To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to issue rules regulating the secondment and recruitment of personnel from industry to his Department, and their responsibilities, salary and employment allowances. [21297]

The rules regulating the secondment of personnel from industry to this department are contained in the civil service management code and the booklet, "Guidance for Departmental and Agency Personnel Officers when arranging secondments". The latter was issued in September 1993 by the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service and Science, and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.The responsibilities of such personnel while on secondment and their actual secondment terms are a matter for negotiation between MOD, the parent company and the individual. However, salaries have to be kept within the maximum for the grade or management tier to which the secondee has been appointed. Guidance on salaries paid to secondees has been issued in the civil service management code.Departmental rules concerning the appointment and payment of secondees will be published later this year.Recruitment to the civil service is governed by the Civil Service Order in Council 1995. Selection must be based on fair and open competition. Recruitment may be to a grade or to a specific post, but the responsibilities and required skills will be clearly stated as part of the advertising and selection process. MOD's recruitment manual is being revised and will be reissued this year.The rules regulating the salary—and allowances, if any—paid to a new recruit are set out in the civil service management code and my Department's pay manual.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to improve the accountability to Parliament of United States (a) military and (b) National Security Agency bases in the United Kingdom. [22416]

There are no proposals to change the existing arrangements which are perfectly satisfactory.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the total order values announced for defence equipment placed by his Department with (a) American and (b) British-based firms in (i) 1994–95 and (ii) 1995–96. [21885]

[holding answer 21 March 1996]: The total value of contracts placed with (a) American and (b) British-based firms in 1994–95 and 1995–96 is as follows:

£ million
Financial year 1994–95
American	1,261
British	6,163
Financial year 1995–96, to date
American	387
British	5,847

The values are the total of the prices agreed for the contracts placed. The value and location of sub-contract work has not been taken into account. However, as the Statement of Defence Estimates 1995, chapter 5, figure 13 indicates, some 91 per cent. of our equipment expenditure goes to UK industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the availability of telephone communications to the United Kingdom and Germany for British service personnel in Bosnia giving (a) a list of the locations where telephones are available, (b) the number of calls that can be made by each service man and (c) the price charged for such calls. [22245]

Telephones are available for calls to the UK and Germany at the following locations:

(a) Tomislavgrad

(b) Bugojno

(c) Lipa

(d) Gornji Vakuf

(e) Vitez

(f) Sipovo

(g) Mrkonjic Grad

(h) Kupres

(i) Jajce

(j) Jezero

(k) Sanski Most

(I) Glamoc

(m) Banja Luka

(n) Sarajevo

(o) Kiseljak

(p) Split

Service personnel are not limited in the number of calls that they may make.Where personnel are charged for telephone calls, the per minute prices vary from 75p to £1.20, depending on the system. A monthly welfare telephone allowance is payable towards the costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the purpose of the joint rapid deployment force. [22427]

The aim of JRDF is to strengthen the United Kingdom capability to project effective military forces quickly worldwide in support of our interests. It will be a joint force of up to reinforced brigade size, with supporting air and maritime components, capable of fulfilling a wide range of combat or non-combat missions, whether mounted nationally or as part of the UK's contribution to operations mounted by NATO, the Western European Union or the United Nations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress towards signature of the common new generation frigate Horizon/principal anti-air missile system memoranda of understanding. [22987]

In July 1994, with his French and Italian colleagues, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence signed the project Horizon memorandum of understanding concerning a programme for the joint definition, design, development, production and in-service support of a common new generation frigate, which will replace the type 42 destroyers early in the next century. This programme is made up of two projects—the principal anti-air missile system and project Horizon, which embraces the ship itself and all other weapon, command and communications systems. Each of these will be managed under the terms of separate programme MOUs and a series of supplements giving phased authority and release of funding for each phase of the project.I am pleased to announce that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and his French and Italian colleagues have signed memoranda of understanding for the PAAMs programme and for the arrangements for PAAMS full-scale engineering development and initial production phase, together with the supplement to the Horizon programme MOU for the design definition phase for the ship and its other systems. The signature of these three MOUs is a major step forward and reaffirms the Government's commitment to this important co-operative project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what immigration rules concerning work permits apply to non-EEC seafarers sailing between two United Kingdom ports.[21749]

	Investigation by Parliamentary Commissioner	Scrutiny by the Audit Commission	Scrutiny by the National Audit Office	Statutory provisions for open government	Performance indicators	Provisions under the citizens charter
Health and social services boards	Yes	3—	1No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Health and Social services councils	Yes	3—	1 2No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Health and social services trusts	Yes	3—	1No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Agency	Yes	3—	1No	Yes	Yes	No
Northern Ireland Central Services Agency	Yes	3—	1No	Yes	Yes	No
Northern Ireland Health Promotion Agency	Yes	3—	1No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Northern Ireland Regional Medical Physics Agency	Yes	3—	3No	Yes	Yes	No
1 These bodies are scrutinised by the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
2 Health and social services councils expenditure is identified in health and social services boards accounts.
3 Not relevant in Northern Ireland.

