Staff Commission for Wales in January, setting out our view that, in the first instance, it is for each new authority, in consultation with its predecessors, to decide which staff—over and above those covered by the TUPE regulations—should be transferred to it.

The decisions which councils reach will be reflected in the staff transfer order. We aim to publish the order for consultation in November 1995.

This process should reassure staff who are covered by the order about their immediate future, but it is for the new councils to decide what security of employment they wish to offer them beyond April 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with local government leaders concerning job security for employees when local government reorganisation takes place, and if he will make a statement. [33497]

My right hon. Friend has had no such discussions since taking up his appointment.

Capital Receipts

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the total amount of (a) usable and (b) set-aside capital receipts held by each local authority in Wales on 31 March. [33472]

The latest available information is given in the following table:

Capital receipts and outstanding loan debt at 31 March 1994¹
	Usable receipts	Receipts awaiting final redemption²	Total outstanding loan debt
Alyn and Deeside	967	5,006	34,214
Colwyn	924	3,046	25,799
Delyn	0	0	30,027
Glyndwr	283	2,155	16,214
Rhuddlan	334	3,242	25,732
Wrexham Maelor	981	0	70,781
Carmarthen	1,857	6,751	35,364
Ceredigion	2,069	7,862	19,395
Dinefwr	370	3,310	25,639
Llanelli	1,056	3,021	42,445
Preseli Pembrokeshire	2,725	1,212	40,689
South Pembrokeshire	1,641	0	10,686
Blaenau Gwent	2,876	11,978	102,562
Islwyn	359	12,077	59,588
Monmouth	4,905	6,847	43,911
Newport	8,125	6,150	123,117
Torfaen	3,271	7,928	80,776
Aberconwy	1,793	2,928	18,801
Arfon	207	7,715	25,845
Dwyfor	314	1,039	14,713
Meirionnydd	0	749	9,163
Ynys Mon	60	4,084	51,270
Cynon Valley	0	5,134	49,381
Merthyr Tydfil	1,072	4,390	60,661
Ogwr	3,326	0	83,171
Rhondda	1,570	2,178	92,068
Rhymney Valley	1,107	6,067	69,422
Taff Ely	3,003	3,276	31,853
Brecknock	1,769	7,137	26,953
Montgomeryshire	1,574	11,523	21,284
Radnorshire	450	3,289	12,727
Cardiff	20,363	729	180,689
Vale of Glamorgan	5,716	24,269	55,662
Port Talbot	550	7,191	37,384
Lliw Valley	2,211	7,483	38,172
Neath	481	6,844	38,199
Swansea	268	11,367	128,489
Clwyd	2,216	15,827	131,446
Dyfed	1,318	4,597	113,084
Gwent	7,205	0	158,180
Gwynedd	2,615	3	76,420
Mid Glamorgan	3,915	1,741	120,829

Capital receipts and outstanding loan debt at 31 March 1994 ¹
	Usable receipts	Receipts awaiting final redemption ²	Total outstanding loan debt
Powys	431	4,627	52,729
South Glamorgan	2,563	0	155,000
West Glamorgan	1,971	0	158,502
Dyfed Powys Joint Police Authority	0	70	4,653
North Wales Joint Police Authority	846	1,610	3,368
South Wales Joint Police Authority	437	239	9,753

Source:

Local authority returns.

¹ Receipts figures include sales of capital assets and repayments of capital grants and advances.

² Including European Community grants.

Independent Schools

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many school-age pupils resident in each local education authority areas attend independent schools. [33494]

Information about the place of residence of pupils attending independent schools is not collected centrally. Total pupil numbers at independent schools, tabulated according to the local authority area in which the schools are located, are shown in table 1.06 of "Statistics of Education and Training in Wales: Schools No. 3 1995", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

Nhs Trust Members

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the members appointed to, and the vacancies that exist in, (a) the Clwydian trust, (b) the Wrexham Maelor trust and (c) Glan Clwyd trust; and if he will list the salaries concerned. [33498]

The members appointed together with their remunerations are as follows:

	Remuneration (£)¹
(a) Clwydian Community Care Trust
Chair:
Mr. Edmund Francis Lloyd Fitzhugh OBE	19,285
Members:
Mr. Christopher Powell	5,000
Professor Charles Fergus Lowe	5,000

Modern apprenticeships in Wales in 1995–96
Occupational area	Gwent	Mid Glamorgan	North East Wales	Powys	South Glamorgan	Targed	West Wales
Business/Finance	50	60	35	—	50	63	220
Tourism Leisure	—	—	5	—	25	—	—
Catering	—	15	—	—	25	32	—
Retail	—	70	20	—	35	36	—
Hairdressing	—	35	15	—	15	37	60
Child/Health Care	—	—	20	—	—	—	—
Chemicals	—	—	30	—	10	—	—
Agriculture/Horticulture	—	—	—	17	5	12	55
Construction	75	45	80	14	50	15	80
Engineering Manufacture	214	185	140	43	60	36	10

	Remuneration (£) ¹
Mr. Malcolm Charles Pratt	5,000
Ms Marion Claire Gerrard-Jones	5,000
Ms Susanne Jane Brierley²	5,000
(b) Wrexham Maelor Trust
Chair
Mr. Aldham Edward Roberts	17,145
Members
Mr. John Philip Glyn Evans	5,000
Professor Geraint Meirwyn Roberts	5,000
Mr. Simon Dyson-Wingett	5,000
Mr. Idris Dwyryd Price	5,000
Mrs. Margaret Thomas	5,000
(c) Glan Clwyd Trust
Chair:
Mr. Edward Michael Wynne Griffith, CBE	11,020
Members:
Mr. Trefor Glyn Jones, OBE	5,000
Professor Kenneth Walter Woodhouse	5,000
Mr. Ronald Francis Peter Drennan	5,000
Mrs. Elizabeth Alice Jones	5,000
¹ Those appointed as chairmen or non-executive directors are not salaried, but are entitled to receive a flat rate taxable remuneration.
² Ms Brierley has accepted an invitation to become a non-executive director. The Secretary of State will shortly be writing to confirm the appointment. Once confirmed there will be no vacancies on the above trusts.

Modern Apprenticeships

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total spending in each Welsh county on modern apprenticeships in the past year; what were the amounts of under or overspendings; and what new subjects have now been added to the original courses offered. [33285]

The information requested on expenditure in 1994–95 is not available centrally on a county basis.The development of modern apprenticeships is fundamental to creating the competitive edge that Welsh industry needs to compete in world markets. In 1994–95, the first year of modern apprenticeships, manufacturing engineering was made a priority and 550 trainees embarked on apprenticeships in this field. In 1995–96, support for modern and accelerated modern apprenticeships is being extended to other key occupational areas needed by Welsh businesses, as shown in the following table; and it is expected that a further 3,400 young people will start apprenticeship training during the course of the year.

Modern apprenticeships in Wales in 1995–96
Occupational area	Gweni	Mid Glamorgan	North East Wales	Powys	South Glamorgan	Targed	West Wales
Electrical Installation	10	15	10	—	15	17	40
Plastics Manufacture	14	35	5	—	—	8	—
Steel	100	—	5	—	—	—	45
Motor Vehicle Trades	35	35	25	10	50	27	80
Information Technology	—	20	60	—	—	24	20
Non Specific	80	85	15	11	—	—	20
Modern Apprenticeships Total	578	630	485	95	350	320	950

Note:

Modern apprenticeships frameworks are still being developed in many areas like accountancy, banking, insurance, amenity horticulture etc./

Non specified places are to allow these to be introduced as they are developed.

Cardiologists

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the number of specialist cardiologists in post in the NHS in Wales; and if he will list the numbers for each of the previous five years. [33330]

The information, which relates to the whole-time equivalent number of consultant cardiologists in post at 30 September, is given in the following list:

1989: 3.1
1990: 4.6
1991: 4.6
1992: 6.1
1993: 9.1
1994: 9.0

Cardiac Mortality

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cardiac mortality rate for each year since 1989; and if he will provide a breakdown by health authority area in Wales. [33329]

The available information is in the following table:

Cardiac mortality (ICD 390–429) per 100,000 residents
Area of residence	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993
Wales	397	381	380	371	408
Clwyd	405	382	421	407	434
East Dyfed	461	425	422	408	455
Pembrokeshire	401	352	360	342	400
Gwent	395	394	374	386	405
Gwynedd	410	399	398	368	437
Mid Glamorgan	400	384	367	365	409
Powys	428	366	396	403	414
South Glamorgan	329	333	329	308	354
West Glamorgan	398	388	375	367	398

Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which firms have won computer consultancy contracts from his Department and its agencies over the last five year; and what is the number of contracts per firm. [33884]

Details of the contracts awarded to computer consultants in the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 are as follows.

Information relating to the periods prior to 1992–93 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Details of the contracts awarded to computer consultants in the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 are as follows. Information relating to the periods prior to 1992–93 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Consultants	Number of contracts
Axis	5
DBI Associates	1
Computer Management	1
Consultants
Easams Ltd.	3
The Government Centre for	7
Information Systems
NCC Consultancy	1
KPMG Management Consulting	1
Admiral Management Services	1
IPL	1
Software Personnel	2
SPS Ltd.	1
MVA Systematica	1
Praxis Plc	2
DMS	1
Softa and Company Ltd.	1
JBA International plc	2
Computercentre Ltd.	1
Saftynet plc	1
KOALA Publishing	2
Mouncey and Partners	2
ICL	1
Mountfields	1
MMM Consultancies	1
Comms Associates	1
W. S. Atkins	2
BIS Information Systems	1
Ernts and Young	1
Price Waterhouse	1
Gower Business Systems	1

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33867]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department and its agencies have spent on computer consultancy in each of the last five years; and what is the expected expenditure over the next five years. [33866]

Details of the information technology consultants employed in the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 and expenditure to date this financial year are given as follows. Information relating to the periods prior to 1992–93 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

1992–93: £380,799
1993–94: £521,094
1994–95: £591,007
1995–96: £97,364

Estimated expenditure on consultancies over the next five years is some £1,215,000.

Grant-Maintained Schools

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many ballots for schools to become grant-maintained have been held in the last 12 months; and what was the result in each case. [33828]

Six ballots were held, all of which resulted in a vote against seeking grant-maintained status.

Welsh Correspondence

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to sign official letters from his office which are in the Welsh language. [33712]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies) on Tuesday 11 July 1995, Official Report, column 514.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Public Bodies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which members of (a) the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods, (b) the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and (c) the Food Advisory Committee receive any form of grant from his Department or private companies. [32420]

No members of any of these non-departmental public bodies receive any grants from my Department but they are paid travel and subsistence expenses and daily fees for attendance. Some members receive remuneration from private companies and details of these interests are published in the committees' annual reports, copies of which are deposited in the House of Commons Library.

Advertising

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent on outside advertising agencies for each year since 1979; and if he will list the specific advertising campaigns undertaken by his department, their purpose and their cost. [32485]

Comprehensive information in the form requested is not readily available.In common with other Government Departments MAFF does not spend directly with advertising agencies. Any advertising forming part of a publicity campaign is placed via the Central Office of Information. Major advertising campaigns since 1990–91 are:

Rabies Prevention;
Joint Imports (prevention of plant and animal diseases being brought into the UK);
Foodsense (promoting safe and healthy eating); Animal Health and Welfare Issues;
Balance in the Countryside.

Other smaller campaigns have promoted the various schemes available to farmers.

The value of all forms of advertising commissioned through the COI since 1990–91 is as follows:

1990–91: £107,846
1991–92: £342,896
1992–93: £663,460
1993–94: £637,953
1994–95: £703,928
(All figures are exclusive of VAT).

Farming (New Entrants)

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to help new entrants to farming; and if he will make a statement. [32729]

The quota schemes which currently operate in the beef and sheep sectors include special arrangements which allow new entrants access to quota from the sheep and suckler cow scheme national reserves. Milk quotas pose a special problem; the Department has in the past looked at ways of attempting to assist new entrants but there are fundamental difficulties to be overcome. However, the Government are ready to consider proposals from the dairy industry for an industry-run scheme.The introduction of farm business tenancies will help to ensure that more land is available for new entrants to rent. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has estimated that within two years more than 300,000 hectares of extra land will be offered for rent as a result of the flexibility provided by the new arrangements.An extensive range of courses are available to prospective new entrants through agricultural colleges. New entrants can also take advantage of the extensive range of training courses available through ATB-Landbase and other training providers.Banks provide general business start up and planning advice that would meet most of the requirements of new entrants for general information. We are also working, through our contact with ATB-Landbase, to raise awareness of skills gaps and deficiencies and the benefits, both to new and established business, of strategic business planning and training. Training and enterprise councils also have a role to play through business start up activities and business links will be an important contact point for new entrants seeking advice on business set up and development matters.

