To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the effect of his Department's policies on the residents of Bournemouth since 1992, with special reference to the effects of changes in the resources provided in real terms. [14952]

The local government review is an opportunity for improved services and more effective local government for the people of Bournemouth. As of 1 April 1997, Bournemouth borough council will be responsible for delivering the full range of local authority services, enabling improved services with efficiency savings.Bournemouth borough council's standard spending assessment for the financial year 1997–98 will be £119,120,000. This represents an increase of £1,382,000, or 1.2 per cent. on the comparable figure for 1996–97. The Department does not have data for earlier years with which to calculate a SSA for a unitary Bournemouth so it is not possible to make a like-for-like comparison with 1992–93.It is possible to compare the sum of the SSAs per head of Bournemouth borough council and Dorset police authority in 1997–98 with the sum of SSAs per head of Bournemouth borough council, Dorset county council and Dorset police authority in 1992–93. Although this is not entirely accurate, because it approximates to Bournemouth the average SSA per head of the county and police authority rather than the proportion relating to Bournemouth's needs, it is a reasonable approximation. On this basis, the total SSA per head of Bournemouth and the authorities which precept on it was £684 in 1992–93 and £789 in 1997–98. These figures do not take account of changes in local government functions, for example the transfer of further education from local authorities 1993–94.Bournemouth borough council was successful in its bid for funding under the pilot capital challenge scheme. The council will receive a credit approval of £1.9 million for environmental works to enhance Bournemouth town square.Bournemouth is benefiting from two schemes which have received funding from the Government's single regeneration budget challenge fund.Dorset training and enterprise council's bid, "Community Focus—Turlin Moor and Boscombe", was one of 172 schemes awarded funding under round 2 of the challenge fund. "Community Focus—Turlin Moor and Boscombe" is a four-year scheme to meet training and educational needs in two areas which suffer from high crime rates and low employment. Over the full four years, it should receive a total of £406,000 in support from the challenge fund. This money, complemented by £395,000 of private sector funding and other public money, should create six jobs; involve 100 employers in collaborative education projects; and benefit 720 young people.Bournemouth borough council's bid, "Making Small Firms Big Business—Dorset", was also awarded funding under round 2 of the challenge fund. "Making Small Firms Big Business—Dorset" is a three-year scheme to improve the infrastructure and competitiveness of the tourist industry in Dorset. Over the full three years, it should receive a total of £314,000 in support from the challenge fund. This money, complemented by £312,000 of private sector funding and £177,000 of other public money, should create or safeguard 51 jobs; advise 1,050 businesses; and help 1,100 people to obtain qualifications.Residents of Bournemouth who live in houses in multiple occupation such as bedsits, shared houses, hostels and some houses converted into flats, will benefit from measures to improve fire safety and other standards in their homes introduced under the Housing Act 1996. The measures, which will come into force on 3 March, will make it easier for local authorities to ensure that HMOs meet acceptable standards. Bournemouth borough council will also be able to apply to the Department of the Environment for special powers to close down HMOs if they cause a nuisance or annoyance to the neighbourhood and to prevent new HMOs opening if they would be detrimental to the area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what requests for assistance his Department has received from neighbouring or overlapping local authorities considering merging their treasurers, legal services and property services departments; what guidance he has issued on this subject; and if he will make a statement. [15012]

While the Government recognise the value of sensible co-operation between the tiers of local authorities, no specific guidance has been issued. However, as part of the exercise on the extension to compulsory competitive tendering, my Department wrote to local authorities on 18 May 1995 outlining the main statutory framework within which authorities may make joint arrangements. No requests for assistance have been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the budget of the metropolitan districts for the current financial year, ranking them from the largest increase over the previous year to the smallest; and if he will make a statement. [15232]

The information requested is as follows:

	1995–96 Budget £million	1995–96 Adjusted budget1£ million	1996–97 Budget£ million	Percentage change2
Rotherham	191.886	197.234	204.456	3.7
Bury	119.735	120.028	124.278	3.5
Doncaster	218.759	224.525	231.721	3.2
Solihull	132.629	135.811	140.013	3.1
Wigan	215.282	215.809	222.400	3.1
Calderdale	148.223	153.066	157.615	3.0
Barnsley	152.626	157.989	162.581	2.9
Wirral	261.938	273.540	281.336	2.9
Wakefield	219.034	226.390	232.768	2.8
Bolton	203.982	204.591	210.114	2.7
Walsall	206.172	212.314	218.041	2.7
Tameside	165.757	166.501	170.989	2.7
Dudley	204.690	211.519	217.205	2.7
Oldham	186.594	187.047	191.994	2.6
St. Helens	139.371	144.814	148.636	2.6
Trafford	149.211	149.520	153.437	2.6
Knowsley	146.319	150.259	154.007	2.5
South Tyneside	125.289	128.250	131.398	2.5
Leeds	523.139	541.969	555.234	2.4
Birmingham	924.316	948.155	971.119	2.4
Sefton	216.669	225.553	230.927	2.4
North Tyneside	148.463	151.991	155.538	2.3
Sheffield	392.763	406.705	415.883	2.3
Gateshead	163.877	167.542	171.093	2.1
Kirklees	286.117	295.504	301.671	2.1
Manchester	441.632	444.664	453.889	2.1
Coventry	247.102	253.405	258.660	2.1
Liverpool	469.714	485.842	495.894	2.1
Rochdale	166.918	167.553	171.014	2.1
Newcastle upon Tyne	233.991	239.336	244.280	2.1
Bradford	402.125	413.955	422.482	2.1
Wolverhampton	209.220	215.043	219.466	2.1
Sunderland	231.774	236.867	241.695	2.0
Salford	194.050	195.606	199.572	2.0
Sandwell	241.733	249.201	254.205	2.0
Stockport	196.271	196.382	199.761	1.7
1 Adjusted to take account of community care special grant payable in 1995–96; the ending of metropolitan rail grant; and the opting-out of passenger transport executives from rail service support.
2 Calculated based on the adjusted budgets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's policy on the classification of ceramic fibres in respect of the review by the EU Commission's Technical Progress Committee; and if he will make a statement on the opportunities for ministerial representations to the committee. [15391]

A series of EU technical meetings have examined a number of different possible proposals for the classification of a range of man-made mineral fibres, including ceramic fibres. The meetings have been attended by officials of the Health and Safety Executive who have followed the general policy adopted in these discussions that any proposals should be based on a sound analysis of the scientific evidence.The purpose of the meetings is to assist the Commission in the preparation of a formal proposal which will then be submitted to a technical progress committee for a vote. When the proposal is made, it will be examined by Ministers, who will then determine the line to be taken by the UK officials who will attend the Committee and vote on behalf of the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of poll tax currently outstanding for each of the seven west midlands metropolitan authorities; and if he will list the collection costs for the council tax in the last year for which figures are available in each of those authorities. [15492]

Estimates of the levels of community charge arrears for individual authorities are published regularly by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. The latest information relates to the position at 31 March 1995 and is available in the revenue collection statistics 1994–95 publication in the Library. The figures for the west midlands authorities are as follows:

£000
	Arrears of community charge at:		Council tax collection costs budgeted
	31 March 1995	31 March 1994	11996–97
Birmingham	19,725	—	5,604
Coventry	14,351	—	2,630
Dudley	4,752	—	1,540
Sandwell	11,155	—	3,143
Solihull	3,505	—	1,469
Walsall	2—	12,959	1,676
Wolverhampton	2—	2—	1,594
1Source: Revenue Accounts (RA) 1996–97 return.
2No information was published by CIPFA for Walsall for 31 March 1995 or for Wolverhampton since community charge was abolished.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many full-time equivalent employees there are (a) in total and (b) per head of population in the service of each metropolitan district. [15483]

The information is given in the table.The levels of employment in individual authorities are not directly comparable because of variations in population structure, social characteristics, hours worked by part-time staff, and the extent to which they use private firms and contractors or act as agents for other authorities.

