To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the sponsors of Mr. Stephan Adolph Kock's application for British nationality granted on 20 March 1969. [18976]

No. It is not our practice to disclose such details.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases arrests for attempted blackmail by serious fraud squad detectives did not lead to charges (a) in 1994 and (b) in 1995. [19356]

I assume the question refers to the Metropolitan police fraud squad. I understand that the figures available to the Metropolitan police do not distinguish arrests by the fraud squad from others and are kept by financial year. Figures for 1994–95 are not available, but so far in financial year 1995–96 there have been three arrests made by the Metropolitan police for attempted blackmail which have not led to charges.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which categories of (a) passport holders and (b) non-passport holders, settled in Hong Kong prior to 1 July 1997, will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom as dependant relatives; and if he will make a statement. [19473]

To qualify for indefinite leave to remain as a dependant relative, any person who is subject to immigration control has to meet the requirements of the immigration rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what type of British passport ethnic minority people settled in Hong Kong will be eligible to apply; what rights such passports will confer on their holders; and if he will make a statement explaining the arrangements for passport applications. [19475]

The ethnic minorities are eligible for the types of British passport which correspond to the citizenship they hold. Those who are successful in British nationality selection are entitled to British citizenship passports with right of abode in the United Kingdom. The majority will be entitled to a British dependent territories citizen—BDTC—passport or its successor, the British national (overseas)—BN(O)—passport. Any BDTC who would otherwise be stateless on 1 July 1997 will automatically become a British overseas citizen—BOC. BDTCs, BN(O)s and BOCs all enjoy visa-free travel to the United Kingdom, an entitlement to registration as a British citizen following settlement and five years' residence here, and British consular protection in appropriate circumstances. Applications in Hong Kong for British passports can be made to the Hong Kong immigration department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) war service and (b) other widows settled in Hong Kong are entitled to British passports; and if he will make a statement. [19472]

I understand that, of the 23 widows of men who served in the defence of Hong Kong during the second world war who are resident in Hong Kong 18 are British dependent territories citizens or British nationals (overseas) and are therefore eligible for appropriate British passports. The number of other widows in Hong Kong who are eligible for British passports is not known. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced during his recent visit to Hong Kong that the Government would facilitate a private Member's Bill to give British citizenship to the wives and widows of ex-service men who served in the defence of Hong Kong during the second world war.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement explaining who in Hong Kong will be eligible to visa-free access to the United Kingdom from Hong Kong after 1 July 1997; what endorsement will be made to their passports before they leave Hong Kong; what will be the procedures for obtaining such endorsement; and what period of leave to enter the United Kingdom will such passport holders be granted on entry to the United Kingdom. [19474]

Holders of British national (overseas) or Hong Kong (special administrative region) passports after 1 July 1997 will not require a visa to travel to the United Kingdom for a short visit. They will not require specific entry clearance endorsed in their passports except for those purposes for which, under the immigration rules, entry clearance is mandatory. They will, however, need to satisfy the immigration officer at the port of entry that they meet the requirements of the immigration rules. They will be granted leave to enter appropriate to the purpose of their visit.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) heads of households and (b) their dependants in Hong Kong have, to date, been issued with British passports; what was the total number of British passports which Her Majesty's Government announced would be issued; what plans he has to issue more British passports to heads of household and dependants; and if he will make a statement. [19476]

As at 29 February 1996, 48,610 principal beneficiaries and 80,866 dependants had been registered as British citizens under the selection scheme. On Second Reading of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill, the then Home Secretary estimated

"the absolute maximum number of people who might benefit"

as 225,000 people. The selection scheme is, however, constructed on the basis of principal beneficiaries and the Act limits them to 50,000; there is no discretion to vary that number. It is the family size of the principal beneficiaries that will determine the total number of beneficiaries, not estimates made in 1990. The Government have no plans to introduce further legislation to amend the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what have been the (a) crime clear-up and (b) the conviction rates for each police authority area in each of the last five years. [18958]

The information requested on clear-up rates is published in table 2.11 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1994", a copy of which is available in the Library. Information on conviction rates by police force area is given in the table.

Conviction rates for indictable offences by police force area 1990–94
Percentage
Police force area	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
Avon and Somerset	64	63	60	56	57
Bedfordshire	63	60	59	55	59
Cambridgeshire	71	67	67	64	58
Cheshire	78	73	71	73	73
Cleveland	71	64	60	59	61
Cumbria	79	75	73	72	72
Derbyshire	73	67	65	62	61
Devon and Cornwall	82	72	72	69	65
Dorset	73	67	66	69	65
Durham	65	61	61	63	63
Essex	69	62	62	62	60
Gloucestershire	68	67	63	61	63
Greater Manchester	78	77	73	74	66
Hampshire	73	68	69	66	67
Hertfordshire	75	64	59	59	58
Humberside	77	76	74	72	73
Kent	84	87	82	77	77
Lancashire	75	75	77	69	69
Leicestershire	71	67	65	59	56
Lincolnshire	77	69	73	70	74
City of London	67	67	59	66	64
Merseyside	66	64	60	63	59
Metropolitan Police	79	73	70	62	63
Norfolk	84	82	84	83	86
Northamptonshire	67	64	60	59	57
Northumbria	70	65	64	63	60
North Yorkshire	74	68	66	68	68
Nottinghamshire	68	61	61	59	57
South Yorkshire	74	71	67	67	65
Staffordshire	65	65	62	60	60
Suffolk	75	72	68	69	68
Surrey	69	67	62	62	61
Sussex	73	69	69	66	66
Thames Valley	71	65	64	62	59
Warwickshire	82	77	68	66	65
West Mercia	74	74	69	67	65
West Midlands	70	65	59	60	60
West Yorkshire	73	69	63	61	59
Wiltshire	74	71	70	70	68
Dyfed Powys	67	65	62	61	55
Gwent	66	65	67	61	64
North Wales	79	79	66	67	67
South Wales	67	66	61	62	61
England and Wales	73	69	66	64	63

