To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many employees of each department of the House have an annual salary greater then (a) hon. Members and (b) the lowest paid Minister of the Crown.

The numbers of staff, by department, with annual salaries greater than (a) hon. Members and (b) the lowest paid Minister of the Crown (Government Whip/Assistant Whip) are as follows:

Department	(a)	(b)
Speaker's Office	1	1
Clerk's	47	36
Serjeant's	7	5
Library	15	8
Finance and Administration	8	3
Official Report	15	4
Refreshment	3	1

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many right hon. and hon. Members are signed up to the charity payroll giving arrangement operated by the Fees Office. [37398]

As at 30 September, 45 right hon. and hon. Members are signed up to the charity payroll giving arrangement operated by the Fees Office.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many right hon. and hon. Members have failed to lodge contracts of employment at the Fees Office for employees paid by the Fees Office from the office costs allowance; and how many employees are affected. [37399]

There are 24 right hon. and hon. Members who have failed to lodge contracts of employment with the Fees Office for employees paid from the office costs allowance and 59 current employees are affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many grants of national lottery funding have been made to date to applicants from Ashfield; and how much money was awarded in each case. [37919]

There has been one award to date to an applicant from Ashfield. The Millennium Commission has awarded £587,500 to Brierley Forest Park, a project which covers Ashfield and Mansfield. This award is for the reclamation of 125 hectares of derelict land to create woodland, landscape and wetland areas for recreation and education.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what steps she, or any body accountable to her, is taking to ensure effective co-ordination of transport services within London serving permanent, or temporary, sites of millennium significance; [37258](2) what criteria in respect of the purpose, content and similarities or otherwise to its predecessors of 1851 and 1951 the Millennium Commission has been set by Her Majesty's Government or has been set for the applicants seeking to operate the site of the proposed millennium exhibition. [37331]

[holding answer 16 October 1995]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Prime Minister what meetings he has had with the First Secretary of State since July to discuss the co-ordination of Government policy. [36748]

I have had regular meetings with ministerial colleagues since July.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 19 October. [36843]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 19 October. [36844]

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

To ask the Prime Minister what further representations he has had from the Royal British Legion in relation to its campaign for an ex-service affairs unit in Whitehall; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement. [37228]

As far as I am aware, none.

To ask the Prime Minister which members of Her Majesty's Government met General Pinochet during his recent visit to London; and what effort was made to condemn the regime he presided over in Chile from 1973 to 1990. [37979]

No members of Her Majesty's Government met General Pinochet during his recent visit. Our views on the military regime of 1973 to 1990 are well known.

To ask the Prime Minister how many civil servants, including special advisers, were involved in the recent campaign in official time or in their own time for the election of the leader of the Conservative party and for which candidate; and what are the normal working hours of these civil servants. [38000]

Special advisers taking part in political activities, such as the election for the leader of the Conservative party, are required to do so during leave or in their own time in addition to fulfilling their normal duties. In these circumstances, it is not appropriate to give details of those involved. Special advisers normally work a five-day week of 41 hours including meal breaks, which is standard for civil servants in the London area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent actions have been taken by British representatives at the UN concerning the abuse of human rights in Guatemala. [37974]

The UK, together with our EU partners, co-sponsored a resolution at the UN General Assembly on 14 September to extend the UN human rights verification mission, MINUGUA, for a further six months. The vital role being played by MINUGUA was underlined by the mission's swift production of a preliminary report into the disturbing incident on 5 October in which an army patrol opened fire on a group of returned refugees. The independent expert of the UN Commission on Human Rights was also present in the country at the time; the UK has consistently supported extension of Ms Pinto's mandate at successive sessions of the commission.The UK has consistently urged both the Guatemalan Government and the URNG guerrillas to reach a peaceful settlement to the dispute between them, which would help to bring an end to human rights abuses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Government of Guatemala concerning human rights abuses, the operation of the Truth commission and legal processes against alleged perpetrators of human rights abuses. [37982]

The EU issued a statement deploring the massacre by Guatemalan troops of returned refugees in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala on 5 October. We have demanded an immediate investigation into the massacre and the punishment of those guilty of it.The British ambassador in Guatemala takes every appropriate opportunity, individually or through the EU, to express to the authorities the concern felt by the British Government and people about abuses of human rights.At a British suggestion, the EU raised with the Guatemalan Foreign Minister our unhappiness at the circumstances surrounding the death of Reverend Saquic Vasquez. We shall press for a satisfactory outcome to the work of the Truth commission when it is set up on the signing of a final peace agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have been held with human rights groups in Guatemala by the British embassy in each of the past five years; and which groups were involved. [37973]

So far this year, the embassy has held meetings with eight groups concerned with human rights. In several cases, more than one meeting has taken place. The groups include UNHCR—United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees—MINUGUA—United Nations observer force—Ninos Refugiados—refugee children—Christian Aid, Peace Brigades International, Casa Alianza and the Toybox charity—street children—Centre for Human Rights Legal Action and the Central American Human Rights Committee.In addition, the embassy has taken part in EU discussions with a number of other human rights groups. The embassy maintains regular contact with the Guatemalan procurator for human rights as a matter of course. Meetings with these human rights groups and others have taken place at various times over the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what facilities were offered to General Pinochet of Chile during his recent visit to the United Kingdom. [37976]

No special facilities were accorded General Pinochet during his recent visit other than the customary VIP courtesy facilities at the airport on arrival and departure extended to all Heads of Foreign Defence Service. Under the Chilean constitution, General Pinochet is commander in chief of the Chilean army.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in which papers and which countries the Treasury building was advertised for sale; [37121](2) what restrictions have been put on the use of the Treasury building if it is sold; [37122](3) if he will list the expressions of interest in purchasing the Treasury building which have been received so far. [37123]

Property Holdings advertised for a private sector partner for the refurbishment of the Treasury building internationally.Outright sale of the freehold is not currently envisaged.It would be inappropriate to list all the expressions of interest at this time, as the selection of a short list of candidates is currently taking place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of the cost implications for small businesses of the recommendations of the Wood committee report on the rating of plant and machinery. [36946]

