To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of new regulations for drivers of heavy goods vehicles on the work prospects of drivers who wear spectacles; and if he will make a statement. [12913]

We estimate that some 3,000 drivers will be unable to renew their entitlement to drive large goods and passenger-carrying vehicles when the new eyesight regulations are introduced. It is not possible to estimate how many of these will lose their job or how many will find some other work with their present employer. The work prospects of those who wish to take up the driving of these vehicles will not be affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to improve bus-to-rail connections. [13107]

The Government recognise the importance of ease of interchange for people using both buses and trains. By maximising private sector involvement, through our policies of privatisation and deregulations, we expect to see connections improve as bus and rail operators respond innovatively to passenger demand and seek to generate custom. The winning franchisee for South West Trains has committed itself to introducing a number of dedicated bus links to SWT stations. In the publication PPG 13: "A guide to better practice", which we published last October, we stressed the need for local authorities to consider both the location and the attractiveness of bus to rail and bus to bus interchanges when developing their transport strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport from which railway stations rail services have been withdrawn in 1995. [13133]

Passenger rail services were withdrawn from five stations during 1995—Attercliffe Road and Brightside in South Yorkshire and Godley East, Miles Platting and Park in Greater Manchester. The services at these stations immediately before closure were nine trains per week day for Attercliffe Road and four for Brightside; one train a week at Godley East, five trains per week day at Miles Platting, and three per weekday at Park. All were very lightly used.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many rolling road brake testing machines there have been in operation within the Vehicle Inspectorate in each of the last five years; [13234](2) if he will list the targets set out for the Vehicle Inspectorate regarding traffic and vehicle reinforcement for each of the last 10 years; [13242](3) if he will list the number of immediate and delayed prohibitions imposed by the Vehicle Inspectorate on heavy goods vehicles for each year from 1984 to 1994; [13282](4) how many inspections have been undertaken by his Department on tankers contracted by Yorkshire Water in the Yorkshire area; and how many were found to be defective; [13239](5) how many traffic examiners and vehicles examiners have been employed as a result of the extra £350,000 invested in the Vehicle Inspectorate in the last year; [13241](6) if he will list the procedures that have to be followed by officers from the Vehicle Inspectorate and the police following an accident involving heavy goods and passenger carrying vehicles. [13233](7) if he will list the number of

I have asked the chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate executive agency to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what qualifications are required by personnel who carry out the maintenance of brakes and other safety critical parts on heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles. [13237]

Responsibility lies with goods and passenger vehicle operators to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy; there is no legal obligation for maintenance personnel to hold a relevant qualification. However, when applying for a licence, operators make a formal declaration to the traffic commissioner that they will

"undertake to make proper arrangements so that motor vehicles and trailers, including hired vehicles and trailers, are kept fit and serviceable." Advice on how this should be achieved is set out in the "Guide for Maintaining Roadworthiness" which incorporates the procedures necessary to satisfy the requirements for traffic commissioners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals his Department has to investigate incidents of wheel loss involving heavy goods vehicles; and what funding his Department has made available to investigate this problem. [13240]

The Department of Trade and Industry contributed £35,000 to a study of wheel loss which resulted in a 1989 report by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers and led to a British Standard—BS AU 50: Part 2: Section 3:1994—and a British standard code practice—BSAU50 Part 2: Section 7a 1995. The code of practice is referred to in the Department's "Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness" for operators of heavy vehicles.An information leaflet, outlining various aspects of the problem and suggesting ways of overcoming some of the difficulties, was produced by the Department at the time of the IRTE report. We plan to update the leaflet to draw attention to the code of practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what controls his Department has put in place to prevent the sale of inferior brake pads and linings and other safety critical replacement parts for heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles. [13236]

None. However, discussions in Europe have resulted in a proposal for the control of replacement brake pads and linings which is expected to be incorporated in the braking directive 71/320/EEC. We shall consider taking advantage of these initiatives to introduce into the UK controls for replacement pads and linings. Decisions on the control of other replacement parts will continue to be taken on a case by case basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last five years the expenditure by the Vehicle Inspectorate and the traffic areas specifically on computerisation of enforcement intelligence. [13232]

The expenditure on computerisation of enforcement intelligence by the traffic areas is as follows:

• 1991–92: nil
• 1992–93: £131,000
• 1993–94: £46,000
• 1994–95: £10,200
• (1995–96: year to date £3,400).