I have been asked to reply.Paragraph 128 of the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (HC 395) applies in the circumstances described.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the national health service bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base; and if he will list those bodies which (a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [21830]

[holding answer 21 March 1996]: The information is as follows:

	Statutory base	Admit public to board/committee meetings	Open meetings for the public
Health and social services boards	Yes	No	1Yes
Health and social services councils	Yes	No	No
Health and social services trusts	Yes	No	2Yes
Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Agency	Yes	No	No
Northern Ireland Central Services Agency	Yes	No	No
Northern Ireland Promotion Agency	Yes	2Yes	No
Northern Ireland Regional Medical Physics Agency	Yes	No	No
1 On a voluntary basis.
2A statutory requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the national health service 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. [21832]

[holding answer 21 March 1996]: The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the national health service bodies sponsored by his Department publish (a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) minutes of meetings, (d) agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members'

	Publish annual reports	Publish annual accounts	Publish the minutes of meetings	Publish the agendas of meetings	Publish register of members' interests
Health and social services boards	No	1Yes	1Yes	1Yes	2Yes
Health and social services councils	1Yes	2Yes	1Yes	1Yes	No
Health and social services trusts	1Yes	1Yes	No	No	2Yes
Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Agency	1Yes	1Yes	No	No	2Yes
Northern Ireland Health Promotion Agency	1Yes	1Yes	1Yes	1Yes	No
Northern Ireland Regional Medical Physics Agency	1Yes	1Yes	No	No	2Yes
Northern Ireland Central Services Agency	1Yes	1Yes	No	No	2Yes
1 A statutory requirement.
2 On a voluntary basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with local authorities and private waste contractors on the expansion of the blue bag scheme for the increased use of recycling domestic waste. [21739]

Provision of local recycling facilities, including the choice between the many different practical approaches which are available, is a matter for local authorities and the private and voluntary sectors, in the light of local circumstances. My Department has regular contact with the local authority associations, individual local authorities and the waste management industry on matters related to recycling household waste, including practical approaches.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is able to announce the result of the planning industry into the application for Filton commercial airport. [22950]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I have considered the report of the planning inspector, Mrs. Jean Brushfield, and have accepted her recommendation to dismiss the appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made on finalising the nitrate-vulnerable zone designations in England and Wales following the recommendations in the report by the independent review panel published in October last year. [22982]

Environment and Agriculture Ministers have considered the report of the independent review panel. In the light of the panel's recommendations interests (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [21837]

[holding answer 21 March 1996]: The information is as follows:and following consultation with the National Rivers Authority, we have finalised the boundaries of the nitrate-vulnerable zones in England and Wales. Today we have placed in the Library of the House a set of maps showing the 68 zones we have identified, and we have laid before the House the regulations which transpose the formal requirements of the EC nitrates directive into domestic law and designate the zones.We have also issued the decision document setting out the Government's final decisions on the zone designations following the panel's report. It presents our considered response to the panel's specific recommendations for boundary changes or for the further review of a small number of zones, and to their findings on issues of principle. In most cases we have accepted or acted on the panel's recommendations. The decision document is being sent to each farmer in the designated zones, and to other consultees who made submissions to the panel. I am placing a copy of the document in the House Library.The measure that farmers will be required to take in the designated zones have been the subject of a recent consultation. Regulations will be drafted taking account of the responses received, and following further consultation these regulations will be laid before the House, and implemented in the zones by the end of 1999.My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture will shortly be making an announcement on the re-introduction, in the designated zones, of grants for waste handling facilities.The maps of the 68 designated zones will be available for inspection at MAFF regional services centres and Welsh Office agriculture departmental divisional offices.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many socially rented houses have been built in rural areas in each year since 1989. [20979]

Between 1989–90 and the end of December 1995, more than 11,000 new social homes for rent and shared ownership were approved in rural settlements with a population of 3,000 or less through the Housing Corporation's rural programme. Figures for the number of completions arising from these scheme approvals are as follows:

Year	Rent	Shared ownership	Total
1990–91	137	14	151
1991–92	518	4	522
1992–93	1,601	109	1,710
Housing market package	201		201
1993–94	2,129	227	2,356
1994–95	1,503	391	1,894
1995–96, to the end of December 1995	1,270	240	1,510