The Wood committee estimated that its recommendations would reduce aggregate rateable value by up to 0.5 per cent. in England and Wales. Their implementation, in the 1995 non-domestic revaluation, will have tended to increase rates bills for some properties and reduce them for others, but the effects are not distinguishable from those of the revaluation as a whole.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what applications he has had for financial assistance towards the development of national exhibition facilities in London's east end from private developers. [37579]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in respect of the provision of financial assistance towards the development of national exhibition facilities in London's east end by private developers. [57580]

I am aware of only one such proposed development for a site in the London docklands which is being pursued as a private finance initiative. There will be no public subsidy for this project. It will go forward only if the market considers it a viable proposition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment if he will make a statement on the accident that occurred at Thoresby colliery, Nottinghamshire on 12 October; what steps have been taken to identify the cause of the accident and lessons to be learned from it; and when the interim report of the mines inspectorate might be published. [37690]

On 12 October 1995 an incident occurred leading to the death of a mine worker at Thoresby mine, Nottinghamshire. HSE officials attended the incident immediately on notification.The investigation into the case(s) of the incident has already began. It is being undertaken by the HSE's inspectorate of mines. Until this is complete and the findings known it would be inappropriate to speculate. Any recommendations that are made as the result of the investigation will be acted upon.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the accident records for each colliery for the first and second quarters of 1995. [37691]

Information for individual mines is not produced. Statistics for the industry are produced as an aggregate figure and published in the Health and Safety Commission annual report, copies of which are placed in the House Library. Figures for the first quarter January to March 1995 have not been validated and will not be confirmed until HSC's annual report is published in November 1995 at which stage they will appear in an aggregate table for the year. Figures for the second quarter April to June 1995 will not be available until November 1996.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) public, (b) business and (c) community bodies which have been consulted regarding the strategic review of Customs and Excise offices in the north-west of Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [37229]

Customs has not consulted the public, business or community bodies regarding its strategic review of offices in the north-west of Scotland. Customs staff in these offices are largely involved in intelligence gathering and the prevention of drug smuggling and it would not be in the public interest for customs to discuss its plans in detail.There is no intention to erode the current level of trade facilitation given to business and ports in north-west Scotland. There will be consultation on this once the review has been completed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the Customs and Excise offices which have closed since 1 January 1990. [37230]

The offices listed were closed in the period between 1 April 1990 and 1 October 1995. Because records are kept on the basis of the financial year, data are not available for the three months from January to March 1990. The operational and administrative functions in the offices closed were relocated either to new accommodation acquired for these functions or to existing departmental accommodation.

	Offices
Northern Ireland
Belfast	Corporation Square
Aughnacloy	102–104 Moore Street
Omagh	12 Holmview Terrace
Kilkeel	Coast Preventative Office
Coleraine	Adelaide Avenue
Belleek	681 Loughshore Road

	Offices
Newtownbutler	Station Road
Belfast	Waterguard Office
Armagh	9 Monaghan Road
Ballymena	38–54 High Street
Omagh	Campsie Road
Strabane	Railway Road
Warrenpoint	Harbour Estate
Belfast	9–15 Bedford Street
Belfast	Head Post Office
Belfast	185–189 Lisburn Road
Portavogie	Harbour Masters Office
Londonderry	Meadow Bank
Belcoo	Main Street
Breandrum	Belfast Road
England
Wolverhampton	Chapel Ash
Stafford	Eastgate Street
Dudley	Wolverhampton Street
Birmingham	Rednal
Dover	Terrapin Export Freight Shed
Folkestone	EPU
Folkstone	Custom House
Rye	Custom House
Ramsgate	Custom House
Canterbury	50 New Dover Road
Dover	Port Services Block
Whitstable	1st Floor Over Public Toilets
Canterbury	Park House
Maidstone	Lower Stone Street
Ashford	Tufton Street
Hastings	Selecombe Road
Rye	Harbour Office
Dover	Marine Car Hall
Dover	EPU
Dover	Transit Shed A
Dover	Preventive Freight Lane
Dover	Townwall Street
Dover	Southern House
Dover	Hoverport Offices
Dover	Room 44 Control Building
Burnham	Quayside
Colchester	Portal House
Harwich	Eastern Station
Harwich	Western Station
Harwich	CRV
Harwich	Navy Yard Wharf
Harwich	Train Ferry Terminal
Chelmsford	11–23 Springfield Road
Colchester	Wellington House
Colchester	Harbourmasters Office
West Mersea	Lookout Hut
Burnham on Crouch	Quayside
Ipswich	Dock Head
Brightlingsea	Waterside
Ipswich	Wherstead Road
Great Yarmouth	North Quay
Burton on Trent	Crown House
Chesterfield	St. Marys House
Castle Donington	Boarding Office
Castle Donington	Freight Office
Sheffield	Church Street
Sutton in Ashfield	Freight Terminal
Felixstowe	Tomline House
Grimsby	Excise Garage
Grimsby	Custom House Royal Dock
Grimsby	Bacon Terminal
Derby	LOE Midland Road
Grimsby	Provincial House
Worksop	Copthall House
Sheffield	3–7 Charter Row
Mansfield	Queen Street
Scunthorpe	Oswald Road
Nottingham	CIU Garage