The initial set-up cost of the Vehicle Inspectorate's enforcement roadworthiness database in 1991–92 was £379,000. Subsequent running costs are not identified separately from all other computer running costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many portable air brake testing machines are currently in use for the purpose of detecting air leaks in commercial vehicle breaking systems at roadside vehicle checks. [13235]

None

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines and advice he has issued to (a) manufacturers and (b) purchasers of buses about access for disabled people since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [13188]

The Department of Transport has set up working groups with both manufacturers and operators of buses to discuss the regulations that will be drawn up under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.We will also shortly be publishing the first in a series of information bulletins which will report the progress we are making in implementing the transport provisions of the Act. Bulletins will be circulated widely to manufacturers and operators, as well as to local authorities and to disability organisations. When regulations are made under part V of the Act we will issue separate detailed guidance to all those affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicle examiners and traffic examiners were employed by his Department in (a) 1989, (b) 1990 and (c) 1991. [13244]

The number of vehicle examiners and traffic examiners employed for 1989, 1990 and 1991 were:

	Vehicle examiners	Traffic examiners1
1989	480	213
1990	474	222
1991	477	204
1 Figures include traffic examiners, senior traffic examiners and enforcement managers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of vehicles weighing (a) 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes, (b) 7.5 to 17 tonnes and (c) more than 17 tonnes which were involved in crashes producing (i) fatalities, (ii) serious injuries and (iii) minor injuries in each of the last 10 years. [13238]

The information requested is shown in the following table.

Number of heavy goods vehicles1 involved in injury road accidents: by accident severity: Greater Britain: 1994
	Accident severity
	Fatal	Serious	Slight	All injury accident
All heavy goods vehicles involved	633	2,924	11,009	14,566
Of which, gross vehicle weight known1
3.5 to 7.5 tonnes	80	417	1,597	2,094
7.5 to 17 tonnes	65	406	1,551	2,022
More than 17 tonnes	411	1,571	5,353	7,335
Total known	556	2,394	8,501	11,451
1 Goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.
2 The police record heavy goods vehicles as such as on the STATS19 road accident report form.

However, the exact gross vehicle weight is only known for those cases where a link can be made with the vehicle details held by DVLA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many members of staff are employed by Railtrack to oversee safety on the railways; how many of these have been appointed within the last year; how many people employed in this capacity have left the employment of Railtrack in the last year; and if he will make a statement. [13218]

I understand that Railtrack's safety and standards directorate currently employs 103 permanent staff and 12 temporary staff. During the last 12 months, six staff in this capacity have been appointed and eight staff have left the employment of Railtrack.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the franchise agreements and related documents for the LTS Rail, Great Western Trains and South West Trains passenger rail franchise. [13589]

Copies of the franchise agreements for Great Western Trains and South West Trains have today been placed in the Library, together with the disabled, senior and young persons railcard schemes, the staff travel scheme, the ticketing and settlement agreement, the Association of Train Operating Companies' LRT scheme, the Travelcard agreement and the through-ticketing (non-travelcard) agreement. Certain provisions of these documents have been deleted in line with section 73 of the Railways Act 1993.The franchise agreement for the LTS rail franchise will be placed in the Library in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the eligible amounts for capital allowances on plant and machinery and on industrial building in respect of the qualifying assets transferred to Railtrack which will be transferred to the private sector. [13747]

The amounts of capital allowances allocated to Railtrack PLC in respect of property transferred to it from the British Railways Board on 30 March 1994 are as follows:

• in relation to plant and machinery: £521,536,242
• in relation to industrial buildings: £618,530,990

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's relations with the Dutch legal authorities in relation to international trials in The Hague. [12000]

No. if the hon. Gentleman is referring to the Libyan proposal to hold in The Hague the trial of those accused of the Lockerbie bombing, we have made clear to the Dutch and other Governments our view on holding the trial in a third country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department circulates country-specific lists of prisoners of conscience to other Departments whose Ministers are about to undertake visits aborad; if he encourages Ministers from outside his Department to raise such cases on visits; and if he will make a statement. [13221]

We frequently raise cases of individual political prisoners with our Governments. When a reliable, country-specific list is available, and is likely to be an effective means of alerting another Government to our concerns, Ministers from other Departments due to visit the country in question may be briefed accordingly and encouraged to make use of it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was Britain's contribution to UNICEF in each of the last five years, at constant prices; and what is the planned contribution for 1996–97. [12578]

The information is as follows:

£ million
	Core contribution at cash prices	Core contribution at constant 1995–96 prices
1991–92	9.00	10.09
1992–93	9.50	10.23
1993–94	9.50	9.94
1994–95	8.50	8.73
1995–96	8.50	8.50

We plan to contribute £8.5 million to UNICEF's core budget in 1996–97.In addition to its annual core contribution, the ODA also makes ad hoc contributions to UNICEF's supplementary and emergency activities. These figures are as follows:

£ million
	Contribution at cash prices	Contribution at constant 1995–96 prices
1991–92	4.75	5.33
1992–93	4.50	4.85
1993–94	13.60	14.23
1994–95	17.10	17.57

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the percentage of information on the Inland Revenue's Corporation's tax pay and file system which (a) is unreliable, (b) is inaccurate, (c) is not updated and (d) omits interest charges. [11121]

The Inland Revenue continually assesses the performance of the CT pay and file system. There are no significant problems with the reliability and accuracy of the information which the system handles.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of market research undertaken on the name of the new office for national statistics; what were the options considered for the name of this agency; what market research was undertaken; if he will publish the results of this market research; and if he will make a statement; [11629](2) what is his estimate of the expenditure by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies on market research associated with the renaming of the combined Office of Population Censuses and Surveys and the Central Statistical Office; and if he will make a statement. [13172]

I have asked the director of the Central Statistical Office to write to the hon. Member and will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage year on year change in real personal disposable income in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) the United States of America, and (e) Japan since 1979. [11936]

UK figures can be found in table 4.1 of the UK national accounts. For the remaining countries, figures on a comparable basis are available in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development publication, "National Accounts", various issues. These publications are in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money in 1995 prices the nuclear industry has received from the Exchequer in grants, subsidies and debt write-offs in each year since 1966. [12470]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the sum that the proposed sale of British energy will raise for the Exchequer. [12473]

The proceeds of the British energy sale will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions at the time of the sale. The Government never release estimates of proceeds from forthcoming sales as such information would be market sensitive.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the sale of part of the Government's holding of privatized companies' debt. [14018]

The following bonds were offered for sale.

