To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his current estimate of the amount of unclaimed returnable tax on interest paid to non-taxpayer holders of savings in building societies and banks. [20270]

Our most recent estimate showed that approximately £500 million of tax was deducted from interest paid by banks and building societies between April 1991 and March 1995, that could be reclaimed, and remains unclaimed by account holders. In order to encourage savers to reclaim this money the Inland Revenue held a tax-back week last September. It told people paying too much tax on their savings how to claim tax back and attracted widespread media publicity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost or saving at current prices and assumptions would be of (a) a tax-free allowance of £10,000 to all income tax payers, (b) a flat rate income tax rate of 20 per cent. on the remainder of all incomes and (c) abolition of all other income tax allowances; and what the full-year tax saving would be of (a) and (b) for a person with income of (i) £20,000, (ii) £40,000, (iii) £80,000, (iv) £160,000 and (v) £400,000. [21438]

Available information was given in my answer to the hon. Member for Dover (Mr. Shaw) on 7 February, Official Report, column 186.The tax savings for individuals with the specified income levels would depend on their levels of allowances and reliefs as well as incomes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average annual cost to the Treasury in lost taxes for every 100,000 additional persons unemployed. [21439]

No accurate estimate can be made of the cost to the Treasury in lost taxes for every 100,000 additional persons unemployed. Any such calculation is highly sensitive to the assumptions on which it would have to be based.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures his Department is taking to ensure that its contractors and suppliers (a) pay their employees a wage which ensures such employees do not need supplementary welfare payments via various state benefits and (b) meet workplace health and safety regulations; and if he will make a statement. [21459]

Terms and conditions of employment, including wages, are a matter between the contractor or supplier and his employees, subject of course to any relevant legal requirements. Compliance with health and safety regulations is a legal requirement for the contractor or supplier, but the Treasury does remind suppliers of this in their terms and conditions of contract.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state (a) the name of the document and (b) the date and place of any speech made by members of Her Majesty's Government prior to 9 April 1992 which committed the current administration to acceptance of the principle of economic and monetary union as set out in the treaty on European Union. [21546]

[holding answer 18 March 1996]: The treaty on European Union was signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992 and came into force on 1 November 1993. Protocol No. 11, annexed to the EC treaty, and section 2 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 mean that the United Kingdom shall not be obliged or committed to move to the third stage of economic and monetary union without a separate decision to do so by the Government and Parliament. We will agree to take part in a single currency only if it is in our national interest to do so, given the circumstances at the time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements exist to give civil servants who are appointed justices of the peace leave of absence to carry out their judicial training and duties. [21380]

The civil service management code gives Departments and agencies discretion to grant special leave for voluntary public service. There are no centrally prescribed limits to the amount of special leave that may be given to a civil servant who is appointed as a justice of the peace. Departments are aware of their obligation to comply with section 29 of part II of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures his Department is taking to ensure that its contractors and suppliers (a) pay their employees a wage which ensures such employees do not need supplementary welfare payments via various state benefits and (b) meet workplace health and safety regulations; and if he will make a statement. [21474]

The Cabinet Office does not carry out checks on the wage rates paid by its contractors or suppliers. Terms and conditions of employment, including wages, are a matter between the contractor or supplier and his employees, subject to any relevant legal requirements.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will give details of the meetings he has had with representatives of the staff at HMSO about the Government's plans for the privatisation of HMSO; and if he will make a statement. [20655]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is responsible for the sale of HMSO. He gave details of the meetings he has had with HMSO staff, in his answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Cunningham) on 4 December, Official Report, column 33. Since then, my right hon. Friend has held a further meeting with national and local trade union representatives.The Government are committed to ensuring that staff are treated fairly during the privatisation of HMSO, and that their legal rights are fully respected. My colleagues and officials will maintain contact with staff throughout the process, and remain willing to hold further meetings as necessary.

To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Gloucester (Mr. French) of 1 February, Official Report, columns 858–59, what is the Crown Prosecution Service's cash limit for 1995–96 after taking account of appropriations in aid. [21952]

The Crown Prosecution Service's cash limits which I announced on 1 February did not take account of appropriations in aid. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the Crown Prosecution Service's cash limit for class IX, vote 4, after taking account of appropriations in aid, will be increased from £229,673,000 to £231,173,000. This increase will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the United Kingdom coal industry to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall. [21974]

I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 8 July to Friday 12 July 1996.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he will make arrangements to provide training and advice to hon. Members on the handling of casework involving people who appear to be unbalanced or suspicious. [21962]

I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many times the former Doncaster Crown court building has been used for (a) judicial and (b) other purposes since its formal closure. [20664]

The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is provided to help people who have fled from the former Yugoslavia to return to their country of origin; what discussions have taken place within (a) the EU and (b) the UN on developing a repatriation programme; and if he will make it his policy to give priority to the repatriation of skilled workers and smallholders. [21495]