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to revise the fee levels for citizenship applications. [20162]

Citizenship fees were last changed in March 1991 and some changes are necessary in order to meet the Government's policy of recovering no more than the cost of processing citizenship applications. New British Nationality (Fees) Regulations 1996 are being laid before Parliament today to introduce the following fee levels with effect from 1 April 1996:

	Present fees £	New fees £
Registration (Adult or minor)	85	120
Naturalisation on grounds of marriage to a British citizen	135	120
All other naturalisations	170	150

The fees for applications for naturalisation, which represent about 75 per cent. of all applications, have been reduced significantly. At the same time, the opportunity has been taken to remove the element of cross-subsidisation between applications for registration and naturalisation which has come to light since fee levels were last revised. This has led to an increase in the fee for applicants for registration.The existing arrangements for joint applicants will be unchanged: husbands and wives applying together for naturalisation will continue to pay one single fee, as will minor children of the same parent applying together for registration.The practice of returning a nominal amount where an application is subsequently withdrawn or refused has been reviewed. It has become apparent that the difference in the cost of successful and unsuccessful applications is negligible. Unsuccessful applicants who apply on or after 1 April 1996 will therefore pay the full cost of processing their applications and will not receive a refund.The new regulations will also increase the fees payable to the Home Office for renouncing citizenship and for supplying copy certificates and other documents from £15 to £20. The fee for administering the oath of allegiance which is payable to the person administering the oath will be increased from £3.50 to £5 in order to bring it into line with fees for analogous work under the Commissioners for Oaths (Fees) Order 1993.It is expected that the revised fee levels will provide sufficient income to meet the costs of processing applications over the period April 1996 to April 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been of employers for employing persons with no entitlement to work in the United Kingdom in each year from 1988 until 1994. [18238]

[holding answer 29 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 13 December 1995, Official Report, column 661.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the review of the legal framework governing accountability and propriety in public bodies and the arrangements for their external audit, undertaken in response to recommendations in the first report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. [20036]

The Government have published a consultation paper, "Spending Public Money: Governance and Audit Issues", Cm 3179, which has been laid in both Houses. The paper covers executive non-departmental public bodies, NHS bodies and local government and, as regards audit arrangements, what the Nolan committee has called local public spending bodies. Comments have been invited to a 14 June deadline.The proposals on personal accountability include a more consistent way of handling conflicts of interest on the part of board members. Codes of conduct are planned for staff of executive NDPBs and NHS bodies. NDPB and NHS board members will be protected from the costs of personal civil liability on certain conditions. The proposals make it clear that executive NDPB accounting officers, working under their boards, are responsible for propriety in a broad sense, as Nolan recommended. The Government are not persuaded that provisions similar to surcharging in local government should be extended into areas where other sanctions, including the power of dismissal, are available. Further guidance is being provided on openness, taking account of the Nolan committee's standard of best practice as appropriate. Executive NDPBs should make records of decisions available wherever possible, and should publish reports containing at least a summary of their accounts. The Comptroller and Auditor General is encouraged to develop systematic work on comparative performance.External audit arrangements should support lines of accountability and include an emphasis on regularity and value for money. There should be an element independent of the audited body involved in setting standards, defining audit practice and laying down reporting requirements. Duplication should be avoided. Reports should be addressed outside the audited body on major issues arising from the audit. The Government will ensure that the Comptroller and Auditor General has inspection rights over all executive NDPBs which he does not audit. He has a key role where Parliament has established Ministers' accountability through legislation; elsewhere, other arrangements are likely to provide better support of accountability. The Government accept the Nolan committee's recommendation that the Audit Commission should be able at its own discretion to publish public interest reports on NHS bodies.Funding bodies should ensure that bodies receiving grants have adequate financial control arrangements. Education and housing funding bodies should as a matter of good practice require external auditors of bodies which they fund to report to them immediately if they find serious financial weakness or irregularity. They should consider ways in which they can draw on the expertise of the national audit agencies on audit arrangements and value-for-money work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his proposals to protect wetlands; if these proposals will include riparian zone protection; and how they will affect agriculture and rural communities. [18603]

As a leading supporter of the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance the United Kingdom is committed to protecting wetlands and promoting their wise use. There are numerous mechanisms and initiatives in place to protect UK wetlands, in particular Ramsar listing and the classification of special protection areas under the birds directive, which includes river floodplains and water meadows. The development of catchment management plans and estuary management plans are among other initiatives under way. In addition, the Government intend to propose certain rivers as special areas of conservation under the habitats directive. All these initiatives are pursued in co-operation with landowners and other interested parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that (a) have been stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for from his Department and its agencies in each of the past five years, listing by name any such items valued at £5,000 or more, and showing information technology material separately. [19035]