Issuer	Face value £ million	Coupon (Per cent.)	Maturity
National Grid	150	12.895	March 2001
Norweb	76	12.365	September 2008
Norweb	77	12.661	September 1999
SWEB	80	12.365	September 2008
Northern Electric	55	12.661	September 1999

I am pleased to report that the sale was successfully completed on 2 February. Three of the issuers, National Grid, Norweb and SWEB have purchased their bonds for early redemption. BZW has sold the Northern Electric bond on behalf of the Treasury.Payment will be made to the Exchequer on 9 February. The net proceeds from the sale will total £538 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual cost to his Department and his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies of their empty and under utilised properties for (a) 1979–80, (b) 1989–90, (c) 1991–92, (d) 1993–94, (e) 1994–95, (f) 1995–96 and (g) 1996–97. [11450]

[holding answer 30 January 1996]: The properties occupied by the Treasury, the Central Statistical Office, the Paymaster agency and the Valuation Office formed part of the Government's civil estate until 1990 and then the Government's common user estate. Information relating to the costs of holding CUE space vacant were given my hon. Friend Under-Secretary of State for the Environment on 31 January, columns 648–49.From 1 April 1996, Departments and their agencies assume responsibility for the CUE vacant space. The cost of such vacant space to the Treasury and the agencies responsible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer is estimated to be £574,000 for 1996–97. The Treasury is making every effort to dispose of the empty property as efficiently as possible.The Royal Mint is responsible for its own property. It has not incurred, and does not envisage incurring, any costs in respect of vacant space for the years in question.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on co-operation between the Inland Revenue, the Contributions Agency, and Customs and Excise since 19 September 1995. [12540]

[holding answer 1 February 1996]: Excellent progress continues to be made on co-operation between the Inland Revenue, the Contributions Agency and Customs and Excise. A number of measures have been implemented since 19 September 1995, including the successful launch of a telephone helpline pilot in Scotland for employers and VAT traders; a joint leaflet to help those setting up in business on their own; and new arrangements being piloted in the North of England to give new businesses a single form to register with all three departments. Peter Wyman—head of tax at Coopers and Lybrand and a member of the deregulation task force— has accepted an invitation to oversee work on joint working between the Inland Revenue and the Contributions Agency to bring in an external perspective. All three departments are continuing to work closely to identify other areas which will streamline their relationship with business.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage of people unemployed for (a) up three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months, (d) nine to 12 months, (e) one to two years, (f) two to three years, (g) three to four years, (h) four to five years and (i) five years and over who get a job in the following month. [13084]

[holding answer 1 February 1996]: The following table shows the percentage of claimants unemployed on 9 November 1995, in the UK, who left claimant unemployment in the following month for each unemployment duration band. No information is available on the destination of claimants who cease to claim unemployment-related benefit.

Percentage of UK Claimants Unemployed on 9 November 1995 who left the claimant count in the following month
Duration on 9 November 1995	Percentage in the following month (ie. before 14 December 1995)
Up to 3 months	17.8
Over 3 and up to 6 months	12.4
Over 6 and up to 9 months	11.8
Over 9 and up to 12 months	8.7
Over 1 and up to 2 years	9,5
Over 2 and up to 3 years	7.4
Over 3 and up to 4 years	4.7
Over 4 and up to 5 years	4.3
Over 5 years	2.7

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons, according to the latest available information, are employed under contract for (a) zero hours per week, (b) one to eight hours, (c) nine to 15 hours, (d) 16 to 24 hours, (e) 25 to 30 hours, (f) 31 to 40 hours, (g) 41 to 50 hours, (h) 51 to 60 hours, (i) 61 to 70 hours, (j) 71 to 80 hours and (k) more than 80 hours per week; and what percentage of the total work force each group represents. [13169]

[holding answer 31 January 1996]: The available information from the labour force survey is as follows:

Basic usual hours1 worked by employees in Great Britain (summer 1995, not seasonally adjusted)
Basic usual hours worked per week1	Number of employees (thousands)	As a percentage of all employees
0	n/a	n/a
1 to 8	968	4.4
9 to 15	1,394	6.3
16 to 24	2,095	9.5
25 to 30	1,355	6.1
31 to 40	13,154	59.7
41 to 50	2,069	9.4
51 to 60	571	2.6
61 to 70	159	0.7
71 to 80	69	0.3
more than 80	83	0.4
1 Hours usually worked in their main job, excluding meal breaks and overtime.
n/a not available, estimate below 10,000.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what definition his Department has of cyclical social security; and if he will indicate each category of person included with spending on each category in 1994–95, and a forecast of 1995–96,1996–97 and 1997–98. [13616]