Following the Dayton agreement, the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, is collaborating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, in regular consultation with the EC and member states, on a comprehensive return, repatriation and re-development programme. It has been agreed that the emphasis should now be on the return of individuals with the necessary skills to assist in the general rehabilitation and reconstruction of the region. The UK is currently considering contributing a further grant towards this return of talent. The return of nationals for the former Yugoslavia who came to the UK under Government auspices will be assisted financially through the IOM.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to evaluate the advantages of laying a submarine pipeline to the new Atlantic oil fields; whom he plans to consult in the near future on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [21200]

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy has encouraged and continues to encourage, the oil and gas industry to consider this issue. At present, it is clear that recoverable reserves in the area are insufficient to justify the laying of a submarine pipeline. The position is under constant review.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to legislate for total genetic privacy; what studies he has made of American statutes to safeguard genetic read-outs and their applicability in the United Kingdom; what measures he proposes in respect of the insurance implications of genetic testing; and if he will make a statement. [21649]

Government policy on genetic privacy and the insurance implications of genetic testing were set out in Cm 3061, published on 10 January 1996. This responded to the Select Committee on Science and Technology's report on "Human Genetics: the Science and its Consequences", Session 1994–95, No. 41. Copies of both documents are available in the Library of the House.The Government's response took account of developments overseas. As a result of differences in its basic health care system, however, direct parallels with the United States are difficult to draw.In the light of further discussions with the Select Committee, the Government have said that they will consider whether there is a need for an additional trans-departmental mechanism to look at broader issues raised by human genetics. I have also met representatives of the Association of British Insurers to urge that their dialogue with geneticists and other interested parties continues in as open a manner as possible.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the present level of expenditure on research and development into nuclear power; and what are the planned levels for 1996–97 and 1997–98. [21254]

The DIT' s provision for funding nuclear research and development is set out in the annual Supply estimates published each March by HM Treasury. The estimates give details for the present and coming financial years only. Drawimg on the details given in the Supply estimates published in March 1995, the total provision for DTI funded nuclear research and development for 1994–95 was £26,313,000 and for 1995–96 is £25,556,000. This includes provision for research and development work on safety and health, fusion, safeguards and also for research and development into decommissioning and radioactive waste management, which is listed separately in the estimates. Full details of nuclear research and development funding provision for 1996–97 will be published very shortly in the March 1996 Supply estimates. A similar level of funding for nuclear research and development is planned for 1997–98. These future plans were set out in "Trade and Industry 1995: the Government's expenditure plans for 1995–96 to 1997–98", which was published in March 1995, Cm 2804.The majority of UK nuclear research and development into nuclear safety is carried out within a programme funded by the nuclear industry and co-ordinated by the Health and Safety Executive on behalf of the Health and Safety Commission. In 1995–96, the budget for this programme is £26,300,000. The budget for 1996–97 is expected to be at a similar level.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he is giving to a code of practice for grant consultants; and if he will make a statement. [20327]

I support the idea of a code of practice for grant consultants, and welcome any private sector initiative that provides a commitment to raising standards and makes it easier for businesses to identify bona fide consultants. One small business organisation has approached me on the subject already.Many information brokers in the UK have now adopted a European code of conduct known as EIRENE/—European information researchers network—which lays down the basic principles of responsible research and information provision.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial assistance was provided by the Government for exports to Iraq during 1990–91. [21153]

[holding answer 18 March 1996]: Prior to the invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, the Export Credits Guarantee Department provided cover in 1990–91 for £112 million of UK exports to Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those areas of executive action where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision. [20536]

In the absence of express statutory requirement within the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments, there is no general duty to give reasons for administrative decisions. However, as a matter of good administrative practice, including compliance with the code of practice on access to Government information, coupled with the fact that a failure to give reasons may provide grounds on which a decision may be challenged by judicial review, reasons are given where it is appropriate to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the annual financial cost of the provision of appellant medical records for disability appeal tribunals run by the independent tribunal service, Northern Ireland. [20514]

The costs for the provision of appellant medical records for disability appeal tribunals are subsumed in the overall financial cost of the independent tribunal service and no separate records are maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current financial cost of the

Description	1995℃96 estimate £	1994℃95 actual £	1993℃94 actual £	1992℃93 actual £	1991℃92 actual £	1990℃91 £
Salaries	1,489,350	1,052,325	901,056	691,021	548,304	—
Adjudication	1,345,350	834,444	557,732	408,800	394,509	—
Accommodation	380,663	390,056	291,833	179,937	171,583	—
Other costs	115,300	100,563	87,505	80,849	51,002	—
Total	3,330,663	2,377,388	1,838,126	1,360,607	1,165,398	—
Capital	53,792	148,698	235,951	0	0	—
Grand total	3,384,455	2,526,086	2,074,077	1,360,607	1,165,398	—
Other costs include travel, postage, telecom, training etc. Capital includes costs for fitting out 2nd floor of Cleaver house and the Omagh extension.
1Figures for 1990℃91 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when section 10 of the Civil Evidence Act 1995 will come into effect in Northern Ireland. [20869]

It is expected that section 10 of the Civil Evidence Act 1995 will be brought into force in Northern Ireland on the same day as in England and Wales. No day has yet been appointed for this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded in each of the last three financial years by his Department and its executive agencies after competitive tendering; and what was the total combined value of these contracts. [21037]

