To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of (a) the number of hostel places available for the homeless in London, (b) the number of unused hostel places in London, (c) the number of empty council houses in (i) central London and (ii) the old LCC area and (d) the estimated number of rough sleepers in London. [8876]

The information requested on hostel places for the homeless is not held centrally.The 1995 housing investment programme returns from London borough in the former LCC area show a total of 13,879 vacant local authority dwellings on 1 April 1995, the latest date for which figures are available. Of these, 6,049 were management vacants—that is, dwellings available for letting immediately or after minor repairs. A report containing the figures for individual borough—"1995 HIP1 All Items Print"—will be placed in the Library shortly.Information about the extent of rough sleeping is mostly anecdotal or estimated, except for central London where voluntary sector agencies carry out a twice-yearly count of rough sleepers. The methodology for this arose from an independent evaluation of the rough sleepers initiative, commissioned by my Department. The most recent count, in November 1995, found 272 people sleeping rough in central London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the total numbers of homeless individuals in (a) England, (b) Greater London, (c) outer London and (d) inner London in each year since 1991. [8914]

The number of households for which local authorities accepted responsibility to secure accommodation, under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act, were as follows in the years 1991 to 1995:

Year	England	Greater London	Inner London	Outer London
1991	144,780	37,060	21,950	15,110
1992	142,890	37,840	22,630	15,210
1993	132,380	31,890	17,550	14,340
1994	122,660	28,810	16,330	12,480

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on contaminated land in the district of Easington; and if he will list the locations of contaminated sites. [9578]

The Government set out their policy on contaminated land in England in the document "Framework for Contaminated Land", published in November 1994. The document proposed a modern contaminated land power, which has been provided in section 57 of the Environment Act 1995. This will apply to any contaminated land in Easington in the same way as elsewhere.The Department of the Environment does not keep records on individual contaminated sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has had on the problems of (a) noise pollution and (b) noisy neighbours. [7850]

My Department continues to receive representations about all forms of environmental noise on a regular basis. The vast majority of representations relate to neighbour noise issues.Following the review of neighbour noise controls, a package of measures is being taken forward aimed at strengthening the controls over excessive noise from domestic premises and improving local authority noise services and liaison with the police through guidance and dissemination of best practice.The hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway) is taking forward a private Member's Bill which will introduce clearer powers for temporary confiscation of noise making equipment and a new criminal offence to deal with excessive noise at night from domestic premises.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which body is now responsible for the safekeeping of the Greater London council heritage collection inventory. [8763]

The inventory of the GLC's heritage collection has been held at the Greater London record office since 1 April 1986.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the environmental damage caused by the deliberate release of oil into the Gulf between Khafji and the island of Abu Ai during the Gulf war; how many bird mortalities resulted from the pollution; and if the final ecological assessment of damage in the Gulf has now been made. [9085]

A report by the United Nations environment programme on the environmental effects of the Gulf war was presented to the UNEP Governing Council in May 1993—UNEP GC.7 Inf.9. The report included an assessment of the impact of oil released into the Gulf during the conflict, including an assessment of bird mortalities. More than 30,000 birds are believed to have died during the conflict. A copy of the report is in the Library of the House. Further studies into possible long-term effects are largely a matter for the states in the region.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the United Kingdom's involvement in the Habitat II conference on sustainable communities; what are the implications of Habitat II for his Department's planning and housing policies; and if he will make a statement on his future objectives for Habitat II. [9951]

The United Kingdom is taking an active part in the preparations for the United Nations conference on human settlements. We, together with our EU partners, are contributing to the drafting of the "Habitat Agenda" which is to be the major output of the conference.My Department is co-ordinating the preparation of the UK's national report for the conference. We are also working closely with a wide range of organisations—local government, non-governmental and professional—through the UK National Council for Habitat II.In respect of the future objectives for Habitat II, my Department will promote internationally UK ideas, policies and best practice and use the conference to raise international and national awareness of the means to achieve sustainable development.We will need to await the outcome of Habitat II before determining the implications for my Department's planning and housing policies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet considered the responses by Erewash borough council to the notice served on it on 7 September 1995 under section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988; and if he will make a statement. [10411]

My right hon. Friend has considered carefully the responses which Erewash borough council has made to the notice served on the authority on 7 September 1995, and has today given the authority a direction under section 14 of the Local Government Act 1988.After careful consideration, the Secretary of State remains of the opinion that the authority acted in an anti-competitive manner in awarding a contract to its in-house direct labour organisation in favour of a bid which was £70,000 cheaper, because it did not have well founded reasons for doing so. He feels that, in assigning the contract of £326,150 to its DSO, the authority did not show that it had carried out an adequate assessment of the private contractor's abilities.The direction given to Erewash borough council requires the authority to retender the contract for a ground maintenance contract, which was the subject of the notice, so that new arrangements are in place by 1 January 1997, and to seek my right hon. Friend's consent should it wish to reassign the work in-house.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he plans to take to strengthen the rights of owners of leasehold flats. [10859]