	Offices
Stanmore	Canons Park
Woolwich	Woolwich Arsenal
Southend on Sea	Baxter Avenue
Liverpool	Wilberforce House
Bootle	Daniel House
Bootle	St. Johns House
Liverpool	Richmond House
Salford	New Bailey Street
London	Harmsworth House
Goole	Stanhope Street
Leeds	Boar Lane
Leeds	Park Place
Leeds	7 Eastgate
Liverpool	157 Regent Road
Crewe	Wistaston
Liverpool	North Dock Island
Liverpool	Pier Head
Blackpool	Terminal Building
Lytham St. Annes	St. Georges Road
Bootle	North Quay
Runcorn	Docks
Lancaster	Mitre Yard
Chester	Northgate Street
Hayes	236 Nestles Avenue
Heathrow	Hounslow
Gatwick	Room 30 Concorde House
Gatwick	Rooms 3341–3344
Heathrow	Jubilee Way
Heathrow	Building 139
Heathrow	Building 581
Heathrow	Building 520
Heathrow	Building 501
Heathrow	Hangar No. 3
Heathrow	Queens Building
Heathrow	Building 558
Heathrow	Building 552
Heathrow	South Perimeter Road
Stansted	Old Terminal
Romford	250 Main Road
Romford	Normanhurst
Dartford	Ferry Terminal
Romford	Crown Building
West Thurrock	Translink House
Woodgrange	Park House
Stanford-le-hope	Shell Haven
Stratford	Central House
Dartford	Dartford International
Grays	Station Masters House
Tilbury	East of Tidal Basin
Stratford	LIFT
Gillingham	Gillingham Gate
Cheadle	Carrs Road
Bolton	Bradshawgate
Accrington	Oak Street
Blackburn	Ainsworth Street
Manchester	17–21 Chorlton Street
Wilmslow	Church Street
Urmston	Barton Dock Road
Bedford	Goldington Road
Kettering	North Park
Leicester	31–33 Millstone Lane
Peterborough	Fletton Avenue
Northampton	Cliftonville Road
Hartlepool	Avenue Road
Seaham	Seaham House
Blyth	Ridley Street
Newcastle	Cale Cross House
Darlington	Thornlea
Hartlepool	Bovis House
Kendal	Highgate
Carlisle	London Road
Plymouth	Millbay Road
Plymouth	North Street
Dartmouth	Bayards Cove

	Offices
Plymouth	Royal Parade
Launceston	Western Road
Brixham	Sub Centre
Yeovil	19 Hendford
Salcombe	Whitestrand Quay
Watchet	Harbour Road
Southampton	Cougar Marine
Southampton	206 Berry
Christchurch	Mudeford Quay
Southampton	Green Lane
Southampton	204 Berry
Southampton	Depot
Newport	High Street
Reading	95–107 Southampton Street
Abingdon	Milton Trading Estate
Abingdon	Peachcroft Shopping
Balham	Steel House
Kennington	Kennington Park Road
Westminster	Tufton Street
London	Shaftesbury Avenue
Kingsway	Africa House
Southwark	Key worth House
Euston	Woburn Place
Sunderland	West Sunniside
Birkenhead	Price Street
Birkenhead	Vittoria Dock
Eastham	QE II Dock
Fleetwood	Fish Market
Kirkby	Newtown Gardens
Liverpool	Derby Square
Oldham	Oliver Street
Preston	London Road
Worthing	Teville Gate
Cosham	High Street
Brighton	Old Cottage
Brighton	Preston Road
Eastbourne	Trinity Trees
Poole	Custom House
Poole	CFT
Yarmouth	The Quay
Eastleigh	Airport
Redhill	Queensway House
Redhill	Tower House
Maidenhead	Marlow House
Maidenhead	Thames House
Hull	Alexandra Dock
Hull	King George East Dock
London	Clements House
London	Tavis House
London	Northgate House
Scotland
Edinburgh	9 St. Andrew Square
Kirkcaldy	High Street
Edinburgh	Waterguard Office
Stirling	Corn Exchange Road
Dundee	Dock Street
Perth	Jeanfield House
Broxburn	East Mains Industrial Estate
Elgin	Gordan Street
Methill	Dockhead
Dundee	49 North Lindsay Street
Elgin	15 High Street
Dundee	Victoria Road
Grangemouth	Grange Dock
Keith	Mid Street
Hamilton	Barrack Street
Inverness	Academy Street
Campbeltown	Lochead Street
Greenock	Princes Pier
Coatbridge	Whifflet
Dumbarton	High Street
Dumfries	147 High Street
Glasgow	Parcel Office

	Offices
Rothes	Breich Street
Fraserburgh	Office
Grangedock	Portakabin
Alloa	Drysdale Street
Buckie	Queen Street
Aberlour	Elchies Road
Aberdeen	Sinclair Road
Blair Atholl	Distillery
Cameron Bridge	Distillery
Glenlossie	Distillery
Miltonduff	Distillery
Glenlivet	Distillery
Wales
Holyhead	Vehicle Compound
Holyhead	Custom House
Caernarfon	North Penrallt
Swansea	Waterguard Office
Pembroke Dock	Ferry Terminal
Barry	Barry Dock
Cardiff	Roath Basin
Bridgend	Angel Street
Wrexham	Rhosddu Road
Mostyn	Dock Office

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors are taken into account when granting foreign nationals residing in the United Kingdom immunity from United Kingdom taxes. [37070]

Immunity from direct taxation is accorded to income and gains beneficially owned by foreign Heads of State and their Governments. This treatment has its origins in a principle of international law, which has been recognised by successive Governments in this country.There is no immunity from Customs and Excise duties and taxes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the informal Council meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers and central bank governors of the European Union held in Valencia on 30 September. [37741]

The Governor of the Bank of England and I represented the UK at an informal meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers and central bank governors of the European Union held in Valencia 30 September.The meeting was devoted almost exclusively to discussion of economic and monetary union and, in particular, to various issues that the Council was asked to consider by the Cannes European Council, including the reference scenario for the transition to a single currency. It was agreed that further work would be needed in the run-up to the Madrid European Council.The Council also considered the terms of European investment bank lending to Palestine.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Council meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers of the European Union held in Brussels on 18 September. [37742]