The annual spend on goods and services following competitive tendering by Northern Ireland Departments, the Northern Ireland Office and their executive agencies in each of the last three financial years is:

• 1992–93: £280 million
• 1993–94: £231 million
• 1994–95: £236 million

Records of the precise number of contracts and their value are not held centrally. Such information could be gathered only at disproportionate cost given that a very large number of contractual arrangements are entered into annually.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the individual costs of independent tribunal service, Northern Ireland; what was the cost in each financial year between 1990 and 1995; and if he will provide a breakdown of costs. [20515]

A breakdown of costs which are directly attributable to the independent tribunal service is included in the accompanying table. It does not include certain centrally borne costs such as those for finance and personnel or printing and stationery.Figures for 1990℃91 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.the last 10 completed consultation processes on proposed Orders in Council. [17115]

[holding answer 28 February 1996]: The estimated costs of printing and postage associated with the last 10 completed consultation processes were:

	£
Business Tenancies (NI) Order	1,445
Police (NI) Order	2,517
Gas (NI) Order	2,712
Road Traffic Offenders (NI) Order	3,362
Food Safety (Amendment) (NI) Order	570
Proceeds of Crime (NI) Order	1,161
Road Traffic (NI) Order	3,818
Street Works (NI) Order	3,803
Ombudsman (NI) Order and Commissioner of Complaints (NI) Order	4,041
Education (NI) Order	8,486

Staff costs are available only in respect of two consultation processes as follows:

	£
Gas (NI) Order	500
Food Safety (Amendment) NI Order	130

To ask the Secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss with the United State authorities the situation between China and Taiwan. [21642]

We have been in regular and close contact with the Americans about the situation in the Taiwan straits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent talks he has had with European Union member counterparts to help establish for South Africa a free trade agreement into the European Union; and what the next steps towards such an agreement will be. [21593]

The UK is in the lead in pressing for liberalisation of trade between the EU and South Africa. The negotiation mandate for an EU-South Africa free trade area was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Councils on 4 December, 29 January and 26 February. It will be on the agenda again at the Foreign Affairs Council on 25 to 26 March, when the UK will urge partners to agree a mandate which is compatible with World Trade Organisation rules and negotiable with the South Africans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department is taking to ensure that its contractors and suppliers (a) pay their employees a wage which ensures such employees do not need supplementary welfare payments via various state benefits and (b) meet workplace health and safety regulations; and if he will make a statement. [21471]

Terms and conditions of employment, including wages, are a matter between the contractor or supplier and his employees, subject to any relevant legal requirements. Compliance with health and safety regulations is a legal requirement for the contractor or supplier.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department (a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [21276]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report on Hong Kong will be laid before Parliament. [21986]

The report is being published and laid before Parliament today. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated cost of the European Parliament in 1996; and what were the figures in each of the last five years. [20988]

I have been asked to reply.The information is provided in the table.

Cost of the European Parliament
	Ecu	£
1991	465,800,000	326,099,130
1992	528,100,000	387,738,610
1993	660,300,000	514,052,160
1994	646,300,000	500,077,370
1995	843,321,000	690,624,020
1996	802,739,800	680,115,050

1. The figures for 1991–94 are outturn figures and have been taken from the relevant Court of Auditors report. The figures for 1995 and 1996 are taken from the adopted European Community Budgets for those years.2. The figures for 1991–95 have been converted from ecu to sterling using the annual average exchange rate

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning care in the community in Wales. [21128]

Many more people are now being cared for in their own homes or in a homely environment in their local community. On the basis of figures supplied by the local authorities, in 1993–94 local authorities assessed 51,000 people for community care services and an estimated 30,000 were provided with care to help them stay in their own homes. In 1994–95 these increased to 66,000 and 32,000 respectively.The unitary authorities will be even better placed to co-ordinate the range of care and support that vulnerable people need.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded in each of the last three financial years by his Department and its executive agencies after competitive tendering; and what was the total combined value of these contracts. [21036]

All contracts for goods or services over £1,000 are subject to competitive tendering. Information in the form requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning the supply of GPs in Wales. [21127]

The number of GPs in Wales is 1,710–28 per cent. more than in 1979, when it was 1,339. The average list size continues to fall—from 2,133 in 1979 to 1,744 in 1995.The Medical Practices Committee survey of GP recruitment last year concluded that there is a downward trend in the number of applicants for vacancies, but that there are still sufficient numbers for appointments to be made.The Welsh Office is keeping a close eye on the situation, and has taken soundings from family health services authorities about the situation in their areas. These, together with the MPC findings, show that there is no overall shortage of GPs at national level although there are pockets of difficulty in certain places. The Welsh Office is exploring with the service ways in which we may alleviate these problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those training and enterprise councils which have contracts with Firlands Training Ltd. The Firs, Whitchurch near Aylesbury under (a) the youth training scheme and (b) training for work. [21499]

Contracts between training and enterprise councils and their training providers are matters for the parties concerned. Information on such contracts is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to publish his consultation paper on the relationship between the Welsh Office and local government. [22346]

