To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlay the number of groups in respect of which he has produced quarterly figures in table 15.10 of the "Monthly Digest of Statistics"; and if he will list figures for the groups hitherto excluded. [35712]

The information in table 15.10 of the "Monthly Digest of Statistics" is presented in accordance with the periodicity of collection. The data are published at the aggregate division level classified to the standard industrial classification 1992. Data are published on a quarterly basis only where the periodicity of collection allows aggregation to this level. The periodicity of collection is primarily determined by article 4 of EC regulation No. 3924/91 and as stipulated in the products of the European Community—Prodcom—list, ISBN 92–827–5164–3.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the weights to be assigned to each of the items in ratio 1 in table 15.10 of the "Monthly Digest of Statistics", indicating the weights attached in 1973. [35711]

No weights are used in the calculation of the import penetration ratios published in table 15.10 of the "Monthly Digest of Statistics". However, the proportion of gross domestic product represented by each sector of industry can be derived from table 2.2 of the United Kingdom national accounts publication. Figures for 1973 are available from the Office for National Statistics databank which can be accessed through the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the figures for import penetration of the United Kingdom market for manufactures by imports from other EU countries for each year since 1970; [35713](2) if he will list the revised figures for import penetration of the United Kingdom market for manufactures for each year since 1970; [35715](3) what assessment he has made of the impact of the shift to standard industrial classification 1992 on the figures for import penetration of the United Kingdom market for manufactures; [35710](4) what has been the import share of the United Kingdom market for manufactures in each year since 1980; and what is his forecast for long-term change in that share. [35932]

Import penetration figures for the period 1970 to 1994—and quarterly figures for 1995—the most recent figures available, can be found in publications as indicated in the following table. These publications can be assessed in the House of Commons Library, with the exception of the February 1989 edition of the "Monthly Digest of Statistics". A copy of the relevant table of this edition will be placed in the Library today. The table also indicates the standard industrial classification on which the data are based.

Import penetration ratios—latest revised data
Period	SIC	Published source	Edition
1970–1973	1968	Economic Trends	August 1977
1974–1975	1968	Monthly Digest Table 15.3	January 1983
1976	1968	Monthly Digest Table 15.3	May 1983
1977	1968	Monthly Digest Table 15.10	November 1983
1978–79	1980	Monthly Digest Table 15.10	March 1986
1980	1980	Monthly Digest Table 15.10	December 1986
1981	1980	Monthly Digest Table 15.10	February 1989
1982	1980	Monthly Digest Table 15.10	September 1989
1983	1980	Monthly Digest Table 15.10	June 1990
1984–1988	1980	Monthly Digest Table 15.10	November 1993
1993	1992	Monthly Digest Table 15.10	May 1996
1994	1992	Monthly Digest Table 15.10	June 1996

Figures are not available for the years 1989 to 1992. Publication of the import penetration figures was reinstated in the April 1995 edition of the "Monthly Digest of Statistics" in table 15.10 based on the introduction of the standard industrial classification 1992. Revised figures for 1993, 1994, and 1995 figures for those industries where data are collected on a quarterly basis will be published in the July 1996 edition later this month. Import penetration figures are not available on an EU country breakdown basis. The Office for National Statistics has made no forecasts for future import penetration levels.The 1995 figures for those industries where data are collected on a quarterly basis will be published in the July 1996 edition later this month. Import penetration figures are not available on an EU country breakdown basis. The Office for National Statistics has made no forecasts for future import penetration levels.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the civilian population was engaged in defence-related manufacturing in each year since 1979. [35967]

The available information is provided in the following table.

Employment dependent on defence expenditure as a proportion of civilian population: United Kingdom1
	Per cent.
1978–79	0.9
1979–80	0.9
1980–81	1.0
1981–82	1.0
1982–83	1.0
1983–84	0.9
1984–85	0.9
1985–86	0.8
1986–87	0.8
1987–88	0.9

Employment dependent on defence expenditure as a proportion of civilian population: United Kingdom1
	Per cent.
1988–89	0.8
1989–90	0.8
1990–91	0.7
1991–92	0.7
1992–93	0.6
1993–94	0.5
1 Includes exports but excludes non-equipment related expenditure in UK.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been (a) the absolute and (b) the percentage change in the number of jobs in United Kingdom manufacturing since 1993; and what are the figures for other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. [35934]

The information requested for the United Kingdom is shown in the following table. OECD comparisons for the period requested are not available.

Employees in manufacturing in the United Kingdom: at March (seasonally adjusted)
1993	1996	Change
000	000	000	per cent.
3,922	3,938	16	0.4

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the deficit in trade in manufactures is being financed. [35988]

The current account deficit over the past two years has been less than ½ per cent. of GDP, and around one third of the deficit on trade in manufactures, with strong surpluses on trade in services and overseas investment income. The current account deficit is financed by capital account inflows—net overseas investment in the UK—reducing net external assets. But the UK's net external assets have recently been rising, to £70 billion at the end of 1996, Q1. This reflects net capital gains on our net assets outweighing any capital inflows.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the regulatory organisations within his Department which have responsibility in relation to composite insurance companies. [36034]

The Treasury has no direct regulatory responsibilities for composite insurance companies as such. However, marketing of life business, including that of composite insurance companies, is regulated under the Financial Services Act 1986 for which the Treasury has policy responsibility. The main FSA regulators responsible for life business are the Securities and Investments Board, the Personal Investment Authority and the Insurance Brokers Registration Council.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on interest rates. [36273]

Interest rates are set to achieve the inflation target of 2½ per cent. or less.