I have received a large number of representations from right hon. and hon. Members and leaseholders, particularly in London, about allegations that some landlords have been behaving unreasonably. The allegations are that a number of landlords have been buying up freeholds of blocks of flats and then presenting the leaseholders with very large maintenance and service charge bills. The amounts demanded appear to be excessive in relation to the work required, and the landlords can make a substantial profit by employing associated surveyors, contractors and managing agents, and earning commission. Any leaseholders who challenge the service charges are met with aggression and intimidation from the landlord and threatened with forfeiture of the lease.There is already a considerable body of legislation offering safeguards to leaseholders. After careful consideration of these recent developments, however, I have decided that further action should now be taken to strengthen leaseholders' rights.I therefore propose the following legislative amendments. First, I propose a number of changes to the right of first refusal contained in part I of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 to help ensure that tenants are given the opportunity to exercise this right if their landlord wishes to dispose of his interest. Secondly, I shall amend the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, so that qualifying leaseholders will have a right to enfranchise where their block of flats has more than one freehold interest. Thirdly, I intend to give a recognised residents' association a right to challenge major works proposed by its landlord before the work has commenced. Fourthly, I shall amend the law of forfeiture so that forfeiture proceedings are separated from disputes over service charges. Fifthly, I shall strengthen the grounds available to leaseholders seeking to require the court to appoint a manager of their block of flats where the landlord is failing to carry out his obligations in a reasonable manner.Finally, I am concerned about the cost which leaseholders can face in pursuing their rights through the courts and I am considering the possibility of transferring disputes over service charges to leasehold valuation tribunals.I will bring forward amendments to the Housing Bill, which is being introduced today, to give effect to these proposals.I have today placed a note in the Library of the House which outlines these proposals in more detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to provide specific funding for local authorities to provide home safety initiatives; [9682](2) what plans he has to make the provision of home safety initiatives a mandatory function of local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [9683]

I have been asked to reply.None. Local authorities all over the country are already engaged in productive crime prevention/community safety initiatives with the police, local businesses and the voluntary sector. This has been achieved without central funding and without the burden of a new statutory responsibility. I see no need to change arrangements which have worked so well.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what analysis he has made of the consequences in Scotland of the changes to the budget of the home energy efficiency scheme; and if he will make a, statement. [9382]

I have been asked to reply. There will be no impact on low-income households in Scotland. The reduction in the budget will be met by requiring better-off householders who qualify for HEES grants because of their age to make a contribution of 75 per cent. towards the cost of the work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of staffing levels within the Marine Safety Agency to cope with a marine accident on the scale of the Estonia accident. [8231]

I have asked the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if answers sent to hon. Members in reply to parliamentary questions by the head of executive agencies in his Department are (a) seen, (b) approved and (c) amended by him before they are sent; and if he will identify any letters to which amendments by him have been made in 1994–95. [7827]

When my Department's agency chief executives are invited by Ministers to write to hon. Members to provide information sought in parliamentary questions, their replies are subject to ministerial approval. Letters that were amended in draft by Ministers could be identified only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with the Rail Franchising Director the introduction of a minimum passenger service requirement covering the port of Fishguard; and if he will make a statement. [8970]

No. The detailed specification of passenger service requirements is a matter for the Franchising Director. Services to Fishguard will be covered by the PSR for the South Wales and West Railway on which the Franchising Director will be consulting in due course. The new franchisee for Great Western train services—Great Western Holdings—has specifically committed to maintain the overall number of services in the 1995–96 timetable between London Paddington and Fishguard, until the timetable for 1999–2000 and subject to connecting ferry services continuing to operate during that period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the Consumers Association regarding the quotation of rail ticket prices; what assessment he has made; if he will make it his policy to require rail staff to quote the lowest possible fare available; and if he will make a statement. [8732]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been sent a copy of the Which? survey into British Rail's ticketing and information services.The survey is based on a small and selective sample of routes and does not provide a representative picture of BR's performance. Nevertheless, passengers have a right to expect accurate travel information and it has been recognised for some time that the present arrangements need improvement. A national train information system is being developed for the new railway, and rail privatisation, by introducing sector energy and know-how, should help address the shortcomings of the current systems.Operators are already required to provided impartial and comprehensive information about rail fares.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with the MV Derbyshire family association regarding the proposed inquiry into the loss of the MV Derbyshire; and if he will make a statement. [9582]

We are currently consulting the Derbyshire family association on the arrangements for the return expedition to the wreck of the Derbyshire. We will take account of its views in defining the objectives and priorities of the expedition to ensure that this final re-examination is meticulously planned in the hope that we can gather as much information as possible about the cause of the loss, with resulting benefits to ship safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instruct Railtrack to seek advice from Austrian Railways on maintaining services in adverse weather conditions. [9826]

No. Railtrack maintains the infrastructure for which it is responsible in accordance with its contractual obligations to train operators and to rigorous safety standards which are overseen by the Health and Safety Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reduce road tax evasion. [9894]

A number of initiatives are planned. A scheme to wheel clamp vehicles for excise duty offences will be introduced in London shortly. Measures to improve the quality of the national vehicle record to make it more difficult for motorists to drop out of the licensing system are being developed. Use of camera technology to automate the detection of offence is also being taken forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the procedures for road tax evasion reporting by police and traffic wardens. [9895]

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency receives more than 1.5 million excise offence reports annually for enforcement action from the police and traffic wardens and other sources.The recent study by the National Audit Office on vehicle excise duty on evasion and enforcement reported that some offence reports received were of poor quality and could not be successfully pursued. The exact number of these is unclear since precise figures are not available and other categories of cases not pursued are included in the calculation. If further work identifies this as an area of concern, it will be taken up with those who provide the agency with offence reports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to support the confiscation of unregistered and unlicensed HGVs. [9830]

Powers to wheel clamp and impound all types of unlicensed vehicles parked on the public road will be introduced shortly. A pilot wheel clamping scheme starting in London in February will enable us to assess the effectiveness of these powers in combating vehicle excise duty evasion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to strengthen the enforcement of the maximum driving hours laws on foreign HGV drivers. [9831]

The European directive which lays down minimum targets for drivers' hours checks requires that roadside checks must be carried out without discriminating as to nationality. The UK exceeds the requirements for checks on drivers' hours. Funding for investigative work on all aspects of enforcement was increased this financial year by £350,000 and a significant proportion of this additional funding will be spent on drivers' hours checking and enforcement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to make it a statutory offence to park within the road markings outside school gates. [9829]

We have no plans to change the existing legislation, which provides for markings outside school entrances to be either advisory or enforceable. It is the responsibility of individual traffic authorities to decide what is appropriate in the light of local circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sums have been invested by the Government under the Railways Act section 36 freight facilities grants system since 1993; and if he will make a statement. [9897]