I have published the paper today and placed copies in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the outcome of the financial management and policy review of the Wales Youth Agency. [22347]

A summary of the report's recommendations, together with the Department's response in the form of an action plan, has today been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Frederick West's brain was removed from his body; and if he will make a statement. [20252]

I understand that Mr. West's body was subjected to a routine post mortem. The brain was removed in the course of the post mortem and returned to the body following examination.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the question from the hon. Member for Taunton for answer on 15 January about alcoholic lemonade. [21008]

I replied to the question from the hon. Member on 19 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans Her Majesty's Government have to modify, deregulate or amend the law relating to betting and gaming; and if he will state the principal statutes and regulations which would be involved. [21535]

Our on-going review of the controls on gambling as part of the Government's deregulation initiative has resulted in a number of proposals to amend the law on betting and gaming.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children from the former Yugoslavia entered the United Kingdom in each year since 1991; how many of those children were not accompanied by parents or adult relatives; and how many children from the former Yugoslavia have (a) applied for and (b) been granted (i) asylum and (ii) exceptional leave to remain. [21494]

Information on the total number of children given leave to enter the United Kingdom is not available, as only those with a settlement entry clearance are identified in the statistics.Information on the number of unaccompanied children from the former Yugoslavia who applied for asylum on arrival in the United Kingdom, for the years 1992 to 1994, is given in table 2.4 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1994", issue 15/95. A copy of this publication is available in the Library. Provisional information for 1995 indicates that nine unaccompanied children from the former Yugoslavia applied for asylum on arrival in the United Kingdom. Decisions on asylum applications from unaccompanied children are not separately recorded.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average cost of answering an (a) oral and (b) written parliamentary question from (i) Opposition and (ii) Conservative hon. Members in each Session since 1989–90. [21779]

This Department does not collect the information in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those areas of Executive action where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision. [20532]

Comprehensive records are not kept in the form requested. However, in accordance with the code of practice on access to Government information, the Department is committed generally to giving reasons for administrative decisions to those affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of public inquiries into major road schemes ruled against his Department over the last five years; and, of these public inquiry decisions, how many were subsequently endorsed by the Secretary of State. [20778]

Since 1 April 1991, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport have announced 139 decisions on trunk road schemes following public inquiries. In seven cases, the independent inspector recommended against making the orders for the scheme and the inspector's recommendation was endorsed by the Secretaries of State in each case. Over the period in question, significant modifications to satisfy objections were incorporated in 30 schemes, following inquiries where the inspector recommended in favour of the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 11 March 1996, Official Report, column 470, how many of the improved transport links between central London and Greenwich will be in operation by the beginning of 1999. [214371

The Jubilee line extension is scheduled to open in early 1998 and the docklands light railway's Lewisham extension is scheduled to open in 1999. The expansion of river services on the Thames is a continuous process and a matter for the operators. We shall publish shortly our long-term proposals for new river crossings east of Tower bridge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many research projects sponsored by his Department were undertaken by the Warren Springs laboratory in the last three years. [21288]

Prior to the relocation of Warren Springs within the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, it performed extramural work for the Transport Research Laboratory on a number of projects relating to exhaust emissions. These are listed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to ensure that its contractors and suppliers (a) pay their employees a wage which ensures such employees do not need supplementary welfare payments via various state benefits and (b) meet workplace health and safety regulations; and if he will make a statement. [21460]

None. Terms and conditions of employment, including wages, are a matter between the contractor or supplier and his employees, subject of course to any relevant legal requirements. Compliance with health and safety regulations is a legal requirement for the contractor or supplier.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will place in the Library a copy of the emergency towing study final report. [22263]

A copy has now been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the completion of the full refurbishment programme for the rolling stock units of the London Regional Transport Metropolitan services. [20796]

I understand that London Underground's programme for refurbishing the Metropolitan line trains is expected to be complete in October 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the new more frequent running schedules following the start of the extended Jubilee line service to commence. [20797]

The new running schedules, of up to 27 trains per hour, compared with the current 20 trains per hour, are expected to come into effect as soon as the extended Jubilee line opens. London Underground's aim is that this should be in early 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many applications for discretionary purchase under section 246 (2A) of the Highways Act 1980 have been redetermined since the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the Owen case; and in how many such cases the redetermination has favoured the applicant. [21078]

Under the revised guidelines announced in July 1995, 161 cases have been redetermined. Of these, 24 decisions favoured the applicant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average cost of answering an (a) oral and (b) written parliamentary question from (i) Opposition and (ii) Conservative hon. Members in each Session since 1989–90. [21790]

My Department does not collect the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated cost to the Highways Agency for constructing the proposed Newbury bypass on stilts over the Kennet and Lambourn valleys; and what is the estimated cost for building the bypass on an embankment over these two river valleys. [21599]

[holding answer 19 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 when the compensation claim lodged by residents of Wyndham place, Egremont, following the construction of the Egremont bypass will be resolved. [21273]