Set-Aside Land

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the acreage of the largest single holding of land in England and Wales that was in set-aside as of 1 June. [33021]

As we have given an undertaking to claimants under the arable area payments scheme that all information regarding their claim is held in confidence, specific information on single claims cannot be published.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total acreage of land in England and Wales in set aside as of 1 June. [33014]

The total area of land in set aside in England and Wales at 1 June 1995 is not yet available. I will write to the hon. Member when this information is known.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the 10 largest sums paid in set-aside payments since the inception of the scheme; and to whom were they paid. [33117]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: We have given an undertaking to claimants under the arable area payments scheme that all information regarding their claim is held in confidence. Specific information on individual claims cannot, therefore, be published. However, in 1993–94 there were seven claims in excess of £500,000 in 1994–95 there were 15 such claims.

Shareholdings

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff in his Department or its agencies have (a) declared any company shareholdings they hold or (b) been advised to dispose of shareholdings in the last five years, indicating the companies concerned. [33484]

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and its agencies do not hold information centrally about declared company shareholdings. Each declaration is, however, scrutinised carefully to guard against potential conflicts of interest.

Environmental Protection

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people were employed in environmental protection in each of the last ten years. [32900]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: The protection and enhancement of the rural and marine environment is an important aim of the Ministry. It is pursued through a number of programmes and the resources associated with each programme, including administration costs, are given in chapter 3 of the annual report, a copy of which is lodged in the Library of the House. Records are not kept of staff numbers associated with specific aims and programmes.

Fraud

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many serious irregularities in the intervention regimes are currently under investigation in the United Kingdom for each agricultural commodity. [32387]

[pursuant to the reply 5 July, Official Report, c. 307]: I am now able to provide the number of serious irregularities in the intervention regimes which are currently under investigation in the United Kingdom. The information is as follows:

Scheme	Number of cases
Beef intervention processing	1
Beef intervention purchases	2
Fruit and vegetable withdrawal	1
Surplus food	9
Seed production aid	1
Milk quotas	79
School milk	1
Total	94

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many investigations into intervention fraud in the United Kingdom have taken place in each of the last six years (a) for each agricultural commodity and (b) in total. [32384]

[pursuant to the reply, 5 July, Official Report, c. 307]: I am now able to provide the number of completed investigations into intervention fraud in the United Kingdom for each support scheme. The information is as follows:

Scheme	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995
Beef Intervention Purchases	—	—	2	2	2	1	—
Cereals Intervention Purchases	—	1	—	2	—	1	—
Fruit and Veg Withdrawals	—	—	—	1	1	1	—
Surplus Food	1	—	1	—	6	20	5
NPO Butter	—	3	—	—	—	1	1
Butter for Manufacture	—	—	—	—	—	1	—
Sheep Variable Premium	19	4	22	—	—	—	—
Cereals Corep Levy	4	3	14	15	3	2	—
Beef Special Premium	53	16	15	12	11	1	4
Linseed	1	—	1	2	2	2	—
Peas, Beans and Lupins	1	2	1	—	1	—	—
Milk Supplementary Levy	8	1	1	2	1	9	8
School Milk	—	—	—	1	—	2	—
Whisky Refunds	—	—	1	—	—	—	—
Conc. Butter for Direct	—	—	—	1	1	—	—
Consumption
Aid for Dehydrated Fodder	—	—	—	—	1	—	—
Liquid Skimmed for Animal Feed	—	—	—	—	1	—	—
Starch	—	—	—	—	—	1	—
Total	87	30	38	38	30	42	18

Northern Ireland

Arms Decommissioning

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the outcome of the talks between the British and Irish Prime Ministers in Cannes, with particular reference to (a) decommissioning of arms and (b) the terms of remission for prisoners. [32910]

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach had a constructive meeting on 27 June. They discussed a whole range of subjects. It was announced after the meeting that the Prime Ministers had commissioned a joint report on the decommissioning of weapons and explosives.

Farm Burglaries

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the number of burglaries on farms and farm out-buildings for each of the last 10 years; [33135](2) what was the number of cases of livestock theft for each of the last 10 years. [33133]

The information is as follows:

Offences on Farms in Northern Ireland 1987–1994
	Burglary offences¹	Thefts of animals²
1987	105	24
1988	94	92
1989	102	135
1990	128	95
1991	130	84
1992	136	96
1993	130	110
1994	163	119
¹ Includes attempts and going equipped to steal/going equipped for burglary etc.
² May include thefts of domestic and wild animals from farms/farm premises as well as thefts of livestock.
Figures are not available before 1987.

Leadhill School

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils were enrolled at Leadhill primary school, Castlereagh in each of the past five years; how many pupils were enrolled in each class this year at Leadhill school; what capital investment there was at this school in each of the past five years; what proposals there are to improve accommodation at the school; and if he will make a statement. [32993]

The information is as follows:

Total pupils enrolled
Year	Number
1990	175
1991	172
1992	179
1993	187
1994	201

Enrolment by year group in 1994–95
Year group	Number
P1	31
P2	32
P3	33
P4	24
P5	31
P6	26
P7	24

Capital investment
Year	Amount £
1990–91	802
1991–92	1,381
1992–93	15,092
1993–94	3,178
1994–95	1,209

The South Eastern education and library board has no proposal at present to improve accommodation at the school but will continue to keep the matter under review.

Security

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration he is giving to the removal of (a) the security tower at Rosemount in Londonderry and (b) vehicle checkpoints near the Donegal border of Northern Ireland as a consequence of the ceasefire. [33043]

At present the RUC advise that these security installations remain operationally necessary, but the requirements to retain these, and similar structures, is kept under constant review.

University Of Ulster

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what procedures, sources of funding and timescales are being followed in consideration of the Springvale campus proposal by the University of Ulster. [33041]

Following the announcement by the University of Ulster of its proposal to establish a campus at Springvale, my right hon. and learned Friend commissioned a full economic appraisal of the scheme. In addition, I commissioned a report from the Northern Ireland Higher Education Council specifically to consider the educational aspects of the proposal. The economic appraisal is nearing completion, and the Secretary of State will wish to give full consideration to its findings, including the costs involved, and to the NIHEC report before taking a decision on the Springvale campus proposal.

Land Bank

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which parts of Northern Ireland currently have inadequate publicly owned land banks to respond to the needs of incoming investors; and what he proposes to do about this. [33045]

The Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland has a land bank of over 1,100 acres, which, is adequate to meet the needs of incoming investors in most cases. Additional land is currently being acquired at Ballycastle, Banbridge, Belfast, Castlereagh, Downpatrick, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Londonderry and Omagh.

Support Programme

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the contents of the special support programme for peace and reconciliation which has recently been submitted to the European Commission. [33040]

The guidelines for the special support programme makes provision for a range of measures under the five priorities of employment, urban and rural regeneration, cross-border development, social inclusion and industrial development/productive investment. It is expected that the programme will mirror this provision. As the submitted draft is still being negotiated between the member states concerned and the European Commission, it is not possible to give definitive details of the content.

Theft (Fields)

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of cases of theft of produce from fields for each of the least 10 years. [33124]

Data on theft of produce from fields are not available.

Fish Kills

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fish kills have been reported on Kellswater, County Antrim, in the 12 months ended 30 June; what was the location and cause of each fish kill; on how many occasions prosecutions have taken place in respect of the above fish kills and on how many occasions (a) the chief executive of the fisheries Conservancy Board (NI) has recommended no prosecution to the Fisheries Conservancy Board; how many reported incidents of failure to protect fish with special reference to smolts in Northern Ireland, have resulted in (a) prosecution and (b) no prosecution; and if all reported fish kills are brought to the attention of the Fisheries Conservancy Board (NI) by the chief executive of the Fisheries Conservancy Board. [33269]

In the 12 month period ended 30 June 1995 two reports of fish kills on the Kellswater river, Co Antrim, were received and investigated by the Fisheries Conservancy Board.The first fish kill occurred between Wiggleton weir and Shankbridge. No discharge was detected at the time of investigation. However, the source is believed to be an industrial discharge, coupled with unusually high water temperatures and low oxygen levels in the river.The second fish kill occurred below Shankbridge and is under investigation. In the first case the chief executive did not pursue prosecutions due to insufficient evidence. Statutory water samples have been taken in the second case with a view to prosecution. Prosecutions are recommended in those cases where water samples have been taken and the analysis supports prosecution.During the last year the Fisheries Conservancy Board issued 29 warning letters for failures by persons or organisations to protect fish with special reference to smolts in Northern Ireland under the provisions of section 659 of the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966. Of these 15 have applied for or have been granted an exemption by the Department of Agriculture from the requirements of section 59 of the Act, four are now complying with the Act, four are being considered for prosecution, three are still within the three-month warning period during which they must take action to comply and three are under further investigation.The board has records of a further five cases where files have been prepared for prosecution. One of these cases has been successfully prosecuted, two have subsequently complied with the Act and two are awaiting prosecution.The chief executive of the Fisheries Conservancy Board advises the board of all fish kills and resulting action from investigations.

Specialist Cardiologists

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his latest estimate of specialist cardiologists in post in the NHS in Northern Ireland; and if he will provide figures for each of the previous five years. [33331]

The information at 30 September of each year is as follows:

Year	Number
1994¹	18
1993	17
1991	16
1992	15
1990	14
1989	14
¹ Latest dates for which figures are available centrally.

Cardiac Mortality

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cardiac mortality rate for each year since 1989 giving the figures for each health authority area in Northern Ireland. [33332]

The mortality rate per 1,000 population was as follows:

	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994¹
Eastern Health and Social Services Board	3.6	3.4	3.3	3.3	3.3	3.1
Northern Health and Social Services Board	3.3	2.9	2.8	3.0	3.0	2.9
Southern Health and Social Services Board	3.2	3.1	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
Western Health and Social Services Board	2.8	3.1	3.0	3.0	2.7	2.7
¹ 1994 figures are provisional.

Consultancies

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which firms have won computer consultancy contracts from his Department and its agencies over tine last five years; and what is the number of contracts per firm. [33889]

Details of firms awarded information technology consultancy contracts and the number of contracts awarded to each firm are as follows:

Company	Number of contracts
ACT Ltd.	1
Advanced Recognition Ltd.	1
Advec	4
Aims Ireland	6
Barnes McCrum	1
BB Consultancy	2
Belmin	2
BIC Systems	3
Binder Hamlyn	1
BIS Beecom	6
Blackhall Medical Centre	1
Business Objects	3
Cambridge Consultants	1
CAMS	1
Capita Muir and Addy	7
Caspe	1
CCTA	27
CEM Computers Ltd.	2
Centre for Social Research QUB	2
CFM	13
Common Services Agency	1
Computer Association	1
Consulting International	1
Coopers Lybrand and Deloitte	63
CSL	2
D. Vincent	1
Daicomp Services	1
Data General	8
Datapro International	1
DBI Associates	14
Defence Research Agency	1
Delta Performance Systems	1
Digital	9
DMW Group Ltd.	2
Dr. Campbell	1
Dr. Farrington	2
Dr. P. Berrey	1
Dr. Port	1
Economic and Social Research Council	1
Elite	5
Employment Service	1
Ernst and Young	1
European Services (Printing)	1
European S/W	1
Geoffrey Moss	1
Goldarrow	1
Hanna Thompson	1
Hedley Computer Consultants	1
Helm	5
Hewlett Packard	2
HM Paymaster General	1
Horizon Services Ltd.	2
Hoskyns	2
IBM	1
ICL	4
ICS	4
Insight Consulting	5
Intersystems	1
ITSA	5
ITSS	1

Company	Number of contracts
Justaim Ltd.	3
Kainos Software Ltd.	1
Kinesis	1
Knowledge Insight Ltd.	1
KPMG	5
Logica	1
Logical Choice	1
Logicom	1
Logotech	1
London Business School	1
Lorien Computers	1
Maygrove Consultancy	1
McDonnell Douglas	4
MDISL	1
Miss M. Burns	1
Morris/Shaw	1
Mott McDonald	3
Naylor and Devlin	1
NCC	2
NIRRL QUB	1
Oracle	12
PA Consulting	3
PACE	6
Page Design	1
Park Applications	1
Park Place Training	1
Peter Henderson	1
PI UK Ltd.	1
Pixel Innovations	1
Portfolio Systems	1
Price Waterhouse	3
QMI	1
Rely Business Software	1
RMS Services Ltd.	1
Ruth McAllister	2
School of Psychology QUB	1
Scoll	3
Secure Information Systems Ltd.	1
SEMA	1
Sequel Technology	1
Sequelogic	1
Sequent	1
SIA Ltd.	1
Siemens Nixdorf	2
Silicon Bridge Research	1
Softlab Ireland	2
Software Ireland	1
Solcom	1
Spectrum	1
Sybex	1
Synoptics	2
Syntech	1
System Source Ltd.	2
Technical Resource Consultants	1
Touche Ross	19
Ulster University Jordanstown	1
Unidata	1
Unidirect	1
Wellington Group System	4
WS Atkins	1
	363

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33877]

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department and its agencies have spent on computer consultancy in each of the last five years; and what is the expected expenditure over the next five years. [33857]

The total amount paid to consultants for information technology is as follows:

1990–91: £1,690,000
1991–92: £1,300,982
1992–93: £1,100,867
1993–94: £520,892
1994–95: £1,151,501

Details of expenditure over the next five years is not available.