Details of non-information technology and information technology thefts for the Department for the 1994–95 and 1995–96, to date, financial years, including details of thefts over £25,000, are given in the table. However, the remainder of the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will use his powers under section 12(5) of the Environmental Protection act 1990 to instruct Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution to revoke the authorisation granted to Castle Cement to burn secondary liquid fuel at its Clitheroe cement works. [18930]

No case has been made to the Secretary of State as to why he should do this.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of (a) the loss to business and (b) the number of redundancies from the reduction in funding to the home energy efficiency scheme. [19265]

The changes to the home energy efficiency scheme will create opportunities for businesses involved in it. Householders aged over 60 who are not on benefit will be entitled to a substantial discount. There is no reason why the number of installations should not be the same as in the previous year if installers market the scheme properly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation she held with businesses before the decision to reduce Government funding for the home energy efficiency scheme. [19266]

Public expenditure decisions are not discussed before the Chancellor's Budget statement to the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the level of Government funding of the home energy efficiency scheme in each year since its starting date; and if he will give the figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98, in real terms and as a percentage change from the previous year. [19267]

The information requested is as follows. The figures show that funding for the home energy efficiency scheme for the next financial year will be 280 per cent. more than in 1991–92, its first full year of operation. This increase can be matched by few if any other programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to call in the planning application for a new hospital at Colney, South Norfolk. [18381]

I refer the to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 22 February, Official Report, column 279. As the adopted local plan makes specific provision for such a development, it is unlikely that the Secretary of State would wish to intervene.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the director general of the Health and Safety Executive about the fatal accident at Thoresby colliery, Nottinghamshire, on Monday 4 March; and if he will make a statement. [19517]

None. The Health and Safety Executive is conducting a full investigation into the accident.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was (a) the total sum, (b) the amount paid to the London borough of Wandsworth, (c) the percentage of the total paid to the London borough of Wandsworth and (d) the amount paid per dwelling in the London borough of Wandsworth, in traditional relief in respect of the council tax in each year from 1993–94 to 1995–96. [19494]

The information requested is as follows:

• (a) Total amount of transitional relief in England:
• 1993–94: £378,652,826
• 1994–95: £111,283,108
• 1995–96: £27,178,179¹
• (b) Amount of transitional relief paid to London Borough of Wandsworth:
• 1993–94: £35,984,443
• 1994–95: £23,594,503
• 1995–96: £10,100,635¹
• (c) Percentage of total amount of transitional relief paid to London Borough of Wandsworth:
• 1993–94: 9.5 per cent.
• 1994–95: 21.2 per cent.
• 1995–96: 37 per cent.¹
• (d) Average amount paid per chargeable dwelling in London Borough of Wandsworth:
• 1993–94: £323.75
• 1994–95: £209.29
• 1995–96: £89.31

These figures are averages. The actual amount of transitional relief varied according to a household's council tax banding, its composition and its previous liability for community charge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if Central Railway plc has applied to him for directions under rule 12 of the Transport and Works (Applications and Objections Procedure) Rules granting waivers from compliance with certain application requirements in respect of the Central Railway project. [20250]

Yes. Copies of the applications for rule 12 waiver directions, and of the supporting documentation provided by Central Railway plc, have been placed in the House of Commons Library. Members wishing to make representations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State concerning his decision whether to agree to issue any such directions should write to him by Friday 22 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has received from lorry drivers' representatives as to the (a) numbers and (b) proportion of HGV drivers who will be barred from driving as a result of changes to eye tests from 1 July. [19570]

I have recently received suggestions that very large numbers of drivers of large goods and passenger-carrying vehicles will lose their entitlement to drive these vehicles as a result of changes to regulations on eyesight standards. No supporting evidence for such estimates has been provided and in some cases they are clearly based on a misunderstanding of the scope of the changes. The 1994 consultation document on the changes included an estimate, based on analysis of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency records, that about 3,000 drivers would be affected by the proposed changes. This estimate was not challenged in the responses to consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with HGV drivers' representatives concerning changes in eyesight tests. [19569]

The consultation document on the proposed changes to the regulations on eyesight requirements issued in October 1994 was sent to a wide range of organisations, including representatives of HGV drivers. None requested discussions at the time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when new European regulations changing eyesight regulations for HGV drivers were agreed; how the United Kingdom representative voted; and what immediate publicity was undertaken. [19516]

The United Kingdom voted, in 1991, for adoption of the second EC directive on driving licences, 91/439/EEC, which sets minimum standards for health, driving test and licensing requirements across the EU to underpin road safety and in the interests of free movement of nationals of the member states. The Department subsequently, in October 1994, undertook an extensive consultation specifically on changes to the regulations on eyesight standards. A press notice was issued then as well as last October, when I announced the Government's decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 28 February, Official Report, column 581, what amendments he has made to the report of the emergency towing study team as originally delivered to him; and if he will make a statement. [18900]