[holding answer 19 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 the Environment how many new homes were started in the west midlands in 1995 in (a) the private sector and (b) the housing association sector; and what percentage changes these figures represent from 1994. [20914]

It is estimated that in the west midlands region in 1995 there were 10,800 new private enterprise dwellings started, a decrease of 19 per cent. from the total started in 1994, and there were 2,200 housing association dwellings started, a fall of 43 per cent. compared with 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much unsold housing stock there is in the west midlands. [20915]

The only information held centrally on dwellings for sale in the west midlands relates to vacant local authority dwellings to be sold, as reported by local authorities on their housing investment programme returns. The 1995 returns showed a total of 283 local authority dwellings in the west midlands that on 1 April 1995 were vacant and to be sold.The available data on vacant dwellings in the west midlands in other sectors do not identify separately those which are for sale.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to reduce the amount of (a) environmentally damaging waste and (b) other pollution created by the farming industry. [21387]

The Government's views on the reduction of waste, including agricultural waste, are set out in the White Paper "Making Waste Work" which was published in December 1995.Measures to control agricultural sources of water pollution include:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the reasons for South Oxfordshire district council's refusal to give information about the circumstances surrounding the termination of its contract with John McLintock; and if South Oxfordshire district council has signed a confidentiality agreement with John McLintock, the contractor form computing services. [21165]

The arrangements under which contracts are entered into by local authorities with private contractor are for authorities themselves to decide within the law. Authorities have a fiduciary duty, under common law, to their local taxpayers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what criteria the Housing Corporation used in determining the 1996–97 grant allocations apart from the guidelines in the bidding forum and the regional policy statement; [21238](2) what influence Housing Corporation regional directors have in allocating Housing Corporation grant; and to what extent this influence was applied in the 1996–97 allocations; [21239](3) what criteria apply to schemes seeking Housing Corporation funding where standards exceeded the published scheme work development standards; [21240](4) what guidelines the Housing Corporation issues to local authorities in regard to competition between associations for Housing Corporation funding; [21242](5) what consultation arrangements on investment priorities with individual associations and local authorities is undertaken by the Housing Corporation. [21243]

The Housing Corporation's regional directors are responsible for allocating approved development programme resources within their regions in response to competitive bids from housing associations. They do so within a policy and procedural framework which, for 1996–97, was published by the corporation in its:

1. "Guide to the Allocation Process"

2. Regional Policy Statements

3. "invitation bid" letter.

Prior to publishing the above documents at the start of the 1996–97 bidding process, the corporation issued to local authorities and housing associations a consultation paper "Competing for Grant" which set out its proposed framework and criteria for competition including, inter alia, proposals for dealing with schemes where standards exceed the published scheme development standards. Where higher standards are proposed, corporation regional directors assess their relevance to the client group and schemes in question, and their cost-effectiveness, in arriving at their value for money judgments.Local authorities are expected to involve housing associations in drawing up their housing strategies in accordance with the housing investment programme guidance issued annually by the Department. The Housing Corporation discusses the investment priorities arising from the strategies with local authorities, and publishes the outcome of these discussions in the regional policy statements. Following receipt of bids, and prior to finalising investment decisions, corporation regional directors and their staff discuss with local authorities the proposed allocations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to tackle homelessness amongst 16 to 20-year-olds. [21520]

Under the Children Act 1989, local authority social services departments have a duty to provide accommodation for any child in need within their area who has reached the age of 16 and whose welfare the authority consider is likely to be seriously prejudiced if they do not provide accommodation. Local authorities have a duty to advise and assist young persons aged under 21 who have left local authority care after reaching the age of 16; this assistance can include help with accommodation.My Department provides grants under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 to a range of voluntary organisations throughout England which offer practical help to homeless people. Many of these projects will assist homeless young people. In 1995–96, £6.9 million has been made available and a further £25 million will be made available over the next three years. Since 1990, my Department has also provided £182 million through the rough sleepers initiative to help rough sleepers in central London. Independent research shows that this has been particularly effective in helping young people to start a new life away from the streets. Plans for the third phase of the initiative were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration in his reply to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 4 March 1996.In addition, various Government programmes including the rough sleepers initiative and the single regeneration budget have funded the development and operation of a range of foyer projects, hostels based on a French model which provide accommodation linked with training and job opportunities for homeless and unemployed young people.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the shortfall since September 1995 in available places for applicants to hostels intended to provide shelter for homeless people in central London; and if he will make a statement on his policies to deal with this problem. [21689]

This information is not held centrally. I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration on 4 March 1996, Official Report, columns 8–10, about the Government's plans for the next phase—1996–99—of the rough sleepers initiative. These plans include the offer to fund up to 200 additional beds in temporary hostel accommodation, and continued funding for some hostel and night shelter accommodation already funded under the initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures his Department is taking to ensure that its contractors and suppliers (a) pay their employees a wage which ensures such employees do not need supplementary welfare payments via various state benefits and (b) meet workplace health and safety regulations; and if he will make a statement. [21472]