To as the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will list the staff of the House whose salary plus additional payments take their emoluments above the salaries of (a) hon. Members, (b) Under-Secretaries, (c) Ministers of State and (d) Cabinet Ministers. [35651]

The information requested is listed in the following tables:

(a) Staff whose salaries plus allowances exceed the salary of an hon. Member
Grade title	Number of job holders	Grade
Office of the Speaker
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (Part-time)	1	—
Speaker's Secretary	1	5
Department of the Clerk of the House
Clerk of the House	1	1
Clerk Assistant	1	2
Clerk of Committees	1	2
Speaker's Counsel	2	3
Principal Clerk Class I	6	3
Principal Clerk Class II	4	4
Deputy Principal Clerk	25	5
Assistant to Speaker's Counsel	2	5
Deliverer of the Vote	1	5
Supervisor of Broadcasting	1	6
Senior Clerk	7	7
Deputy Deliverer of the Vote	2	7
Clerk (Committee Office)	1	7
Department of the Serjeant at Arms
Serjeant at Arms	1	3
Director of Works	1	4
Deputy Serjeant at Arms	1	5
Information Systems Officer	1	5
Assistant Serjeant At Arms	1	6
Deputy Director of Works	1	6
Fire Safety Manager	1	7
Furnishing Manager	1	7
Principal Building Surveyor	1	7
Works Manager	1	7
Project Sponsor	1	7
Head of Admin, and Finance	1	7
Quantity Surveyor	1	7
Head of Secretariat	1	7
Department of the Library
Librarian	1	3
Deputy Librarian	1	4

(a) Staff whose salaries plus allowances exceed the salary of an hon. Member
Grade title	Number of job holders	Grade
Directors of Services	3	5
Deputy Assistant Librarian	8	6
Senior Library Clerk	9	7
Head of Information Technology	1	7
Department of the Official Report
Editor	1	4
Deputy Editor	1	5
Assistant Editor	7	6
Principal Assistant Editor	4	6
Committee Sub-Editor	7	7
Department of Finance and Administration
Director of Finance and Administration	1	3
Accountant	1	4
Head of the Establishments Office	1	4
Head of the Finance Office	1	5
Staff Inspector	1	6
Deputy Accountant	1	6
Deputy Head of Establishments	1	6
Assistant Accountant	3	7
Head of Policy/Project Unit	1	7
Internal Auditor	1	7
Refreshment Department
Director of Catering Services	1	5
Executive Chef	1	7
Financial Controller	1	7

(b) Staff whose salaries plus allowances exceed the salary of an Under-Secretary
Grade title	Number of job holders	Grade
Office of the Speaker
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (part-time)	1	—
Speaker's Secretary	1	5
Department of the Clerk of the House
Clerk of the House	1	1
Clerk Assistant	1	2
Clerk of Committees	1	2
Speaker's Counsel	2	3
Principal Clerk Class I	6	3
Principal Clerk Class II	4	4
Assistant to Speaker's Counsel	2	5
Deputy Principal Clerk	18	5
Department of the Serjeant at Arms
Serjeant at Arms	1	3
Deputy Serjeant at Arms	1	5
Information Systems Officer	1	5
Director of Works	1	4
Department of the Library
Librarian	1	3
Deputy Librarian	1	4
Director of Services	3	5
Department of Official Report
Editor	1	4
Deputy Editor	1	5
Principal Assistant Editor	2	6
Department of Finance and Administration
Director of Finance and Administration	1	3

(b) Staff whose salaries plus allowances exceed the salary of an Under-Secretary
Grade title	Number of job holders	Grade
Accountant	1	4
Head of Establishments Office	1	4
Refreshment Department
Director of Catering Services	1	5

(c) Staff whose salaries plus allowances exceed the salary of a Minister of State
Grade title	Number of job holders	Grade
Office of the Speaker
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (Part-time)	1	—
Department of the Clerk of the House
Clerk of the House	1	1
Clerk Assistant	1	2
Clerk of Committees	1	2
Speaker's Counsel	2	3
Principal Clerk Class I	6	3
Principal Clerk Class II	3	4
Department of the Serjeant at Arms
Serjeant at Arms	1	3
Director of Works	1	4
Department of the Library
Librarian	1	3
Deputy Librarian	1	4
Department of the Official Report
Editor	1	4
Department of Finance and Administration
Director of Finance and Administration	1	3

(d) Staff whose salaries plus allowances exceed the salary of a Cabinet Minister
Grade title	Number of job holders	Grade
Office of the Speaker
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (Part-time)	1	—
Department of the Clerk of the House
Clerk of the House	1	1
Clerk Assistant	1	2
Clerk of Committees	1	2
Department of the Serjeant of Arms
None	—	—
Department of the Library
None	—	—
Department of the Official Report
None	—	—
Department of Finance and Administration
None	—	—
Refreshment Department
None	—	—

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities are debt free; if he will list them and the party or parties currently in political control of them; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy in respect of local authority indebtedness. [35662]

The table sets out the list of those authorities that expected to be debt-free on 1 April 1996, and their current political control. We continue to encourage local authorities to reduce their outstanding debt using sums that they have set aside for this purpose.

Local authorities with debt-free status as at 1 April 19961
Local Authority	Political control
Barking and Dagenham	LAB
Basingstoke and Deane	NOC
Bedford	NOC
Bracknell Forest	LAB
Breckland	NOC
Broadland	NOC
Chiltern	NOC
Christchurch	NOC
City of London	IND
Crawley	LAB
Dacorum	LAB
Dartford	LAB
Daventry	NOC
Dorset	LIB/DEM
East Cambridgeshire	IND
East Devon	NOC
East Dorset	LIB/DEM
Eden	IND
Epsom and Ewell	Rate-payers
Forest Heath	NOC
Hambleton	NOC
Hart	NOC
Havant	NOC
Hertsmere	LAB
Kennet	NOC
Leominster	IND
Malvern Hills	NOC
Mid Bedfordshire	NOC
Mid Sussex	LIB/DEM
Newbury	LIB/DEM
Penwith	NOC
Rochester upon Medway	LAB
Runnymede	NOC
Rushmoor	NOC
Ryedale	NOC
Sevenoaks	NOC
South Bucks	NOC
South Cambridgeshire	NOC
South Northamptonshire	NOC
South Ribble	LAB
South Shropshire	IND
Spelthorne	CON
St. Edmundsbury	LAB
Suffolk Coastal	NOC
Surrey Heath	CON
Swale	NOC
Tewkesbury	NOC
Tonbridge and Malling	NOC
Tunbridge Wells	LIB/DEM
Uttlesford	NOC
Vale of White Horse	LIB/DEM
Wansdyke	LAB
Welwyn Hatfield	LAB
West Sussex	NOC