I have been asked to reply.Cyclical social security is defined as unemployment benefit and income support paid to people of working age. From October 1996 it will cover jobseeker's allowance and income support to people of working age.The client group definition for cyclical social security is as follows:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much revenue he expects to be generated from the remaining sales of British Coal properties. [13258]

The disposal of its property is a matter for British Coal. It would not be appropriate to speculate on what the eventual proceeds might be.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what number and percentage of domestic electricity consumers will not receive the National Grid discount because they live in mobile homes; and if he will provide an age breakdown of the affected consumers. [13551]

My Department does not keep this information.The National Grid discount is being made by the regional electricity companies to their 21 million domestic customers.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to restrict the use of category 3 fireworks to those operating under licence from the local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [13491]

I have no plans to restrict the use of category 3 fireworks to organisers of fireworks displays. Category 3 covers a wide range of firework types, some of which are not suitable for use in small spaces. For this reason, category 3 fireworks are required to be clearly marked as "display" fireworks, carry instructions for use and indicate the safe distance for spectators. This allows people to make choices and purchase fireworks to suit their own circumstances.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average price for a kilowatt hour of electricity in each of the organisations for Economic Co-operation and Development countries; and if he will make a statement. [13738]

The information requested is given in the table and relates to the annual average prices for 1994. Data for all countries include any duties or taxes payable which are non-recoverable.

pence per kWh
	Industrial electricity	Domestic electricity
Austria	4.68	10.79
Belgium	3.84	11.44
Canada	2.47	3.90
Denmark	4.10	11.70
Finland	3.38	5.72
France	3.45	9.75
Germany	5.98	11.57
Ireland	3.97	8.00
Italy	6.11	10.27
Japan	11.25	16.19
Luxembourg	n/a	8.32
Mexico	2.73	4.49
Netherlands	3.71	7.48
New Zealand	2.34	4.36
Norway	n/a	4.36
Portugal	7.54	10.60
Spain	5.20	11.31
Sweden	2.41	5.53
Switzerland	6.89	8.52
Turkey	5.01	4.94
United Kingdom	4.42	8.00
United States	3.06	5.46

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average price for a kilowatt hour of electricity charged to consumers in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [13739]

In 1995, the average standard tariff charge for a kilowatt hour of electricity in the United Kingdom was 7.3p. Domestic customers also pay a quarterly standing charge. In 1995, the average standing charge in the UK was £10.39. The standard tariff and standing charge quoted do not include VAT.In 1995, the average price paid by industrial electricity consumers per kilowatt hour was about 4.5p.Domestic electricity prices in the UK have fallen, in real terms, since 1990. The average price of electricity is now 7 per cent. lower, in real terms excluding VAT, than it was before privatisation. Domestic consumers will benefit from further reductions during 1996. The National Grid rebate, tightened distribution price controls and a reduction in the fossil fuel levy, mean that average domestic electricity bills in 1996 should be around one fifth lower, in 1995 prices, than in 1995.Since privatisation, industrial electricity prices have fallen by 10 per cent. in real terms. Industrial electricity prices are now at their lowest level, in real terms, than at any time since records began in 1970. Reduction in distribution charges and the fossil fuel levy will also benefit industrial customers during 1996.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the total sums allocated to (a) the United Kingdom and (b) each other EU state under the European Union's framework programme for research and technological development in each of the years from the establishment of the programme. [13364]

Payments from European Community expenditure programmes are not allocated to member states in the legislation supporting the programmes.Framework IV, which runs from 1994–98 is the EU's main research and development programme. It has a budget of 13.1 billion ecu—approximately £10.9 billion. It is administered by the European Commission, which receives applications and manages the project selection process. The budget is not pre-allocated in any way among member states. Projects are selected on the basis of scientific excellence. UK researchers have participated strongly in successive framework programmes.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 12 December 1995, Official Report, column 600, what contracts have been awarded with regard to the functions of the official receiver. [13112]

Following the conclusions of the initial and financial evaluation of the six tenders received for the case administration work of official receivers, I have agreed to an extension of the timetable to allow additional discussions to take place with those bidders most likely to be able to offer increased value for money. It is now my intention to make an announcement on the outcome of this exercise before the end of February.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 12 December 1995, Official Report, column 600–01, what progress he has made with the British Bankers Association on a binding code of practice. [13113]

The British Bankers' Association has accepted the invitation to develop a code of practice.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) of 26 January, Official Report, column 424, how much has been spent by his Department on publicity and media relations for each year since 1990, including staff costs and how many press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1979. [13114]

(a) Expenditure from centrally managed budgets on publicity and media relations, including staff costs, has been as follows:

• 1990–91: £18,199,000
• 1991–92: £12,326,000
• 1992–93: £13,002,000
• 1993–94: £11,482,000
• 1994–95: £10,685,000

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 20 December, Official Report, column 1265, when he expects the MINIS process currently being used to seek savings in all areas of the Department's running costs completed. [13591]