Terms and conditions of employment, including wages, are a matter between the contractor or supplier and his employees, subject of course to any relevant legal requirements. Compliance with health and safety regulations is a legal requirement for the contractor or supplier.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take on the drinking water inspectorate's report into the pollution of South West Water's supply in South Devon in August 1995. [21693]

The drinking water inspectorate is still investigating this incident and will, as is usual in such cases, consider whether to recommend prosecution of the company for the offence of supplying water unfit for human consumption.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the financial support available from (a) his Department and (b) elsewhere for the rough sleepers initiative in 1995–96; and what changes will take place to this support in 1996–97. [21688]

In 1995–96, my Department has made available revenue funding of £5.479 million in support of the rough sleepers initiative; and the Housing Corporation has made available capital funding of £24.862 million and revenue funding of £1.9 million for the provision and management of permanent move-on accommodation. Plans for the third phase—1996–99—of the initiative are set out in the strategy paper issued on 4 March 1996. Housing associations and voluntary sector organisations working with rough sleepers are being invited to bid for further resources of £73 million being made available by my Department over this three year period. This financial support will be complemented by £4.2 million for each of the next three years being made available by the Department of Health to continue and develop the homeless mentally ill initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce legislation to enable local councils to pay a cycling allowance to elected members. [21591]

We have no plans to introduce legislation on the payment of cycling allowances by local authorities to their elected members.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many persons in his Department worked in excess of 48 hours per week in any of the last 52 weeks; and what percentage of the staff employed this represents. [21506]

There is no central record of the number of hours worked each week by staff in my Department. Conditioned hours are generally 41 gross in London and 42 gross elsewhere.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average council tax for a band D property in each authority in England for 1996–97. [22009]

The average council tax for band D two-adult dwellings in England in 1996–97 is £647. This is before any reductions for council tax benefit and transitional relief, and represents an increase of 6.2 per cent on 1995–96 levels.Council taxes in shire areas will be £632 on average, an increase of 5.9 per cent. on last year.In London, the average council tax for band B is £616, with inner London having the highest increases, of 10.4 per cent. on average, while in outer London increases average 5.1 per cent. Metropolitan areas have the highest band D council taxes, at £725–6.8 per cent. higher than in 1995–96.I have today placed in the Library of the House a table showing band D council tax for each authority in England for 1996–97, and the percentage increase from 1995–96.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department (a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [21279]

A list of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department can be found in the Cabinet Office Publication "Public Bodies 1995". A copy is available in the House of Commons Library. Of these the following bodies carry out activities falling within the specified categories:

a. hold open meetings,

Local Government Commission Local Government Staff Commission

b. conduct public consultation exercises, Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment

Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council Local Government Commission Local Government Staff Commission

c. conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests,

Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment Advisory Panel for Construction Research

Advisory Panel on Standards for the Planning Inspectorate Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council

Local Government Commission

d. publish a register of members' interests (in annual reports),Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances

Advisory Committee on Releases of Genetically Modified Organisms to the Environment

Advisory Panel on Standards for the Planning Inspectorate

Local Government Commission.

The Local Government Commission is required by statute to carry out consultation exercises. None of the other activities is a statutory requirement.The royal commission on eNvironmental pollution is an independent body appointed by the Queen by royal warrant. Its policy is to consult widely on subjects it is studying and to ensure that all the advice it gives is in the public domain.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of uncollected domestic rates, community charge and council tax for the London boroughs of (a) Lambeth and (b) Islington at the latest date for which figures are available. [21400]

Estimates of uncollected community charge and council tax for individual authorities are published regularly by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. Estimates for 31 March 1994 are available in its revenue collection statistics 1993–94 publication, which shows the following figures:

£000
	Arrears outstanding at 31 March 1994 for: Community charge	Council tax
Lambeth	84,895	29,597
Islington1	n/a	10,270
1No information as published by CIPFA for Islington: the figure shown for council tax arrears is the Department's estimate based on information supplied by the authority in May 1994.

Later figures are not yet available, but will differ from those given above to the extent that the authorities concerned have collected outstanding amounts, written off uncollectable amounts or, in the case of council taxes, raised new debits.Information on arrears of domestic rates is not published by CIPFA and is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional funding has now been made available to local authorities to compensate for the effect of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 (S.I., 1996, No. 30). [21600]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Austin-Walker) on 19 March Official Report columns 146–47.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the orders will be made implementing his decisions on the Local Government Commission's recommendations for new parishes in Hampshire. [21972]

The order creating the new parish of Bishopstoke in the borough of Eastleigh came into force on 14 December 1995. In the light of further evidence, we have decided not to implement the commission's recommendations for new parishes for Sarisbury and Warsash in the borough of Fareham.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an announcement about the spending plans of the Department of the Environment, Ordnance Survey and the Office of Water Services for the years 1996–97 to 1998–99. [22345]

Yes. I have today published the Department of the Environment's annual report for 1996. This sets out in detail the outcome of the public expenditure survey which was announced in the November 1995 Budget statement as it affects the areas of my responsibility. The report records how the Department, Ordnance Survey and the Office of Water Services have discharged their functions over the past year. It provides the background to each spending programme and it sets out our plans for the future, where it sees environmental concerns playing a key role both within the UK and in the European Union.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the National Audit Office report "Ministry of Defence, Management of Works of Art". [20842]