[holding answer 5 March 1996]: The report is an internal document, but it will be published and placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The report was amended to remove commercially sensitive information which was provided to the study team in confidence, and material which was outside the terms of reference of the study.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what evidence has been submitted to him since the start of construction of the Newbury bypass on new environmental damage; and if he will make a statement; [19065](2) what representations he has received concerning the Newbury bypass since construction began; and if he will publish them with his response; [19066](3) what estimates he has made of the effect of completion of the Newbury bypass on

[holding answer 5 March 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the research projects sponsored by his Deapartment relating to aviation over the last five years.[19084]

The research projects relating to aviation undertaken over the last five years in which the Department of Transport has had a financial involvement are as follows:

• Safety
• Explosion Hazard Research
• Signature Identification of Pressure Pulse Research
• Helicopter Safety Research
• Crash Impact Research
• Environmental
• Aeronox
• Aerotrace
• Polinat
• Ground Emissions Study
• Field Study into Aircraft Noise and Sleep Disturbance
• Measurement and Modelling of Helicopter Noise
• Social Survey Study of Attitudes to Helicopter Noise
• Research into Helicopter Noise Characteristics and Future Trends
• Review of Departure Noise Limits at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports
• Studies into Ground Noise at Night at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports and Arrival Noise at the same airports
• Transport Security
• Twenty-five research projects are being or have been carried out in the area of transport security, although not all are exclusive in the aviation field.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requests for assistance have been received by his office in respect of clear-up operations following the Sea Empress disaster. [18356]

[holding answer 1 March 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard agency to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list for each major UK airport the number of aircraft taking off without take-off slots, together with the airline name and country of registration for each of the last five years; [19081](2) if he will list by each major airport the number of aircraft which arrived without landing slots together with the airline name and country of registration for each of the last five years. [19080]

No records are kept for UK airports of the extent of unscheduled take-offs or landings, that is, for which no slot has been obtained in advance. However, an assessment for Heathrow during June 1995 found an average of five unscheduled departures each weekday, in addition to opportunity slots obtained by business and general aviation. Most of the unscheduled movements operated by commercial airlines are maintenance, positioning or testing flights; only a minority, such as diversions from other airports, are passenger carrying.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many take-off and landing slots are currently occupied by domestic and short-haul services at Gatwick airport. [18662]

For the current winter season 64,599 slots at Gatwick airport are at present occupied by services to or from domestic or short-haul destinations.

To as the Secretary of State for Transport how many Community directives were introduced by him to United Kingdom law in 1995. [18293]

During 1995, the Secretary of State for Transport introduced 13 statutory instruments, the purpose of which was to implement EC legislation into UK law.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the countries from which aircraft are banned by the Federal Aviation Authority from flying into the United States of America and the equivalent Civil Aviation Authority list; [18669](2) if he will list by country the number of inspections undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority on aircraft flying into the United Kingdom; [18670](3) if he will list the countries identified as having safety oversight procedure problems by the US Federal Aviation Authority; and how many aircraft registered by those countries entered the UK in each of the last five years; [19079](4) how many inspections were undertaken on foreign registered aircraft within the UK and the country of registration in the last five years; and if he will list the defects found during those inspections. [19083]

Before granting permission for a non-European Economic Area aircraft to fly to the United Kingdom, we seek confirmation that the aircraft will be operated in accordance with international safety standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. This confirmation is normally in the form of certificates issued by the aviation authorities of the state of registration of the aircraft, stating that the aircraft will be operated in accordance with ICAO safety standards. If there is any doubt about the safe operation of an aircraft, no permit will be issued until we are satisfied about its safety. This may involve asking the Civil Aviation Authority to conduct a physical check of the aircraft concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to issue a further White Paper on airport policy; and if he will make a statement. [18291]

We have no plans to issue a new White Paper on airports policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the sales completed by the BR vendor unit, with the name of purchaser and price paid in each case. [16228]

[pursuant to his answer, 22 February 1996, c. 274]: The sales completed by the British Rail Board are listed. Those where the BR vendor unit has been involved are marked with an asterisk.Gross proceeds from the sales to date of businesses sold by BR amount to some £304 million. As explained in the Government's response of 14 December 1995 to the Transport Select Committee fourth report, on railway finances, it would be contrary to the commercial interests of British Rail and the Government to publish details of individual sales at this stage, as that may prejudice similar sales still in progress. Details of individual sales completed will be made public in due course.In addition to that figure, the sale of the rolling stock leasing companies, which was handled by my Department, realised £1,822.23 million.

BR vendor unit	Purchaser
Freight
Red Star*	Raid Ltd.
Rail Express Systems Ltd.	North and South Railways Ltd.
Other businesses
Special Train Unit (sale of certain coaches and other assets only)*	Flying Scotsman Railway Ltd.
Meldon Quarry Ltd.*	Camas UK Ltd.
BR Telecommunications Ltd.*	Racal Electronics Ltd.