Investigators

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the revised statutory code of practice in respect of authorised investigators to come into operation. [34491]

I have today laid before Parliament a revised draft code of practice in connection with the exercise by authorised investigators of the powers conferred by schedule 5 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991, as I am required to do by paragraph 7(3) of that schedule. I intend also to make an order which will bring the code into operation on 1 August 1995. The revised code was published for consultation on 3 April 1995 and takes account of a change to the 1991 Act which relaxes the law by permitting authorised investigators to obtain information in writing rather than requiring individuals to attend for interview and produce documents.The draft code provides guidance to authorised investigators on how they should exercise their powers and contains a number of valuable safeguards for those who may be interviewed by them.

Trade And Industry

Metric Measures

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received on the subject of compulsory metric measures. [32125]

I have received a number of letters about recent press coverage of the compulsory use of metric units for certain products from 1 October 1995.

Beer

19.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further representations he has had from the Campaign for Real Ale about consumers having to pay for the frothy head on beer. [32139]

I have received no further representations from the Campaign for Real Ale.

Oil Installations (Recycling)

20.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what support he intends to give to British yards bidding for work recycling redundant oil installations from the North sea. [32140]

My oil and gas projects and supplies office is already helping UK industry to compete for this type of work.

Post Offices

21.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to maintain a nationwide network of post offices. [32142]

The Government are committed to the improvement of the network's commercial prospects by the introduction of technology and by allowing Post Office Counters Ltd. greater freedom to take on new clients.

29.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future of Crown post offices. [32150]

I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Michie) earlier today.

Manufacturing Output

22.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the current figures for manufacturing output. [32143]

Manufacturing output rose by 2.6 per cent. in the 12 months to May.

27.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the current figures for manufacturing output. [32148]

I refer the hon. Member to the earlier answer I gave to the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Eastham).

Gas Supply (Kent)

23.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the potential effect on domestic consumers of the introduction of competition into gas supply in Kent. [32144]

Competition in domestic gas supply is expected to lead to generally lower gas bills. British Gas competitors anticipate average price reductions of around 10 per cent. It will allow customers to choose the mix of price and service that best meets their particular requirements.

Unethical Sales Practices

24.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with London trading standards about unethical sales practices. [32145]

In December 1994, my Department issued a consultation document to trading standards departments and others on the powers of the Director General of Fair Trading to act against traders whose practices are unfair to consumers. A number of responses have been received from London boroughs' trading standards departments.

Over-Regulation

25.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to urge other EU states to relieve small and medium enterprises of the burden of over-regulation. [32146]

Increasingly, other member states of the European Union are recognising the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises for job creation, and of their particular sensitivity to poor regulation. This is reflected in the Cannes European Council's conclusions, and also in the work of the Commission's small firms directorate on disseminating best regulatory practice for small business. I believe that member states can benefit from our "think small first" approach to new legislation and our small firms litmus test. We are working closely on this with other member states.

Privatised Utilities

26.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the estimated value, potential value and past profit of privatised utilities, directors and senior executives' share option schemes. [32147]

The details of share options schemes and the value of awards made under the schemes are matters for the companies concerned.

28.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the change in the pay of the executives of privatised utilities since privatisation. [32149]

Pay in the private sector is a matter for the companies concerned and for their shareholders.

31.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to review the current system of regulations of the privatised utilities. [32152]

The ways in which the systems of regulation of the privatised utilities develop is a matter of continuing interest, and the regulators and the Government always welcome practical suggestion for improvements to the current system.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current salary of the Director General of Telecommunications; and what has been the salary for this post since 1990. [33550]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 26 June 1995, Official Report, columns 448–50 by my right hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar) to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain).

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current salary of the Director General of Electricity Supply; and what has been the salary for this post for each year since 1990. [33549]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), whose similar question was answered on 26 June 1995, Official Report, columns 448–50.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the criteria used to determine the salaries of director generals of electricity supply, gas supply and telecommunications. [33551]

The remuneration of the director generals of electricity supply, of gas supply and of telecommunications is determined by the Secretary of State, with the approval of the Minister with responsibility for the civil service, and salaries are set at the rate necessary to recruit and retain the best candidates.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current salary of the Director General of Gas Supply; and what has been the salary of this post since 1990. [33557]

Details of the current salary of the Director General of Gas Supply and the salary of this post since 1990, were given to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) on 26 June 1995, Official Report, columns 448–50.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on employment prospects in the utilities. [32190]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: Employment prospects in the utilities are subject to the commercial judgment of their management and the needs of their customers.

Exports

30.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the trend in United Kingdom exports. [32151]

The outlook for exports in 1995 is excellent. In the three months to April, the volume of United Kingdom exports, excluding oil and erratics was 9.5 per cent. higher than a year earlier. The CBI reports that export order books are growing faster than ever before and that optimism among exporters is at its highest for a generation.

Inward Investment

32.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on inward investment. [32153]

Inward investment is a UK success story. I announced only last week that in 1994–95, a record number of 434 inward investment decisions were notified to the Invest in Britain Bureau, expecting to create nearly 37,000 new jobs. Almost 57 per cent of these decisions were by foreign investors already established here, a tremendous vote of confidence in the strength of the UK economy.

Firework Injuries

33.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to reduce the number of firework injuries. [32154]

Legislation is in place to control the supply of unsafe fireworks and to prohibit the supply of fireworks to persons under 16 years of age.To complement these measures, an annual firework campaign is undertaken to inform retailers and users of the necessary precautions to be taken when fireworks are supplied and used. The 1995 firework campaign will concentrate upon the age group nine to 13 years and garden firework parties which were associated with most of the firework accidents in 1994.

Nuclear Industry

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans the Government have to remove non-leviable status from the nuclear industry once it is privatised; and in what way they will then seek to recognise the benefits of pure renewable forms of energy. [32639]

The Government are considering the future of non-leviable status, and expect to announce their conclusions before the privatisation of the nuclear generating stations.

Pallion Engineering Ltd

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations his departmental officials including regional officials have received from Appledore, Devon regarding Pallion Engineering Ltd., Sunderland. [33765]

My officials have not received any representations from Appledore Ltd. about Pallion Engineering Ltd. of Sunderland.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when he last discussed the future of Pallion Engineering Ltd. with the European Commissioner responsible for competition; [33763](2) when his Department's officials last met representatives of the European Commissioner responsible for competition to discuss Pallion Engineering Ltd., Sunderland. [33762]

My right hon. Friend the then Minister for Industry, corresponded with the European Commissioner responsible for competition about the future of Pallion Engineering in July 1994. A number of meetings have taken place since then between officials of my Department and those of the Directorate General for Competition to discuss the shipbuilding industry generally and those officials discussed Pallion most recently by telephone on 4 July 1995.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has received regarding Pallion Engineering Ltd., Sunderland; and if he will make a statement. [33764]

Ministers and officials have received approximately 15 representations about Pallion Engineering since July 1994. I have agreed to meet a delegation of hon. Members to discuss the constraints imposed on Pallion Engineering by the European Community's seventh shipbuilding directive.

European Commissioner (Competition)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will next meet the European Commissioner responsible for competition; and what matters will be discussed. [33766]

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade meets the European Commissioner responsible for competition from time to time but has no specific plans to do so in the immediate future.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met the European Commissioner responsible for competition; and what matters were discussed. [33767]

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade last met the European Commissioner responsible for competition on Monday 3 April 1995. Their discussions covered state aids issues and the liberalisation and privatisation of the energy and telecoms sectors.

Directory Inquiry Services

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the Director General of Telecommunications, as to standards of directory inquiry services; and if he will make a statement. [32457]

None. The standard of directory inquiry services is a matter for the Director General of Telecommunications. I invite my hon. Friend to inform the director or myself of any specific concerns.

Biodiesel

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of biodiesel (a) imported into the United Kingdom and (b) produced in the United Kingdom last year. [32717]

A small amount of biodiesel was produced in the UK last year for trial purposes only. Exact quantities produced and import figures are not available.

Asbestos

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the quantities of asbestos imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years. [32864]

The information is published by the Central Statistical Office in the overseas trade statistics of the United Kingdom, which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many asbestos slates have been imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; what was their cost; and what is the cost of their United Kingdom—made substitutes. [32865]

The information is not available.

Jaguar

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in establishing support for the location of Jaguar's new model investment in the midlands; and it he will make a statement. [33625]

DTI Ministers and officials have been working very closely with Ford and Jaguar to maximise the prospects of Jaguar's new X200 saloon car being built in the west midlands. The DTI, in association with English Partnerships and local agencies, working through the Government offices in the west midlands, is putting together a substantial package of support, including site improvements and training.

Company Inspections

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when inspectors were appointed in relation to (a) Pennine Commercial Holdings plc, (b) British Anzani plc and (c) International Signal and Control Group plc; and if he will list in each case the reasons for the appointment of inspectors, the names of the inspectors and their business connections, the cost of the investigation together with details of the way in which it has been disbursed to each inspector, including the basis of disbursement, the number of hours for which each inspector has billed his Department, including the hourly rate, the date of completion and publication of the report and the action taken by the Department against the parties criticised in the report, the parties who have seen the report and under what section and statute. [33923]

Elizabeth Appleby QC and Peter Wilfred Foss FCA, a partner of Moores Rowland, were appointed inspectors of Pennine Commercial Holdings plc on 4 October 1983 and also of British Anzani plc on 11 March 1983—a related investigation.—both appointments being under the provisions of section 165(1)(b) of the Companies Act 1948—now section 432 of the Companies Act 1985—following concern over a number of matters and in particular the conduct of certain of its directors. They completed their report on British Anzani plc on 28 November 1986. The inspectors are reviewing their interim report on Pennine Commercial Holdings plc with a view to submitting a final report, following the conclusion in April 1995 of appeals against criminal convictios. When the inspectors have submitted their completed report on Pennine Commercial Holdings, publication of the reports will be considered. The cost of the inspection of British Anzani plc and related investigations to date, excluding Pennine Commercial Holdings, is £745,600. The cost of the investigation of Pennine Commercial Holdings plc to date is £391,000 of which £355,00 and £36,000, respectively, relate to the accountant and legal inspector. The hours billed and the hourly rate are confidential. Appropriate disclosure has been made within the criminal proceedings and to regulatory bodies.Inspectors have not been appointed to International Signal and Control Group plc.