Local authorities with debt-free status as at 1 April 19961
Local Authority	Political control
Windsor and Maidenhead	LIB/DEM
Wychavon	NOC
Wyre	LAB
1 Does not include miscellaneous authorities, such as police, waste and fire authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding the planning proposals for a multi-screen cinema and leisure park on the site of the former Wearmouth colliery, Trindon street and Dallion New road; when departmental officials last discussed the proposals with (i) the Tyne and Wear development corporation, (ii) Cowies, (iii) Camborough Ltd, (iv) Sunderland local authority, (v) IGP Developments, (vi) Vaux Ltd, and (vii) the Bowie Group; when he expects to make a decision on the planning applications; and if he will make a statement. [35700]

The Secretary of State has received one representation about these proposals from agents acting for Cowies. The proposals have been drawn to his attention by the Tyne and Wear development corporation and by reports on the local media. On 21 and 24 June, The Secretary of State issued directions under article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995 preventing the local planning authorities, the Tyne and Wear development corporation and Sunderland city council, from determining the applications until he had considered whether or not he should call them in. Copies of the applications and documentation were received by the Government office for the north-east on 21 June and these are being considered at present.No discussions have taken place between departmental officials and Cowies, Carnborough Ltd, Vaux Ltd or the Bowey Group. Departmental officials have spoken to Sunderland city council once and on several occasions to the Tyne and Wear development corporation, in connection with the application.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the average time taken to re-let council homes in each of the metropolitan councils; and if he will make a statement. [35859]

Local authorities in England are requested to provide information on the average time they take to re-let council dwellings, excluding those let after major repair work in their annual housing investment programme—HIP1—returns.The latest available figures, which relate to dwellings let during the financial year 1994–95, are given in the 1995 "HIP1 All Items Print", a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations control the placing of advertisements on roadside verges; and what plans he has to relax them. [35966]

The display of all outdoor advertisements, including those on roadside verges, is subject to the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992. My Department issued a public consultation paper, in February 1996, canvassing the possible abolition of the regime of areas of special control of advertisements. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library. The proposals would not permit additional advertising on roadside verges, which would remain at the discretion of local planning authorities.If the verge forms part of the highway, additional powers to control advertisements are available to highway authorities under the Highways Act 1980, for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is responsible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have been held with sanitary ware manufacturers, the water companies and Ofwat to reduce the current gallonage in WC cisterns, and if he will make a statement. [35852]

WC flush volumes have been widely discussed by all interested parties following the publication of "Using Water Wisely" and "Water Conservation Government Action".Any reduction in the present maximum WC flush volume will be considered by the Water Regulation Advisory Committee as part of its remit to consider the technical requirements of regulations that will replace the water byelaws. I expect to announce the membership of that committee shortly.

To ask the Secretary of Stale for the Environment what is the total amount contributed by capital projects through the private finance initiative for each of the metropolitan districts to date; and if he will make a statement. [35849]

Information relating to individual local authority projects is not collected by my Department. However, the private finance initiative has high potential to enhance the amount and value of local authority investment, and I am taking a number of measures to promote it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was Devon's education standard spending assessment in (a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1996–97; and in each case what was the percentage change on the previous year. [36187]

The information requested on Devon county council's education standard spending assessment is as follows:

	Amount £ million	Percentage increase over previous year
1994–95	321.710	2.3
1995–96	328.421	12.1
1996–97	345.862	5.3
1 Percentage increase over 1994–95 SSA, adjusted to £321.573 million to reflect the abolition of compulsory inter-authority recoupment for most pupils on 1 April 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department spent in meeting the costs of taxi cab fares in the 1995–96 financial year. [36012]

This information cannot be provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to review his Department's guidelines on the density and sparsity effects in respect of the provision of services by local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [36039]

The Department has commissioned research on the effects of sparsity and density of population on the costs of providing local authority services. Reports from both research studies are expected to be received this month. Their findings will be discussed with the local authority associations. The findings and the associations' views will be available to us when we reach decisions on standard spending assessments for 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of likely sea level rises in East Anglia in (a) 2020 and (b) 2050 as a result of temperature increases; and if he will make a statement. [36024]

The Department's climate change impacts review group has recently provided an independent review of the impact of climate change on the UK. In its report "A Review of the Potential Effects of Climate change on the UK," sea level is projected to rise by 12 to 19cm by 2020 and 23 to 37cm by 2050. Sea level rise in East Anglia will be exacerbated by the effect of land sinking. Allowing for this, a sea level rise of up to 50cm can be expected by 2050.We recognise that climate change is a global problem which all countries have a responsibility to address. The UK is on course to go further than the commitment that we made under the UN framework convention on climate change to return emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by the year 2000.At the second conference of the parties to the FCCC in Geneva on 8 to 19 July 1996, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be urging developed countries to honour their commitments and also to reduce emissions by 5 to 10 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the forthcoming finance, management and policy review of the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive. [36367]

As part of the Government's programme of regular five-yearly finance, management and policy reviews of non-departmental public bodies, my Department will conduct a thorough review of the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, which will begin today. As with all prior options studies, this will assess the extent to which the HSC/E's functions are necessary for the achievement of the Government's policies, and whether there is scope for privatising, contracting out or transferring all or part of its functions to another body. It will draw on work which has already been done in this area.The progress made by HSC/E since the previous review in 1991–92 will be examined and the results of that examination and of the prior options study will inform a review of HSC/E's policy and financial management systems. An essential component of Government policy is to maintain high standards of health and safety and the review will reflect this.In carrying out the study, my Department will consult widely with relevant organisations with an interest in HSC/E's work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Environment Council on 25 June. [36665]