BR vendor unit	Purchaser
OBS Services Ltd.*	The European Rail Catering Company Ltd.
BR Design Offices
DCU Birmingham*	Owen Williams Ltd.
Mainline Swindon*	Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick
IDG Glasgow*	Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick
BPE Mechanical and Engineering Consultancy, Doncaster*	James Scott Ltd., a member of AMEC plc
Civil Engineering Design Group, York*	British Steel plc
Powertrack Engineering Company Ltd.*	WS Atkins Consultants Ltd.
CEDAC London Ltd.*	WS Atkins Consultants Ltd.
BR Maintenance Ltd.
Swindon Electronic Service Centre*	ABB Customer Support Ltd.
Chart Leacon (Ashford) Depot (Chart Leacon Rail Maintenance Ltd.)*	ABB Customer Support Ltd.
Ilford Deport (Ilford Rail Maintenance Ltd.)*	ABB Customer Support Ltd.
Doncaster Depot (Doncaster Rail Maintenance Ltd.)*	ABB Customer Support Ltd.
Wolverton Depot (Wolverton Hall Maintenance Ltd.)*	Railcare Ltd.
Springburn (Glasgow) Depot (Glasgow Rail Maintenance Ltd.)*	Railcare Ltd.
Eastleigh Depot (Eastleigh Rail Maintenance Ltd.)*	Wessex Traincare Ltd.
BR Central Services
Baileyfield Switches and Crossings Works*	VAE Baileyfield Ltd.
Ditton Timber Treatment Works Quality and Safety Services Ltd.	The Pheonix Timber Group plc Ingleby (805) Ltd.
Railways Occupational Health Ltd.	Occupational Healthcare plc
Signalling Control (UK) Ltd.	Westinghouse Brake and Signal Holdings Ltd.
Interlogic Control Engineering Ltd.	ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation (Signal) Ltd.
BR Infrastructure Services
Scotland Track Renewals Company Ltd.	Relayfast Ltd.
Scotland Infrastructure Maintenance Company Ltd.	Track Action Ltd.
* BR vendor unit has been involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what incidents have been reported at (a) Congleton, (b) Wilmslow, (c) Litchfield and (d) Tamworth over the last 30 years of passengers alighting from a train short of the platform. [19247]

The Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate has no record since 1984 of any reportable major incidents concerning passengers alighting from trains short of the platforms, at the locations specified. Records before 1984 are no longer available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those railway stations where platforms are shorter than the length of trains stopping at that platform. [19246]

Details of railway stations where platforms are shorter than the length of the trains stopping there are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the text of the instructions given by (a) regional railways and (b) North West Railways in respect of assistance to be given by their staff to inter-city staff on board trains travelling through their stations. [19243]

This matter is for the train operating companies concerned. I suggest that the hon. Member seeks this information direct from them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions in the last 21 days the west coast main line service between Manchester Piccadilly and Euston via Stoke-on-Trent has been (a) delayed and (b) cancelled as a result of points failure; and what were the date and time of the services affected. [19248]

I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to (a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16021]

The information requested is as follows: (a) the Crofters' Commission, new town development corporations, Red Deer Commission, Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Homes, Scottish Legal Aid Board, Scottish Medical Practices Committee, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Sports Council, Scottish tourist board; (b) none, as the Audit Commission does not operate in Scotland. The Accounts Commission for Scotland scrutinises the accounts of the seven Scottish river purification boards; (c) this information is listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1995", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House; (d) none, although all executive NDPBs are expected to comply with all reasonable requests for information from Parliament, users of services and individual citizens; (e) performance indicators are part of the management statement or corporate plan for each NDPB; (f) the citizens charter applies to all public services, including NDPBs. NDPBs serving the public, including those sponsored by my Department, are therefore expected to meet the charter standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what support he is offering for National Continence Day on 19 March, and what plans he has to improve the incontinence service in Scotland in 1996–97. [16806]

[holding answer 28 February 1996]: The Scottish Office is providing funding for the expansion of a telephone helpline facility at the continence resource centre, Southern general hospital NHS trust, Glasgow, for a four-week period including National Continence Day on 19 March. Leaflets and posters advertising the helpline and encouraging sufferers to seek help have been distributed widely, advertisements will be placed in the local press, and a number of events are being organised across the country by local health service professionals, including continence advisers. In addition, we are working with health boards to encourage them to pursue improvements in incontinence services locally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on the effects the new landfill tax will have on the value of brown-field land; and if he will make a statement. [18278]

My right hon. Friend has received several representations regarding the possible effect of the landfill tax on remediation schemes for contaminated sites. My right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General has agreed to consider the feasibility of an exemption for waste resulting from the restoration of historically contaminated land.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who currently holds the position of deputy keeper of the palace of Holyroodhouse and the baille and clerk of the Abbey court; what accommodation within the palace is available to them; and what is the cost to public funds. [17898]

[holding answer 1 March 1996]: The position of deputy keeper of the palace of Holyroodhouse is currently held by Lord James Douglas-Hamilton. The position of baille and clerk of the Abbey court is currently held by Mr. Patrick Cadell. No accommodation is provided for them within the palace, they are unpaid and there is no cost to public funds arising from their appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 February, Official Report, column 288, if he will give details of the accommodation available to the hereditary keeper; what services are provided to him; what duties are undertaken by him; and what is the total cost to public funds arising from the office of hereditary keeper. [17976]