The completions figures for 1993–94 and earlier years are higher than those previously quoted following improvements in data collection procedures.In addition, local authorities also provide finance for new social housing in rural and non-rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his written answer of 15 January, Official Report, column 374, regarding Alan and Michael Guy, when the hon. Member may expect to receive a substantive reply to his letter of 7 August 1995 and subsequent letter of 24 November. [22131]

We have nearly completed our consideration of these alleged wrongful convictions, but one point is still being checked with the police. I will send the hon. Member a substantive reply as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what information he has evaluated in respect of the rejection in other countries of the CS spray type currently under trial in the United Kingdom; [21991](2) which police forces declined to be included in the current trial period for CS sprays; [21993](3) What type of CS spray is currently under test by police forces in Britain; what is its country of origin; and what is the projected length of the trial period. [21992]

[holding answers 21 March 1996]: So far as my right hon. and learned Friend is aware, no other country has, in considering police use of incapacitant sprays, rejected the CS equipment currently being trialled by police forces in England and Wales. The forces participating in the trials volunteered to do so as a result of a general invitation by the Association of Chief Police Officers. The type of spray being trialled is a five per cent. CS solution dispensed in a stream from a small hand-held aerosol. It is manufactured in France. The trials will last for six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the criteria for membership of the Firearms consultative committee; and how many members of the Firearms consultative committee are (a) holders of firearms certificates, (b) members of a gun club and (c) holders of shotgun licences. [21881]

[holding answer 21 March 1996]: The criteria for membership of the Firearms Consultative Committee is set out in section 22(1) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. Seven members of the Firearms Consultative Committee are firearms certificate holders, seven are members of a gun club and eight are holders of shotgun certificates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to strengthen current gun legislation. [21990]

[holding answer 21 March 1996]: A Government review of the existing firearms controls has begun. This will provide evidence to the inquiry to be conducted by Lord Cullen into the tragic events in Dunblane and will enable early decisions to be taken on any recommendations for changes in the controls which might be made by the inquiry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what increase is proposed in the establishment of the South Wales police authority following the announcement made by him in autumn 1995. [21700]

It is for the chief constable and police authority to determine the number of police officers in the force. The South Wales police authority's spending power for 1996–97 effectively increases by £7.7 million or 5.3 per cent. This includes £450,000 as its share of the additional funding to allow 5,000 extra officers to be recruited in the next three years. This would be sufficient to recruit 24 constables in 1996–97. Over the three years, South Wales' share of the 5,000 could total 118 constables.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made by Durham constabulary in the latest year for which figures are available; and (a) how many of these arrests resulted in criminal prosecutions, (b) how many of those arrested received police cautions and (c) how many resulted in no further action being taken. [21236]

The information requested is published in the annual report of the Durham constabulary for 1994–95, a copy of which is available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of criminal injury compensation claims made by people who have suffered injury from violence in the home in each year since 1990; how many were successful; and what was the average award. [22404]

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board advises that these data are not recorded separately and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his consultation paper on the implementation of the European Union data protection directive will be published. [22926]

The consultation paper is published today. It describes the content of the directive and invites views on the way in which the directive should be implemented in the United Kingdom. There is a four-month period for responses. I am placing a copy of the paper in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded in each of the last three financial years by her Department and its executive agencies after competitive tendering; and what was the total combined value of these contracts. [21039]

The total number and value of competitive contacts awarded by my Department and its executive agencies for the years in question is shown in the table:

	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96, to date
Total number of contracts subject to competitive tender	164	323	400
Total value of contracts subject to competitive tender (£000s)	12,952	24,903	29,953

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which former public sector research establishments in her Department have been privatised since 1979; and which public sector research establishments in her Department are currently undergoing reviews with a view to placing them in the private sector. [21944]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures her 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 she will make a statement. [21466]

My Department and its agencies have no formal policy regarding the wage rates of our contractors and suppliers.We are concerned about health and safety regulations. All contracts which involve contractors' staff working on our premises have a clause requiring the contractor to comply with health and safety legislation and contractors' performance in this area is regularly monitored.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what values of payments were outstanding within her Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20482]

[holding answer 12 March 1996]: While the information requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost, my Department is committed to the payment of invoices within agreed contractual provisions or within 30 days of the presentation of a valid invoice or delivery, if later. On the basis of a sample of invoices received by the Department of National Heritage during the current financial year, 91.2 per cent. were paid on time.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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 1992–93. [22140]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the total amount of grants from national lottery distributing bodies which has been provided to organisations within North Yorkshire; and what percentage this is of the total grants distributed nationally. [21973]