I represented the United Kingdom at the Economic and Finance Council of the European Union in Brussels on 18 September.The Council considered Sweden's convergence programme under article 103/3. It discussed the format of the report on employment to be submitted to the Madrid European Council.The Council had a preparatory discussion about its meeting with Finance Ministers of the central and east European countries on 23 October, which will consider the financial services in those countries and the need for further report.The Council considered the constraints imposed on Community lending to third countries by the loan guarantee fund. The guarantee fund covers the European investment bank, Euratom and macro-economic lending. I argued that there should be no relaxation of the budgetary discipline imposed by the mechanism. No decisions were made and the Council will return to this issue at a later date.The Council adopted, by qualified majority voting, the cross-border payments directive, which seeks to improve the transparency and efficiency of payments made between member states. I made it clear that, although we support the principle of the directive, the UK opposed the proposed limits to the scope of the directive and the proposed separate limits on the level of payments which would extract the money-back guarantee in the event of loss. I noted that this weakened the protection which the directive would give to small businesses and private individuals when making cross-border payments. The UK accordingly abstained in the vote.Over lunch with the Finance Ministers of the EFTA nations we discussed unemployment and in particular approaches to tackling youth unemployment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of revenue to the Exchequer from north sea oil and gas since 1979. [37912]

Total revenues to the Exchequer from north sea oil and gas production from 1979–80 to 1995–96 are expected to be £77 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum received to date from the sale of privatised industries. [37913]

Between 1979–80 and 1994–95 privatisation proceeds totalled some £61.6 billion.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the realising our potential award—ROPA—scheme. [38689]

I am pleased to announce that I have today placed in the Library of the House a copy of a report on the first two years' operation of the ROPA scheme.It is clear from the report that the ROPA scheme is fully living up to expectations. It encourages academic researchers to collaborate with industry on strategic research, and it provides responsive-mode funding for them to carry out undirected, curiosity-driven research of their own choosing.Over the two years, there has been an excellent demand for ROPA awards with a total of 1,521 applications, resulting in 719 awards having been made, worth a total of some £71.1 million over the lifetime of the projects.ROPA scheme applicants have stated that they are involved in basic or strategic research projects funded by industry or commerce to the value of about £260 million. This in itself is a tribute to the excellence and relevance of much of the science and engineering based and industry's appreciation of it.The Government are committed to the need to ensure excellence in research. ROPA awards have gone to some first-rate scientists and departments to fund some innovative research projects. An analysis in the report shows that across all research councils, of those ROPAs which went to university departments within the scope of the 1992 research assessment exercise, 67 per cent. went to departments rated 4 or 5—the top two ratings—compared to 65 per cent. for councils' other grants. It also shows that the success rates of applicants to ROPA was about 47 per cent. overall, which is consistent with the range of success rates for councils other schemes—some 20 to 60 per cent.The scheme has been widely welcomed both by industry and by academics. The evaluation contained in the report shows that the scheme has been successful and has justified its introduction.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what applications he has had for financial assistance towards the development of national exhibition facilities in London's east end from private developers. [37581]

None.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy in respect of the provision of financial assistance towards the development of national exhibition facilities in London's east end by private developers. [37582]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment today.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many (a) civil servants and (b) other public sector employees now have gross salaries of £50,000 or more per annum. [37883]

The information available centrally covers 96 per cent. of the home civil service. Of these, on 1 April 1995 some 1,800 staff or 0.4 per cent. were in receipt of a full-time equivalent gross salary in excess of £50,000 per annum. Information for other public sector employees is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many community psychiatric nurses were working in north and west Belfast in each of the last five years. [37554]

The information requested is as follows:

Year ended 31 March	Community psychiatric nurses
1991	18
1992	21
1993	21
1994	20
1995	20

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many community psychiatric nurses have been employed on temporary contracts in north and west Belfast in each of the past five years; [37555](2) how many community psychiatric nurses are currently employed on temporary contracts within north and west Belfast. [37556]

The information requested is as follows:

Year ended 31 March	Community psychiatric nurses
1991	0
1992	2
1993	2
1994	0
19951	1
1 Most recent available date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of community psychiatric nurses currently working in north and west Belfast. [37552]

At 31 March 1995, there were 20 community psychiatric nurses working in north and west Belfast health and social services trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of community psychiatric nurses currently working in south and east Belfast. [37558]

At 31 March 1995, there were 21 community psychiatric nurses working in south and east Belfast HSS trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the replacement of water turbine machinery in existing mill sites require planning permission. [37529]

The need, or otherwise, for planning permission would depend on the nature of the proposal under consideration. Advice on specific cases can be obtained from the divisional planning office in whose area the site is located.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the future work of each of the development divisions of his Department; and what forecast he has made of the likely change in their activities consequent on planned changes in the aid budget. [37576]

Decisions on the allocation of resources and future development priorities in countries where we give aid will be made in the light of the outcome of the public expenditure survey. Discussions on this year's survey are now under way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions the contingency reserve specified in table 30 "Breakdown of Aid budget" of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 1995 departmental report has been included in aid budgets in previous years; and if he will list the level of the contingency reserve incorporated in the 1994 plans for 1994–95 indicating how the money was eventually allocated to programmes; and if he will give equivalent information for the 1993 plans for 1993–94, the 1992 plans for 1992–93, the 1991 plans for 1991–92 and the 1990 plans for 1990–91. [37227]

[holding answer 18 October 1995]: It is standard practice for a contingency reserve to be set aside in the aid budget. The information requested, covering the period 1990–91 to 1994–95, is set out in the table.