The sum of £415,000 in November 1993 to the Huntsman Chemical Company Ltd. These environmental grants are awarded under section 140 of the Railways Act 1993 to help defray the capital costs of inland waterway freight facilities. In this instance, grant will enable the company to carry styrene monomer by water from Baglan bay, south Wales to its processing plant at Carrington near Manchester for the next 10 years, thereby removing some 6,000 lorry journeys a year from the roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how long on average those waiting to take a driving test have to wait in Portsmouth. [9919]

Waiting times at Portsmouth are currently six weeks for car tests and two weeks for motorcycle tests—both well within our service standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assurances were offered by Her Majesty's Government in respect of the funding of the channel tunnel. [10115]

I am not aware that any assurances have been offered by the UK Government. From the start it was always envisaged that the channel tunnel would be an entirely private sector project, and that the concessionaires would have no recourse to Government funds or guarantees of a financial or commercial nature. That remains the position.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Eurotunnel in respect of the refinancing of the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement. [10113]

My right hon. Friend has received representations from Eurotunnel on a number of issues, including the company's current financial difficulties. It has been made clear to the company that any financial restructuring of Eurotunnel is a matter for the company to resolve in discussion with its bankers, and without Government intervention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he intends to proceed with the Highways Agency proposals for new agency arrangements for the management and maintenance of the motorway and trunk road network which were the subject of consultation last year. [10663]

We intend to proceed on the lines proposed in the consultation. In general, we aim to establish new agencies whose size and coverage will be based on considerations of effective management and to enlarge competition by involving the public and private sectors with both tendering against a single common agreement. We are re-examining the proposed areas and timing of implementation in the light of the decision to increase the number of design, build, finance and operate schemes announced on 29 November. We have already announced our decision on the way forward in London. It was stated in the consultation document that we would continue putting in place new agency agreements for April 1996 where current agents were ceasing to exist, as in Avon and Humberside, or current private sector agencies were due for retendering, such as the term contracts in south and west London and consultancies for the midland links and Greater Manchester agencies. These are all proceeding to plan.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many mobile telephones have been supplied to his Department in each of the last eight years; and in each year how many different suppliers were involved. [9127]

Headquarters—and associated officers—currently have 61 live contracts for mobile telephones with British Telecom, Cellcom and Talkland.The telephones were supplied in each of the following years as follows:

	Supplier	Number
April 1990 to April 1991	British Telecom	3
	Cellcom	5
April 1991 to April 1992	Cellcom	3
April 1992 to April 1993	British Telecom	6
	Cellcom	9
April 1993 to April 1994	Talkland	11
	British Telecom	4
April 1994 to April 1995	Talkland	1
	Cellcom	1
Since April 1995	Talkland	10
	Carphone Warehouse	8
	Dictating Machine Co. Ltd	8

Information prior to 1990 is unavailable.I have asked the chief executives of the Court Service and the Public Trust Office to reply separately.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to extend section 123 of the Land Registration Act 1925 to conveyances which do not accompany a transfer of the beneficial interest in the land; and if he will make a statement. [9107]

A joint working group comprising representatives of the Law Commission, Land Registry and Lord Chancellor's Department has recommended that section 123 of the Land Registration Act 1925 should be extended to cover assents, vesting deeds, conveyances by way of gift, conveyances pursuant to a court order and first legal mortgages, and that there should be a power to extend to other dispositions after appropriate consultation. That recommendation, together with others in the working groups's report, published as Law Corn. 235, has been accepted by the Government and legislation to give effect to the recommendations will be introduced as soon as there is a suitable opportunity.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action heads of his Department's executive agencies are taking to safeguard the provision of pre-retirement courses in the event of such agencies seeking to make economies; and if he will make a statement. [9143]

The Lord Chancellor has responsibility for four agencies: The Court Service, HM Land Registry, The Public Record Office and The Public Trust Office. As the question concerns a specific operational matter, the chief executives of the Land Registry, the Public Record Office and the Public Trust Office have been asked to reply direct. This answer is, however, given on behalf of the Court Service as the Lord Chancellor's Department welfare service provides pre-retirement courses for the Court Service. Courses are provided to meet demand and there are no plans to discontinue this practice.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information and advice has been given to persons likely to be affected by self-assessment; and what is expected to be given before the tax forms are sent out. [8315]

A substantial programme of publicity and education for those taxpayers who will be affected by self-assessment is under way. A major publicity programme aimed directly at the 9 million who get tax returns, using TV and national press, was launched in June 1995 with a second phase in the autumn. Further phases are planned until well after self-assessment has been introduced.The Inland Revenue recognises that self-assessment will also affect agents and employers. A major initiative has been undertaken to provide them with the information they need. Information packs were sent to 85,000 agents and 1.15 million employers last summer, which have included invitations to seminars provided by local tax offices. Over 50,000 people have attended seminars so far. Further mailshots and seminars are planned for this three-year education programme.An insert on self-assessment will accompany the tax return that people receive in April 1996—the last of the old-style forms. This will explain what the new system will mean for them and what steps they should take to prepare for it.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates of compliance costs for employers have been made concerning tax self-assessment in each of the last three years. [8316]

A single compliance cost assessment has been made to cover the overall impact of self-assessment, on employers and others, for example, the self-employed. This was published on 28 November 1994 and a copy is available in the House Library. It shows that there will be recurrent costs for employers who provide benefits to their employees—currently about a third of all employers—estimated at £20 to £30 million a year. This extra work has been kept to a minimum following extensive consultation. Those employers who are self-employed will find this to be at least partially offset by the net recurrent savings to self-employed people. The net savings to business after taking account of these and other costs are estimated at between £125 and £250 million a year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response he has made to representations from the Institute of Taxation in respect of the impact of tax self-assessment; and when he responded to the institute. [8318]