Joint staffing watch—whole time equivalents at June 1996 Metropolitan Districts
	Staff per
Authority	Whole time equivalents	Thousand of population
Barnsley	7,926	35.0
Birmingham	35,366	35.1
Bolton	1—	1—
Bradford	16,347	33.9
Bury	5,306	29.1
Calderdale	5,587	28.9
Coventry	11,164	36.9
Doncaster	9,983	34.1
Dudley	8,860	28.4
Gateshead	8,131	40.2
Kirklees	12,119	31.3
Knowsley	5,389	35.0
Leeds	23,839	32.9
Liverpool	18,642	39.3
Manchester	19,877	46.1
Newcastle upon Tyne	11,519	40.6

Joint staffing watch—whole time equivalents at June 1996 Metropolitan Districts
	Staff per
Authority	Whole time equivalents	Thousand of population
North Tyneside	6,669	34.4
Oldham	7,578	34.4
Rochdale	6,835	33.0
Rotherham	8,699	33.9
Salford	9,452	41.0
Sandwell	10,309	35.1
Sefton	7,717	26.4
Sheffield	17,252	32.5
Solihull	5,391	26.7
South Tyneside	5,654	36.1
St. Helens	5,872	32.4
Stockport	7,703	26.4
Sunderland	10,977	36.9
Tameside|	7,021	31.7
Trafford	5,683	26.1
Wakefield	11,591	36.5
Walsall	8,611	32.6
Wigan	8,287	26.7
Wirral.	9,618	28.9
Wolverhampton	8,985	36.7
Total staff/Average staff per thousand population for metropolitan districts	369,959	33.9
Note:
1Data not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the incidence of the destruction of (a) eggs, (b) nests and (c) breeding habitats of (i) hen harriers and (ii) other birds of prey on privately owned grouse moors. [15643]

None. Birds of prey, their eggs and nests are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Offences against wild birds under this Act are not notifiable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what were the terms of reference for the BRE Future Group established in December 1995; and how many of its participants are members of the Foundation for the Built Environment; [15613](2) if the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the BRE Futures Group were made available to both shortlisted bidders for the Building Research Establishment. [15621]

The terms of reference of the BRE Futures Group, set up in December 1995, were to support the BRE management board in considering the measures to be taken to improve the efficiency and value for money of the establishment, and the continuing management of change within BRE. The group has not met since the competitive sale of BRE was announced.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) on what grounds he decided that new legislation was not required to authorise the privatisation of the Building Research Establishment; [15615](2) under what existing statutory powers he is proposing to privatise the Building Research Establishment. [15616]

The Building Research Establishment is not a statutory body and has no statutory functions. No statutory powers are therefore required to transfer it to the private sector. The transfer can be effected by way of an ordinary contract of sale.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date the first results of their 1997–98 bids, in respect of projects under the partners in technology scheme, were made available to the Building Research Establishment executive agency. [15617]

My Department wrote to BRE on 14 January listing the partners in technology projects that it is prepared to support subject to contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if minutes and working papers of the management board meetings of the Building Research Establishment were made available to both the shortlisted bidders for the Building Research Establishment. [15619]

Relevant working papers of the management board were made available to both short-listed bidders for BRE. In addition, once the competitive sale of BRE was announced, the Department was required to be represented at all meetings at which decisions might be taken which would materially affect the conduct of the business, including meetings of the BRE management board. In some cases, where the discussion warranted it, a supplementary note was put in the data room for the information of bidders.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who will bear the legal liability, or any share of that liability, for claims arising from work carried out or advice given by the Building Research Establishment before its privatisation. [15622]

Legal liability remains the subject of negotiation between the Department and the preferred purchaser of BRE.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department decided to privatise the Building Research Establishment. [15614]

My right hon. Friend announced on 7 November 1995 his decision to move the BRE to the private sector and his intention to commission a study of the options for transfer. This decision was confirmed in his announcement on 2 April 1996 of his preferred way forward for effecting the transfer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements were put in place to ensure a separation of the roles of members of the management bid team at the Building Research Establishment as bidders for the Building Research Establishment and as members of the Building Research Establishment management; when these arrangements were put into effect; and what steps were taken to monitor their effectiveness. [15618]

The Department issued guidance to the management and BRE staff when permission was given for the management bid team to express an interest in purchasing BRE. This guidance has been updated as necessary as the sale process has progressed. Its operation is overseen by the team of officials establishment by the Department to transfer BRE to the private sector.