Copyright Law

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to introduce legislation to incorporate a transmission right into the existing copyright law. [33307]

United Kingdom legislation—the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988—already provides copyright owners with exclusive rights to prohibit or to authorise transmission of their works. Broadcasting of copyright material and its inclusion in a cable programme service, which covers digital on-line services, both require authorisation of the copyright owner.My Department has established close links with industry on issues which may be affected by advances in information and communication technology, including copyright. A sub-committee of my multi-media industry advisory group is considering these matters at present. We are keeping matters under review, not only in the United Kingdom, but, since transmissions cross territorial boundaries, within the European Union and other international forums.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment he has made on the impact on mass market sales of classic paperback reprints of European Union proposals to harmonise copyright laws; and if he will make a statement; [33007](2) What assessment he has made on the impact on British printers of European Union proposals to harmonise copyright laws; and if he will make a statement. [33008]

[holding answer 10 July 1995]: Effects on the sale of paperback reprints may arise from directive 93/98/EEC, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers in October 1993. This requires that copyright should expire 70 years after the death of the author and will mean that the duration of copyright in the United Kingdom will have to be increased from its present duration of 50 years, to 70 years after death, and that certain works on which copyright has ceased will have their copyright revived for up to 20 years. However, the directive provides that publication of works prior to revival of copyright will not be regarded as infringement, and enables member states to introduce safeguards to protect those who are in the process of publishing works on the assumption that they are in the public domain.My Department has recently circulated a consultative draft of legislation to implement the directive. This draft proposes extensive safeguards which, for example, will allow publishers to make and to sell copies made as a result of commitments entered into before 1 January 1995, and to sell any copy made before 1 July 1995, without liability to owners of revived rights. Furthermore, the draft legislation proposes that any publisher who wishes to make a new edition—that is, one which is not covered by the safeguards mentioned above—will be able to do so, and that this cannot be prevented by the owner of revived rights.I understand that royalty rates for paperback editions are generally around 7 per cent. of the publishers' selling price to the trade. Given the safeguards we propose to introduce, the effects of implementing this directive on the market for classic books would not appear to be substantial, especially since the directive will be of practical significance to only a relatively small number of books,—that is, those which remain popular more than 50 years after their authors' deaths. Classics whose authors have been dead for more than 70 years will not be affected.

As part of the consultation exercise, views as to costs or benefits of the directive have been sought from businesses and others directly affected. A compliance cost assessment will be produced in due course.

The effect of this directive on the United Kingdom printing industry can be expected to be marginal since there is no reason to believe that the directive will affect overall activity in the industry.

Export Credits Guarantee Advisory Service

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will update the list of members of the Export Credits Guarantee Advisory Service given in his answer of 20 January 1994, Official Report, columns 748–50, indicating the reason for any departure of members. [33163]

Since 20 January 1994, two members have left the Export Guarantees Advisory Council—Mr. Gormly retired at the end of his term of office and Mr. Smallwood resigned due to business commitments. No new members have been appointed.

Telecommunications Companies

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in obtaining access for British telecommunications companies in the United States market. [32817]

There has been improvement in the access of UK companies to the United States market, particularly since international simple resale of telecommunications between the UK and the US was authorised in October 1994. My Department has now licensed 33 companies to provide ISR to the US, as well as to Australia, Canada and Sweden.The Government have been following closely the regulatory and legislative proposals currently being considered in the US on foreign ownership and access to the US market, with a view to improving UK companies' position in the US. We have also urged US officials to avoid any measures which may cause difficulty with a successful outcome of the World Trade Organisation negotiations on basic telecommunications, due to end in April 1996.

Ceramics And Porcelain Quotas

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was his policy in respect of the proposal to abolish quotas for the importation of tableware and ornamentalware at the 113 Committee of the European Commission and Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement; [33225](2) what assessment he has made of the effect on employment in north Staffordshire of abolishing tableware and ornamentalware quotas. [33239]

The European Commission is reviewing the quotas on all non-textile imports from China, including ceramics and porcelain, and will report to the Council of Ministers later in the year. The Government consider that protection should continue only if clear economic justification can be shown. Evidence from the UK ceramics industry, including on employment aspects, will be among the factors considered in establishing the Government's response.

Buses

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many buses were produced in the United Kingdom in 1994; and how many buses were imported and exported. [32813]

The available information is set out in the table. Care is required in interpreting these figures as production and trade are recorded under different classifications; in particular, the treatment of minibuses may differ between the two.

UK production, imports and exports of buses in 1994
	Number
Production¹	1,585
Imports²	1,005
Exports²	785
¹ Production of buses and coaches (excluding mini-buses).—Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
² Trade in (new) motor vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons—Source: HM Customs and Excise.

Manufacturers (Imports And Exports)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of imports and exports of manufactures in each of the main manufacturing countries in 1994. [32827]

The available information is given in the table.

Main manufacturing countries trade in manufactures¹—1994
US $ Billion
	Exports	Imports
Belgium/Luxembourg	n/a	n/a
Canada²	119	129
France	203	191
Germany	377	281
Italy	170	112
Japan²	389	152
Netherlands	102	102
Sweden	n/a	n/a
Switzerland	n/a	n/a
UK	170	185
USA	381	552

Notes:

¹ Standard International Trade Classification Section 5 to 8.

Includes Standard International Trade Classification Section 9—Commodities and transactions not classified elsewhere in the SITC.

n/a= not readily available.

Source:

OECD Series 0041.

Eurostat Intra & Extra EU Trade.

CSO Business Monitor MM20A.

US Dept of Commerce—US Merchandise Trade December 1994.

Coal Authority

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the individual plots of land currently owned by the Coal Authority in the Stoke on Trent, North constituency. [32709]

This is a matter for the Coal Authority. I have asked the authority to write to the hon. Member.

Competitiveness

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about his latest White Paper on competitiveness. [32141]

I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer that I gave the hon. Member for Colchester, North (Mr. Jenkin) earlier this afternoon.

Iraq (Arms)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the answer to the hon. Member for Redcar (Ms Quin) from the then Minister for Trade, the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood), on export licensing of 13 November 1989, Official Report, column 1. [32969]

[holding answer 6 July 1995]: The matters referred to in the question by the hon. Member for Wokingham, answered on 13 November 1989, are under investigation by the Scott inquiry. It would be inappropriate for me to comment before Sir Richard has completed his report.

Royal Ordnance (Exports)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all exports of munitions by Royal Ordnance since 1980 to (a) Singapore Technologies and (b) Chartered Chemical Industries plc. [32890]

[holding answer 6 July 1995]: This question could be answered only at disproportionate cost. Following the recent statement on BMARC by my right hon. Friend the then President of the Board of Trade, 13 June, Official Report, column 595, and the subsequent decision of the Trade and Industry Select Committee to undertake an inquiry into this area, Departments are now carrying out research into some associated areas in relation to defence exports to Singapore. I shall consider what information it might be appropriate to disclose, and which might be relevant to the Select Committee's inquiry, after that research work has been completed.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the export licences (a) applied for and (b) granted to Allivane for military equipment and materials destined for Singapore Technologies since 1980. [33058]

[holding answer 10 July 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today in response to his questions on exports by Royal Ordnance.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the export licences (a) applied for and (b) granted to Royal Ordnance for military equipment and materials destined for Chartered Chemical Industries Pte Ltd. of Singapore, since 1980. [33026]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today on this issue.

British Nuclear Fuels Ltd

To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what purpose staff from BNFL were seconded to his Department. [33278]

[holding answer 10 July 1995]: The staff on secondment to the Department of BNFL are filling posts that have been identified as benefiting from their particular skills and experience. They are part of the continuing programme of interchange of staff between the Department and industry.

Bmarc

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 28 June, Official Report, column 671, on what date in April information was first sent to HM Customs and Excise, and on what date in June the final information was sent concerning BMARC export licences. [32527]

[holding answer 4 July 1995]: I am afraid that the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Technology on 28 June should have read early April, rather than late April. The first occasion this year on which my Department provided information to HM Customs in connection with BMARC was on or soon after 3 April. The first occasion prior to the statement by my right hon. Friend the former President of the Board of Trade was on 7 June.

Export Promotion Advice

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the export promotion advice for small service businesses and the appropriate level of charges for this advice, and if he will make a statement. [33274]

[holding answer 10 July 1995]: The effectiveness of export promotion advice for all companies, including small service sector firms, is currently measured through data collected on companies' satisfaction with the services and information provided.These services are currently either free or charged at a heavily subsidised price. Charging has not deterred the serious exporter as is evidenced by the continuing growth in the use of the charged services.

Scotland

Forestry

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times Government grants have been awarded to private forestry firms over the past five years; and what was the total value for each year. [30441]

Some 24,000 woodland grant scheme applications were approved in Great Britain in the five years to 31 March 1995, of which about one-quarter were from companies; private forestry companies are not recorded separately.

Total payments under the woodland grant scheme, and other Forestry Commission grant schemes which are now closed, were as follows:

Year ended 31 March	Payments (£ million)
1991	16.5
1992	17.2
1993	21.8
1994	29.8
1995	32.8

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the name of the principal recipients of Government grants for private forest schemes in Scotland over the past five years. [30443]

The Forestry Commission has no management reason to keep a record of cumulative payments made to each owner. To provide the information requested would require a manual search through a very large number of individual grant scheme files. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the criteria for Government grants being awarded to private forestry, and what restrictions there are on foreign-owned forestry in Scotland. [30445]

Applications for grant aid have to satisfy the aims of the woodland grant scheme and meet the silvicultural and environmental standards set out in guidelines published by the Forestry Commission. There are no restrictions on nationality; applicants must be the legal occupiers of the land.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many jobs he estimates have been created by privately owned forestry in Scotland over the past five years. [30442]

The Forestry Commission carried out a sample survey of forestry employment in 1988–89. The results were published in the Commission's Occasional Paper 27, a copy of which is in the Library. The Commission carried out another sample survey in 1993–94, and it is currently analysing the results of this. I shall send the hon. Member a copy of the survey report when it is published, and I shall also place a copy in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hectares of (a) new native pinewoods and (b) new broadleaved woods were grant aided in (i) Scotland and (ii) Argyll and Bute for 1994–95 [30444)

The information is as follows:

	Area of new planting (hectares)
	Scotland	Argyle and Bute
Native pinewoods (including associated broadleaves)	2,400	60
Broadleaved woods (excluding broadleaves in native pinewoods)	3,900	160

Rabies

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of rabies there were in each year since 1967. [32289]

There have been no cases of rabies recorded in Scotland in the years in question.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy occurred in each year since 1985. [32373]

The number of confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Scotland is as follows:

1986: 0
1987: 7
1988: 54
1989: 208
1990: 486
1991: 808
1992: 1,850
1993: 2,208
1994: 1,324
1995¹: 253
¹To 30 June.

BSE was first identified in November 1986 and information on the incidence of the disease prior to that date is not available.

Animal Diseases

To ask the Secretary of State for Soctland how many cases of peste des petits ruminants occurred in each year since 1985. [32286]

There have been no cases of peste des petits ruminants in Scotland since 1985.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of contagious equine metritis occurred in each year since 1985. [32304]

There has been only one case of contagious equine metritis recorded in Scotland since 1985. This occurred in 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will show, by type, the number of cases of fowl pest in each year since 1985. [32292)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of epizootic haemorrhagic virus disease occurred in each year since 1985. [32283]

No cases of epizootic haemorrhagic virus disease have been recorded in Scotland since 1985.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of African horse sickness occurred in each year since 1985. [32301]

African horse sickness has never been reported in Scotland.

A74

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Government has changed the penalties to be applied for failing to meet contractual obligations on the contract to upgrade the A74 between Eaglesfield and Kirkpatrick Fleming to motorway standard. [32713]

The application of liquidated damages, which are not penalties, are being applied strictly in accordance with their purpose in the contract.The liquidated damages provisions relate to two parts of the works. Those provisions related to the southern section, which can be open to traffic as and when it is ready, remain unchanged. Those related to the northern section, which cannot be open to traffic until the adjacent contract is complete, are now no longer relevant. Their purpose was to cover the Secretary of State against any claim by the adjacent contractor for delay in handing over the northern section which is necessary to provide access for him to construct his adjacent section. The adjacent contractor has now waived all such claims against the Secretary of State as he is now acting as sub-contractor to Castelli-Girola for the northern section. Consequently, there is now no justification for the application of liquidation damages against Castelli-Girola by the Secretary of State for the northern section.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the project to upgrade the A74 between Eaglesfield and Kirkpatrick Fleming to motorway standard; and what penalties have been applied to Castelli-Girola for failing to meet their contractual obligations on this project. [32712]

The southern section of the works that should have been open to traffic at the end of last year has now been granted a partial substantial completion certificate and is open to traffic. This section of the works is subject to the deduction of liquidated damages for failure to deliver the road in due time. The extent of the damages will be determined by the contract and will be subject to any contractually agreed extensions of time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the costs to public funds of the delays in the work to upgrade the A74 between Eaglesfield and Kirkpatrick to motorway standard. [32714]

The delays in completing the upgrade of the A74 Eaglesfield to Kirkpatrick Fleming section to motorway standard has not caused any additional public expenditure; nor have public funds suffered any loss.