[holding answer 1 March 1996]: The accommodation available to the hereditary keeper comprises three reception rooms, two bedrooms and an office. Unless he is occupying the accommodation is connection with his ceremonial duties, the hereditary keeper is required to meet the costs of all services such as heating, lighting and water incurred during periods of occupation. The present hereditary keeper hardly ever occupies the accommodation, which is available for use by the royal household whenever required.The duties of the hereditary keeper are entirely ceremonial. He receives the Queen and the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland when they visit the palace. There are no costs to public funds arising from the office of hereditary keeper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current average gross weekly rent for (a) council rented accommodation and (b) housing association rented accommodation in Scotland; and what were the figures in 1991. [19166]

[holding answer 6 March 1996]: The average unrebated weekly rent for local authority accommodation in Scotland in 1995–96 is estimated to be £28.78. The most recent available information on housing association rented accommodation relates to 1994–95, when the average weekly rent was £29.13. The average local authority rent in 1991–92 was £23.12. Figures for housing association rent in 1991–92 on a comparable basis are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if grants made to Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich can be spent within the United Kingdom but outside Scotland; [19118](2) what audits have been conducted in respect of grants made to, and other public expenditure provided for, the work of Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich in the past three years; [19119](3) what inspections have been conducted of community nurseries promoted or provided by Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich in the past three years; [19120](4) what is his Department's responsibility for the grant funding or inspection of the London-based Gaelic medium community nurseries provided by Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich; [19121](5) what

Scottish Office grants totalling £61,200 in 1995–96 are made to support the administrative costs associated with Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich—the Gaelic Pre-School Council—work in developing Gaelic pre-school groups in Scotland. None of our grants, which are closely monitored and audited annually, are spent outside Scotland. Information on the levels of funding for the individual pre-school groups provided by Government agencies, local authorities, companies, trusts, voluntary organisations, individuals and by the pre-school groups themselves is not held centrally.The Children Act 1989 empowers local authorities to inspect nursery and day care premises registered under section 71 of the Act. Authorities must exercise that power at least once every year. Registered community nurseries should, therefore, be inspected at least annually. Information about inspections of particular nurseries is not centrally available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for transfer to prisons in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the Republic of Ireland were made by Irish prisoners in each of the past 10 years; and how many were successful. [18071]

I refer the hon. Member to the information which the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service gave to the hon. Member for Newry and Armagh (Mr. Mallon) in his letter dated Wednesday 28 February 1996, Official Report, column 619.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 7 March. [17989]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 7 March. [17990]

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

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the far east. [20056]

I attended the inaugural Asia-Europe summit meeting in Bangkok on 29 February to 2 March together with my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This summit, for the first time, brought together the leaders of Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, China, the 15 member states of the European Union and the President of the European Commission. I warmly welcomed the opportunity it offered to reinforce the relations between Europe and East Asia, politically and economically two of the world's three most important regions.The informal discussions covered a wide range of political and economic issues. The participants agreed on the need to deepen the political dialogue between Asia and Europe, to increase co-operation over arms control, human resource development, environmental protection and the fight against poverty, drugs terrorism and other international crime.On economic matters, there was common ground over the benefits of strengthening trade and investment flows between Asia and Europe in both direction. The meeting agreed to work for the further liberalisation of trade and for the success of the World Trade Organisation. It also recognised that intensified exchanges of science and technology, especially in sectors such as agriculture, information and technology, energy and transport, were important for extending the economic links between the two regions. Finally, there was agreement on the value of closer people-to-people contacts, especially among younger generations.The meeting set in hand an ambitious programme of follow-up work, including preparations for the first ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Singapore in December, work on improving conditions for the flow of investment between the two regions, the establishment of a business forum and promotion of reform of the United Nations including the EU initiative on financial reform.The meeting accepted the United Kingdom's offer to host the second summit which will be held during our presidency of the EU in the first half of 1998. This is a clear signal of our commitment to developing relations with Asia and our determination to play a leading role in the evolving relationship between the two regions.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions or communications Her Majesty's Government have had since the beginning of the current year with the Governments of those other Commonwealth countries whose Head of State is Her Majesty the Queen, about the constitutional future and status of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales. [18883]

[holding answer 4 March 1996]: None.

To ask the Prime Minister if the income and profits of the Duchy of Cornwall are private and personal to the Prince of Wales. [18886]

[holding answer 4 March 1996]: The capital assets of the Duchy of Cornwall are inalienable, and the income from capital disposals must be reinvested in new capital assets. The Prince of Wales is personally entitled to the net income from the revenue account of the Duchy of Cornwall, from which he meets both public and private expenditure for himself, the Princess and their family.

To ask the Prime Minister at what time or stage on 28 February he was advised that Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was issuing a statement announcing her intention to divorce His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. [18882]

[holding answer 4 March 1996]: I was informed of the statement after it was issued.

To ask the Prime Minister what provisions exist for the Princess of Wales to renounce the rank and the title of Her Royal Highness. [18881]

[holding answer 4 March 1996]: The use of the style lies ultimately in the Queen's gift, although the wishes of the princess would be taken into consideration.

To ask the Prime Minister what future funding arrangements from public funds are being made to facilitate HRH the Princess of Wales continuing her public duties subsequent to divorce. [18877]

[holding answer 4 March 1996]: Matters relating to the divorce of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the princess's future role are under discussion.