Aid Programme Contingency Reserve
£'000
	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95
Planned allocation	40,000	75,000	70,000	70,000	75,000
Country programmes	8,580	4,000	13,500	6,472	4,500
Sectoral programmes	2,309	2,400	5,580	3,465	4,258
Emergency assistance	14,800	28,600	28,777	51,692	52,000
Multilateral aid	3,235	37,043	11,088	8,371	3,406
Aid administration	6,035	720	150	—	—
Natural Resources Institute	—	550	—	—	—
Commonwealth Development Corporation	5,000	—	5,000	—	5,860
Total allocated	39,959	73,413	64,275	70,000	70,024

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements he is making for the future training and inspection of railway locomotive drivers following recruitment of those already experienced and qualified who will be transferred to Transrail or similar operating companies. [37575]

The Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 require employers to ensure that all railway staff who carry out work defined as safety critical, including train drivers, are competent and fit to carry out their duties safely.The regulations are monitored and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations led his Department to advise cyclists not to use the A1 red route in Islington and Haringey during recent re-surfacing; and if he will make a statement. [37977]

For safety reasons, the Highways Agency felt it necessary to advise cyclists to find alternative routes while essential repairs were being carried out on the A1. To keep traffic moving and to protect the work force it was necessary to operate with very narrow lanes. With the Archway road being steep and with insufficient room for motorists to pass cyclists, it was considered that cyclists would be at risk from impatient drivers or those exercising poor judgment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons have been released from Her Majesty's prisons in Scotland since 1985, having served sentences for sexual offences, are subsequently known to have reoffended with the same category of offences. [36339]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the legal upper limit for the daily flow of traffic on single carriageways in Scotland. [36409]

There is no legal limit to the level of traffic flow on a single carriageway. Capacity of a road can be influenced by factors such as the quality of the road, the percentage of heavy goods vehicles or how hilly the road is. Research by the Transport Research Laboratory suggests that the maximum sustainable two-way flow for a high-quality standard single carriageway could range between annual average daily traffic flows of 14,000 to 19,000 with 0 to 30 per cent. HGVs and 21,000 to 28,000 for a similar wide single carriageway with the same range of HGVs. These figures inform the design guidance on which the assessment of new roads is based.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has had made of whether the A92 north of Dundee to Arbroath and Montrose fulfils the requirements set out in paragraph 2.1 of "Shaping the Trunk Road Network" in respect of industry, agriculture, tourism and access to ports; and if he will make a statement. [36406]

The intention of "Shaping the Trunk Road Network" was to provide the road user with a coherent and continuous system of routes serving destinations of importance to industry, commerce, agriculture and tourism. It also sought to define nationally important routes which will be developed in line with strategic national transport demands while ensuring that those roads which are of predominantly local importance are managed locally. The Government's decision on who should manage a particular road related not only to the volume of traffic on that road but to the nature of that traffic and where the economic benefit derived from that traffic fell. Although there is heavy traffic on the A92 near Dundee, the majority of trips on this road are local in nature. On this basis, the Government decided that, in national strategic terms, the route north from Dundee to Aberdeen is best served by the recently upgraded A90, while the A92, having greater importance locally, should remain under local management.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average daily traffic flow on each 10-mile section of the A92 between Dundee and Arbroath and Montrose; what percentage of traffic consisted of heavy goods vehicles; what was the average journey time between Dundee and Arbroath at peak times; and what was the accident rate in the years (a) 1993–1994 and (b) 1994–1995. [36410]

Traffic data on the Scottish road traffic database are stored by "link" rather than on a "mile by mile" basis. It is therefore not possible to list these data in 10-mile sections. Information on the annual average daily flow and percentage of heavy goods vehicles by each such "link" for 1994 is set out in the table:

	Link number	Length (km)	AADF (number of vehicles)	Percentage of HGV
From Dundee	254005	5.9	11,561	11
	254010	6.4	9,176	13
	245015	7.2	9,439	10
To Arbroath	254020	0.9	9,357	10
From Arbroath	254030	0.5	10,351	6
	254035	9.3	5,089	11
	254040	8.4	4,834	13
	254045	1.1	7,459	11
	254050	2.3	11,764	10
To Montrose	254055	0.55	10,599	7

The Scottish Office national roads directorate has no information on the average journey time between Dundee and Arbroath at peak times.It is not possible to provide information on the accident rate—accidents per 1 million vehicle kilometres—as such data for local roads are not stored on a link basis and is therefore not consistent with that held by The Scottish Office to trunk roads. Information on the number of accidents on the A92 from Dundee to Montrose is stored by calendar year and is set out in the following table:

		Accident Severity
Road Section	Year	Fatal	Serious	Slight	Total
Claypotts, Dundee to	1993	2	6	21	29
Arbroath town centre	1994	1	5	19	25
Arbroath town centre to	1993	1	10	9	20
Ferryden, Montrose	1994	1	7	15	23

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish details and costings of feasibility studies for section of the A92, including (a) junctions leading to Monifieth and Carnoustie, (b) bypasses at Muirdrum and Marywell, (c) the Montrose bridge, (d) the bridge over the north Esk and (e) trunk road spurs leading to Arbroath and Montrose. [36411]

The Scottish Office national roads directorate has carried out no such feasibility studies on the A92. The section of the A92 from the roundabout with the A972 Kingsway east in Dundee to the junction with the A90 at the south end of the Stonehaven bypass is a local road and the responsibility for improvements rests with the local roads authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the average daily traffic flows on trunk road spurs leading to Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Wick for (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what are the accident rates on these roads. [36412]

Information on the annual average daily flow for such trunk roads is as follows:

	AADF
Trunk road	1993	1994
A92 (south of Peterhead)	3,338	3,505
A952 (south of Peterhead	7,501	5,113
A952 (north of Peterhead)	5,019	5,358
A92 (south of Fraserburgh)	6,215	6,420
A98 (west of Fraserburgh	2,036	2,074
A9 (south of Wick)	1,288	1,312

The accident rate—average for 1992 to 1994—on these roads is as follows:

Trunk road	Accident rate (Accidents per 1 million vehicle kilometres)
A92/A952 Aberdeen-Fraserburgh (via Peterhead)
Dual Carriageway	0.174
Single Carriageway	0.343
A9 Tore-Wick	0.173

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the electorates of (a) those parts of Strathclyde electoral division 46 (Chryston) included in the areas of (i) North Lanarkshire council and (ii) East Dunbartonshire council, (b) those parts of Strathclyde electoral division 35 (Kings Park/Toryglen) included in the areas of (iii) City of Glasgow council and (iv) South Lanarkshire council, (c) those parts of Strathclyde electoral division 8 (Vale of Leven) included in the areas of (v) Dumbarton and Clydebank council and (vi) Argyll and Bute council and (d) those parts of Tayside electoral division 31 (Sidlaw) included in the areas of (vii) Angus council, (viii) Perth and Kinross council and (ix) City of Dundee council, as of 16 February. [37150]