Representatives of the Chartered Institute of Taxation sit on, and play a full part in, the Self Assessment Consultative Committee. This was set up as a forum for the Inland Revenue to meet representatives of business and the professions to discuss issues relevant to self assessment. Reports are made to Ministers on major issues arising from such discussions, and Treasury Ministers have met the committee on a number of occasions.The CIOT submitted its budget representations on 29 June 1995, and aspects of these, including self-assessment, were discussed at a meeting with the Deputy Chairman of the Inland Revenue on 7 July. Further meetings both by Ministers and the Inland Revenue have since been held at which CIOT representations on self-assessment have been discussed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate of the overall impact on business of the introduction of tax self-assessment, disaggregated into (a) estimated extra costs and (b) estimated savings. [8210]

[holding answer 11 January 1996]: Self-assessment is a major modernisation of the system of tax administration which will provide a permanent reduction for taxpayers in the costs of complying with their obligations. The changes will particularly benefit self-employed people. A compliance cost assessment detailing the estimates leading to this conclusion was published on 28 November 1994. A copy is available in the House Library.It contains the following summary figures:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax inspectors have been employed by the Inland Revenue in each of the last five years. [8312]

Excluding staff employed on central administration, in other supportive roles and those in certain specialist offices, the table sets out the number of tax inspectors employed at the end of each of the last five years in December, for the current year:

Inspectors

• 1991–92: 6,737
• 1992–93: 6,808
• 1993–94: 6,582
• 1994–95: 6,423
• 1995–96: 6,202

The number of tax inspectors deployed on investigation work has remained broadly constant.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he has taken in the drafting of the current Finance Bill to ensure its complexities do not inhibit those seeking to understand the rules for the purposes of self-assessment of tax. [8320]

Reducing complexity in the run-up to self-assessment was an important factor in deciding which measures formed part of this year's Finance Bill. Those working on the drafting of the Bill have certainly avoided where they can add to the complexity of the tax system. Indeed where possible the opportunity has been taken to simplify the rules, to make it easier for taxpayers. An example is in clause 138 on the abolition of relief for class 4 national insurance contributions.The most effective way to help people understand their obligations under self-assessment is through the Inland Revenue's extensive education and public information campaign which is currently under way, through clear and informative guidance and leaflets, and through proper support and assistance available through tax offices and tax inquiry centres.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in the areas covered by the Peterlee and Seaham area offices are estimated to be economically inactive. [9499]

The information available, from the Labour Force Survey, shows that in Durham, the county covering the Peterlee and Seaham area offices, there were 194,000 economically inactive people in summer, June to August, 1995.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual total tax collected from, and on account of, Wales by way of duty on petrol and diesel fuels; and what proportion this represents of the total such duty raised in the same year for the United Kingdom. [9310]

It is estimated that in 1994–95 around £600 million was raised from petrol, diesel and other hydrocarbon oils duties in Wales, accounting for approximately 4 per cent. of the United Kingdom total.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the levels of domestic credit for each year since 1966. [9782]

Statistics covering M4 and its counterparts—including bank and building society lending—are published by the Bank of England in "Monetary Statistics"; a longer run of data is contained in the Bank of England "Statistical Abstract", part 2.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed in the arts and related cultural activities; and what changes in these figures have occurred in each year since 1993–94 in (a) these fields and (b) overall; and if she will make a statement. [9701]

Latest available information is held in table 1.4 of the January 1996 edition of "Labour Market Trends", copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rate of return in United Kingdom manufacturing industry in 1994 as a percentage of the rate on other commercial and industrial enterprises less North sea oil. [9787]

Information on rates of return by industrial and commercial companies are published in the CSO "First Release (95)136—Profitability of UK Companies". This is available from the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance he intends to issue to (a) departments, (b) executive agencies, (c) non-departmental public bodies and (d) outside bodies at arm's-length organisations which he has responsibility for, or an interest in, regarding the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [9222]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People on 16 January 1996, Official Report, column 417.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reports the Bank of England has received from its representative in the Cayman Islands about losses suffered by local subsidiaries of the company Newarthill; what action the bank has taken in respect of these; and if he will make a statement. [7805]

[holding answer 11 January 1996]: None. The Bank of England has no representative in the Cayman Islands. Neither Newarthill plc nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to Bank of England supervision.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the powers to make statutory instruments exercisable by the Chancellor of the Exchequer under primary legislation enacted since 1979 are subject to (a) the negative and (b) the affirmative resolution procedure. [9588]

[holding answer 16 January 1996]: No primary legislation enacted since 1979 has empowered the Chancellor of the Exchequer as such to make statutory instruments. Information concerning the procedure applicable to the power to make instruments given to HM Treasury, HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue by primary legislation enacted since 1979 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all tiger products seized in 1995 by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. [8909]

[holding answer 17 January 1996]: HM Customs and Excise have yet to finalise their statistics for 1995. I can say, however, that in the first three quarters of the year to 30 September 1995 the following tiger products were seized as having been imported in breach of convention on international trade in endangered species requirements:

• 1 bottle of tiger bone pills
• 1 bottle of tiger bone tincture
• 10 packets of tiger bone pills
• 10 packets of tiger bone plasters
• 5 bottles of tiger liniment
• 5 sheets of musk and tiger bone plasters.

	Principal expenditure £ million	Significant expenditure £ million	Emergency aid £ million	Total £ million	Share of total PIMS marked expenditure2 Percentage
1990–91	n/a	n/a	60.2	n/a	n/a
1991–92	30.3	51.1	138.5	219.9	30
1992–93	30.8	54.3	142.8	227.9	30
1993–94	51.2	39.4	179.6	270.2	33
1994–95	51.8	65.0	208.9	325.7	39
1 Details of PIMS are available in the 1995 edition of "British Aid Statistics", a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
2Including emergency aid.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum of Iraqi assets held frozen by United Kingdom banks; and what interest has accrued since the order freezing them. [9568]

[holding answer 17 January 1996]: The Bank of England advises that the value of Iraqi assets frozen in the United Kingdom was *769,000,000 as at 30 September 1995. This figure includes private as well as Iraqi Government assets. No figures are available for interest which has accrued, since banks are not required to and do not report them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much and what percentage of official United Kingdom aid was spent on (a) basic needs and (b) direct poverty reduction between 1990 and the latest year for which figures are available. [9115]

(a) The following table gives the requested breakdown of bilateral ODA programme expenditure on basic needs' both including and excluding bilateral emergency aid.