The MINIS 96 process is continuing on schedule. I expect to publish the outcome for the financial year 1996–97 by May 1996. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how he ensures that the negotiating brief for his officials discussing EU legislation takes fully into account the need to minimise the burdens on United Kingdom business. [13685]

Official guidance on how officials are to apply deregulatory principles when negotiating EC regulations are contained in the booklet "Getting a Good Deal in Europe". This guidance has also been supplemented by the recent publication of guidance on the preparation of compliance cost assessments which stresses that the likely burdens on business highlighted by UK compliance cost assessments of EC proposals should be integral to the UK's negotiating strategy.Copies of both these guidance booklets have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade after which date National Power and PowerGen can dispose of sites owned at the time of privatisation without a share of the proceeds going to Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement. [12856]

The provisions of the property clawback regime will continue to apply to all of the privatised electricity companies until 31 March 2000.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which power stations or other sites have closed or become surplus to requirements since privatisation by (a) PowerGen and (b) National Power; which of such sites have been sold; and what Her Majesty's Government have received in each instance. [12855]

Detailed questions about the classification, use or sale of sites are a commercial matter for the companies. Since 1990, under the property clawback provisions which apply to all the privatised electricity companies HM Government have received £0.56 million and £0.89 million from National Power and PowerGen respectively.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research is or has been undertaken by the Medical Research Council into combat-induced post-traumatic stress disorder. [12905]

The Medical Research Council is not currently carrying out, and has not carried out any research into combat-induced post-traumatic stress disorder.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients were referred to private health care by NHS doctors in 1995–96. [12938]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the number of medium secure beds provided in each year since 1985 by each private psychiatric hospital, analysed by location and health authority; and what is the average current cost of such beds as compared with equivalent NHS beds; [12297](2) how many medium secure psychiatric hospital beds there have been in each region in each year since 1985; [12296]

Purpose-built medium secure places by region
Regional health authorities	31-01-85	31-01-86	31-01-87	31-01-88	31-01-89	31-01-90	31-01-91	31-01-92	31-01-93
East Anglia	36	36	36	36	36	34	34	34	34
Oxford	—	—	14	26	36	36	25	25	25
North-east Thames	10	10	10	14	14	14	14	14	14
North-west Thames	—	40	40	40	40	40	46	46	48
South-east Thames	75	90	90	90	82	85	85	85	85
South-west Thames	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
South western	30	30	30	60	46	60	60	60	65
Wessex	31	31	31	31	22	26	26	28	29
West Midlands	—	—	—	40	58	63	77	77	77
Trent	45	22	45	30	45	45	45	48	48
Yorkshire	48	48	48	48	39	44	44	44	44
Northern	30	30	30	25	15	15	21	25	27
North Western	20	102	102	86	73	74	82	82	82
Mersey	50	50	50	50	36	36	36	36	36
National total	375	489	526	576	542	572	595	604	614

Purpose built medium secure places by region
Regional health authorities	31 March 1994	31 March 1995	5 January 1996
Anglia and Oxford	89	121	121
North Thames	108	108	165
South Thames	90	90	141
South and West	94	108	112
West Midlands	77	77	95
Trent	48	48	48
Northern and Yorkshire	101	101	131
North West	110	139	139
National total	717	792	952

Regional health authority boundaries changed in 1994 and the date on which the figures were collected changed from 31 January to 31 March. These figures are for medium secure places in the new regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the number of patients now being treated under hospital-at-home schemes annually. [12697]

Information concerning hospital-at-home schemes is not collected centrally, however health authorities and national health service trusts are continuing to show interest in such developments. Recent initiatives include the expansion of the Peterborough hospital-at-home scheme to include paediatric services and the introduction of a new hospital-at-home scheme funded by East Sussex district health authority and established by collaboration between the South Downs Health and Brighton Healthcare NHS trusts. Further

The tables show the number of purpose-built medium secure places in each region. Since 31 March 1995 a further 160 places have opened. There are also about 450 places nationally in interim secure psychiatric units, many of which are of medium secure standard. The other information requested is not available centrally.information is available from the chairman of the North West Anglia Health Commission and the chairman of the South Downs Health NHS Trust respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Public Health Laboratory Service abandoned work on hospital disinfectants; and if he was consulted on that decision. [13132]

The Public Health Laboratory Service has not abandoned work on hospital disinfectants. Its central public health laboratory maintains a continuing expertise in this field. CPHL gives expert advice in response to numerous enquiries, and has in hand a number of specific projects such as testing disinfectants which are suspected of contamination and, for the World Health Organisation, tests of systems currently used for the asepsis and safety of vaccines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many scientists are employed in the Public Health Laboratory Service; and what number it is planned will be made redundant. [13130]

The Public Health Laboratory Service employs 224 scientists. Consultations on four redundant posts have recently been completed and are still proceeding on a further two scientists' posts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlay the decision that the Public Health Laboratory Service would no longer be represented on EC committees engaged in writing procedures for testing disinfectants. [13131]