To date, awards totalling over £15 million have been made to 83 projects in North Yorkshire. These awards account for 1.14 per cent. of all proceeds distributed to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many grade 1 listed buildings in public ownership and open to the public do not have sprinkler systems installed. [21478]

None of the grade I listed buildings directly managed by my Department and open to the public have sprinkler systems installed. I am not aware of any other grade I listed buildings normally open to the public under the management of other Government Departments that have such systems. Sir Alan Bailey's report, "Fire, Protection Measures for the Royal Palaces", recommended that the extra risk reduction that would be achieved by such systems would not justify the additional damage to the heritage fabric resulting from installation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many questions were tabled to his Department in each Session since 1987–88; how many were not answered on the ground of disproportionate cost; what percentage of the total number of questions this represented; how many were not answered on the ground that the information was not centrally available; and what percentage of the total number of questions this represented. [21140]

The number of questions tabled is as follows:

	Written	Oral
1987–88	4,305	495
1988–89	2,958	437
1989–90	2,713	349
1990–91	2,422	331
1991–92	857	155
1992–93	3,251	507
1993–94	2,834	347
1994–95	2,746	365
1995–96	1973	1186
1 Figures for 1995–96 Session as at 20 March 1996.

The number of questions not answered on grounds of disproportionate cost or the information not being held centrally could itself be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the rules governing the calculation of council house capital debt when a council house stock is being disaggregated between two new unitary authorities. [21219]

Housing debt in disaggregating areas is treated under the general rules governing debt transfer on local government reorganisation. We would expect housing debt generally to transfer under the Local Government (Transitional Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Order 1996.That order gives authorities the freedom to reach local agreement wherever possible about the most appropriate treatment of the debts of disaggregating authorities and established lead authority arrangements where no alternative agreement is reached. In addition, I understand that the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has produced guidelines for authorities on how housing-related debt should be allocated between successors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many disputes have been referred to the Property Commission during recent local government reorganisation. [21220]

None. Councils have until 31 March to register any disputes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 14 March 1996, Official Report, column 730, what financial assistance for Highlands and Islands Enterprise in respect of the establishment of a new visitor uplift facility will be paid to (a) Cairngorm Chairlift Company and (b) Cairngorm Railway Company; and if any moneys given to the chairlift company can subsequently be transferred to the railway company. [21656]

The availability of financial assistance from Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the establishment of a new visitor uplift facility at Cairngorm has yet to be determined. I understand that the application for such financial assistance has ben made by the Cairngorm Chairlift Company Ltd; and it would be customary for any assistance awarded to be payable to the applicant. Any such assistance would be required to be used for the purposes specified in the application.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when and how he expects to respond to the Scottish Law Commission report on incapable adults with special reference to recommendation 60 about electro-convulsive therapy. [20592]

The Scottish Law Commission report on incapable adults is currently receiving careful consideration and no conclusions have yet been reached on individual recommendations. I cannot yet say when we will be in a position to respond.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland since incorporation, what reports he has published on the general financing of the further education sector. [20593]

My right hon. Friend has published two annual reports for 1993 and 1994 on his duty to secure adequate and efficient provision of further education in Scotland. A report for 1995 will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the salaries of further education principals at incorporation; and what they are now in constant price terms. [20594]

Information on further education college principals' salaries at incorporation is not held centrally. The latest information on salaries is set out in my reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) of 30 October 1995, Official Report, column 116.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many professional scientists and engineers of each category were employed at each grade in the headquarters division of the Scottish Office in each year from 1991 to the current year. [19795]

[holding answer 11 March 1996]: The numbers of professional scientists and

Professional engineering staff in the Scottish Office and its Executive Agencies other than SPS
Substantive grade	1–4–91	1–4–92	1–4–93	1–4–94	1–4–95	1–3–96
Chief engineer/deputy chief engineer	2	2	2	2	2	1
Chief road engineer/deputy chief road engineer	3	3	3	2	2	2
Assistant chief civil engineer	3	3	3	3	3	3
Assistant chief road engineer	3	3	4	4	4	5
Director of telecommunications	1	1	1	1	1	1
Mechanical and electrical engineer	4	4	3	3	3	3
Civil engineer	11	11	12	12	9	8
Road engineer	11	12	12	13	13	13
Principal engineer of telecommunications	1	1	1	2	2	2
Senior professional and technology officer	67	66	64	55	51	48
Higher professional and technology officer	22	22	22	18	18	18
Professional and technology officer	50	51	50	48	46	40
Telecommunications technical engineer	6	6	4	4	3	3
Telecommunications engineering technician	13	13	8	8	8	8
Engineering superintendent	1	1	1	1	1	1
Chief engineer (marine)	4	4	2	8	8	8
Second engineer (marine)	6	4	4	8	8	8
Third engineer (marine)	24	17	13	6	5	5
Total	232	224	209	198	187	177