	Including emergency aid		Excluding emergency aid
	£ million	Share of total bilateral aid Percentage	£ million	Share of total bilateral aid2 Percentage
1990–91	133.9	12.8	73.8	7.5
1991–92	218.5	20.3	80.1	8.6
1992–93	230.3	20.5	87.5	8.9
1993–94	279.1	24.2	99.5	10.2
1994–95	303.3	27.1	94.4	10.4
1 Comprises basic education, primary health care, mother/child health, family planning, nutrition, water and sanitation, and block grants to NGOs.
2 Total bilateral aid excluding emergency aid.

Expenditure on UK aid for direct poverty reduction can be identified only for that part of ODA expenditure which is covered by the ODA policy information marker system

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much overseas aid has been granted by Her Majesty's Government to Dominica in each year since 1990; and how much will be awarded in 1996. [9321]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 16 January 1996, Official Report, column 507 regarding past aid disbursements to Dominica.The aid figure for 1995–96 is not yet known. It is likely to be somewhat higher than in 1994–95 but will depend on how quickly the problem of Dominica's repayment arrears is resolved, and our capital aid programme resumed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the financial years since 1986 in which assistance under the aid and trade provision has been paid in respect of projects involving the Biwater group of companies. [10171]

I refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the hon. Member on 17 February 1994, Official Report, column 937 and the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke) on 14 February 1994, Official Report, column 568. No new ATP commitments involving Biwaters have been entered into since 1988. Expenditure on previous ATP commitments ended in 1991–92.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidance he intends to issue to (a) Departments, (b) executive agencies,

	November 1995			December 1995
	Number visits	Number unsatisfactory visits	Percentage unsatisfactory	Number visits	Number unsatisfactory visits	Percentage unsatisfactory
Slaughterhouses	365	44	12	272	17	6
Hunt kennels and knackeries	234	38	19	193	14	7

Many of the failings found were of a comparatively mild nature, for example problems with staining SBOs or with record keeping. There were, however, some more serious cases, including incidents in which small pieces of spinal cord were left attached to carcases after dressing in slaughterhouses. Eight such instances were detected in November and two in December, the most recent on 14 December. There have been none so far in January 1996. A total of 21 instances in which spinal cord was left attached to carcases have now been detected since the SVS surveillance programme of slaughterhouses began in the summer.

I refer to the answer given by the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People, on 15 January 1996, Official Report, column 417. I shall ensure that my Department, and any bodies for which it is responsible, will be made aware of their responsibilities under the Act.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many litres of champagne were imported from France in each year since 1992. [10635]

Imports of champagne from France, as recorded in the overseas trade statistics, are as follows:

• 1992: 11
• 1993: 14
• 1994: 18
• 1995 to September: 9.
• Figures given in million litres.

The 1995 figures are provisional and may be subject to amendment.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the state veterinary service's surveillance of the handling of specified bovine offals in November and December 1995; and if he will make a statement. [10858]

The state veterinary service, SVS, continued to make unannounced visits to slaughterhouses, hunt kennels and knackeries in November and December 1995 to monitor their handling of specified bovine offals, SBOs. The results of these visits were:The results of similar surveillance visits to rendering and incineration plants handling SBOs will be announced shortly.I welcome these significant improvements in the handling of SBOs by slaughterhouses, hunt kennels and knackeries. I expect those that have attained a satisfactory level of performance to maintain the standards they are now achieving, and would expect that those plants which have failed to do so will work harder to ensure they do fully comply with the controls. The SVS will continue its unannounced surveillance visits to plants handling SBOs.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he expects beef to be taken into intervention in the United Kingdom this year. [9466]

[holding answer 17 January 1996]: No beef has been taken into intervention anywhere in the EU since November 1993. I do not expect any beef to be taken in 1996.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much beef was taken into intervention in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years. [9465]

[holding answer 17 January 1996]: The quantity of beef taken into intervention in the UK in each of the last 10 years was:

• 1986: 46,355 tonnes
• 1987: 44,322 tonnes
• 1988: 38,504 tonnes
• 1989: 6,967 tonnes
• 1990: 77,345 tonnes
• 1991: 95,939 tonnes
• 1992: 68,857 tonnes
• 1993: 16,650 tonnes
• 1994: Nil
• 1995: Nil.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to increase the contribution that set-aside land makes to butterfly and moth conservation. [9296]

[holding answer 17 January 1996]: The management rules for set-aside land, which have been drawn up in close consultation with environmental organisations, allow farmers considerable scope to manage their land in ways which safeguard the environment and provide benefits to wildlife. We offer free conservation advice to individual farmers on the management of set-aside, including ways of improving the habitat for butterflies and moths. We are currently sponsoring two Agricultural Development Advisory Service projects in which, among other things, the populations of butterflies on set-aside land are being studied. These projects aim to demonstrate how set-aside can be managed for the benefit of plants and wildlife, including butterflies and moths.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the powers to make statutory instruments exercisable by the Minister under primary legislation enacted since 1979 are subject to (a) the negative and (b) the affirmative resolution procedure. [9596]