The Public Health Laboratory Service continues to have an input to European consideration of matters relating to the testing of disinfectants. A PHLS representative sits on the British Standards Institute technical committee IH/57 "Chemical Disinfectants and Antiseptics", which links directly with its European counterpart.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the medical centres (a) dealing with abortion, (b) providing contraceptive advice and (c) with in vitro fertilisation facilities. [12983]

Information on medical centres dealing with abortion or providing contraceptive advice is not available centrally.On 11 October 1995 the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority published "The Patients' Guide to Donor Insemination and IVF Clinics". The publication contains information on treatments offered by licensed centres. Copies are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make funds available for the reprinting of alcohol information leaflets; and if he will make a statement. [12996]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make money available to assist local alcohol advisory services to rewrite and reprint information leaflets, to reflect the recent changes in the Government statement on weekly guidelines for alcohol consumption. [13560]

We recognise that the recommendations in the report of the interdepartmental group on sensible drinking need to be communicated effectively to the public. We are funding the Health Education Authority to do this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health who is responsible for strategic planning of London's cardiac services; and what is his current plan. [13260]

The strategic planning of cardiac services in London—as elsewhere—is a matter for purchasing authorities and national health service trusts working together to ensure that comprehensive services are provided to meet patients' needs both now and in the future, taking into account national planning and priorities guidelines.Plans for developing specialist services in London are set out in "Making London Better" including an independent review of cardiac services, which was published in July 1993. Its recommendations have contributed to planning the future configuration of these services in the capital. Copies of the documents are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of the hospitals listed as providing specialist treatment for cardiac patients in the 1993 London implementation group report of the cardiac speciality review (a) have since closed and (b) are in the process of closure. [13245]

The independent review of the 14 tertiary cardiac centres in London, published in July 1993, is only part of a range of available advice taken into account in considering the future configuration of these services in the capital. In April 1995, decisions were announced on the concentration of cardiac services in south east London at St. Thomas's hospital and in east London at the Royal London hospital site at Whitechapel. Since then, cardiac services provided in outdated accommodation at the Brook hospital have transferred to Guy's hospital and St. Thomas's hospital. The Brook hospital closed in November 1995. There are no immediate plans for the closure of other hospitals named in the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many newly qualified doctors have joined the NHS in each year since 1979; and how many hours newly qualified doctors work each week on average. [13267]

Information on the numbers of newly qualified doctors joining the NHS is not held centrally. However, the normal route is for them to become pre-registration house officers. Figures for these are shown in the table.

Number of pre-registration house officers in England as at 30 September each year since 1979
Year	Number
1979	2,610
1980	2,650
1981	2,720
1982	2,710
1983	2,830
1984	2,770
1985	2,840
1986	2,810
1987	2,790
1988	2,860
1989	2,940
1990	3,020
1991	3,060
1992	3,040
1993	3,090
1994	3,020

Normally, the duration of the PRHO training period is one year.Figures are rounded to the nearest '10'.Again, figures for the average number of hours worked each week by junior doctors, whether or not newly qualified, are not held centrally. However, returns from regional task forces on junior doctors' hours indicate that under 1 per cent. of PRHOs were contracted for hours above the December 1994 limits and under 2 per cent. in total remain above the target to be reached by December 1996. These limits are set out in the "New Deal on Junior Doctors' Hours," a copy of which is placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by local authorities involved in providing the 170 additional secure places required for criminal justice purposes; and when he expects all the additional places to be available. [13818]

The first additional places became available in December of last year. Further new places will come on stream throughout 1996 leading to around 100 additional places being completed by the end of this year and the balance by mid-1997.Details of the new places being provided within the capital development programme are shown in the table.

Local authority	Number of new places from within the 170 supply plan
Northumberland county council	7
Lancashire county council	8
Salford city council	12
Leeds city council	9
Sheffield city council	8
Coventry city council	8
Staffordshire county council	12
Derbyshire county council	3
Lincolnshire county council	4
Nottinghamshire county council	10
Cambridgeshire county council	10
Essex county council	16
Northamptonshire county council	16
Southwark London borough	16
Hammersmith and Fulham London borough	10
Hampshire county council	5
Avon county council	6
Devon county council	4
Wales—West Glamorgan	6
Total	170

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions his Department has had with the drug company Ciba regarding (a) the production and (b) distribution of the drug methylphenidate; and if he will make a statement; [ 13700](2) how much methylphenidate is produced annually; and if he will make a statement; [13698](3) what further steps he is taking to control the

Methylphenidate—Ritalin—has been assessed by the normal procedures for licensing of medicinal products in the United Kingdom to ensure its efficacy, safety and quality. As for all medicines, there is continuous monitoring of safety after marketing by the Medicines Control Agency. Methylphenidate is not manufactured in this country. It is available as a prescription-only medicine under the controls of schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Any discussions between the licensing authority and the marketing authorisation holders are treated in confidence. There are no plans for further controls on the availability of methylphenidate.Methylphenidate—Ritalin—is licensed for use under the supervision of a specialist in childhood behaviour disorders. No guidance has been issued regarding prescribing by a general practitioner in a fundholding practice, but this may be done by mutual agreement as part of a joint protocol of care with such a specialist. The Department of Health has received representations in the form of four parliamentary questions and a small amount of correspondence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what basis the decision was taken to make the drug methylphenidate available as a controlled drug through general practitioners; [13697](2) what consultations took place prior to the decision to make the drug methylphenidate available as a controlled drug through general practitioners; on what basis it was previously available; and if he will make a statement. [13696]