Professional scientific staff in the Scottish Office and its Executive Agencies other than SPS
Substantive grade	1 April 1991	1 April 1992	1 April 1993	1 April 1994	1 April 1995	1 March 1996
Chief scientist	1
Chief scientific officer B	1	1	1	1	1	1
Deputy chief scientific officer	3	3	3	3	2	2
Senior principal scientific officer	11	11	12	13	13	12
Principal scientific officer	42	42	42	44	39	41
Senior scientific officer	58	53	51	48	41	37
Higher Scientific officer	60	64	71	69	68	65
Scientific officer	58	53	57	55	57	57
Assistant scientific officer	41	51	59	58	53	52
Total	275	278	296	291	274	267

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list, by region, for each of the past five years the total amount paid out in family credit,

1990–91
	Number of cases	Total number of children	Average number of children per family	Average weekly Family Credit award (£)	Estimated annual expenditure (£ million)
Midlands	60,000	131,000	2	29.88	90
North Eastern	59,000	128,000	2	30.33	90
London North	37,000	86,000	2	30.96	55
Wales and South Western	47,000	96,000	2	29.66	72
North Western	56,000	118,000	2	31.61	88
Scotland	39,000	75,000	2	29.16	58

The information is set out in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of recipients of family credit by labour sector. [22428]

The information is set out in the table.

Family Credit Expenditure by Occupation of Recipient
Occupation	Number of family credit recipients
All occupations	626,300
General management	11,520
Professional and related supporting management and administration	18,400
Professional and related in education, welfare and health	22,420
Literary, artistic and sports occupations	3,260
Professional and related in science, engineering, technology and similar fields	11,980
Managerial (excluding general management)	6,920
Clerical and related	53,820
Selling	24,940
Security and protective service	3,320
Catering, cleaning, hairdressing and other personal service	310,440
Farming, fishing and related	9,940

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the current cost to public funds of increasing the 25p addition for pensioners over 80 years old by whichever was the highest of either earnings or prices since its introduction; and what would be its cost if its current value were increased by (a) 50p, (b) £1 and (c) £1.50. [22482]

The cost to public funds of increasing the age addition by the higher of earnings or prices is estimated to be £310 million.The other costs are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of paying from public funds the full cost of all standing charges for telephones, domestic electricity and gas bills, and water charges, for (i) all pensioners, (ii) pensioners on income support, (iii) pensioners over 75 years and (iv) pensioners over 80 years. [22483]

The estimated cost to the public funds of subsidising the full cost of all standing charges for telephones, domestic electricity and gas bills per annum is:

(i) £990 million

(ii) £260 million

(iii) £440 million and

(iv) £230 million.

Information is not available on water charges.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the value of the Christmas bonus for (a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples if it has been uprated in line with the higher of either earnings or prices, since its introduction; and what would be the cost to public funds if its current value was increased by (i) £5, (ii) £10 and (iii) £15 for (1) single pensioners and (2) pensioner couples. [22480]

The £10 Christmas bonus, introduced in 1972, is paid to individuals entitled to a qualifying benefit. If it had been uprated by the higher of earnings or prices since its introduction, it would be £120.20 at December 1996. The estimated cost to public funds of increasing the bonus by (a) £5, (b) £10 and (c) £15 would be (i) £50 million, (ii) £100 million, and (iii) £150 million respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the locations of the feasibility study and trial periods as part of the 1995 review of the Contributions Agency; and if he will make a statement. [21572]

The administration of the Contributions Agency is a matter for Mrs. Faith Boardman, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to discontinue the use of waivers by customs officers in accordance with the recommendations of the Scott report. [21300]

All administrative waivers operated by Customs which were still in use have already been replaced by open general export licences with two exceptions. These remaining two waivers—for goods exported to the continental shelf and for goods in transit mail—are in the process of being replaced by an open general export licence and by an amendment to the open general transhipment licence, both of which will be issued by the Department of Trade and Industry.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to announce the results of his review into the work of the Paymaster agency. [21442]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) 18 March 1996, Official Report, columns 53–55.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what response he has received from the Manufacturing and Construction Industries Alliance and the Housebuilders Federation in connection with his recent consultation about possible exemption from the landfill tax for contaminated land; if that response was supportive of his proposals; and if he will make a statement; [22291](2) if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government policy on the clearing and developing of contaminated sites; and what part the proposed landfill tax will play in implementation of this policy. [22292]