[holding answer 16 January 1996]: This is a matter of public record and the Ministry does not hold statistics for this information. There are, however, affirmative resolution powers in part I of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1958, in the Agriculture Act 1986 and in the Agriculture Act 1993. Negative resolution powers are contained in those Acts of Parliament and in the Animal Health Act 1981, the Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984, the Food Safety Act 1990, the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, the Water Resources Act 1991, the Fisheries Act 1981 and the Environment Act 1995, the Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980, the Diseases of Fish Act 1983, the Fisheries Act 1981 and the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what procedures were used by his Department in awarding contracts for the supply of mobile and car phones to his Department and its executive agencies; and which companies were involved in tendering for these contracts. [9738]

[holding answer 17 January 1996]: The Ministry awarded a contract for the supply of mobile and car phones to supply both the department and its executive agencies through a sealed bid competitive tender exercise.The following companies were invited to tender for the Contract:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what agreements his Department and its executive agencies have with companies for the provision of mobile and car phones; and if he will list the companies having these contracts, the duration of the contracts, the number of phones covered by each agreement and the cost to the public funds of each agreement. [9737]

[holding answer 17 January 1996]: At present, the Ministry and its executive agencies have one agreement in place for the provision of mobile and car telephones.This is currently with Mercury Communications Ltd.The duration of the agreement is three years.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what costs his Department and executive agencies have incurred as a result of withdrawing from contracts under which mobile phones are provided; and if he will list the companies concerned. [9739]

[holding answer 17 January 1996]: From information held centrally, no costs have been incurred in withdrawing from contracts under which mobile phones are provided.

Selected member states of the European Union fishing fleets as at 31 December 1991
Age in years
	Not known	0.0–4.9	5.0–9.9	10.0–14.9	15.0–19.9	20.0–24.9	25.0 and over	Total
Number of vessels
United Kingdom	955	1,564	1,381	1,865	1,554	1,060	2,525	10,904
Netherlands	83	187	234	235	140	79	508	1,466
Spain	231	1,651	2,409	1,916	2,922	2,746	8,713	20,588
Denmark	180	105	303	416	686	323	1,712	3,725
GRT (000 tonnes)
United Kingdom	4	31	18	31	45	30	52	211
Netherlands	0	60	47	22	15	4	24	173
Spain	18	113	53	53	159	102	57	656
Denmark	0	1	19	6	30	16	45	118

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimate he has made of fish stocks, by species, which have been discarded dead at sea because of quota restrictions for each year since the advent of the common fisheries policy; and if he will make a statement; [8363]

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the age and efficiency of the British fishing fleet; how he proposes to modernise it; what comparative statistics he has in respect of the figures for the (a) Dutch, (b) Spanish and (c) Danish fleets; and if he will make a statement. [8371]

The table gives details of the ages of fishing vessels in the UK, Dutch, Spanish and Danish fleets as at the end of 1991, the latest year for which such comparative data are available.(2) what proposals he expects to put to his EU counterparts in the next three months for removing the need for fishermen to discard above quota fish at sea; and if he will make a statement. [8392]

No such estimates exist within the Ministry but there is a clear need to reduce the number of discards. This will be one of the issues discussed by the fisheries conservation group which I am setting up, and I hope to be able to put proposals to the European Commission in April.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to abolish the quota system for fisheries management and replace it with technical measures to assist conservation; and if he will make a statement. [8394]

Quotas and technical conservation measures are both intended to protect fish stocks and to safeguard the future livelihoods of fishermen. The two approaches are complementary and I have no plans to advocate one of them to the exclusion of the other. However, I am setting up a fisheries conservation group to consider whether more can be achieved by technical conservation measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the findings of the Policy Studies Institute report entitled, "Nursing in a Multi-ethnic NHS"; what plans he has to implement its recommendations; and if he will make a statement. [9039]

The national health service is strongly committed to equal opportunities and funds a number of innovative schemes which support the practice as well as the principle of equal opportunity.A series of regional conferences has been organised to encourage NHS employers to share good practice and promote positive action for ethnic minority staff as a result of the findings of the Policy Studies Institute report.The report showed that ethnic minorities are better represented within the NHS nursing and midwifery work force than in the population as a whole, but nevertheless suggested areas where improvements might be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to ensure that carers are represented on the health boards and health councils which he is responsible for appointing; and if he will make a statement; [9360](2) what plans he has to ensure that disabled people are represented on the health boards and health councils which he is responsible for appointing; and if he will make a statement. [9362]

People representing all sections and interests of the community are encouraged, through open advertisement, to apply for non-executive appointment to national health service trusts and health authorities and to become members of community health councils. An equal opportunities policy in the selection process is adopted for all appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give details of the circumstances in which Mrs. Daphne Banks was mistakenly pronounced dead on 5 January 1996. [9323]

This is a matter for Cambridge and Huntingdon health commission. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mrs. Margaret Scott, chairman of the commission, for details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into (a) the incidence of multiple sclerosis and (b) the incidence of clusters of multiple sclerosis, with particular reference to West Craven. [9692]

The Government are funding research designed to investigate the causes of multiple sclerosis and the effectiveness of new treatments. My Department has no current proposals for research in the areas suggested. However, the main agency through which the Government supports biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade. The MRC is always willing to consider high quality research proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the procedures for the protection of the interests of (i) the patient, (ii) the general practitioner concerned and (iii) the public in cases where a general practitioner seeks to remove a patient from their NHS list. [9838]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Castle Point (Dr. Spink) on 18 October 1995, Official Report, column 355.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to grant legal status to living wills; and if he will make a statement. [9197]

Advance statements—living wills—are already legally binding under common law, if clearly established and applicable in the circumstances.The Law Commission, in its report on mental incapacity, made recommendations for legislation in a number of areas including advance statements. My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor announced on 16 January that there is to be a public consultation on the proposals in due course.We remain wholly opposed to the legalisation of euthanasia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue guidance to social services departments on child care following the House of Lords judgment in the H (minors) (child abuse threshold conditions) case. [9930]

The implications of the judgment are being considered, but preliminary indications are that existing guidance on good practice is not affected by the judgment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning annually resulting in deaths and injury are (a) in rented property and (b) in owner-occupied property. [9707]