Citylink Development

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on public funds provided to Citylink Developments since 1980; and if he will list the conditions attached to such funding. [32855]

Citylink Developments received assistance from the Scottish Development Agency. The provision of that assistance is now an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have asked the chairman of Scottish Enterprise to write to the hon. Member.

Constituency Boundaries

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 November, Official Report, columns 112 –13, if he is now in a position to list the names for the 72 Scottish parliamentary constituencies as proposed by the boundary commission and the names of the new local authority areas which each constituency will be part of from April 1996. [33705]

The information is as follows:

Proposed constituency	Comprising part of new local authority from April 1996
Aberdeen Central	City of Aberdeen
Aberdeen North	City of Aberdeen
Aberdeen South	City of Aberdeen
Airdrie and Shotts	North Lanarkshire
Angus	Angus/City of Dundee/Perthshir
	and Kinross
Argyll and Bute	Argyll and Bute
Ayr	South Ayrshire
Banff and Buchan	Aberdeenshire
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross	Highland
Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley	East Ayrshire/South Ayrshire
Central Fife	Fife
Clydebank and Milngavie	Dumbarton and Clydebank/East
	Dumbartonshire
Clydesdale	South Lanarkshire
Coatbridge and Chryston	East Dumbartonshire/North Lanarkshire
Cumbernauld and Kilsyth	North Lanarkshire
Cunninghame North	North Ayrshire
Cunninghame South	North Ayrshire
Dumbarton	Argyll and Bute/Dumbarton and Clydebank
Dumfries	Dumfries and Galloway
Dundee East	City of Dundee
Dundee West	City of Dundee
Dunfermline East	Fife
Dunfermline West	Fife
East Kilbride	South Lanarkshire
East Lothian	East Lothian
Eastwood	East Renfrewshire
Edinburgh Central	City of Edinburgh
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh	East Lothian/City of Edinburgh
Edinburgh North and Leith	City of Edinburgh
Edinburgh Pentlands	City of Edinburgh
Edinburgh South	City of Edinburgh
Edinburgh West	City of Edinburgh
Falkirk East	Falkirk
Falkirk West	Falkirk
Galloway and Upper Nithsdale	Dumfries and Galloway
Glasgow Anniesland	City of Glasgow
Glasgow Baillieston	City of Glasgow
Glasgow Cathcart	City of Glasgow
Glasgow Govan	City of Glasgow
Glasgow Kelvin	City of Glasgow
Glasgow Maryhill	City of Glasgow
Glasgow Pollok	City of Glasgow
Glasgow Rutherglen	City of Glasgow/South Lanarkshire
Glasgow Shettleston	City of Glasgow
Glasgow Springburn	City of Glasgow
Gordon	Aberdeenshire/Moray
Greenock and Inverclyde	Inverclyde
Hamilton North and Bellshill	North Lanarkshire/South Lanarkshire
Hamilton South	South Lanarkshire
Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber	Highland

Proposed constituency	Comprising part of new local authority from April 1996
Kilmarnock and Loudon	East Ayrshire
Kirkcaldy	Fife
Linlithgow	West Lothian
Livingston	West Lothian
Midlothian	Midlothian
Moray	Moray
Motherwell and Wishaw	North Lanarkshire
North East Fife	Fife
North Tayside	Angus/Perthshire and Kinross
Ochil	Clackmannanshire/Perthshire and Kinross/Stirling
Orkney and Shetland	Orkney Islands/Shetland Islands
Paisley North	Renfrewshire
Paisley South	Renfrewshire
Perth	Perthshire and Kinross
Ross, Skye and Inverness West	Highland
Roxburgh and Berwickshire	The Scottish Borders
Stirling	Stirling
Strathkelvin and Bearsden	East Dunbartonshire
Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale	Midlothian/The Scottish Borders
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine	Aberdeenshire
Western Isles	Western Isles
West Renfrewshire	Inverclyde/Renfrewshire

Cardiac Mortality

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cardiac mortality rate for each year since 1989; and if he will provide a breakdown by health authority area in Scotland. [33327]

The information requested is given in the table.

Death rates for heart disease¹ per 100,000 population for each health hoard area, 1989–94
	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994²
Scotland	416	390	385	380	391	349
Health Board Areas
Argyll and Clyde	421	393	400	401	414	356
Ayrshire and Arran	419	438	398	396	428	386
Borders	474	421	444	412	391	372
Dumfries and Galloway	489	459	419	427	420	403
Fife	414	393	403	386	381	358
Forth Valley	394	361	358	383	359	331
Grampian	370	342	320	325	339	301
Greater Glasgow	455	414	416	399	421	376
Highland	399	382	353	364	355	325
Lanarkshire	392	355	371	367	375	350
Lothian	376	356	363	345	351	307
Orkney	461	567	399	462	420	363
Shetland	410	339	324	283	420	319
Tayside	453	432	419	427	452	376
Western Isles	553	500	510	419	486	423
¹ World Health Organisation International Classification of Diseases (Ninth Revision) codes 390–429.
² Provisional.

Home Office Road Traffic Forms

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of forms HORT-1 issued for the years (a) 1993 and (b) 1994; and if he will provide a breakdown by individual police force in Scotland. [33369]

This information is not available.

Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33873]

The information requested is currently not held centrally and is therefore not available. Steps are, however, being taken to establish a central record of such information.

Cupar Sheriff Court

To ask the Secretary for Scotland (1) what sums have been spent in maintenance and refurbishment of Cupar sheriff court in each of the last 10 years for which information is available; [32661](2) when a review was last carried out of the existing facilities at Cupar sheriff court; and what proposals there are for upgrading them. [32662]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish court service. I have asked its chief executive, Michael Ewart, to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Michael Ewart to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 12 July 1995:

The Secretary of State for Scotland has asked me to reply to your questions about how much was spent in the last 10 years on maintenance and refurbishment at Cupar Sheriff Court; when a review was last carried out of the facilities there; and what proposals there are for upgrading them.

Responsibility for arranging maintenance and refurbishment of courthouses prior to 1 April 1992 lay with the Property Services Agency and I regret that we do not have detailed expenditure figures readily available before that date. However, expenditure at Cupar since then was as follows:

1992–93: £15,000
1993–94: £4,000
1994–95: £20,000

The facilities at all Courthouses are constantly kept under review. Projects are initiated to solve particular problems as resources allow. We recently improved the prisoner interview and toilet facilities at Cupar to assist the local police and we do not have further major plans to develop the facilities at Cupar at this stage.

Court Services Salaries

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the current salaries of (a) sheriffs, (b) sheriffs principal, (c) senators of the College of Justice, (d) the Lord Justice General and Lord President of the Court of Session and (e) the Lord Justice Clerk. [32666]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: The current annual salaries are (a) £72,524, (b) £85,241, (c) £98,957 (outer house) and £110,137 (inner house), (d) £114,874 and (e) £114,137.

Farming Employment

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were employed in Scottish farming in each of the years 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95. [33539]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: The figures requested are set out in the table.

Year	Number employed in Scottish farming
1990	62,650
1991	61,061
1992	60,146
1993	58,778
1994	59,942

The figures are obtained from the annual June agricultural census and relate to main holdings. The numbers include total regular staff full and part-time, casual staff, occupiers working on farms and occupiers' spouses also working on farms. Figures for 1995 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many fatalities there have been among those employed in Scottish farming in each of the years 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95; [33541](2) how many people employed in Scottish farming have been injured in each of the years 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95. [33540]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: The information on injuries and fatalities among those employed in Scottish farming as reported to the Health and Safety Executive is set out in the table.

Year	Number of injuries	Number of fatalities
1990–91	216	9
1991–92	195	6
1992–93	223	4
1993–94	193	8

Note:

The table shows injuries and fatalities reported to the HSE and to local authorities covering agriculture and horticulture. The HSE gets to know of virtually all workplace deaths but it is known that non-fatal injuries are subject to under-reporting; the extent of under-reporting may be considerable so the figures need to be interpreted in this light. Figures for 1994–95 are not yet available.

Road Accidents (Children)

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by region the number of school children killed or injured on roads in the latest available year. [33309]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: The information requested is given in the following table.

Child casualties of school age (five to 16 years), by region and severity, 1994
Region	Fatal	Serious	Slight	Total
Borders	1	15	77	93
Central	1	59	143	203
Dumfries and Galloway	—	32	60	92
Fife	—	47	151	198
Grampian	7	49	265	321
Highland	—	35	102	137

Child casualties of school age (five to 16 years), by region and severity, 1994
Region	Fatal	Serious	Slight	Total
Lothian	3	117	504	624
Strathclyde	13	516	1.4	1,929
Tayside	3	82	280	365
Orkney	—	5	3	8
Shetland	—	—	8	8
Western Isles	1	6	17	24
Scotland	29	963	3,010	4,002

Sewerage Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what subsidy will be provided to each of the three new Scottish sewerage authorities to cover the costs of sewerage services in the years 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99. [33312]

[holding answer 11 July 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Gallie) on 15 June, Official Report, column 679. The new public water and sewerage authorities will not receive a subsidy as such from the Government for the services they provide. In recognition of the change in financing of domestic sewerage, however, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make regulations to reduce charges for domestic sewerage in 1996–97. He will give grant to the authorities to compensate for the income forgone. The amount of grant will be determined later this year, and the full charges will be phased in over a period of time.

Education And Employment

Training For Work

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will publish a breakdown by TEC administrative area showing the amount of spending on training for work as a percentage of TEC spending as a whole. [32365]

Information on Training and Enterprise Council spend, by programme, is not held centrally. Information is available on what the Department has paid to TECs under their contract. However, this does not equate to TEC spend; TECs may also spend funds obtained from sources other than the Department contract and from their own reserve.

Workstart

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of the people who participated in the original workstart pilot programme started in 1993 currently (a) employed with the original employer, (b) employed with another employer, (c) in training or education and (d) unemployed. [32366]

Approximately one third of the participants in the original workstart pilots are still on programme and therefore employed with the original employer. Destinations of participants who have left the programme will be obtained from a follow-up survey which is due to report in November 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what obligation lies on employers in the second phase of workstart pilot schemes to provide training for people taken on. [32368]

Employers receiving a workstart subsidy are not required to offer training.The evaluation of the initial workstart pilots found that nearly two thirds of employers felt new workstart recruits had the necessary skills to undertake the job adequately and they required no more help than would have been otherwise offered to new recruits.

Pamphlets And Mailings

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the (a) pamphlets and (b) mailings which her Department has issued since 22 June giving the subject for each. [33603]

The Department has issued the following new brochures and booklets since 22 June:

ON EDUCATION TOPICS:
Final report to the DFE on a national survey of LEA's policies and procedures for the identification of, and provision for, children who are out of school by reason of exclusion or otherwise
GCSE to GCE A/AS—Value Added: Briefing for Schools and Colleges
GM ballots: Notes for Parents
Schools Update—Summer Term Issue
Technology Colleges and Language Colleges: Schools for the Future
ON EMPLOYMENT TOPICS:
Industrial Tribunal Procedure
Guidelines on Training for Offender
Technical. Vocational and Education Initiative (TVEI):
Free Your Potential (Insight 33)
TVEI Briefings No 9 TVEI Report 1994
Adult and Training Strategy (Individual Commitment):
The Tool Kit Guide
Employee Development Schemes
The Tool Kit Summary
Youth Education and Policy:
Modern Apprenticeships—Employers' Leaflet
Equal Opportunities:
Equal Opportunities for Women
Careers Service:
Measuring Satisfaction with the Careers Service
Careers Guidance Performance Indicators for work with
Clients with Special Needs
Working Models of Careers Guidance
A Review of Current Literature on the Careers Service
An Evaluation of the Use Made of Careers Service
Useful Products from the Careers Service
Careers Education and Guidance in Schools
Open Learning:
New Perspectives in Modern Language
Attracting small firms to Open Learning
Achieving Flexibility in Training
Open Learning in High Region Libraries
Open Learning Project Report

Loan and Learn—Stockport and Highpeaks
Open and Flexible Learning for People
Flexible Learning and Market Forces
Exemplar Project—Essex TEC
Translating Industrial German
Taking Training to Local Communities
Multi-Media and Tourism
Developing Open Learning Materials
Trainers' Guide to Learning Design
Technology in Learning
Briefing Notes for Project Managers
Learning Technologies Leaflet
French Language for UK Hotels
Computer Assisted Language Learning
The Enterprise Tutor
Opening Doors to Open Learning
Literacy and Numeracy
Dyslexia in Adults
Computer Conference for Distance Learning
Open Learning and NVQs
Thinking and Learning at Work
A Manager's Guide to Teleworking
National Education and Training Targets:
Developing Skills—A Successful Future
National Training Awards:
National Training Awards/Modern Apprenticeship Entry Forms
Small Firms Training Loans:
Direct mail letter to employers
Employment Service:
Job Club Members Workbook
Travel to Interview Scheme
General Job Club leaflet

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) pamphlets and (b) mailings have been issued by (i) the Funding Agency for Schools and (ii) the Grant Maintained Schools Foundation since 22 June. [33608]

There are matters for the funding agency and the Grant Maintained Schools Foundation respectively. I have asked the chairman of the funding agency to write to the hon. Member.