Together with my noble Friend the Earl of Lindsay, I represented the United Kingdom at the Environment Council in Luxembourg on 25 June.Common positions were reached on proposed directives on the marketing of biocidal products and on the control of emissions from off-road vehicles. In both cases the United Kingdom was able to secure its negotiating objectives.The Council agreed conclusions on a community strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from passenger cars and on the EU position for the second conference of the parties to the UN framework convention on climate change, which is to be held in Geneva later this month.Council conclusions were also agreed on water policy and on the EU position for the first meeting of the open-ended ad hoc working group to prepare a bio-safety protocol for the conference of the parties on biological diversity.The Council agreed a recommendation on the keeping of wild animals in zoos, a mandate to approve the Espoo convention, and a negotiating mandate on a proposed agreement for the conservation of whales in the Mediterranean and Black seas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to issue for public consultation the revised text of planning policy guidance note 1, "General Policy and Principles". [36689]

I have today issued for consultation our proposals for revising PPG1. The present text of PPG1 was published in March 1992. Its content has been refocused to provide a more strategic commentary on planning policy. More detailed guidance on specific planning issues is given in the other PPGs in the series.The revised text:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those constituencies he has visited in the last three months on official business and those constituencies he intends to visit in the next three months; and if he will make a statement. [35758]

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs visited Birmingham, Ladywood on 6 and 7 May for the ministerial meeting of the Western European Union, and East Kilbride on 20 May for meetings at the Overseas Development Administration office there. He has announced no plans for further visits within the UK on official business in the next three months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the decision of the International Court of Justice issued 8 July regarding the legality of nuclear weapons. [36125]

We are studying the detail of the Court's advisory opinion which was issued yesterday.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he was notified of the resolution carried by the European Parliament over the case of Mr. Raghbir Singh; if he has notified the Home Secretary of the resolution; and if he will make a statement. [36475]

The European Parliament's resolution on the case of Mr. Raghbir Singh was sent to member states' permanent representatives to the European Union after its adoption on 20 June. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary was notified of the resolution on 3 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the venue and purpose of the visits Her Majesty's Government's Transport Ministers have made to the United States of America since their appointment. [35913]

The Minister for Railways and Roads visited Atlanta and Washington in November 1995 on a fact-finding mission on road traffic management measures. The Minister for Local Transport, Road Safety and Transport in London addressed the international congress on alcohol and drug dependency in San Diego in August 1995 and looked at San Diego's local transport systems. In 1993, he went on a fact-finding mission to Chicago to study parking enforcement systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the benefits which will accrue to South Yorkshire from the construction of the channel tunnel rail link; and if he will make a statement. [35846]

I expect that all regions of the UK, including South Yorkshire, will benefit from the construction of the channel tunnel rail link, which will reduce journey times by 30 minutes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of freight is currently moved by rail; and what measures he intends to take to encourage the movement of freight by rail. [36243]

Rail moved 6 per cent. of freight handled in the UK in 1994–95, the most recent period for 'which figures are available. The key to improving market share is privatisation. Five of BR's freight businesses, which in total carry more than 90 per cent. by volume of rail freight in Great Britain, have already been privatised. BR aims to privatise the only remaining business, Railfreight Distribution, by the end of this year.We continue to make available grants to encourage the shift of freight from road to rail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage the transport of freight through the channel tunnel. [36239]

On 6 June, the Government announced that Railfreight Distribution, BR's channel tunnel rail freight business, was to be offered for sale. Privatisation will enable the business to be put onto a sound financial footing so that the growth potential of freight services via the channel tunnel can be exploited on a commercial basis, thereby furthering the objective of transferring more freight from road to rail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent reports he has received of design faults leading to safety problems in the construction and delivery of the Networker trains for the north Kent lines. [36032]

[holding answer 8 July 1996]: Prescribed equipment failures on rolling stock are statutorily reportable where the incident occurs or is discovered on running lines. Earlier this year a coupling failure occurred on a Networker train which was undergoing maintenance in a works depot. The Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate is also aware of a number of brake disc failures. HSE has investigated these incidents and is satisfied that suitable measures are in place to maintain safety standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much funding is given by her Department to promote DARE projects; what assessment she had made of the impact of DARE projects in schools; and if she will make a statement. [35907]

The Department provided £80,000 of support in 1995–96 to Kirklees local education authority for an innovative drugs education project, through the grants for education support and training programme. One element of the project was the evaluation of the DARE programme in the region's schools. My right hon. Friend plans to publish an evaluation document covering all GEST innovative drugs education projects, including that in Kirklees, later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers have taken early retirement on medical grounds in each of the last 10 years. [35752]

The following table shows the latest information for England and Wales.

Teachers Superannuation Scheme members retiring on ill-health grounds1
Financial year	Maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools2	Other sectors3	Total
1986–87	2,060	650	2,710
1987–884	1,930	620	2,550
1988–89	2,680	740	3,420
1989–90	3,260	910	4,170
1990–91	3,900	1,010	4,910
1991–92	3,580	1,050	4,630
1992–93	3,650	1,210	4,860
1993–94	4,290	1,380	5,670
1994–95	4,740	1,470	6,210
1995–965	n/a	n/a	5,980
1 Where a person was not in teaching service immediately prior to retirement, their last known sector is shown.
2 Excludes those last recorded as: in sixth form colleges (except for 1987–88); peripatetic teachers; supply teachers; teachers providing nursery, primary or secondary education other than at school.
3 Includes all other members of the teachers superannuation scheme, for example, those whose last service was in: special schools, further education, higher education, supply teaching.
4 Includes a small number of teachers last recorded in sixth form colleges.
5 Provisional. Information by sector is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many (a) letters and (b) other communications she has received from local education authorities opposing the nursery voucher scheme; and if she will list the local education authorities; [35717](2) how many

My right hon. Friend has received many letters, as well as other forms of communication, from local authorities and parents. The majority have been seeking clarification and information about the nursery education voucher scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list those constituencies she has visited in the last three months on official business and those constituencies she intends to visit in the next three months; and if she will make a statement [35760]