I have been asked to reply.Statistics are not available on the relative numbers of cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in rented property and in owner-occupier property. The risk of CO poisoning owing to faulty heating appliances is equally likely with any heating appliance which is not properly installed or maintained, and there are reported fatalities and injuries in the press of incidents in both types of accommodation.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the recent petition presented to 10 Downing street by Liverpool dockworkers' wives. [10250]

The abolition of the dock labour scheme has enabled United Kingdom ports to take full advantage of the commercial opportunities available to them. The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company has grasped these opportunities to make the port of Liverpool one of the most successful ports in the country. Supporting this unofficial action would serve only to threaten the growing success of the port of Liverpool.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had since 1 December 1995 with the United States Government about making approaches to Libya, with a view to ending the imposition of sanctions. [8169]

None, although we remain in close contact with the United States on this issue. Libya knows what it has to do to secure the lifting of sanctions.

To ask the Prime Minister what is the total cost of salaries since 1992 paid to persons both in the Prime Ministers' Office and in the Cabinet Office employed on a part-time or full-time basis in any connection in relation to the Scott inquiry. [10219]

There are no officials employed on Scott inquiry related matters on a full-time or part-time basis within the Prime Minister's Office. The direct salary cost of officials within the Cabinet Office wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry from December 1992 to December 1995 is approximately £486,000. Other officials within the Prime Minister's Office and the Cabinet Office are inevitably involved from time to time; their direct salary cost is unquantifiable.

To ask the Prime Minister if he has (a) read or received and (b) authorised civil servants, Ministers or any other persons to collate or receive copies of draft sections of Sir Richard Scott's report circulated by Sir Richard Scott to Government Ministers, civil servants and other persons. [10221]

The handling of extracts of Sir Richard Scott's draft report, subject to guidance received from the inquiry, is for those to whom they are sent. The Government do not disclose details of correspondence between the inquiry and individual witnesses.

To ask the Prime Minister if (a) staff employed by the Cabinet Office on a part-time or full-time basis and (b) David Gould, during his period of employment in the civil service have read, collated or received copies of draft sections of Sir Richard Scott's report circulated to Government Ministers, civil servants and other persons. [10220]

The question of whether Cabinet Office staff should see extracts of Sir Richard Scott's draft report is at the discretion of those to whom the inquiry has sent them.

To ask the Prime Minister what assurances were given by his predecessor regarding the financing of the channel tunnel; and what information he has about assurances offered by the French Government. [10116]

I am not aware that any assurances were given by my predecessor or by the French Government. From the start it was always envisaged that the channel tunnel would be an entirely private sector project, and that the concessionaires would have no recourse to Government funds or guarantees of a financial or commercial nature. That remains the position of both Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to publish as a Command Paper the current treaty provisions and inter-institutional agreements governing the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union. [9839]

A Command Paper containing the current provisions of the European Community treaty and the treaty on European Union is in preparation and will be published shortly.Inter-institutional agreements are published in the

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the items from endangered species seized by the Hong Kong authorities in each of the last three years. [8764]

In the last three years, most of the seizures involved (a) tourists arriving in Hong Kong or residents returning from neighbouring countries bringing stuffed specimens, tonic cuisine, pets and controlled medicines; and (b) local shops offering for sale medicines claimed to contain rhino or tiger ingredients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the cost of ceremonial dress for Her Majesty's representatives abroad in (a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1995–96 to date; and which countries were involved. [8767]

Diplomatic uniform is provided to HM representatives where required by local custom and tradition.Expenditure on diplomatic uniform in the years specified was as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what items of ceremonial dress are required for Her Majesty's representative at the Holy See; and what are the itemised costs. [9176]

Local custom requires HM representatives to the Holy See to wear full diplomatic uniform on frequent occasions.At present, HM ambassador to the Holy See is a woman and is not required to wear uniform. Accordingly, current costs for this uniform are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total cost of salaries since 1992 paid to persons in his Department employed on a part-time or full-time basis in any connection whatsoever in relation to the Scott inquiry. [10214]

The direct salary cost of officials within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry since 1992 is approximately £197,627.00. Other officials will inevitably be involved from time to time; their direct salary cost is unquantifiable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has (a) read, collated or received and (b) authorised civil servants or any other persons to read, collate or receive copies of draft sections of Sir Richard Scott's report circulated by Sir Richard Scott to Government Ministers, civil servants and other persons. [10216]

The handling of extracts of Sir Richard's draft report, subject to the wishes of the inquiry, is at the discretion of those to whom they are sent. The Government do not disclose details of correspondence between the inquiry and individual witnesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of the spending by his Department on external advice in relation to the Scott inquiry; and how much has been spent on legal advice and for whom. [10215]

The amount so far spent by my Department on external advice in relation to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry is £318,165.46. The names of the individuals and their legal advisers are confidential to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an itemised breakdown of the costs relating to the marshal of the diplomatic corps in 1994–95. [8910]

[holding answer 17 January 1996]: These costs are shared between the FCO and Buckingham palace. The costs of the marshal, his staff and office borne by the FCO in 1994–95 were:

	£
Salaries, national insurance contributions	51,110.00
Transport, travel and entertainment	14,148.13
Office equipment, supplies and sundries	4,731.22
Total	69,989.35

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance he intends to issue to (a) departments, (b) executive agencies, (c) non-departmental public bodies and (d) outside bodies and arm's-length organisations which he has responsibility for, or an interest in, regarding the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [9220]

[holding answer 17 January 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Social Security and Disabled people on Monday 15 January, Official Report, column 417.I will ensure that this Department and any bodies for which it is responsible will be made aware of their responsibilities under the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the number and percentage of four-year-olds in (a) maintained nursery schools and nursery classes, (b) reception classes in primary schools, (c) private or voluntary sector provision and (c) pre-school provision overall. [9059]