The information is as follows:

(a) Estimates of Strathclyde Electoral Division 46 (Chryston) electorate included in:

(i) North Lanarkshire Council—12,442

(ii) East Dunbartonshire Council—3,865

(b) Estimates of Strathclyde Electoral Division 35 (Kings Park/Toryglen) electorate included in:

• (iii) City of Glasgow Council—8,330
• (iv) South Lanarkshire Council—8,099

(c) Estimates of Strathclyde Electoral Division 8 (Vale of Leven) electorate included in:

• (v) Dumbarton and Clydebank Council—19,752
• (vi) Argyll and Bute Council—320

(d) Estimates of Tayside Electoral Division 31 (Sidlaw) electorate included in:

• (vii) Angus Council—4,504
• (viii) Perthshire and Kinross Council—2,242
• (ix) Dundee City Council—248

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the electorates of the electoral divisions of each region and islands area; and what were the electorates of the wards in each of the new council areas in Scotland, as of 16 February. [37151]

I will arrange for the information to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will amend the Tenants Rights etc. (Scotland) Act 1980 so that tenants of council houses whose titles disclose rights of pre-emption to superiors or prohibitions against sub-division are entitled to the right to buy. [37191]

[holding answer 16 October 1995]: The Department is currently considering what action, including legislative change, may be needed to enable tenants in these circumstances to exercise the right to buy. We will announce the outcome as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been received and from which bodies that the Tenants Rights etc. (Scotland) Act 1980 should be amended in order to ensure tenants have a statutory right to purchase properties whose titles contain rights of pre-emption or prohibition against sub-division. [37192]

[holding answer 16 October 19951: Since March, representations to this effect have been received from four Members of Parliament, from Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey and Ross and Cromarty district councils, the Society of Directors of Administration in Scotland and the Association of Chief Housing Officers, northern area.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on his policy and guidance framework for members of the judiciary facing similar circumstances in future, in respect of the suspension of the trial Regina v. Mr. Geoffrey Knights by Harrow Crown court as a result of advance press reports. [37693]

When a broadcast, press report or other publication which might prejudice a fair trial is brought to my attention I consider whether to bring proceedings for contempt of court against those responsible before the divisional court.I apply the statutory test under the Contempt of Court Act 1981—namely, whether such a broadcast or publication has given rise to a substantial risk of serious prejudice to the administration of justice in the relevant case and have regard to the public interest. In so doing, I am exercising my function as guardian of the public interest in the enforcement of the criminal law.I do not, however, give guidance to the judiciary. This is a matter not for me but for the higher judiciary.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many public interest immunity certificates his Department has issued in each year since 1986. [36686]

No central record has been kept of the number of public interest immunity certificates issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food since 1986, and this could be drawn up only at disproportionate cost. However, a recent search of the files going back to 1992 has identified one certificate which has been issued since that date.

Case	Minister	Date
Littlewood (listeria claim)	Mrs. Shephard	1993

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what money has been given by the European Union to finance environmentally sensitive areas for each year since 1992; and if he will break down the figures for each of the nations of the United Kingdom. [36457]

The following sums were paid by the EU towards the UK's environmentally sensitive areas schemes:

£ thousands
	1 January 1992 to 15 October 1992	16 October 1992 to 15 October 1993	16 October 1993 to 15 October 1994	16 October 1994 to date
England	—	4,150	4,404	9,689
Scotland	217	451	540	513
Wales	414	395	374	582
Northern Ireland	231	271	374	302
Total	862	5,267	5,692	11,086

The ESA schemes are funded under the European agriculture guidance and guarantee fund. As part of the CAP reform, funding for these schemes switched in 1993 from the guidance section of the EAGGF, which reimbursed the UK annually in arrears, to guarantee funding, which funds expenditure in-year. In some cases, therefore, the total reimbursement relates to more than one year's expenditure.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what sums are being made available for decommissioning of inshore or medium distance fishing vessels in the years 1995–96 and 1996–97; what conditions are placed on the disposal or future use of craft where hulls are of (a) wooden and (b) metal construction; and what is the legislative basis for paying these sums. [37321]

Some £12 million pounds is available for decommissioning in 1995–96 under the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) Scheme 1995. The scheme applies to vessels over 10 m in length. A further £12 million will be available in 1996–97 under a scheme to be laid in due course.Grant is paid for the surrender of all licences issued in respect of a vessel by fisheries departments and for the vessel to be rendered permanently unseaworthy. The majority of vessels have been scrapped, although a limited number have been presented to museums and other charitable institutions after the above conditions have been met. No distinction is made in respect of the material of construction.Copies of the application form and explanatory leaflet for the 1995 scheme, which set out in full the conditions for disposal of vessels, have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list those projects which he has agreed to fund in partnership with the European agricultural guarantee and guidance fund in England; and if he will list the amounts involved in each case; [37685](2) when he will announce the level of matching funding for the European agricultural guarantee and guidance fund in England; [37686](3) how much matching funding will be available from his Department for European agricultural guarantee and guidance fund financed projects in cash and percentage terms in this and the next five years in England. [37688]

Programmes which are co-financed by the European agricultural guarantee and guidance fund with this Department are as follows:

• Guarantee Section
• Environmentally Sensitive Areas
• Nitrate Sensitive Areas (Environmental Protection (nutrients))
• Moorland Scheme
• Countryside Access Scheme
• Conservation, Habitat Scheme and Access
• Organic Farming
• Farm Woodlands
• Guidance Section
• Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
• Farm Grants
• Improved Marketing