The Government wish to encourage the development of brownfield rather than greenfield sites and has concluded that the imposition of the landfill tax on certain wastes arising from contaminated land would be contrary to this objective. I therefore announced in the debate on the Finance Bill in Standing Committee E on 8 February 1996, Official Report, column 209, that we would consider whether we could identify and ring-fence an exemption from landfill tax for historically contaminated land. I said that if it proved possible to develop a suitable exemption, this would be introduced at Report stage on the current Finance Bill.Customs have consulted widely on a draft clause linking the exemption to planning approval, in order to provide an objective criterion for eligibility to the exemption. This consultation included those involved in clearing up contaminated land and other interested trade concerns, including the Manufacturing and Construction Industries Alliance and the House Builders Federation. Although the House Builders Federation welcomed the intentions behind the drafting of the clause, it and other bodies concluded that the clause would not achieve its intended aims. This is because in most cases involving the removal of contaminated land for development, no planning permission is required. The view was also expressed in other replies to the consultation and it is now clear that the proposal would not meet all those cases where exemption is appropriate.We now propose to provide an exemption for the waste from the clearance of contaminated land where clearance of all or part of the contamination is necessary to allow the land to be used for the intended purpose when the development or work on the land is complete. The exemption will apply to waste arising from the reclamation of the land but current polluters will not be able to benefit from it. To help landfill site operators to know whether or not waste qualifies for the exemption, we envisage that there will be a system of certification by Customs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [21458]

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 that contractor or supplier, and this is one of the Department's contractual requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in what month of what year responsibility for funding the arts and the Arts Council for Wales was transferred to his Department. [22487]

Responsibility for funding the Arts Council for Wales transferred to the Welsh Office from the Department of National Heritage on 1 April 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many projects for the establishment of new manufacturing industry were offered financial assistance under the regional selective financial scheme (a) in Wales, (b) in Gwynedd and (c) in Dyfed in each of the years 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94; [21451](2) pursuant to his answer of 5 March 1996,

The information regarding offers of regional selective assistance for new manufacturing industry in the years 1991–92 to 1995–96 is given in the following table:

	Wales	Gwynedd		Dyfed
	Number	Jobs	Number	Jobs	Number	Jobs
1991–92	57	4,422	3	27	7	278
1992–93	47	3,008	1	210	3	98
1993–94	32	3,046	—	—	1	16
1994–95	56	3,884	2	67	5	139
1995–96	46	2,631	3	44	1	11

1. 1995–96 data to March 1996.2. Data concern only those RSA projects described as new manufacturing activities falling within classes 15 to 37 of the Standard Industrial Classification, 1992.3. Job figures are forecasts provided by applicants at the time of the offer. Projects are generally expected to take from three to five years to reach forecast levels of employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [21583]

No Welsh Office staff have conditioned hours which exceed 48 a week. Information on overtime working is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many teachers in Wales, having been afforded early retirement from posts as permanent teachers, have been employed during the past 12 months as supply teachers; and what guidance he gives to local authorities and to schools in Wales on this matter. [21587]

The information requested is not held centrally.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment issues guidance to local authorities and schools in England and Wales on the statutory pay and conditions of service for school teachers in maintained schools including that which relates to the salary of new appointments and appointments following a break in service. She has also issued guidance on the amount of premature retirement compensation and pension to be received by a retired teacher during a period of new employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 19 March 1996, Official Report, column 171, if the costs of winding up the Cardiff Bay Opera House trust will appear in the annual accounts of the Cardiff Bay development corporation for (a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97. [22419]

The costs of winding up the Cardiff Bay Opera House trust which are funded by Cardiff Bay development corporation, will be included in the corporation's relevant annual accounts in accordance with its accounting policies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 19 March 1996, Official Report, column 171, what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation concerning the involvement of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh and their companies in the provision of a large-scale lyric theatre for Wales at Cardiff bay; and if he will make a statement. [22424]

The meetings at which the proposed Cardiff Bay opera house was raised with me were as follows: chairman, Cardiff Bay Opera House trust, 19 July 1995; chairman, Cardiff Bay development corporation 20 August 1995; deputy chairman; Cardiff Bay Opera House trust—the hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (Mr. Michael), 20 January 1996.I also met the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation on 14 March 1996 where the possible development of a Cardiff Bay theatre was raised with me; there was no discussion about the involvement on any particular commercial organisations in the possible project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to receive the final report from the Welsh Development Agency on the Eurofreight terminal proposal. [22486]

Shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 14 March 1996, Official Report, column 749, what was the duration of (a) the closed session and (b) public session of the 4 March meeting of the Council of Ministers; and for what duration he was present at each of the two types of session. [22490]

The duration of the closed session was four and a half hours and that of the open session one hour. I was present for almost all of the open session, and part of the closed session.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the recent appointment of a senior manager to an internally advertised post with the new Gwent health authority; what investigations he is carrying out into the circumstances of this appointment; what rules apply in respect of the eligibility of those made redundant with severance pay from one senior national health service management post to apply after redundancy for posts internally advertised in the national health service; and if he will make a statement. [22422]

One representation has been received. My Department has asked for a report on the procedures adopted. In general terms a person who is no longer employed in the national health service would not be eligible for a job restricted to existing employees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date the urban investment grant panel will cease to function; and if he will make a statement. [22485]

Responsibility for the urban investment grant scheme is to be transferred from the Welsh Office to the Welsh Development Agency from 1 April 1996. The administrative arrangements for the scheme after that date, including the position of the UIG panel, are currently under discussion with the agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the numbers employed and the budget of each of the sections transferred into his Department's responsibility since 1979. [22489]

Staff were transferred into the Welsh Office since 1979 as follows:

• Regional development grant (1984): 82
• Training, enterprise and education (1992): 67.

Staff costs in respect of training enterprise and education functions were £1.2 million; those in respect of the regional development grant function are not separately identifiable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 19 March 1996, Official Report, column 172, if he will place in the Library a copy of the decision letter on privatising the Estatecare branch of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority. [22420]

I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to assist and induce Korean investment in the assisted areas in Wales; and how many visits have been made by (a) Korean industrial delegations, (b) individual Korean companies and (c) agents on their behalf in the past 12 months. [22488]

The measures that were successful in encouraging Halla to invest in Pentrebach will continue to be promoted. These include a flexible and loyal work force; a strong economy; a sophisticated industrial infrastructure; a positive approach by all of those with an interest in economic development.During the past 12 months there has been one visit to Wales by a Korean industrial delegation. There were five visits by individual Korean companies, but reliable information on visits by agents is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the extent of (a) overspend and (b) underspend in his Department's budget for 1995–96; and if he proposes to return unspent allocations to the Treasury. [22423]

Planned expenditure within my responsibility for 1995–96 was shown in last year's Welsh Office departmental report, Cm 2815, as £6,778 million. The final out-turn for 1995–96 will not be known for some time but table 6.2 of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1996–97, Cm 3201, which was published last week by the Treasury, reports an estimated out-turn of £6,743 million.Most of the £35 million estimated underspend has arisen on cash limited programmes where the underspends can be carried forward into 1996–97 under the Treasury's end-year flexibility arrangements.Within this amount, it is estimated that my Department's demand-led programmes will underspend by around £3.5 million. This estimated underspend has arisen mainly in respect of pharmaceutical services, £2.5 million, where the underspend represents less than 1 per cent. of the total provision of £426.7 million. After all claims for payment have been met in full, any provision left will remain unspent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 19 March 1996, Official Report, column 171, what were the principal factors underlying the move in 1994 to a March date for publication of the annual departmental report and the move to an end of March date in 1996. [22421]

Departmental reports for all Departments are published in the fortnight before presentation of the Supply estimates. In 1994, the Supply estimates were presented on 23 March. This year, the Supply estimates are to be presented on 26 March. The specific date within the fortnight chosen for publication of my departmental report is dependent upon preparation and printing schedules.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list those Acts since 1966 which have changed the funding of (a) maintained schools and (b) pupils attending proprietorial educational establishments which did so without use of statutory instruments or other regulations laid before Parliament. [11545]

[holding answer 23 January 1996]: The following Education Acts include provisions relating to the funding of maintained schools and of pupils attending proprietorial educational establishments which do not involve the use of statutory instruments or other regulations laid before Parliament. The list covers education Acts since 1966 which are currently in force.