English Tests

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment she has made of the external marking and assessment of English tests for 14—year—olds; and if she will make a statement; [33607](2) what assessment she has made of the external marking of the key stage two English tests. [33605]

The Schools Curriculum and Assessment Authority is carrying out a thorough review of external marking for key stages 2 and 3 and will report when its review is complete. The full external marking process is not due to finish until the end of September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what has been the cost of the external marking and assessment of English tests for 14—year—olds; [33606](2) what has been the cost of the external assessment and marking of English tests in key stage 2. [33604]

The estimated cost of the external marking process is estimated to be £19 million for this year's tests for 11 and 14—year—olds. It is not possible to identify separately the costs either for each age group or for individual subjects.

Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Education which firms have won computer consultancy contracts from her Department and its agencies over the last five years; and what is the number of contracts per firm. [33887]

The following firms have been awarded computer consultancy contracts by the Department and its agencies in each of the last five years:

Consultancy firm	Number of contracts
1990
BIS Ltd.	3
Coopers and Lybrand	3
ICL Ltd.	3
Oracle	2
Butler Cox	1
CMG Ltd.	1
Henley Consultants	1
Hoskyns	1
Intac	1
Kinesis Computing	1
Lalcrest	1
LBMS	1
OCTS Ltd.	1
Radius	1
RML	1
SCOLL	1
Tranrate	1
Two B	1
1991	1
SEMA Systems	6
LBMS	4
Kinesis Computing	3
Admiral Computing	2
BIS Ltd.	2
Coopers and Lybrand	2
Duhig Berry	2
EIS Ltd.	2
Express Consultants	2
Insight Consulting	2
Oracle	2
W. S. Atkins	2
BBT Statistical Services	1
Microsoft	1
MSL Ltd.	1
NCC	1
OCTS Ltd.	1
Radius	1
Research Machines	1
ROCC Ltd.	1
SCS	1
SD Scicon	1
Software Sciences	1
Sybase	1

Consultancy firm	Number of contracts
1992
BIS Ltd.	3
Coopers and Lybrand	2
Insight Consulting	2
Admiral Computing	1
Amtec Consulting	1
BBT Statistical Services	1
Duhig Berry	1
Express Consultants	1
Forvus Ltd.	1
Granada Computer Services	1
Hoskyns	1
Kinesis Computing	1
MFT Computer Systems	1
MSL Ltd.	1
OCTS Ltd.	1
Oracle	1
SEMA Systems	1
1993	1
Express Consultants	2
Uden Consulting	2
AMP Systems Ltd.	1
Arden Business Consultants	1
BIS Ltd.	1
CMG Ltd.	1
Commercell Ltd.	1
Ingres Ltd.	1
J. Holds worth	1
Kinesis Computing	1
Kingdon Technology	1
KPMG	1
Microsoft	1
OCTS Ltd.	1
Ove Arup	1
Pilat Ltd.	1
Trackit Systems	1
W. S. Atkins	1
1994
W. S. Atkins	3
Arden Business Consultants	2
Data Sciences	2
DPS Ltd.	2
MFT Ltd.	2
Amtec Consulting	1
Aran Ltd.	1
Axios Systems	1
Coopers and Lybrand	1
ED5 Information Systems	1
Ernst and Young	1
Forvus Ltd.	1
Gloucester Computer Co.	1
Imagineering Ltd.	1
Kermon Ltd.	1
KPG Ltd.	1
MSL Ltd.	1
Microsoft	1
Ove Arup	1
Parity plc	1
PMS Communications	1
SAS Software	1
Shortlands	1
Systemstar Softools	1
University of Bath	1

To ask the Secretary of State for Education which firms of consultants employed by her Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33875]

Over the last year, instances of the Department paying more than £1,000 per day for individual representatives are restricted to the following firms:

Baring Brothers
Coopers and Lybrand
Ernst and Young
Hay Management Consultants
KPMG

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much her Department and its agencies have spent on computer consultancy in each of the last five years and what is the expected expenditure over the next five years. [33856]

The value of computer consultancy contracts awarded by the Department and its agencies in each of the last five years is as follows:

Year	Value of contracts £
1990	448,000
1991	590,000
1992	380,000
1993	657,000
1994	691,000
1995	262,000

There is no projection of expenditure over the next five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many contracts her Department has had with consultants; and what has been the total cost in each 1990 of the last five years. [33561]

The information requested is listed in the following table.

Year	Number of contracts	Value £
1990	47	974,000
1991	84	1,517,000
1992	39	1,994,000
1993	69	1,629,000
1994	96	1,800,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will estimate the cost of employing consultants in connection with privatisation programmes in which her Department has been engaged since 1980. [33456]

Between 1980 and the end of the last financial year, the Department—when it had responsibility for science—spent some £627,000 on privatisation of the Plant Breeding Institute.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will indicate which five consultancy firms have received most contracts from her Department (a) by number contacts and (b) monetary value in the last five years for which figures are available. [33447]

The information requested for each of the last five years is as follows:

By number of contracts
Year	Name of consultancy firm
1990	Coopers and Lybrand
	KPMG
	BIS Ltd.
	ICL Ltd.
	PE International
1991	Coopers and Lybrand
	SEMA Systems
	LBMS
	PE International
	Touche Ross
1992	Coopers and Lybrand
	KPMG
	BIS Ltd.
	Price Waterhouse
	SEMA Systems
1993	Coopers Lybrand
	KPMG
	Touche Ross
	Price Waterhouse
	Ernst and Young
1994	Coopers and Lybrand
	KPMG
	Data Sciences
	Ernst and Young
	W. S. Atkins

By monetary value:
Year	Name of consultancy firm
1990	KPMG
	BIS Ltd.
	Coopers and Lybrand
	ICL Ltd.
	Touche Ross
1991	Coopers and Lybrand
	Touche Ross
	SEMA Systems
	LBMS
	PE International
1992	Coopers and Lybrand
	BIS Ltd.
	KPMG
	SEMA Systems
	Price Waterhouse
1993	Coopers and Lybrand
	KPMG
	Touche Ross
	Price Waterhouse
	Ernst and Young
1994	Coopers and Lybrand
	KPMG
	WS Atkins
	Ernst and Young
	Data Sciences

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many contracts and for what total sum were let by her Department and agencies for which it is responsible to (a) Coopers and Lybrand and its subsidiaries, (b) Peat Marwick and its subsidiaries, (c) Ernst and Young and its subsidiaries, (d) Arthur Andersen and it subsidiaries, (e) Price Waterhouse and its subsidiaries. (f) Grant Thornton and its subsidiaries, (g) Stoy Hayward and its subsidiaries, (h) Grant Thornton and its subsidiaries, (g) Stoy Hayward and its subsidiaries, (h) Robson Rhodes and its subsidiaries, (i) Pannell Kerr Forster and its subsidiaries for privatisation, market testing, management advice, accounting, audit, consultancy and other services in 1993–94 and 1994–95. [33915]

The number of contracts and their total sum awarded to each of the consultants and their subsidiaries during financial years 1993–94 and 1994–95 are as follows:

Consultant	Number of contracts	Total value of contracts £
1993–94
(a) Coopers and Lybrand	9	258,000
(b) Peat Marwick	5	130,000
(c) Ernst and Young	0	—
(d) Arthur Andersen	0	—
(e) Price Waterhouse	2	36,000
(f) Grant Thornton	0	—
(g) Stoy Hayward	0	—
(h) Robson Rhodes	1	13,500
(i) Pannell Kerr Forster	0	—
1994–95
(a) Coopers and Lybrand	4	443,000
(b) Peat Marwick	3	88,000
(c) Ernst and Young	1	80,000
(d) Arthur Andersen	0	—
(e) Price Waterhouse	0	—
(f) Grant Thornton	0	—
(g) Stoy Hayward	0	—
(h) Robson Rhodes	1	74,000
(i) Pannell Kerr Forster	0	—

Testing Costs

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the estimated costs of testing at (a) key stage I, (b) key stage 2 and (c) key stage 3 in the current year. [33802]

A comprehensive breakdown of costs by each key stage is not available. The Schools Curriculum and Assessment Authority estimates the costs of developing national tests and tasks and supporting consistency in assessment to be some £34 million in the financial year 1995–96. In addition, the Department is supporting 60 per cent. of the estimated £8 million costs of auditing the marking of the tasks and tests for key stage I and 60 per cent. of the estimated £15 million costs of providing supply cover for teachers administering the tasks and tests at key stage I and the tasks only at key stages 2 and 3.

Educational Achievements

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research her Department has carried out into the educational achievements of young people who have left care. [33833]

The Department has not commissioned research on the educational achievements of young people after they left local authority care. A special study of the educational difficulties and needs of young people while in care was undertaken by HM inspectorate and the social services inspectorate jointly in 1994¹, whose emerging findings informed joint Department for Education-Department of Health guidance' on good practice in this field. Copies of these publications may be found in the Library.

The Education of Children who are Looked After by Local Authorities (Department of Health & Ofsted, 1995)

²The Education of Children being looked after by Local Authorities (DFE Circular 13/94 DH LAC (94) 11).

Dance Education (Discretionary Awards)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on the future of discretionary awards for dance education. [33815]

The Government are aware of the difficulties faced by some potential students of dance in obtaining discretionary award support from their local authorities. My officials are currently considering, together with officials from the Department of National Heritage, whether anything might be done to help. No decisions have yet been taken.

Grant-Maintained Schools

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many-grant maintained schools there are in each of the London borough council areas. [33486]

The information requested is set out in the table.

GM schools in the London area
LEA area	Number of GM schools
Barking and Dagenham	0
Barnet	12
Bexley	8
Brent	15
Bromley	20
Camden	2
City of London	0
Croydon	12
Ealing	9
Enfield	6
Greenwich	1
Hackney	1
Hammersmith and Fulham	1
Haringey	0
Harrow	1
Havering	4
Hillingdon	23
Hounslow	2
Islington	0
Kensington and Chelsea	3
Kingston upon Thames	5
Lambeth	14
Lewisham	1
Merton	1
Newham	1
Redbridge	1
Richmond upon Thames	0
Southwark	10
Sutton	11
Tower Hamlets	1
Waltham Forest	2

GM schools in the London area
LEA area	Number of GM schools
Wandsworth	8
Westminster	0
Total	175

Staff (Shareholdings)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many staff in her Department or its agencies have (a) declared any company shareholdings they hold or (b) been advised to dispose of shareholdings in the last five years, indicating the companies concerned. [33418]

In the last five years, no member of staff has declared any company shareholdings. Staff are required to declare where they could be involved in a decision which could affect the value of shareholdings, such as through the award of a contract.

Teacher-Pupil Ratio, Devon

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the teacher to pupil ratio in Devon in 1989–90 and latest year for which figures are available. [33491]

The information is shown in the table.