Details of expenditure on these programmes, including planned expenditure for the next three years, and the amounts funded by the relevant section of the EAGGF, can be found in chapters 3 and 4 of the 1995 departmental report of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Intervention Board, copies of which can be found in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of state for Social Security (1) if he will consult (a) mothers and (b) hon. Members and right hon. Members about the nature and value of cash allowances for children; [36969](2) what changes to the child benefit system of cash allowances for children he is considering. [36968]

The Government have a clear manifesto commitment to maintaining child benefit as the cornerstone of our policy for all families with children. We will continue to honour this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in his Department. [36826]

Complaints about projects or services carried out on behalf of the Department and its agencies and funded through the private finance initiative remain within the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, the parliamentary ombudsman. Members of the public have the same rights of complaint to the ombudsman as for complaints directly against Government Departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the estimated cost of male unemployment in 1979; and what is the current annual cost. [37402]

Benefit expenditure on the unemployed was previously published in Government expenditure plans and is now given in the annual departmental report. Copies of both are held in the Library. The available information does not provide for an estimate of the cost of male unemployment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will introduce proposals to outlaw companies using share options as a means of payment to low-paid employees unless such payments count for national insurance purposes. [37075]

Payments made by way of share options do count for national insurance contributions purposes. The exception is where employees are paid by the way of shares or share options in their own company. This policy helps employers to give employees a direct stake in their employing business and promotes wider share ownership.We do not wish to prevent low-paid employees from benefiting from share options and therefore have no plans to change our policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many outstanding claims are with the War Pensions Agency from ex-service personnel related to participation in the British nuclear test programme. [37503]

This is a matter for Mr. John Sheppard, the acting chief executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the possible introduction of ID cards. [36515]

I published a consultation document on identity cards in May and asked for comments by the end of September. Some 3,000 replies have been received and I will be looking very carefully at all these responses before we consider whether and, if so, how an identity card should be introduced.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total annual cost of dealing with young people in the judicial and custodial systems; and if he will make a statement. [36525]

Including the costs to the courts, police, Crown Prosecution Service, legal aid and Prison Service of dealing with defendants aged 10 to 20, the total cost in 1993–94 was about £650 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in relation to the tariff system for remission of life sentences. [36526]

I have received various representations about the tariff system for mandatory life sentence prisoners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce statutory regulation of the private security industry. [36527]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Members for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) and for Newham, North-West, (Mr. Banks).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to issue guidelines on the use of private detective agencies by Government Departments. [36528]

We have no such plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received regarding the probation service. [36529]

Recent representations have included comments on the proposed arrangements for the recruitment and qualifying training of probation officers; the resources available for probation work; and changes to the boundaries of certain probation areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the police grant settlement. [36530]

Representations about the police grant settlement for 1995–96 were received from 21 chief constables. Correspondence was also received from hon. Members, police and local authorities and members of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many calls the victims helpline has received since its inception; what has been the cost to date of the helpline to the public purse; and if he will make a statement on the feedback callers receive about action taken on their calls. [37692]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the expected effect of the European Council of Ministers' decision to end funding for European minority languages and cultures (a) in total cash terms (b) on projects which currently are in receipt of European aid; [37682](2) what discussions he has had with his colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland concerning future European funding for minority languages and cultures; [37683](3) what decision the Council of Ministers has reached on the European funds for the promotion and safeguarding of minority languages and cultures from next year's European budget; and when that decision was taken; [37684](4) what discussions he has had with colleagues concerning the proposal by the European Council of Ministers to end European funding for minority languages and cultures. [37680]

I am also replying on behalf of the Secretary of State for Wales.At the First Reading of the 1996 European Budget on 24 July 1995, the Budget Council of the European Union reduced all budget lines for which it was agreed that there was no legal base, including this one, to a token entry to cover existing commitments only. This budget line has therefore been reduced from 3.5 mecu to zero.The European Parliament will have its First Reading of the European Budget on 26 October and, as the expenditure is not compulsory, it remains open to the Assembly to reinstate the budget line as in previous years.As the European Union Budget Council accepts that there is no legal base for this budget line, there is no case for holding discussions at ministerial level on the substantive merits of the expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has reviewed the use of public interest immunity certificates following judgments of the Court of Appeal in the Ordtech case. [36749]

No. The Court of Appeal upheld in full the certificates signed by the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, me and the deputy assistant commissioner for the Metropolitan police. As regards the material in respect of which public interest immunity certificates were made, the court ruled that the public interest immunity claims were well-founded and directed disclosure only of such parts of the material—or summaries thereof—as the signatories of the certificates had proposed and had volunteered for disclosure.Public interest immunity certificates are one of the subjects under consideration by Sir Richard Scott. The Government will take careful note of any conclusions and recommendations in his report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police horses are currently in service with the Metropolitan police; what were the figures (a) one and (b) two years ago; what costs were involved in each case; and if he will make a statement. [36842]

I am advised by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis of the information set out in the table.

	In service	Annual cost per horse1 £
Current	160	3,000 to 4,000
As at 31 March 1994	193	3,000 to 4,000
As at 31 March 1993	190	2,000 to 3,000
1 The annual cost is an average figure and does not include staff costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the legislation which applies to age limits on owners of air weapons; and what plans he has to review this legislation. [37507]

The acquisition, possession and use of air weapons are regulated by the Firearms Act 1968 which prohibits their sale or hire to anyone under the age of 17. Young people under 14 may not buy, hire, be given, or own an air weapon and may use one only if they are supervised by someone who is 21 or over. Those air weapons which are classified as "specially dangerous" under the Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969 are subject to firearm certificate control.In its second annual report, the Firearms Consultative Committee, the independent statutory body established to advise Government on the firearms legislation, concluded that the existing law was adequate to deal with levels of misuse. The committee has this year re-examined the legislation surrounding the use of all firearms by young people generally, including air weapons. It has concluded that the existing provisions, while adequate, are complex and recommended that consideration should be given to simplifying them. This recommendation is currently under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what identity General Pinochet recently visited Britain; and what special protection he was offered. [37980]