During the last three months I have visited the following constituencies on official business:

• Cardiff Central
• Glasgow Central
• Norfolk North-west
• Norfolk South
• Newcastle Upon Tyne Central
• Blackpool South
• Dartford
• Hendon South
• Rochford
• Hastings and Rye
• Barking
• Dagenham
• Southend East
• Gosport
• Lewisham Deptford
• Norfolk Mid
• Wyre Forest
• Surbiton
• Norfolk South-west

During the next three months, I intend to visit the following constituencies on official business:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what criteria she uses to evaluate the effectiveness of executive job clubs; [36169](2) what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of executive job clubs in delivering job opportunities to members. [36162]

Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to amend section 12(2)(a) of the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1995 to give local education authorities powers to consider applications on an individual basis; and if she will make a statement. [36111]

The Department has no plans to amend regulation I 2(2)(a) of the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much her Department spent in meeting the costs of taxi cab fares in the 1995–96 financial year. [36005]

The information that the hon. Member requires could be provided only at disproportionate cost to the Department. The Department does not maintain this information in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she will publish the figures in the report on women and training carried out for her Department by Hilary Metcalf and Claire Calender at the Policy Studies institute; and when their completed report was received by her Department. [34968]

The Department has not yet received a version of the report from the Policy Studies Institute which is suitable for publication. It is hoped that a suitable version will be received later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will publish a table, in ascending order, of the amount of each shire local education authority's education budget, which is not passed on to schools, (a) in overall cash terms and (b) as an amount per child. [36369]

The following table gives the amount of total expenditure on schools in 1996–97, in cash terms and per pupil, not delegated to the governing bodies of individual schools. The figures have been derived from the local management of schools budget statements produced by the authorities under section 42 of the Education Reform Act 1988.

	GSB—ASB (see note below) £ 000		Per pupil (£)
Isle of Wight	10,293	Staffordshire	487
Northumberland	28,581	Suffolk	487
Gloucestershire	30,785	Hertforshire	499
Somerset	33,472	Somerset	503
Cumbria	36,643	West Sussex	524
Lincolnshire	38,975	Cheshire	532
Shropshire	40,890	Isle of Wight	541
Wiltshire	41,354	Leicestershire	546
Suffolk	46,321	Berkshire	551
Dorset	48,090	Hampshire	561
Bedfordshire	50,351	Nottinghamshire	562
Northamptonshire	50,982	Essex	567
Cornwall	52,334	Devon	568
West Sussex	53,458	Northumberland	571
Hereford/Worcester	54,801	Hereford/Worcester	574
Berkshire	55,269	Northamptonshire	593
Durham	56,373	Durham	594
Warwickshire	58,374	Dorset	595
East Sussex	59,551	Gloucestershire	597
Oxfordshire	60,245	Lincolnshire	602
Norfolk	66,213	Kent	603
Hertforshire	67,163	Wiltshire	617
Cambridgeshire	68,119	Cumbria	630
Buckinghamshire	71,134	Bedfordshire	634
Surrey	75,938	Lancashire	639
Leicestershire	77,323	Derbyshire	642
Staffordshire	79,299	East Sussex	644
Devon	79,583	Shropshire	694
Essex	81,222	Norfolk	717
Derbyshire	82,089	Surrey	723
Cheshire	82,104	Cornwall	749
Nottinghamshire	93,263	Oxfordshire	760
Kent	105,615	Buckinhamshire	782
Hampshire	115,905	Cambridgeshire	799
Lancashire	135,554	Warwickshire	859

1. The amount held centrally in respect of LEA maintained schools is calculated by taking the General Schools Budget (GSB), the total planned expenditure on LEA maintained schools, and deducting the Aggegated Schools Budget (ASB) which is the amount delegated to an LEA's schools.2. All new authorities established at 1 April 1996 under the Local Government Act, 1992 have been excluded from the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average class size in grammar schools for the most recent year for which information is available at (a) key stage 3, (b) key stage 4 and (c) sixth forms. [35878]

[holding answer 8 July 1996]: The latest available information is as follows:

Average size of one teacher classes in grammar schools in England—January 1995
	Number
Pupils aged mainly under 14	26.5
Pupils aged mainly 14 and 15	21.6
Pupils aged mainly 16 and over	11.3

To ask the Prime Minister if he will visit St. Andrew's hospital, Bromley by Bow. [34936]

I have no plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 9 July. [35157]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 9 July. [35158]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 18 March, Official Report, column 56, how many of the representations he has received about the proposed Cairngorm funicular railway ask that he call in the application for his own determination. [35214]

To date, my right hon. Friend has received a total of 1,920 letters requesting that he intervenes in this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the changes in council housing expenditure in (a) Stirling, (b) Aberdeen, (c) Tayside, (d) Aberdeenshire, (e) East Ayrshire and (f) Dumfries and Galloway in real terms between 1989–90 and 1998–99; and what were the reasons for these changes. [35661]

Final decisions on the allocation of resources to individual local authorities for 1998–99 will not be taken until early in 1998 following completion of the 1997 public expenditure survey. However, expenditure on their own stock in 1989–90 by each housing authority covering the areas requested, at 1995–96 prices, is shown in the table.