Pupil: Teacher ratios in maintained primary and secondary schools in Devon local education authority area in 1990 and 1994
	Primary	Secondary
1989	22.3	16.1
1994	22.9	16.4

Departmental Staff (Coventry)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list separately, by each office of her Department, the numbers and grades of casuals, fixed appointments and vacancies in the Coventry travel-to-work area. [33778]

In the Coventry travel-to-work area, there are four casual administrative officers. Two are based at Bankfield House unemployment benefit office, one at Park court jobcentre and one at Tile Hill jobcentre, all in Coventry.There are no fixed appointments or vacancies in the Coventry travel-to-work area.

School Governors

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations she has received on the impact on school governor training of the introduction of school effectiveness grants.

The Department has had formal and informal discussions with a range of organisations about the school effectiveness activity within the grants for education support and training programme. The activity gives school governing bodies discretion to decide in co-operation with the head teacher and school staff, how to spend the funds allocated to them in order to promote their school's effectiveness thet includes decing what part of the funds to spend on governor training and support, so the impact of the activity will vary depending on the decisions taken by individual schools.

Nursery Vouchers

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimates have been made for (a) the administrative cost and (b) the total cost of providing nursery vouchers to the parents of all four-year-olds.

The total cost of the voucher scheme for four-year-olds which my right hon. Friend has just announced is estimated at £730 million for full implementation in England. Administrative costs will be determined by the tendering process used to select a contractor to administer the scheme, but are expected to be up to 1.5 per cent. of the total cost of the scheme.

Sex Education

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what monitoring arrangements her Department has in place to record the number of children being withdrawn from sex education in secondary schools.

The new statutory requirements for sex education, under the Education Act 1993, including the statutory parental right to withdraw their children, came into force on 1 September 1994. The Office for Standards in Education, as part of its regular programmes of inspections, will be monitoring schools' implementation of the full range of new arrangements.

Standard Spending Assessment

To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if she will list the components of the standard spending assessment which account for differences in the standard spending assessment between London and Cheshire, other than the area cost adjustment; and if she will make a statement on the reasons for this differentiation; [33056](2) if she will list the components of the standard spending assessment which account for differences in the standard spending assessment between Manchester and Cheshire, other than the area cost adjustment; and if she will make a statement on the reasons for this differentiation; [33055](3) if she will list the average standard spending assessment per pupil in

(a) London, (b) Manchester and (c) Cheshire, broken down into (i) total, (ii) additional educational needs and (iii) area cost adjustment. [33009]

Within the education standard spending assessment methodology, there are three cost adjustments, apart from the area cost adjustment, which reflect variations between authorities in the cost of providing a standard level of service: (i) additional educational needs; (ii) sparsity; and (iii) free school meals.The table sets out how much of the overall education SSA per pupil for London, Manchester and Cheshire is attributable to the allowance for additional educational needs and the area cost adjustment. The figures are based on the primary sub-block of education SSAs but similar differentials apply to the secondary sub-block.

Education SSA per 5–10 year-old
LEA
	Overall SSA £	Attributable to AEN £	Attributable to ACA £
London	2,451	510	378
Manchester	2,258	673	0
Cheshire	1,817	253	0

To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what plans she has to reassess the calculation of the standard spending assessment for pupils in secondary and primary schools; [33012](2) what plans she has to exclude pupils in independent schools from the calculation of the population receiving secondary and primary education, as part of the standard spending assessment; [33010](3) if she will list the percentage of pupils in

(a) state schools and (b) independent schools in (i) London (ii) Oxfordshire and (iii) Cheshire. [33011]

We are consulting the local authority associations about the possibility of excluding from that part of the education standard spending assessment methodology that relates to resident population pupils in independent schools. All representations will be carefully considered before we decide whether changes should be made.The table sets out the number of pupils in state schools and the number of children in independent schools as a percentage of resident population aged five to 18. A residual proportion of authorities' population is in neither state nor independent schools.

	Proportion of population in state schools	Proportion of population in independent schools
London	73.4	8.9
Oxfordshire	69.6	12.4
Cheshire	77.9	4.3

Returning To Teaching Guide

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the cost of (a) publishing and (b) distribution of her Department's publication "Returning to Teaching—A guide to distance learning materials"; to whom it was distributed; and pursuant to page 1 of the document what is contained in it which does not have the approval of the Secretary of State. [32715]

The cost of producing "Returners to Teaching—a Guide to Distance Learning Materials" was some £120,000.The cost of initial distribution of the guide to schools, teacher training institutions and local education authorities in England was some £33,500.

The guide, now the responsibility of the Teacher Training Agency, gave details of material available from a wide variety of sources, likely to be of interest to qualified teachers contemplating returning to teaching. The disclaimer explained that while the list of material had been carefully selected, neither the Secretary of State nor the Teacher Training Agency had approved the contents of the individual items.

Grammar Schools

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children are currently educated in grammar schools. [32946]

In January 1994, the latest date for which information is available, 116,193 pupils attended maintained grammar schools in England.

School Transport

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much is currently spent from public funds on school transport.

LEA expenditure in England on home to school transport for pre-primary, primary, secondary and special school pupils was £288 million in 1993–94, the latest year for which figures are available.

Selective Education

To ask the Secretary of State for Education which European states have selective education.

Three EU/EEA states operate selective entry to secondary school at age 11 or 12; Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. All other states provide comprehensive systems of lower education, although at upper secondary level—age 15+—vocational and general education is offered in many different types of schools.

Pre School Provision

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to her answer of 14 June, Official Report, column 521, what was the number and percentage of all four-year-olds, including the rising-fours and rising-fives, in (a) maintained nursery schools and nursery classes, (b) reception classes in primary schools, (c) private or voluntary sector provision and (d) pre-school provision overall, at the latest available date. [32065]

My earlier answer provided estimates of four-year-olds in maintained schools or some form of private or voluntary provision in England in January 1994. A more detailed breakdown is not available. From January 1996, the Department will collect information about rising fours—that is, children aged three in August whose fourth birthday falls between September and December. It is normal practice to exclude the rising fives—that is, children aged four in August whose fifth birthday falls between September and December—because they are of compulsory school age in January.

Defence

Gurkhas (Brunei)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Gurkas will continue to be stationed in Brunei; and if he will make a statement. [34403]

On 19 June 1995, the Prime Minister and the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam signed an agreement that will extend the stationing of a Gurkha battalion in the Sultanate for a further five years from 29 September 1998. This reflects the close defence relations between our two countries.

Logistic Information Systems Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about key targets for the Army's Logistic Information Systems Agency for 1995–96. [34404]

The Logistic Information Systems Agency was established as a Defence agency on 21 November 1994. The role of the agency is to enhance the logistic effectiveness of the Army in peace and war by providing information systems, services and support.The chief executive has been set the following targets for the second year of operation:

Key Target 1: Meet performance levels laid down by the Quartermaster General for the timeliness, cost and planning effectiveness of information system projects.
95 per cent. on time.
95 per cent. within costs
80 per cent not adjusted for time or cost.

Key Target 2: By 31 March 1996 increase overall customer satisfaction with the services provided by LISA. Achieve a 70 per cent. satisfaction rating and at least a 40 per cent. return of surveys dispatched.

Key Target 3: Introduce dummy invoicing for all chargeable services provided by LISA by 31 March 1996.

Key Target 4: Initiate the selected partnership with the private sector or develop a plan for the implementation of an alternative "Competing for Quality" initiative.

Key Target 5: Fully implement IT support to LISA Finance and Business Systems by 31 March 1996.

Key Target 6: Achieve EN ISO 9001 certification for LISA by 31 March 1996.

Key Target 7: Continue to improve the efficiency by LISA's operations to meet the consolidated efficiency target of £676,000 defined in the owner's management plan.

Recruitment Costs

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of recruitment to the armed forces in the last year for which figures are available. [32825]

Total expenditure on recruitment to the armed forces in financial year 1994–95 was £93,427,000.

Annual Reports

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 June, Official Report, column 236, if he will list the four inspecting grades of his departmental police who were awarded Box 4 assessments for their overall performance between 1990 and 1994, together with the appointments they held when given this assessment and the marks awarded in each category of part 3—aspect of performance—of their annual staff report. [32722]

The number of inspecting grades to receive box 4 assessments was in fact six; an incorrect figure which resulted from a computer error was unfortunately given in my answer of 20 June, Official Report, column 236. Disciplinary action was not initiated against either of the two further officers as in both cases they responded to the advice, training and support given and were subsequently graded as meeting the requirements of the rank. It is not my Department's policy to provide more personal information of the type requested in this question.

Hs800 Aircraft

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many HS800 twin-engined jet executive aircraft military and civilian versions are in service with (a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) the Ministry of Defence. [33097]

None.

Careers Information Office, Torquay

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the site occupied until recently by the Army careers information office in Union street, Torquay. [33492]

The careers information office in Torquay is at present with the local Defence land agent for disposal action. Tenders are being invited for the appointment of selling agents.

Armed Forces Administration Facilities (Scotland)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what facilities for (a) home defence and (b) the wartime administration of the armed forces have been provided within the Kincardine district of Scotland since 1980; and what were the costs of establishing or maintaining such facilities; [33313](2) what facilities for

(a) home defence and (b) the wartime administration of the armed forces have been provided at the Inverbervie in the Montrose district of Scotland since 1980; and what were the costs of establishing or maintaining such facilities. [33315]

The only defence/wartime administration facility within the Kincardine district is at Inverbervie; there is no facility in Montrose. These facilities consist of a below-ground command centre. Maintenance costs have averaged £200 per annum since the MOD took over responsibility for its maintenance from the Property Services Agency. Receipts to the value of £2,500 per annum are received from a local farmer, for grazing rights, and Grampian regional council. Up until August 1992, a caretaker was employed for 30 hours per week at a cost of £7,359 annually. Between August 1992 and July 1993, the requirement was reduced to six hours per week at a cost of £1,322 annually. The caretaker post was subsequently cancelled.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities for (a) home defence and (b) the wartime administration of the armed forces have been provided within the Lanark district of Scotland since 1980; and what were the costs of establishing or maintaining such facilities. [33314]

There are no home defence/wartime administration facilities within Lanark district.

Service Personnel

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service men have been reinstated in (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force following a conviction and a term of imprisonment for (i) murder, (ii) manslaughter, (iii) culpable homicide, (iv) sexual assault or rape and (v) offences involving homosexual activities in each of the past 15 years; and if he will make a statement. [33621]

No central record of this information is maintained and it would involve disproportionate cost to carry out a physical check of my Department's records over the past 15 years. It is, however, normal practice for service personnel to be discharged if they are sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a civil court, although in exceptional circumstances there is discretion to retain individuals in service.

Defence Export Services Organisation

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those Governments which have been invited to the DESO exhibition in Aldershot in September. [33238]

It has been the consistent practice of successive administrations not to release details of invitations to attend British forces equipment exhibitions. Invitations are issued on a confidential basis and it would be a breach of trust to disclose details.

Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which firms have won computer consultancy contracts from his Department or its agencies over the last five years, indicating the number of contracts per firm; [33932](2) how much his Department or its agencies have spent on computer consultancy in each of the last five years; and what is the anticipated expenditure over the next five years. [33934]

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will indicate which five consultancy firms have received most contracts from his Department (a) by number of contracts and (b) monetary value in the last five years for which figures are available; [33446](2) which firms of consultants employed by his Department over the last year have been paid more than £1,000 per day. [33933]

The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Avocet Explosive Waste Incineration, Shoeburyness

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to permit the burning of munitions waste on open ground or a beach in the vicinity of the mid-Essex coast. [33987]

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have therefore asked him to reply.

Letter from John Chisholm to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 12 July 1995:

1. Your priority written question to the Secretary of State for Defence about plans for burning munitions waste on open ground or beaches in the vicinity of the mid Essex coast, has been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which, since April, has included the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation (DTEO) Ranges at Shoeburyness, Essex.

2. Currently conventional munitions are disposed of by a number of means on the Shoeburyness range area in Essex. These munitions are mainly those which have arisen from wartime clearance operations or munitions which are no longer safe for service. No chemical munitions are disposed of at Shoeburyness. Hitherto munitions had been disposed of by deep sea dumping but this was banned in 1993. The method chosen for disposal depends largely on the nature of the munitions, the size of the explosive component and safety of and environmental considerations.

3. One method employed is to burn the munitions in preference to detonating them with allthe noise problems involved. The preferred method of burning is to incinerate the munitions in an explosive waste incinerator, code named "AVOCET", with a complex pollution control system which reduces the pollution emissions to levels below the EC and HMP permitted levels.