I understand from the Home Department that methylphenidate, in conformity with the United Nations convention on psychotropic substances 1971, has been a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 since it came into force. It can therefore be prescribed by general practitioners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the number of prescriptions dispensed for the drug methylphenidate since it became available; and if he will provide a breakdown by (a) general practitioner fundholding practice and (b) health authority for (i) the nations and (ii) regions of the United Kingdom. [13695]

The Department has a duty of confidence relating to the use of information derived from patient records and, following our usual practice, the information requested cannot be supplied at this level of detail because it is confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department collects on (a) travel expenses and (b) overseas visits made by trust personnel. [13751]

The National Health Service Executive collects annual information on the total staff travelling and subsistence expenditure by each trust. Information is not held centrally on overseas visits by trust personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department maintains on (a) sickness levels and (b) employee dismissals in trusts. [13750]

None.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of BSE were confirmed in cattle (a) under two years of age, (b) between two and three years, (c) between three and four years, (d) between four and five years, (e) between five years and six years, (f) between six and seven years and (g) seven years and over for each breed of cattle in the United Kingdom, for each year since 1985. [12177]

Tables showing the number of cases of BSE by breed and age and by year of the disease for Great Britain and Northern Ireland are being placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each European Community country the permitted amount of cyclamates which were granted with effect from 1 January; what were the figures 12 months ago; and if he will make a statement. [12865]

From 1 January 1996, all member states were required to permit the use of cyclamates in table-top sweeteners and in certain foods up to specified maximum levels in accordance with European Parliament and Council directive 94/35/EC of 30 June 1994 on sweeteners for use in foodstuffs—OJ No. L237, 10.9.94, p.3). Details concerning the maximum permissible levels of use of cyclamates in those foods are given in the annex to that directive.Prior to the 1 January 1996 the use of sweeteners in foods was not subject to Community legislation and national rules applied in each member state. While precise details are not available, it is understood that the use of cyclamates was authorised to varying degrees in Germany, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. Although these sweeteners were not permitted for food use in the United Kingdom because of uncertainties over their safety, the Department of Health's independent expert committee, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, has recently advised on the basis of the results of new studies, that there are no longer any health concerns preventing their use.I have arranged for the COT's statement to be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in how many cases in September 1995 animal export health certificates were presented to his officials at Dover where the certificates or their accompanying schedules had not been completed in accordance with his Department's instructions to local veterinary inspectors; and if he will make a statement. [12637]

[holding answer 30 January 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell) on 26 October 1995, Official Report, column 751. Subsequent returns have identified two further minor deficiencies in documentation of which one was resolved locally and the other was referred back for resolution to the divisional veterinary manager for the area from which the animals originated.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether all consignments of animals for further fattening and calves destined for export from Brightlingsea between 18 January and 25 October 1995 arrived at the port with completed export certificates; and if consignments were unloaded from their respective vehicles and loaded into the MV Caroline with the same accompanying certificates. [12541]

[holding answer 1 February 1996]: All consignments of animals for export from Brightlingsea, with one exception, arrived with completed export health certification although a number of minor irregularities were identified and resolved. The sole exception related to one certificate for slaughter sheep which was not signed and stamped by a LVI and the consignment had to be re-certified by a LVI at the port. All consignments were loaded on to the vessel in such a way as to ensure that individual consignments of animals remained segregated, each with the same accompanying health certification.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many consignments of sheep for further fattening and calves were issued with an export health certificate for exit through the port of Brightlingsea between 18 January and 25 October 1995. [12542]

[holding answer 1 February 1996]: Export health certification is not specific to a port, but 384 consignments of sheep and 664 consignments of calves were exported from the port in this period. It is not possible to given separate figures for sheep for slaughter and for further fattening except at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the anomalies in respect of the implementation of health export certificates for calves between (a) Holland, (b) Belgium, (c) France, (d) Italy and (e) the United Kingdom. [12916]

[holding answer 1 February 1996]: All certificates for export of live animals to other EC member states are drawn up to ensure that they meet the necessary animal health requirements.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions since 9 June 1995 when answers given at Prime Minister's Question Time were subsequently corrected or otherwise qualified. [13669]

This is a matter of public record.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 30 January, Official Report, column 773, if he will set out the basis of his statement that crime is falling for the first time in 40 years. [13721]

I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) on 1 February 1996, Official Report, columns 1120–21.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the organisations located within the boundaries of Pendle borough council that received grants from the Duchy's benevolent fund in (i) 1994 and (ii) 1995. [13144]

I am not a trustee of the benevolent fund and thus do not have details of donations. However the Secretary of the fund has provided the following information:

Year	Fund	£
1994	Burnley and Pendle Greenspace	400
	A handicapped lady in Nelson	250
1995	A young person in Earby	200
	Mansfield High school Brierfield	400
	Barnoldswick Park Rovers FC	450
	Pendle Duke of Edinburgh's award team	1,000
	Colne parish church	500

Donations are also made to other charities which may assist causes or individuals within the boundaries of Pendle borough council.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what cost savings he expects to accrue from the contracting out of the principal civil service pension scheme; [12932](2) what representations he has received from members of the principal civil service pension scheme concerning the contracting out of the scheme; and what percentage of those representations have been in favour of the contracting out proposals; [12936](3) when the decision to contact out the principal civil service pension scheme was taken; [12934]

The efficiency scrutiny of administration of the principal civil service pension scheme identified the administration function as suitable for market testing and recommended that departments should be encouraged to pursue this. All the recommendations of the scrutiny were accepted, including those directed at raising standards of service quality and delivery to scheme members. New pensions administration software is being developed at a cost of some £1.2 million. This will facilitate the market testing process and make it particularly effective. Employing departments have been fully involved in the development of the new software, as they have with other aspects of implementation of the efficiency scrutiny recommendations.There are some 520,000 active members of the PCSPS. Some 544,000 former civil servants or their dependants are in receipt of a pension, and there are approximately 240,000 former civil servants with pension benefits preserved for payment at pension age.It is not possible to specify in advance the savings which result from subjecting particular activities to competition, but I have no reason to doubt that market testing PCSPS administration will identify cost savings consistent with the average saving of 21 per cent. that has resulted from the £2.6 billion worth of activities reviewed under the competing for quality programme in the three years to March 1995.My predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam), announced in a written answer on 17 October 1995,

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which regulations have been repealed under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994; and which of them applied to firms with (a) under 100 employees, (b) under 50 employees and (c) under 10 employees. [13099]

Two orders have been enacted under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. They contain a number of measures to assist the greyhound industry and building societies. Both measures benefit industry as a whole and were not targeted specifically at small businesses.A further 19 proposals have been laid before the Parliamentary Committees which will ease burdens on a wide range of industrial sectors including Scottish salmon fishers and private companies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the interdepartmental review of guidance on gold plating is planned to be completed; and which Departments have been involved. [13617]

It is expected that the interdepartmental review of guidance on gold plating will be completed by Easter. All Departments with responsibility for implementing EC directives are involved in the review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what date it became Government policy not to gold plate EC directives; and how may (a) existing pieces of legislation have been reviewed and (b) changes to United Kingdom law have been made since that date. [13635]

This Government's long-standing policy on the implementation of EC directives in the UK has been to avoid the addition of unnecessary burdens. Government Departments keep existing legislation under review in the light of this policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying sorties were booked in 1995 by non-United Kingdom based aircraft from each foreign air force. [12893]

The number of sorties booked in the United Kingdom low flying system in 1995 by non-United Kingdom-based foreign aircraft were as follows:

	Number
Belgium	154
Denmark	99
France	139
Germany	111
Holland	164
Italy	115
New Zealand	1
Norway	45

	Number
Portugal	21
Switzerland	4
USA	53
Total	906

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the pilots of the four Italian air force AMXs involved in an aircraft proximity incident near Teesside airport on 12 July 1994 were (a) given a pre-flight briefing by RAF personnel on the rules of the United Kingdom low flying system and (b) interviewed by the Royal Air Force personnel following the report of the incident; and how many formal approaches seeking a report from the Italian pilots were made to the Italian authorities by the Civil Aviation Authority personnel. [13255]

The information requested is as follows: (a) yes; (b) no. The Civil Aviation Authority advised that it has no records of any formal approaches to the Italian" authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions are given to Royal Air Force Chinook crews concerning the safety aspects of prolonged cruising flight at heights of less than 300 ft above ground level. [13211]

To maintain essential skills for operational low flying, it is routine for RAF Chinook crews to train below 300 ft above ground level. Normal RAF rules for low flying apply and Chinook crews receive training, both in the simulator and in the aircraft, to cope with emergencies which might arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of Sir Colin Chandler in respect of arms deals with the Government of Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement. [13102]

While head of defence sales, from 1985 to 1989, Sir Colin Chandler discussed the sale of British defence equipment with many countries including Saudi Arabia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Huddersfield of 19 January, Official Report, columns 844–45, for what reasons complete records of past Ministry sea dumping operations are not available. [13382]

The information requested is contained in correspondence between my Department and the House of Commons Defence Committee, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all (a) ships sunk and (b) aircraft ditched off the coast of the United Kingdom since 1966 which records list as carrying (i) chemical weapons, (ii) toxic wastes and (iii) conventional explosives and munitions; and if he will make a statement on the environmental impact of these wrecks. [13352]

There are no records of either accidental or deliberate sinkings of RN ships or ditchings of military aircraft carrying these materials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the accident involving a Royal Air Force Tornado GR.l on 11 January. [13212]

A RAF board of inquiry is conducting a detailed investigation into the cause of this accident and a copy of a summary of its findings will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the nationality of each of the crew involved in the mid-air collision between two Tornado F.3 aircraft on 10 January. [13213]