The NAO report will be considered in the normal way. It would not be appropriate to anticipate the outcome.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans (1) he has to obtain a full valuation of his Department's art collection; [20843](2) what plans he has to conduct an inventory of all works of art held by his Department and the armed services. [20835]

Both the valuation of my Department's collection and the inclusion of additional works of art on its inventory are recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General in his report "Ministry of Defence, Management of Works of Art", which is to be considered shortly by the Committee of Public Accounts. I do not propose to anticipate consideration of the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 12 March, Official Report, column 508–09, what is the estimated cost of converting the Nimrod MR2; and from which subheads of which votes these funds will be taken. [21678]

The total cost of conversion is not expected to exceed £30 million. The cost is being met in full from existing provision, the bulk of which falls within the top-level budget of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Logistics Command, vote 2 section C2(1).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the review of a United Kingdom-based theatre ballistic missile defence system; and if he will make a statement. [21376]

We are currently assessing our response to the risks posed by ballistic missiles both to the UK mainland and dependent territories, and to UK forces deployed overseas. This assessment will be informed by the results of a pre-feasibility study, which will advise on options, costs, time scales and technical risk. We hope to be in a position to make decisions regarding the way ahead by the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what review he has carried out, since 1992, of his Department's policy of evicting service families following (a) marital breakdown and (b) the redundancy of service personnel; how many such evictions have taken place in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [21382]

The Department's policy on the treatment of personnel who lose their entitlement to service accommodation was examined, as part of the process of transferring responsibility for administering the married quarter estate, to the defence housing executive. Consequently, the defence housing executive will become responsible for evictions within the married quarter estate from 1 April 1996. Records of the reasons for eviction of RAF and Navy personnel who lose their entitlement to service accommodation are not held. The total number of all evictions remains very low, however, as the eviction process is initiated only after all other avenues have been exhausted. Since 1992, there have been no evictions in the RAF, three in the Navy and 45—all marital breakdown—evictions in the Army. The breakdown in years for the Army is as follows:

• 1992: 17
• 1993: 15
• 1994: 6
• 1995: 7

Figures are not yet available for 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department (a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [21277]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 6 March 1995, Official Report, column 12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average cost of answering an (a) oral and (b) written parliamentary questions from (i) Opposition and (ii) Conservative hon. Members in each Session since 1989–90. [21795]

This Department does not collect the information in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the sale of surplus military clothing; and how many companies are contracted by his Department to purchase this clothing. [20748]

[holding answer 14 March 1996]: Following a competition between 12 firms, AMAC (UK) Ltd. of Stockport was contacted to sell, on the Department's behalf, all surplus clothing and textile stores.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and of what type of aircraft were in his Department's attrition reserve at 1 March in each of the last five years. [21022]

[holding answer 18 March 1996]: The number of aircraft required for attrition purposes is determined at the time of procurement. Once in service, all aircraft in excess of aircraft establishment—AE—are available to meet fleet management and replacement needs. The table gives the number of available airframes in the fleets of each major aircraft type over and above the aircraft establishment at operational—including training—units, at 1 March for the last five years. Significant factors leading to variations in the figures include changes in AE, disposals of surplus aircraft, and the number of aircraft undergoing maintenance or modification programmes:

Aircraft type	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Royal Air Force
Tornado GR	37	65	65	61	60
Tornado F31	60	67	65	63	27
Jaguar2	37	36	36	36	36
Harrier	50	48	44	43	43
Hawk	25	33	35	47	47
Canberra	3	4	4	4	4
Hercules	2	6	6	6	6
Nimrod	6	6	6	6	4
Sentry	1	1	1	1	I
VC1O	6	6	6	6	8
TriStar	0	1	1	1	1
Chinook	4	5	5	5	7
Wessex	9	9	9	9	11
Gazelle	7	7	6	6	4
Sea King	3	3	3	3	2
Puma	12	11	11	10	10

Aircraft type	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Royal Navy
Sea Harrier	15	16	17	19	22
Sea King	26	29	30	27	27
Lynx	20	22	27	26	27
Gazelle	7	9	9	9	8
Army
Lynx	32	22	24	21	20
Gazelle	23	22	24	24	23
124 surplus Tornado F3 aircraft were leased to the Italian air force in the course of 1995.
2In addition, 46 Jaguar aircraft are kept in long-term storage and as ground instruction aircraft.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers local planning authorities have to seek to amend the terms of permitted development orders. [21047]

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 is a statutory instrument and so planning authorities do not have powers to seek amendments. However, like anyone else, planning authorities are free to suggest amendments and their suggestions are given careful consideration. With their practical experience in the day-to-day operation of the planning system, planning authorities' views on planning legislation are always welcome.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the practice of each health board in Scotland in respect of the provision of exemption certificates for diabetic patients requiring microfine needles for insulin injections; and if he will make a statement. [21491]