The following table shows the breakdown between schools for four-year-olds born between I January 1990 and 31 August 1990. It excludes both those children who were three years old on 31 August 1994 but who were four years old on 1 January 1995, and those who were four years old on the 31 August 1994 but who were five years old on 1 January 1995—the rising fives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance she intends to issue to (a) Departments, (b) executive agencies, (c) non-departmental public bodies and (d) outside bodies and arm's-length organisations which she has responsibility for, or an interest in, regarding the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if she will make a statement. [9232]

A brief guide to the Disability Discrimination Act was issued in November 1995 and further information material on the provisions of the Act will follow. We are currently consulting on a draft code of practice relating to the employment provisions in the Act and statutory guidance related to the definition of disability. Consultation on proposals for regulations under the education, employment and definition provisions of the Act is also currently underway.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security will be asking the National Disability Council, when it first meets, to produce and consult on a code of practice relating to the rights of access to goods and services. At the same time he will consult on associated regulations. All these items will be published in plenty of time to allow those with duties under the Act to prepare themselves for the introduction of the new rights. I shall ensure that the Department and any bodies for which it is responsible will be made aware of their responsibilities under the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures are in place to ensure that the inaccessibility of school transport is not a restricting factor in integrating disabled children into mainstream schools; and if he will make a statement. [9258]

Parents of a child with a statement of special educational needs have a right to express a preference for any maintained school, mainstream or special; the local education authority must comply with that preference subject to certain conditions. One of these is that placement at the school would be compatible with the efficient use of resources, which could in some cases include the cost of transport.The Government have recently introduced the school access initiative, which should mean that parents of disabled children have a wider choice of accessible mainstream schools. The initiative will help to reduce the need for long home-to-school journeys since one of the key criteria for demonstrating eligibility for funding is the reduction in disabled pupils' travelling times.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sums have been spent, by grade, on staff costs for the jobseeker's allowance project in Lytham St. Annes. [9788]

The grade of staff undertaking work on the jobseeker's allowance project at Lytham St. Annes has varied depending on the work in hand. It would therefore involve disproportionate costs to provide the detailed information requested.Around 110 staff from the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service between the grades of grade 6 to administrative assistant—or agency grade equivalents—have been involved at any one time. The salary costs since October 1994 have been £2,063,871.There is also a contract with Information Technology Services Agency for work mainly on the JSA computer system. Staffing levels fluctuate, but about 135 people are involved. It is not possible to give the salary cost of ITSA staff since the departmental information technology/information systems financial regime means that salaries make up only part of the total paid to ITSA and are not identified separately.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the level of graduate unemployment in each of the last five years. [9599]

Information on the level of unemployment amongst newly qualified graduates and among all graduates in the labour force is given in the following table:

Unemployment rates for newly qualified graduates (Great Britain)
Year of qualification	Percentage unemployed six months after graduation
1990	8
1991	12
1992	13
1993	12
1994	10

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will estimate the cost to the Education Service of the five non-teaching days for which teachers are contracted. [9923]

Full-time teachers are employed throughout the year, although their conditions of employment provide that they must be available for work for 195 days in any school year, of which 190 days shall be days on which they may be required to teach pupils. Consequently there is no specific cost associated with the five non-teaching days.

Expenditure on education and latest pupil numbers
	(A)	(B)		(C)	(D)
	Pupil numbers	Education standard spending assessment		Education budget	Delegated schools budget
LEAs	(January 1995)	1995–96 £ million	1996–97 (provisional) £ million	1995–96 £ million	1995–96 £ million
Corporation of London	212	0.8	0.8	2.9	0.7
Camden	19,546	78.8	78.3	79.4	47.1
Greenwich	35,025	114.3	113.9	112	81.9
Hackney	25,184	92.8	92.1	101	56
Hammersmith and Fulham	14,655	57.2	56	62.5	34.9
Islington	23,675	80.4	81.1	82.7	56.6
Kensington and Chelsea	8,603	37.3	34.2	45.8	23.8
Lambeth	19,839	102.1	100.8	105.9	50.4
Lewisham	31,225	108	109	109.6	69.8
Southwark	27,686	109.9	108.8	109.1	60.6
Tower Hamlets	34,046	120.2	122.8	125.7	77.4
Wandsworth	19,683	88.7	86.3	91.4	46.8
City of Westminster	17,013	59.9	58.1	68.9	40.5
Barking	26,354	65.7	69.9	72.3	52.4
Barnet	32,349	113.7	116.7	120.5	64
Bexley	30,891	84.5	88.7	80	52.6
Brent	22,949	106.3	109	95.5	42.9
Bromley	27,055	99.6	103.8	108.1	42.7
Croydon	34,374	114.3	118.4	119.6	66.6
Ealing	31,653	108.9	112.2	109.2	61.9
Enfield	36,459	112.2	117.8	113.2	68.6
Haringey	29,737	89.1	93.4	96.9	63.5
Harrow	27,152	70.4	73	76.8	55.7
Havering	31,355	84.1	87.2	85.8	58.4
Hillingdon	19,190	88.9	93.8	87.2	37.4
Hounslow	31,752	90.2	94.8	89.4	63.2
Kingston upon Thames	15,360	45.9	47.1	47.3	28.1
Merton	21,398	56.3	58.1	56.4	41.9
Newham	40,598	123.8	130.4	115.2	74.9
Redbridge	34,137	94.2	98.3	95.8	67.2
Richmond upon Thames	18,427	44.3	45.9	48	37.6
Sutton	17,388	64.5	67.8	65.4	32.5
Waltham Forest	29,695	94.1	97.4	94.4	62.3
Birmingham	158,041	427.2	448.7	456.4	301.7
Coventry	49,334	115.7	119.9	130.3	94.5
Dudley	42,496	98.9	104.2	107.6	71.5
Sandwell	48,668	113.8	118.1	120.7	85.1