Authority	£ million
Stirling	11.1
Aberdeen	18.9
Tayside (comprising)
Angus	7.1
City of Dundee	30.5
Perth and Kinross	9.6
Aberdeenshire (comprising)
Banff and Buchan	5.4
Gordon	10.1
Kincardine and Deeside	4.7

Authority	£ million
East Ayrshire (comprising)
Cumnock and Doon Valley	4.0
Kilmarnock and Loudoun	11.3
Dumfries and Galloway
Annandale and Eskdale	5.7
Nithsdale	7.9
Stewartry	2.3
Wigtown	4.0

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the proposed change in expenditure in council housing in real terms, between 1989–90 and 1998–99; and what are the reasons for this change. [35658]

Planned net provision in 1998–99 for capital expenditure by local authorities on their own stock is £167 million at 1995–96 prices, compared with £208 million in 1989–90 on the same basis. This reflects the amount which we consider can be afforded for council housing investment within the resources available to the Scottish Office block and takes account of the reduction in council housing stock as a result of right-to-buy sales and stock transfers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the organisations concerned with housing in Scotland. [35657]

Ministers regularly meet organisations concerned with housing in Scotland. This year I have met, among others, a number of local authority housing conveners, the housing committee of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the chairman and members of the board of Scottish Homes, and representatives from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Shelter (Scotland), the Chartered Institute of Housing and various private developers and lenders. I have also visited a number of local authorities and housing associations and participated in a number of events related to housing. Further meetings and engagements are planned for the remainder of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when was the last time he met Shelter to discuss homelessness in Scotland. [35660]

My right hon. Friend met Shelter (Scotland) and some other housing organisations on 2 October 1995 to discuss a wide range of housing issues, including homelessness. I meet with housing organisations regularly and last met Shelter (Scotland) on 21 June 1996 when I addressed its one-day conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take to ensure that the criminal and civil law in Scotland provide effective measures against stalking; and if he will make a statement. [36762]

My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate considers that the common law of Scotland is adequate to deal with the menace of stalking. Such conduct can broadly be described as actions calculated to lead to the harassment of another person, whether they are intended to do so or whether they in fact do so. While such conduct frequently occurs on repeated occasions, it need not necessarily do so.As far as the criminal law of Scotland is concerned, any conduct which is liable to create alarm and annoyance can give rise to a charge of breach of the peace. The types of conduct commonly referred to as stalking fall within that definition, even though the conduct complained of might in other circumstances be perfectly innocuous and lawful. Whether in any particular case the actings of an accused constitute a breach of the peace is a question for the court, which falls to be determined in the light of the circumstances of the individual case. The court is entitled to hold that the accused's conduct amounted to a breach of the peace, where something has been done in breach of public order or decorum and might reasonably be expected to have led to one or more members of the public being alarmed or upset. It is not necessary for the prosecutor to prove that actual harm was suffered by a third party. Nor is it necessary for the prosecution to establish that an accused person actually intended such a result.In a case in 1961 the High Court of Justiciary upheld a conviction of breach of the peace where the accused had become infatuated with a young woman. The accused had formed a habit of waiting outside her place of employment, looking at her and following her and her fiancé. The young woman became alarmed and agitated and her fiancé angry and indignant. The High Court of Justiciary accepted that such conduct amounted to a breach of the peace. That is a good example of the flexibility with which the Scottish criminal courts can apply the common law offence of breach of the peace. In recent years persons who have engaged in stalking in Scotland have been successfully prosecuted on charges of breach of the peace.Those who have made improper use of the public telephone system, by making offensive or menacing telephone calls, have been successfully prosecuted for contraventions of section 43 of the Telecommunications Act 1984.In Scotland, a police constable may arrest, without warrant, anyone he reasonably suspects to have committed or to be likely to commit a breach of the peace.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his letter of 11 June relating to the work of Maria Spychiger's Swiss institute, what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated in relation to the value of music teaching for children in encouraging communications skills. [34637]

[holding answer 8 July 1996]: The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department has not commissioned research in this area. I do, however, recognise the valuable contribution which music makes to the overall educational development of students. Work currently in train to define agreed core skills may well pave the way for a fuller assessment of the contribution made by music to the development of communication skills in particular.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Community Telecommunications Council on 27 June. [35747]

I represented the UK at the Telecommunications Council held in Luxembourg on 27 June.The Council reached political agreement on a common position on a directive amending the open network provision framework and leased lines directives 90/387/EEC and 92/44/EEC to a competitive environment. Germany indicated its intention of voting against the common position. The Council also reached political agreement on a common position on a directive on the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the telecommunications sector. Portugal indicated its intention of abstaining on the common position.In addition, the Council reached political agreement on a common position on a decision on inter-administration telematic networks for statistics relating to the trading of goods between member states—EDICOM. Germany and the UK indicated their intention of voting against the common position. The Council reached political agreement on brief conclusions inviting the Commission to present a proposal to amend the ONP voice telephony directive 95/62/EC, and to report regularly to the Council on universal service in telecommunications.Following discussion by the Council, three proposals—on Community postal services, telecommunications licensing, and on the promotion of linguistic diversity in the information society—were referred back to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for further discussion. There was also an informal lunchtime discussion of satellite personal communications systems, and of the problem of the century date change for computer systems.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the annual average rate of change in manufacturing output for each five-year period since 1975. [35935]

The information requested is in the table.

Average annual change in the level of manufacturing output
	Per cent.
1975–80	-1.0
1980–85	0.4
1985–90	3.4
1990–95	0.3

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the United Kingdom share of exports of manufactures by the main manufacturing countries for each year since 1980; and what is his forecast of long-term change in that share. [35933]

The information requested is given in the table.

UK value share of exports of manufacturers by the main manufacturing countries.
Year	Per cent.
1980	9.3
1981	8.2
1982	8.1
1983	7.6
1984	7.3
1985	7.5
1986	7.3
1987	7.8
1988	7.9
1989	7.8
1990	8.2
1991	8.2
1992	7.9
1993	7.8
1994	8.0

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the total value of contracts from each Government Department for steel produced in Sheffield in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [35855]

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

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the value in real terms of (a) defence export deliveries for each year from 1980 to the present and (b) defence imports for each year from 1980 to the present. [35827]

The information is not available in real terms. Current price figures are published by the Ministry of Defence in "UK Defence Statistics", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list each of the safeguard verification exercises that have been undertaken by international agencies in the United Kingdom since 1990, indicating those which have been adapted to assist Euratom and Russian nuclear authorities in refining safeguards applications. [35929]