Patients with diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone, are exempt from all prescription charges. This exemption arises from their medical condition rather than their need to use injecting equipment. Microfine needles are not available on GP prescription.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost to the national health service in Scotland of giving blanket exemption certificates to diabetic patients to allow them to obtain, free of charge, microfine needles for insulin injections. [21492]

Microfine needles to fit insulin injection pens are not available on GP prescription.The cost to the NHS in Scotland of providing microfine needles free of charge has not been estimated. The cost would depend on the number of prescriptions written by responsible medical practitioners in respect of patients for whom they considered the use of pen injecting systems to be clinically necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the expenditure on regional selective assistance offers accepted by companies in (a) 199–92, (b) 1992–93, (c) 1993–94 and (d) 1994–95;

Year	Number of offers accepted	Value of offers accepted (£ million)	Of which overseas-owned firms (£ million)	Of which overseas-owned firms (percentage)	Cost-per-job for all accepted offers for manufacturing projects (£)
1991–92	160	52.3	13.8	26	6,155
1992–93	198	72.3	36.2	50	6,702
1993–94	239	127.3	68.1	54	7,747
1994–95	246	112.7	73.8	65	7,636
Data are given by reference to offers accepted rather than expenditure defrayed. To link annual offer data to expenditure can give misleading results, since assisted projects and thus grant expenditure will typically cover a number of years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have been prosecuted for stalking on a breach of the peace charge in each of the last five years. [21590]

My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate informs me that it is not possible to identify those cases of breach of the peace which involved stalking behaviour. The records do not contain details of the offence other than the nomen juris.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 January, Official Report, column 94, how many companies and agencies were invited to tender for the trial media monitoring service; and if he will make a statement. [12772]

[holding answer 30 January 1996]: No companies were invited to tender for the provision of a press cuttings service on a trial basis. Both companies approached the Scottish Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many additional nursery places she estimates there will be after implementation of phase 2 of the nursery voucher scheme. [20143]

The number of additional places created through the nursery voucher scheme will depend on the response of providers to parental demand. I am confident that providers of all types, either alone or in partnership with each other, will satisfy parental demand over time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the progress of the nursery voucher scheme. [20151]

[holding answer 30 January 1996]: The information which the right hon. Member seeks is set out in the table:

In the phase 1 areas, over 600 private and voluntary sector providers have registered to participate in the scheme alongside maintained schools. The second batch of vouchers has now been issued to parents in preparation from the start of term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and E006Dployment when she expects to conclude the consultation on the school capital challenge funding applications with local education authorities. [20144]

We have asked for responses to the consultation paper on the schools renewal challenge fund by 31 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received regarding the planned funding of higher education in the period 1996–97 to 1998–99. [20145]

My right hon. Friend has received representations from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and others. She has listened very carefully to their views and set up two working groups with them to collate evidence on the effects of public funding on universities and colleges and to consider the private finance initiative in higher education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations she has had from the university vice-chancellors about the funding of higher education. [20157]

My right hon. Friend meets university vice-chancellors from time to time to discuss the funding of higher education. She last met them on 6 February to discuss the 1995 Budget settlement and other matters. She has listened very carefully to their views and set up two working groups with them to collate evidence on the effects of public funding on universities and colleges and to consider the private finance initiative in higher education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what conclusions she has drawn from her Department's studies of the workfare scheme in the USA. [20146]

Our studies of workfare in the United States have shown that universal make-work schemes have been relatively small in coverage, and have proved ineffective and expensive. I note that the Employment Select Committee reached similar conclusions in its recent report "The Right to Work and Workfare".

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent discussions she has had with the heads of local education authorities to discuss the effects of local government reorganisation. [20147]

Ministerial colleagues and officials have held many useful meetings with councillors and senior officers of local education authorities to discuss local government reorganisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of (a) primary school and (b) secondary school children gained admission to the school of first choice in England in (i) 1994 and (ii) 1995. [20148]

This information is not collected centrally. Surveys commissioned by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities in 1992 and The Times in 1993 suggested that some 90 per cent. of parents gained a place at their first choice school.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many oral questions she has answered on employment issues; and how many on education and training matters. [20149]

Since the formation of the Department on 5 July 1995, 163 oral questions have been answered; 47 on employment issues and 116 relating to education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to encourage more schools to become grant-maintained. [20150]

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made clear, we are actively considering ways of extending the benefits of self-government for all schools. We shall continue to encourage schools to become grant-maintained by ensuring that governors and parents have ready access to reliable information about GM status when making their decisions about the future of their school, and by seeking ways to give GM schools even greater flexibility to improve and develop what they offer to pupils and parents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to improve employment opportunities for young people in Coventry. [20153]

The Department will continue to offer and support a wide range of opportunities for all young people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in drawing up the guidelines following the enactment of Activity Centres (Young Persons' Safety) Act 1995. [20154]

Good progress has been made. The Health and Safety Commission issued a consultation document, containing draft regulations and guidance to the licensing authority, last September. The consultation period ended on 24 November. I understand that the commission hopes to publish its guidance to the licensing authority when the order designating the body concerned is laid before the House. This should be soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what new proposals she has to improve job security. [20155]