4. Some munitions, notably those which are extremely sensitive or with too high an explosive content for Avocet processing, are burned in the open both on the tidal and flats and on the land. The temperatures achieved when these munitions burn are well in excess of 800 degrees centigrade and at these temperatures volatile organic compounds are destroyed. The residues of these burns are immediately removed for disposal by a commercial waste disposal company under the terms of the 1990 Environmental Protection Act.

5. I hope this information is helpful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds Shoeburyness was chosen for the siting of the Avocet explosive waste incineration system. [33988]

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have therefore asked him to reply.

Letter from John Chisholm to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 12 July 1995:

1. Your priority written question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking why Shoeburyness was chosen for the siting of the AVOCET explosive waste incineration system, has been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which, since April, has included the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation (DTEO) Ranges at Shoeburyness, Essex.

2. With the end of the Cold War and the resultant stockpiles of surplus or unsafe munitions, combined with the international ban on the deep sea dumping in 1993, large amounts of unserviceable munitions are currently awaiting disposal. There is also a considerable annual requirement to dispose of unexploded wartime munitions found in this country. Shoeburyness was chosen in 1993 as the UK focus for munitions disposal based on a number of factors:

It is a large range area (over 7000 acres plus tidal sands of 35,000 acres) and as such it has the area required for the safe disposal of items with a large explosive content. There is no other site in the UK which can offer similar facilities.

It also has the experienced Army Ammunition Technicians competent to safely and efficiently dispose of such munitions.

It has the storage facilities required for safe and secure holding of munitions whilst awaiting disposal.

It also has the means to receive munitions by sea. In some cases the munitions are not cleared for movement by overland means and the alternative is to land them over the beach from specialist military shipping without a danger to the public.

In essence, Shoeburyness was carefully chosen as the most suitable and safest place to carry out the MOD duty of care to dispose of unwanted or unserviceable munitions without risk to the public.

3. The AVOCET explosive waste incineration system is one of the most advanced methods of munitions disposal systems available in the world today. Its development was a direct response to the need for a more environmentally friendly system of disposing of unwanted ammunition and it is favoured as a method for disposal over burning, burying and detonation of unwanted ammunition each of which have drawbacks.

4. I hope this is helpful

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the quantity of ammunition to be incinerated in the Avocet explosive waste incineration system at Shoeburyness and over what period. [33989]

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have therefore asked him to reply.

Letter from John Chisholm, to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 12 July 1995:

1. Your priority written question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the quantity of ammunition to be incinerated in the AVOCET explosive waste incineration system and over what period, has been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which, since April, has included the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation (DTEO) Ranges at Shoeburyness, Essex.

2. In the current year the AVOCET facility is programmed to accept 500 tonnes (All Up Weight) of conventional munitions. In subsequent years the system is programmed for 1500–20000 (All UP Weight) per year for up to 10 years (based on current predictions of UK ammunition disposal requirements).

3. The AVOCET facility is licensed by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution (HMIP). It is not used for the disposal of chemical weapons nor is it used for disposing of anything containing radioactive traces.

4. I hope this information is helpful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to incinerate ammunition imported into Britain at the Avocet explosive waste incineration system in Shoeburyness. [33990]

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have therefore asked him to reply.

Letter from John Chisholm to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 12 July 1995:

1. Your priority written question to the Secretary of State for Defence about plans to incinerate ammunition imported into Britain at the AVOCET waste incinerator system at Shoeburyness has been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which, since April, has included the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation (DTEO) Ranges at Shoeburyness, Essex.

2. The AVOCET explosive waste disposal incinerator is based on United States rotary kiln furnace technology which has been integrated and enhanced with a UK designed and manufactured pollution control system which enables the safest and most environmentally sound means of disposing of conventional ammunition currently available. Emission levels from the incinerator are well below current and projected Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution (HMIP) and European Commission levels making the system a world leader.

3. The primary purpose of the AVOCET Explosive Waste Incinerator is to clispose of the UK arisings of surplus ammunition and ammunition found in Explosive Ordnance Disposal operations. These items are part of the UK duty of care to dispose of our explosive waste.

4. There are currently no plans to import ammunition from other countries as there is only sufficient capacity in AVOCET for the UK requirement. In the future, if sufficient capacity existed in the system, arisings from elsewhere may be considered but only after all the factors had been considered including the nature of the munitions, the country of origin and manufacture, and the safety and environmental implications of both transport an disposal.

5. I hope this information is helpful.

Raf Fylingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reasons underlie the decision not to uphold byelaws at RAF Fylingdales with particular reference to byelaw 2b on persons entering the applicable area. [33963]

No such decision has been made.

Menwith Hill Station

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to renew the American security of tenure at Menwith Hill Station when it expires in May 1997; and whether any proposal to renew the lease will be brought to the House for approval. [33948]

The United States forces, who are in the United Kingdom pursuant to the NATO status of forces agreement of 1951, use Menwith Hill Station under confidential administrative arrangements between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It is not our practice to comment on the details of such arrangements. No lease has ever been granted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many injunctions are currently in force to prevent intrusions at Mentwith Hill Station; and if he will name those against whom injunctions have been obtained. [33961]

One injunction is in place against Ms Percy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many injunction proceedings have been started against people who have trespassed at the American National Security Agency base at Menwith Hill Station since the one brought against Ms Lindis Percy in October 1991. [33954]

None. However, we reserve the right to bring injunctions against any persons who persist in trespassing on Ministry of Defence property where they have no right to be.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to give powers to the National Security Agency of America to be a lawful user of Menwith Hill Station in relation to the proposed byelaws; how long his legal department has been working on the drafting of new byelaws; and at what total cost. [33959]

The National Security Agency of America is already in lawful occupation of the Menwith Hill Station site under the terms of the confidential administrative arrangements between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and will continue to be a "lawful user" of the site in relation to the proposed byelaws. Work on a review of byelaws has been in progress for approximately two years, involving staff from several areas of the Department; the costs involved could be calculated only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have been arrested and prosecuted for aggravated trespass under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 at the America National Security Agency base at Menwith Hill. [33956]

One person has been arrested under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 at Menwith Hill Station. The question of prosecution is still under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who at Menwith Hill Station will be required to sign the proposed byelaws for the purpose of enforcement of byelaws. [33962]

The byelaws, when made, will be signed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. As with all other Ministry of Defence sites, the authorisation for purposes of enforcement of byelaws will be signed by the senior United Kingdom officer with security responsibilities at the establishment concerned; at Menwith Hill Station this is at present the chief inspector, Ministry of Defence police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish or place in the Library the precise wording of the security of tenure document regarding the leasing of Menwith Hill Station to the National Security Agency of America. [33947]

This is a confidential administrative arrangements between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States. It would therefore not be appropriate to publish or to comment on the details of such arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds it is necessary to introduce new byelaws at Menwith Hill Station in addition to existing criminal and civil remedies to deter intruders. [33960]

The Menwith Hill Station byelaws are the first set in a complete revision of byelaws for all establishments which we consider require them. They are intended to provide protection for all MOD establishments where other criminal or civil law does not provide sufficient remedy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have appealed against their convictions under the HMS Forest Moor and Menwith Hill Station Byelaws 1986 since they were declared defective on their face in the High Court in July 1992; how many of these appeals were contested; and how many were (a) upheld and (b) dismissed. [33953]

The information requested is not held by my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the United States Army handed control of Menwith Hill Station to the USAF/NSA electronic surveillance group; for what reasons the transfer of control was made; what parliamentary procedures applied; if the change of control fell within the remit of the terms of the War Office/USAF agreement on 11 December 1951 under which the USAF were given the right to occupy and control RAF bases in Britain; and whether this agreement extends to non-Royal Air Force bases. [33949]

In 1966, with the agreement of Her Majesty's Government, Menwith Hill Station became a field element of the National Security Agency. United States forces use Menwith Hill Station under confidential arrangements between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It is not our policy to comment on the details of such arrangements.

Us Forces

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times, when and by whom the ambassadors' agreement regarding American occupation of British Royal Air Force bases has been subjected to periodic review; and if he will place a copy of this agreement in the Library. [33950]

It is not our policy to comment on the detail of confidential arrangements between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America; the basis on which United States forces are stationed in the United Kingdom is contained in the NATO status of forces agreement of 1951.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreement exists between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government, in their respective Defence Departments, to allow American personnel who are occupying and controlling British bases to employ psychological operations units against British subjects either inside or outside of these bases. [33958]

No such operations are undertaken in this country by the US forces against British subjects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British RAF bases are occupied and controlled by the US Department of Defense; if he will list those bases by name; how many non-RAF bases are similarly occupied and controlled; if he will list those bases; how many of those RAF and non-RAF bases employ members of the National Security Agency of America; and if he will list such bases. [33951]

As of 1 July 1995, bases and facilities were made available to the United States Department of Defence at the following locations:

Main Operating Bases
RAF Lakenheath
RAF Mildenhall
Standby Deployment Base
RAF Fairford
Storage/Support Facilities
RAF Alconbury
RAF Brawdy
Chilwell
RAF Daws Hill
Eastcote
Framlingham
RAF Hythe
London USN Europe HQ
RAF Molesworth
RAF Northwood
Oakington
RAF Spadeadam
RAF Watton
RAF Welford
West Ruislip
Wartime Contingency Hospitals
RAF Arbroath
RAF Nocton Hall
RAF Upwood
Communications Facilities
RAF Barford St John
RAF Barkway
Botley Hill
Bovingdon
RAF Chelveston
RAF Chicksands
Christmas Common
Coldblow
RAF Croughton
RAF Daventry
RAF Dunkirk
RAF Edzell
RAF Feltwell
Menwith Hill Station
RAF Oakhanger
RAF St Mawgan
RAF Swingate
RAF Uxbridge
NATO Armaments Depot
Glen Douglas

While these have been made available for use by United States visiting forces, Her Majesty's Government retain legal possession of the site and control over the use that is made of them and their facilities. It is not our policy to comment in further detail on operational matters.

Us Communications Centres

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many US Department of Defense communication center operate from British soil; and if he will list them and the agencies by which their workers are employed. [33952]

As of 1 July 1995 there were 18 United states Department of Defense communication facilities in the UK as follows:

RAF Barford St John
RAF Barkway
Botley Hill
Bovingdon
RAF Chelveston
RAF Chicksands
Christmas Common
Coldblow
RAF Croughton
RAF Daventry
RAF Dunkirk
RAF Edzell
RAF Feltwell
Menwith Hill Station
RAF Oakhangar
RAF St Mawgan
RAF Swingate
RAF Uxbridge

It is not our policy to give details of personnel assignment.

Public Interest Immunity Certificates

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many public interest immunity certificates he has issued during the last five years; and if he will list them. [33955]

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 3 July 1995, Official Report, column 92.

National Security Agency Of America

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the National Security Agency of America operates from (a) RAF Croughton and (b) RAF Chicksands. [33957]

RAF Croughton and RAF Chicksands are US Department of Defense communications centres managed by the United States Air Force. It is not our policy to comment further on operational matters.

Market Testing

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on market testing in respect of Royal Air Force establishments. [33098]

Further to my answer of 18 May to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) Official Report, column 303, about Royal Air Force activities which have been market tested, listed below are those Royal Air Force establishments and functions where exposure to the "Competing for Quality" process has commenced or is planned to begin in the current financial year:

RAF Machrihanish
RAF Hospital Wegberg
VIP helicopters
Flight Simulators and Synthetic Trainers Maintenance
RAF Stornoway
RAF Lyneham
RAF High Wycombe
Target Facilities engineering support, 100 Squadron
RAF Ascension
RAF Northolt
RAF St. Mawgan
Aircraft Ground Maintenance Schools
IUKADGE stations
RAF Brize Norton
RAF St. Athan
RAF Sealand

RAF Oakhanger, 1001 Signals Unit
RAFSEE Henlow
RAF Brampton/Wyton facilities management
RAF distribution services
RAF Halton support services
University Air Squadrons
Air Traffic Control at Valley, Shawbury, Cosford, Linton-on-Ouse, Cranwell and Newton
RAF Valley
RAF Linton-on-Ouse
RAF Cosford support services
RAF Shawbury
RAF Cranwell
RAF Innsworth
RAF Uxbridge
Multi-engine pilot training trial

Volume 263: debated on Wednesday 12 July 1995

Written Answers To Questions

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