To ask the Prime Minister if it is his policy that civil servants criticised in the Scott report shall be disciplined. [19282]

[holding answer 6 March 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 6 March, Official Report, column 252.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the EU directives which have been gold plated when transcribed into United Kingdom law in the past five years. [18640]

The Government's policy is not to add unnecessary burdens on business when implementing EC directives in the UK. Departments keep existing legislation under review in the light of this policy.

To ask the Prime Minister hen he expects to issue a revised version of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". [18622]

[holding answer 4 March 1996]: I will revise and reissue "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" as and when appropriate.

To ask the Prime Minister which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each (a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18146]

[holding answer 1 March 1996: For these purposes, my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 6 March, Official Report, columns 250–51.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been deregistered from their dentist since 1992 in each family health services authority area; and if he will make a statement. [17592]

This information will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he issues to general practitioner fundholders on the appropriate use of savings. [17936]

Guidance on the use of fundholder savings is set out in HSG(95)46, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were, in each of the last five years (a) the total losses of fundholders, (b) the total savings and (c) the total net savings. [17935]

Information about fundholder efficiency savings and budget overspends is shown in the table. Figures for 1994–95 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates he has made in each year of the net worth of general practitioners fundholders' assets. [19499]

None. All general practitioners, whether fundholding or not, are independent contractors to the national health service. Information is not therefore available about their assets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many, and which, health service bodies have so far identified board level members with responsibility for implementing the recommendations of "Patients not Paper"; and what progress has been reported by them. [18795]

Each family health services authority in England and Wales has appointed a board level person responsible for implementing the recommendations of "Patients not Paper". In addition, all eight regional offices have appointed a lead individual responsible for co-ordinating the implementation of "Patients not Paper" throughout their region. Good progress towards introducing the recommendations on schedule has been reported from all regions. The key date for introduction of new forms is 1 July 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of (a) full-time and (b) part-time NHS medical staff in (i) 1993, (ii) 1994 and (iii) 1995. [18803]

Information for hospital and community health services doctors is available in "Hospital Medical Staff England Tables" for 1993 and 1994, and from "Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services Medical Staff England Tables" for 1993 and 1994.Figures for general practitioners are available in "General Medical Services Statistics for England and Wales" 1993 and 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons salaries are not paid to chairmen of continuing health care review panels. [18821]

It is not normal practice to pay salaries for appointments of this kind, but chairmen are entitled to receive reasonable expenses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many, and which, health authorities are intending to use the Barthel index to determine eligibility for NHS continuing in-patient care from April 1996; and what score on the index is being used as the basis for eligibility in respect of each one. [19807]

This information is not available centrally; health authority policies and eligibility criteria are currently in the process of being finalised for operation from 1 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons his Department did not implement the recommendation contained in paragraph 42 of the Tomlinson report. [18937]

After consultation with the profession, we introduced a package of work force flexibilities in the London initiative zone in September 1995. Together with premises' flexibilities and their general medical services cash-limited allocations, this will enable health authorities and the profession locally to work together to improve services for patients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospitals in (a) West Yorkshire and (b) Leeds are paying private sector hospitals to treat NHS patients; if he will list the hospitals; and what are the costs involved. [18962]

This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact chairmen of NHS trusts in West Yorkshire for details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local authorities are applying the same capital asset rules to means testing for domiciliary care and for residential care; and if he will publish a list of those authorities. [18965]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of (a) GPs and (b) GP vacancies in each health authority area in England. [19256]

The available information will be placed in the Library. Information on general practitioner vacancies is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold centrally information on the proportion of NHS audit activity devoted to probity audits; and if he will make a statement. [19347]

No. The examination of probity forms one part of the work carried out by internal and external auditors, and cannot readily be quantified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 13 February, Official Report, column 798, what is the current average time that patients have to wait before being seen when attending the accident and emergency department at the Whittington Hospital NHS trust. [19609]

At present, 95 per cent. of patients are seen within five minutes for triage assessment. The average waiting time to see a doctor in January 1996 was 65 minutes. Approximately 45 per cent. of patients were seen by a doctor within 30 minutes, 58 per cent. within 60 minutes, 78 per cent. within 120 minutes and 90 per cent. within 180 minutes. Children and patients needing urgent treatment are always given priority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the Licensing Authority expects to receive further data on myocardial infarction and third generation oral contraceptives; [19189](2) whether data on myocardial infarction risk from third generation oral contraceptives were made available to members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines on 13 October 1995; and from which studies that data were derived; [19186](3) if he will publish the odds ratios relating to myocardial infarction and third generation oral contraceptives which were made available from the World Health Organisation and Spitzer studies to the Medicines Control Agency prior to the meeting of the Committee on Safety of Medicines on 13 October 1995. [19187]

Preliminary data on myocardial infarction from the World Health Organisation case control study were made available to the Committee on Safety on Medicines on 13 October 1995. These data remain unpublished and were provided to the Medicines Control Agency in confidence. Limited data on myocardial infarction from the general practice research database were also available to the committee. Further data from the GPRD study and the findings of the transnational study have since become available, and have been published in the medical literature. Further epidemiological data on myocardial infarction are expected, but the time frame for their availability is currently unclear.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial contribution the Licensing Authority made to the costs of distributing the letter dated 26 October 1995 from the Family Planning Association which contained advice on the prescribing of combined oral contraceptives. [19188]