• Education Reform Act 1988: part 1, chapter III and sections 105 and 212
• Further and Higher Education Act 1992: section 4
• Education Act 1993: sections 113, and 281 to 283
• Education Act 1994: section 5.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when customer organisation of the Teachers Pensions Agency were given notice in respect of proposals for its privatisation; and if she will make a statement. [21447]

We commissioned KPMG to consider the feasilibility of letting a contract for the administration of teachers' pensions to the private sector. We published their findings in January 1995, and sought the views of a wide audience, including representatives of members of the scheme and their employers. We extended the consultation deadline from March to April 1995 at the request of the consultees to allow adequate time for views to be expressed. We announced in May 1995 our intention to seek expressions of interest from the private sector. We further announced in November 1995 our intention to invite six companies to tender for the administration of the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the (a) advantages and (b) disadvantages of privatising the Teachers Pensions Agency. [21449]

We asked KPMG to consider whether letting a contract for the administration of teachers' pensions to the private sector would offer better value for money than retaining the service in the public sector. They concluded that it was likely to do so. We have tested this conclusion at each key stage of the contractorisation process before proceeding to the next stage. We shall not let a contract unless we can prove that there will be substantial savings to the taxpayer. At the same time we shall be looking to improve the service beyond that currently provided by the agency. We have considered whether there are disadvantages to letting a contract and concluded that there are not.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which of the functions of the Teachers Pensions Agency have been considered for privatisation; and if she will make a statement. [21448]

We are looking at the feasibility of letting a contract for the whole of he administration of the teachers' superannuation scheme. We have made clear that responsibility for the operation of the scheme will remain with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who will be answerable to Parliament. The Teachers Pensions Agency currently provides policy advice to Ministers on teachers' pensions. If we let a contract, officials within the DEE will be responsible for providing such policy advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will ensure that teachers' pension entitlements will not be reduced and that the new arrangements will be more efficient than the current ones in the event of the privatisation of the Teachers Pensions Agency; and if she will make a statement. [21528]

We have stated on a number of occasions that the operation of the teachers' superannuation scheme is unaffected by our deliberations on the future of the Teachers Pensions Agency. Responsibility for the scheme will remain with the Secretary of State, and any changes in entitlement or benefit will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny. We will let a contract for the administration of the scheme only if it offers the prospect of efficiencies greater than could be achieved by retaining the service in the public sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what public consultation process has been arranged in respect of proposals to privatise the Teachers Pensions Agency; and if she will make a statement. [21450]

Organisations representing teachers, their employers, Teachers Pensions Agency staff and others were consulted in January 1995 about the feasibility of letting a contract for the future administration of the teachers' superannuation scheme. We have made our decisions public at each key stage of the contractorisation process. Members of the scheme, their representatives and employers, and members of the public have been given a number of opportunities to offer views on the future administration of the scheme. Many have done so, and we have given their comments due consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the staff of the Teachers Pensions Agency were consulted in advance of the announcement of proposals for its privatisation; and if she will make a statement. [21446]

Yes. Teachers Pensions Agency staff were consulted at an early stage on our intentions to look at the feasibility of letting a contract for the future administration of the teachers superannuation scheme. The staff of the TPA have been actively involved in the preparation of tender documentation, including the drawing up of a specification of service requirements and performance standards. They have also had the opportunity to meet the prospective tendering companies. The staff and their trade union representatives have been kept informed of developments throughout the process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what factors underlay the timetable for bids in respect of privatising the Teachers Pensions Agency; and if she will make a statement. [21530]

There are no specific factors underlying the timetable for tendering for administration of teachers' pensions. We have undertaken a careful assessment of the feasibility of letting a contract at each key state of the tendering process before proceedings further. We would like to reach an early decision in order to remove any uncertainties for staff of the Teachers' Pensions Agency. This will not, however, be at the expense of a thorough evaluation of the bids submitted. We hope to make an announcement shortly about the future of the agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average number of computers (a) per school and (b) per pupil in the Greater Manchester area; and if she will make a statement. [21521]

The information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the promotion of science education in England and Wales. [21523]

In England, the national curriculum ensures that all pupils, from the age of five to 16, study science as a core subject. Most pupils in their final year of compulsory schooling also take GCSEs in science and a greater proportion of students than ever before are getting science A-levels. In addition, general national vocational qualifications in science became widely available last September and there are already signs that they will encourage more young people to continue with science post-16. We have also taken steps to promote and encourage recruitment to science, mathematics and technology courses in higher education: the maximum level of publicly-funded tuition fees for practical courses is more than double the level of classroom-based courses. The basis for action on the promotion of science education in Wales is to be found in the two documents, "Science in the National Curriculum" and "A Bright Future: Getting the Best for every Pupil at School in Wales", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list those local authorities which maintain a central register of all children at schools within the local authority's area; how often these registers are updated; and what assessment she has made of the accuracy of the data. [21503]

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many persons in her 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; [21511](2) how many persons in her Department were required to work in excess of 48 hours per week in any of the last 52 weeks despite lodging a formal objection. [21479]

These questions can be answered only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures her 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 she will make a statement. [21473]

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.