Since 1990 Euratom, jointly with the International Atomic Energy Agency at certain major installations have conducted several hundred safeguards inspections at installations in the UK where nuclear material is used. Euratom verification activities in the UK during 1992 alone involved almost 2,500 days of effort on the part of Euratom personnel. All these inspections contribute to increasing Euratom's safeguards efficiency and refining its safeguards techniques.Euratom has conducted two exercises in the UK, one at Dounreay and the other at the Sizewell A power station, with safeguards inspectors from Gosatomnadzor—GAN, the Russian nuclear regulatory body—to demonstrate the application of Euratom safeguards. Such exercises are part of a continuing programme to assist in the development of safeguards systems in Russia.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the discussion on the effect of the century date change on computer systems at the recent meeting of the European Telecommunications Council. [35721]

I raised this problem and described the potentially significant consequences involved in tackling it. Ministers were appraised of the seriousness of the issue. It was agreed that the European Commission should establish an informal task force to consult more widely and report back to the Council of Ministers.I also refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Mr. Sims) on other issues raised at the Telecommunications Council.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent guidelines his Department has published in respect of the uniform business rate relating to rural sub-post offices. [36290]

None. Matters concerning the uniform business rate are primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the investigations carried out by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission into Stagecoach Holdings plc; if he will list those occasions on which Stagecoach Holdings plc has taken his Department to court over actions taken in response to these investigations; and on how many occasions the actions of his Department have been upheld it the courts of law. [36116]

The acquisitions by Stagecoach of the following companies were referred to, and investigated by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under the merger provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973:

Company	Date report published, Cm. nos.
Portsmouth Citybus Limited	July 1990 Cm 1130
Formia Limited	December 1990 CM 1382
Lancaster City Transport Limited	December 1993 CM 2423
Mainline Partnership Limited	March 1995 Cm 2782

Company	Date report published. Cm. nos.
S B Holdings Limited	April 1995 Cm 2845
Ayrshire Bus Owners Limited (A1 Service)	November 1995 Cm 3032
Chesterfield Transport (1989) Ltd	January 1996 Cm 3086

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he was informed that the Director General of Fair Trading had been asked to appear before the Agriculture Committee to discuss progress in his inquiry into Milk Marque. [36044]

The Chairman of the Agricultural Select Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Sir Jerry Wiggin), wrote to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 2 July 1996 to inform him that the Director General of Fair Trading had been invited to appear and give oral evidence on the progress of his consideration of the competition issues affecting Milk Marque.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many occasions the Director General of Fair Trading has been asked to explain the progress of an inquiry to a Select Committee. [36046]

I understand that John Bridgeman, the Director General of Fair Trading, has given evidence to two Select Committees, the terms of reference of which have touched upon ongoing Office of Fair Trading inquiries: one on the stock exchange, the other on petrol retailing. He is also due to give evidence to the Agriculture Select Committee inquiry into the dairy industry.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number of Crown post offices in (a) Crewe and Nantwich and (b) Cheshire, for each of the last five years. [36452]

I understand from the Post Office that the number of Crown post offices in Crewe and Nantwich in each of the last five years was as follows:

• End March 1992: 2
• End March 1993: 2
• End March 1994: 2
• End March 1995: 1
• End March 1996: 1

As a result of changes to the regional structure of Post Office Counters Ltd. in 1993, it has not yet been possible for them to compile the equivalent information for Cheshire. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the information is available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the need to review arrangements related to maternity leave with particular reference to employer notification requirements; and if he will make a statement. [34969]

I receive representations on various aspects of statutory maternity rights, but am not aware that the employer notification requirements are a matter of particular concern.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many women in each year since 1992 informed their employers of their intention to return to work after maternity leave by providing the minimum 21 days' notice. [34966]

The requirement to give—where practicable—at least 21 days' notice of intention to return applies only to the right to reinstatement after extended maternity absence. Pregnant employees with at least two years service qualify for that right. The Government do not generally collect statistics on the numbers of women meeting this notification requirement. However, according to the Policy Studies Institute report "Maternity Rights in Britain", which the Government co-sponsored, the proportion of all women reporting the right to reinstatement—that is, women with the necessary qualifying service—who gave employers formal notice o return was 41 per cent. in 1979 and 72 per cent. in 1988.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's performance in attracting internationally mobile investment projects in 1995–96. [36687]

My Department's Invest In Britain Bureau announced in its annual review of operations, published today, that 1995–96 was yet another record year for inward investment and jobs coming to the United Kingdom.Between 1 April 1995 and 31 March 1996, the IBB recorded 477 direct investment projects by overseas-owned companies in the UK. Based on information supplied by companies at the time of their announcements, it is estimated that these projects will create 48,256 new jobs. Compared with last year's figures, this represents an increase of 10 per cent. in terms of projects and 30 per cent. in terms of jobs.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 22 March, Official Report, column 366, from what date the placing of statistical analyses of export licences in the Library at six-monthly intervals will commence. [35667]

[holding answer 4 July 1996]: A statistical analysis of export licences which have been issued and refused in the calendar period 1 January 1996 to 30 June 1996 will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as it has been compiled. The exercise will thereafter be repeated at six-monthly intervals, as opposed to 12-monthly, which has been the practice hitherto.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to maintain the current level of funding to the local energy advice centres from September 1996. [35763]

I have been asked to reply.The Energy Saving Trust is responsible for the management and funding of the local energy advice centres. My Department has agreed the trust's proposals to use DOE funds to support the local energy advice centres up to March 1999. The trust is announcing its plans for the local energy advice centres on 8 July, at the local energy advice centres annual conference.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the size of the United Kingdom meat processing export trade as of 1 March. [24099]

I have been asked to reply.Provisional data on the exports of meat and meat preparations from the UK, from March 1995 to February 1996, as recorded in the Overseas Trade Statistics, are shown in the table. Meat originating from the UK is not separately identifiable.