The Medicines Control Agency covered the costs of printing and distribution of the letter to relevant health professionals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what legal proceedings have been instituted against (a) the Licensing Authority, (b) the Medicines Control Agency, (c) Medicines Control Agency staff and (d) the Committee on Safety of Medicines in connection with the recent advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines on third generation oral contraceptives. [19192]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date Ministers in his Department were informed of potential safety concerns regarding third generation oral contraceptives. [19183]

Ministers were informed of the preliminary findings of the World Health Organisation's case control study on 14 July 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to monitor the effects on public health of the dissemination of the advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines relating to third generation oral contraceptives. [19185]

Information from a variety of sources is being monitored, including data on the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, pregnancy and abortion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department made of the arithmetical accuracy of the tables made available by Professor Spitzer on 9 October 1995. [19191]

The tables provided by Professor Spitzer were assessed by experts on the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards are in place to ensure that the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines is independent. [19190]

The Committee on Safety of Medicines is an independent body of drug safety experts. Following consultation with appropriate organisations and on the recommendation of the Medicines Commission, its members are appointed by the United Kingdom Health Ministers—the Licensing Authority.Members do not represent organisations, but contribute by their individual expertise and judgment to the advice given by the committee to the licensing authority. In addition, members are required to follow a code of practice on relations with the pharmaceutical industry and to declare their interests which are published annually.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many resignations have been received from staff of (a) the Medicines Control Agency and (b) the Committee on Safety of Medicines since 1 October 1995. [19184]

The Medicines Control Agency has received six resignations since 1 October 1995; while the Committee on Safety of Medicines has received none.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received about the closure of the B 12 unit at the Chelsea and Westminster NHS trust; and if he will make a statement; [19193]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received several representations on the future of the vitamin B 2 unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. The future inclusion of the vitamin B 12 unit into the services provided by the Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare national health service trust is a matter for the trust and the Charing Cross and Westminster medical school.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when an independent inquiry into an allegation of clinical negligence or misconduct involving the use of laparoscopic surgical techniques in a case of uterine cancer was last carried out in respect of the Northern and Yorkshire health region; by whom that inquiry was carried out; and at what cost. [19234]

Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority carried out an inquiry into an allegation about the use of laparoscopic surgical techniques in a case of uterine cancer in the second half of 1995. The hon. Member may wish to contact John Greetham CBE, chairman of the authority, for further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the use of laparoscopic surgical techniques for hysterectomy in the case of uterine cancer requires ethics committee approval. [19236]

Laparoscopic surgical techniques require local research ethics committee approval only if carried out as part of a research project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he is preparing guidelines as to when laparoscopic surgical techniques may be used for hysterectomy in the case of uterine cancer; [19237](2) what guidelines exist covering the circumstances under which laparoscopic surgical techniques of hysterectomy may be used in the case of uterine cancer. [19238]

No guidelines exist covering specifically the circumstances under which laparoscopic surgical techniques of hysterectomy may be used in the case of uterine cancer. The development, publication and maintenance of guidelines for the clinical management of various groups of illnesses are the responsibility of the medical, nursing, dental and other clinicians and their professional bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he issues as to the professional qualifications and usual place of work of individuals commissioned by regional health authorities to look into alleged cases of clinical negligence. [19235]

There is no formal guidance for regional health authorities that deals specifically with the investigation of alleged cases of clinical negligence.Regional medical officers are responsible for arranging for two independent consultants to conduct the third stage of the current hospital clinical complaints procedure, called independent professional review. Existing guidance is contained in paragraph 27 of annexe B to health circular HC(88)37, copies of which will be placed in the Library. This states that the consultants should be in active practice in the appropriate speciality or specialties. They should be nominated by the joint consultants committee, and at least one should be a doctor working in a comparable hospital in a different region from that which is setting up the independent professional review.A new national health service complaints system will be introduced from April 1996, in which there will no longer be separate procedures for dealing with clinical complaints.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a quarterly analysis of the number of operations cancelled in each region since figures have been published. [19497]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library figures by (a) district health authority and (b) regional health authority, of the number of operations cancelled on the day of, or the day after, admission to hospital and the number of those patients not readmitted within a month for (i) the second and (ii) the third quarter of 1995–96. [19471]

The national health service performs over 5 million operations annually. Fewer than 50,000 or less than 0.01 per cent. were cancelled in 1994–95 and many of these would have been unavoidable.The available information relates to the number of operations cancelled for non-medical reasons on the day patients are due to arrive or after arrival in hospital. This will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further advice he intends to issue to trusts regarding the appropriate level of pay increases to general and senior managers beyond that contained in HSG(961); and what monitoring he proposes to undertake. [19493]

None. These are matters for local determination following extant guidance and I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) on 13 February, Official Report, column 559.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a list of the professions of those (a) nominated and (b) appointed to serve as non-executives on the newly merged health authorities. [19498]

A list of all non-executive appointments together with professions of appointees to national health service authorities and trusts will be published in the summer of 1996.