I have no reason to believe that General Pinochet visited in other than his own name. It is not practice to comment on matters bearing on the security of individuals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what entry requirements were made of General Pinochet during his recent visit to the United Kingdom. [37981]

General Pinochet was admitted to the United Kingdom as a visitor in accordance with the immigration rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visas to visit Britain have been granted to representatives of the Guatemalan military in each of the past five years. [37983]

The available information shows that entry clearances have been issued under the Foreign and Commonwealth United Kingdom military training assistance scheme to three serving Guatemalan officers in 1995 to attend military training courses in the United Kingdom. In addition, five teachers working for the Guatemalan military authorities have been issued with entry clearances in 1995 to attend short English language training courses in the United Kingdom, under a scheme linked to UKMTAS. No entry clearances for journeys to the United Kingdom for this purpose were issued prior to 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received with regards to the early release of prisoners convicted for terrorism. [36509]

I have received a number of representations from Members of the House, members of the public and others arguing for and against the early release of terrorist prisoners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he proposes in the visiting arrangements for prisoners. [36510]

The Learmont report into prison security makes a number of recommendations to improve the supervision of visits for prisoners. As my right hon. and learned Friend indicated to the House on 16 October, Official Report, columns 30–33, he accepts the broad thrust of Sir John Learmont's analysis and shall give the House a full response in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new initiatives he intends to take to tackle youth crime. [36531]

My right hon. and learned Friend announced last week the setting up of an important new ministerial committee on preventing juvenile crime. The committee will ensure the effective co-ordination of the wide range of measures that are already being taken across Departments as well as initiating new steps to strengthen these.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had from Manchester city council in relation to section 11 funding to meet the special needs of minority ethnic communities; what reply he is sending; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.

The leader of the council wrote to my right hon. and learned Friend on 6 October. We are considering the points made and a reply will be sent shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the legislation concerning the use of animals in circuses. [37509]

None. I have received no evidence to suggest that the current law provides inadequate safeguards for circus animals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish details of those local authorities which have established designated units with a specific responsibility to reduce the fear of crime and improve crime prevention measures, reporting directly to the chief executive, by party of control. [37524]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons aged (a) 10 to 16 years, (b) 17 to 21 years and (c) over 21 years were on magistrates court bail at the latest date available; how many in each age group were the subject of a bail condition; what were those bail conditions; and for each age group, how many were re-arrested and subsequently charged with an additional offence; [37177](2) how many of those persons bailed from magistrates courts in England and Wales were bailed

The available statistics are published annually in chapter 8 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales", particularly tables 8.5 and 8.6. Information by age group for indicatable offences is given in table 1. Information of persons found guilty or cautioned for absconding after release on bail is given in table 2.Information on bail conditions imposed by magistrates courts is not routinely collected. Provisional figures from a sample survey for the proportion given any bail condition are given in table 3. Information on the use of different types of bail conditions is given in a report published by the Institute of Local Government Studies for the Home Office in July 1995, "Conditional Bail or Bail with Conditions: the use and effectiveness of Bail Conditions", a copy of which is in the Library.Information on offending on bail was given in Home Office research paper No. 65 "Offending while on bail: a survey of recent studies". More up-to-date figures are given in a 1994 report of the Hampshire police and probation service and show that 14 per cent. of persons given bail committed an offence during a period of police or court bail.

Table 1: Persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for indictable offences, who were remanded by age group, 1993.
England and Wales		Number1, percentage
	10–16	17–20	21 and over	All ages
Number proceeded against2	44,100	141,200	401,600	586,900
Number of persons remanded3	27,500	91,600	253,800	373,000
Percentage of persons proceeded against who were remanded	62	65	63	64
Number of persons remanded on ball	25,800	80,800	226,000	332,600
Number of persons remanded in custody4	1,800	10,800	27,800	40,400
Persons remanded in custody as percentage of total remanded	6	12	11	11
1 The figures quoted in this table should be taken as broad estimates only, due to date quality problems.
2 Includes those who failed to appear following summons or police bail.
3 Excludes those who failed to appear following summons or police bail.
4 Includes those remanded in custody at any stage of proceedings at magistrates courts, who may also have been given bail at some stage of those proceedings.

Table 2: Persons found guilty or cautioned for absconding after release on bail' by age group, 1993 and 1994.
England and Wales		Number
	10–16	17–20	21 and over	All ages
1993	457	5,465	13,616	19,538
1994	599	5,415	14,794	20,808
1 Section 6, Bail Act 1976.

Table 3: percentage of persons granted court bail for whom conditions were attached1
Age group	Percentage
10–16	26
17–20	26
21 and over	29
All ages	27
1 Based on a sample of 200 people granted bail in 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Home Office last carried out a comprehensive review of the Bail Act 1976; to what extent the review compared the effectiveness of different bail conditions; and if he will publish the results. [37178]

Bail provisions are kept under review in various ways. Work on analysing the bail process in a number of areas took place in 1993 and 1994 and a first report was published by the Home Office research and planning unit in December 1994, RPU paper 90. A further report is expected next year.A separate research report undertaken for the Home Office on the effectiveness of bail conditions was published earlier this year by Birmingham university.Copies of both reports have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bail information schemes are currently operating in (a) courts and (b) prisons; and what assessment he has made of their impact in respect of avoiding remands into custody. [37184]

The most recent available information is that in March 1995 there were 235 schemes, most court based. Studies have shown that schemes have typically led to a reduction of about 10 per cent. in the proportion of relevant cases in which a custodial remand took place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest level of recorded assaults upon police officers. [37081]

The information provided by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary shows that there were 17,950 assaults on officers during 1993, the latest year for which figures are currently available. The corresponding figure for 1992 was 18,108. Figures for the financial year 1994–95 are expected to be published later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many juveniles and young persons were informally cautioned by the police for each of the last three years; [37181](2) how many juveniles in England and Wales were known to have received

No information is collected centrally on the extent of any police informal action. Some results from a sample of police forces on the method of police disposal of cases—prosecution, caution and "other means"—are being collected and will be published in due course.