	£ million	Tonnes
Total exports of meat, meat offal and preparations of meat and offal	1,395	779,022
of which:
Bovine meat and bovine offal (fresh, chilled or frozen)	600	279,804
Other meat and other offal (fresh, chilled or frozen)	701	463,105

	£ million	Tonnes
Preparations of bovine meat and bovine offal	15	5,826
Other preparations of meat and offal1	79	30,286
1 Includes some bovine meat which is not separately identifiable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on United Kingdom policy towards NATO. [34905]

The UK is, and will continue to be, among the firmest supporters of NATO. We are making a major contribution to the NATO-led operation in the former Yugoslavia and to the longer-term evolution of the alliance as the key to European security.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of his Department's policies on defence equipment purchasing on employment in the United Kingdom. [34913]

Consideration of defence industrial factors, including employment implications, is a requirement of our central equipment procurement decision-making processes. My Department's policy of seeking best value for money, wherever possible through competition, has helped UK industry to remain competitive and successful both at home and abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of United Kingdom jobs reliant on the manufacture of defence equipment. [34919]

I refer my hon. Friend to table 1.10 on page 12 of the 1995 edition of "UK Defence Statistics", a copy of which is in the Library. The 1996 edition of "UK Defence Statistics" will be published on 18 July 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) the evidence submitted by his Department to the Review Board for Government Contracts on the inclusion of marketing the selling expenses in the overhead rate on non-competitive contracts, (b) the evidence submitted during the review board's consideration of this issue as part of its sixth general review (1990), (c) the evidence submitted to the working party established to consider this issue subsequent to the sixth general review and (d) the evidence submitted on this issue as part of the seventh general review (1993). [35860]

The "evidence" held by my Department comprises a large volume of file correspondence, letters, minutes, working notes and briefing material covering a four-year period of negotiations with the CBI. The background to these negotiations over the treatment of marketing and selling expenses in non-competitive contracts is described in the reports of the Review Board for Government Contracts covering the sixth (1990), seventh (1993) and eighth (1996) general reviews of the profit formula for non-competitive contracts. There is now a clearer understanding between the Department and the CBI over the treatment of marketing and selling expenses, in the context of the relevant Government accounting convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the civilian technical advances which have been developed from defence contracts in the last five years. [35854]

Most defence research and development contracts let by MOD contain conditions which vest the intellectual property rights in the contractor concerned. It follows that, for many firms, the major benefit of defence contracts is the garnering of general skills and capabilities. The Ministry of Defence keeps no central record of the applications of these general skills and capabilities and to gather this information would be disproportionately expensive.However, in the last five years there have also been notable technical advances of a more specific nature from defence research developments funding. More than 200 exploitation agreements have been signed, examples of the technologies are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what weighting is given to areas of high unemployment in the consideration of tenders for defence contracts. [35309]

Consideration of defence industrial factors, including employment implications, is a requirement of our central equipment procurement decision-making processes. My Department's policy of seeking best value for money, wherever possible through competition, has helped UK industry to remain competitive and successful both at home and abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the Royal Navy's use of electronic navigation and charting systems. [34915]

Electronic chart display and information systems are the subject of a Royal Navy navigation research programme that ensures the most up-to-date advice is obtained on this emerging technology. The Royal Navy at present has four different electronic navigation and charting systems undergoing trials and assessment at sea, which are producing encouraging results.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the Permanent Joint Headquarters. [34916]

The Permanent Joint Headquarters, which will very shortly become fully operational, will provide a centre of excellence for the preparation and conduct of joint operations. It will also be a focus for developing and enhancing the UK's joint operations capability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the proportion of defence procurement jobs in the contract allocation for the Nimrod aircraft which will be in Scotland. [34917]

We are currently assessing bids in response to an invitation to tender for a replacement for the Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft. All relevant factors, including employment considerations, are being taken into account. As yet, however, no final decision has been taken, and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to comment on the precise content of the bids.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to upgrade the maritime patrol aircraft fleet; and if he will make a statement. [34920]

A competition to find a replacement for the Nimrod was launched in January 1995. Three bids have been received and these are being assessed. Given that the competition has reached a very sensitive stage, I cannot comment in detail on any of the bids. I hope to make an announcement before the House rises for the summer recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the response has been to the current Army recruitment advertising campaign, with particular reference to the television campaign. [34918]

As at 21 June 1996, there had been a 40 per cent. increase in enlistments compared with the first quarter of 1995–96. This very welcome and encouraging improvement in recruiting is a result of the initiatives taken last year and in particular the increased weight placed on advertising, especially on television.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future role of the Territorial Army and reserve forces. [34921]

The reserve forces are an integral and essential part of the United Kingdom's armed forces. The Government are committed to making greater and more flexible use of them in the future, and the recently passed Reserve Forces Act 1996 will allow us to do just that.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those countries in which British service men are currently deployed on active service. [34922]

British service personnel are deployed on peacekeeping operations under United Nations mandate, including the implementation force, and at permanent stations, in the following countries:

• Angola
• Ascension Islands
• Bosnia
• Brunei
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Diego Garcia
• Falkland Islands
• Georgia
• Germany
• Gibraltar
• Hong Kong
• Iraq
• Italy
• Kuwait
• United Kingdom

This list does not include countries where loan service personnel are based, where training exercises are being conducted and where there are minor commitments involving individual service men and women.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are currently deployed abroad at present. [34923]

Approximately 48,000 members of the British armed forces are currently deployed abroad. This figure includes a number of personnel temporarily engaged on UN-mandated missions in the former Republic of Yugoslavia, Iraq, Cyprus, Angola and Georgia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about the effect on the defence capability fo United Kingdom forces of reducing defence expenditure to the level of the European average; and if he will make a statement. [34924]

Reducing defence spending to the current NATO European average would involve cuts of more than £4.5 billion per year, which is about half the entire procurement budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on the maintenance of the married quarters housing estate in each of the last five years. [36121]

Total works expenditure on the married quarters estate was not separately identified and aggregated FY95–96. The total expenditure on married quarters works for 1995–96 was £165.5 million, of which we estimate that £40 million was spent on improvements leading to upgrade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Army Families Federation concerning the sale of the married housing stock. [34925]