1. Section 2 discretionary awards to post-graduate students
Academic years 1992–93 to 1994–95 by Government Office Region in England and in Wales1
	Number of awards (000s)			Total expenditure £ million2
	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95
North East	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.9	0.5	0.3
North West	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.6	0.6	1.1
Merseyside	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.7	0.4	0.3
Yorkshire and Humberside	0.4	0.1	0.1	0.7	0.2	0.2
East Midlands	0.1	0.2	0.0	0.5	0.4	0.1
West Midlands	0.5	0.1	0.1	1.6	0.4	0.3
South West	0.3	0.2	0.1	0.6	0.5	0.2
Eastern	0.3	0.0	0.0	1.7	0.0	0.0
London	0.3	0.2	0.2	1.1	0.4	0.5
South East	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.9	0.5	0.6
Wales	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.8	0.1	0.1
1Made by local education authorities in each region to students normally domiciled in their area.
2 In 1996–97 prices using the GDP deflator for each year for fee expenditure and the RPI (excluding mortgage interest payments) of September of each year for maintenance expenditure.

2. Section 2 discretionary awards to further education students aged 16 to 18 years1
Academic years 1992–93 to 1994–95 by Government Office Region in England and in Wales2
	Number of awards (000s)			Total expenditure £ million3
	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95
North East	2.9	7.0	7.1	1.4	4.4	3.3
North West	11.9	20.8	20.6	4.8	9.8	8.6
Merseyside	4.1	3.3	3.7	1.8	1.9	1.3
Yorkshire and Humberside	17.0	13.2	13.1	5.3	5.0	4.9
East Midlands	11.9	6.0	5.9	4.2	3.8	2.8
West Midlands	6.3	7.1	8.6	2.6	2.2	2.6
South West	9.4	11.5	10.7	6.1	6.6	5.8
Eastern	8.7	7.1	7.8	6.2	5.0	5.2
London	9.2	12.5	12.7	4.2	5.0	5.3
South East	11.6	22.2	22.4	4.3	8.7	8.8
Wales	13.9	14.0	13.5	7.0	3.9	4.0
1 Data on awards to 16 to 18 year olds were collected only for awards made at less than 50 per cent. of the mandatory rate in 1992–93; Table 3 may include some awards made at more than 50 per cent. of the mandatory rate to 16 to 18 year olds although, in general, full value awards (made at 50 to 100 per cent. of the mandatory rate) are made to students over 19 years old.
2Made by local education authorities in each region to students normally domiciled in their area.
3In 1992–97 prices using the GDP deflator for each year for fee expenditure and the RPI (excluding mortgage interest payments) of September of each year for maintenance expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if progress reports on the efficiency review of the Building Research Establishment's library service were made available to both shortlisted bidders for the Building Research Establishment. [15620]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for the last three years for which figures are available (a) the total number and (b) the total value in current prices, of section 2 discretionary awards made to (i) post-graduate students, (ii) students aged 16 to 18 years undertaking further education and (iii) students aged 19 years and over undertaking further education, in each Government region [15447]

The information requested is given in the following tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will place in the Library copies of the submissions made to date to the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education. [15229]

Copies of papers submitted jointly by the Department for Education and Employment, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland were placed in the Library in July 1996, as was subsequent evidence by the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department in November 1996, the Department of Trade and Industry in November 1996 and the Department for Education and Employment earlier this month. It is for the committee of inquiry as an independent body to decide whether or not to make evidence submitted by others publicly available, taking into account any requests for confidentiality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations she has received relating to capital equipment for university research; and if she will make a statement; [15266](2) what assessment she has made of the costs involved in replacing obsolete capital equipment for university research; and if she will make a statement. [15268]

We have received a number of representations about the cost of updating research equipment from universities and other bodies, including the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, the Committee of University Chairmen and the Standing Conference of Principals. These representations are reflected in the reports of the joint DfEE—higher education sector working groups submitted to my right hon. Friend and placed in the Library last July. In response to such representations, my right hon. Friend is making available to the Higher Education Funding Council for England additional earmarked funds in both 1996–97 and 1997–98 for research equipment, to be matched with private contributions. In particular, the extra £100 million grant announced at the Budget for the HEFCE in 1997–88 includes £20 million specifically for research equipment, which is expected to generate matching private funds. The costs of up-dating research equipment are always likely to be high, but the earmarked funds—together with contributions from other funders—represent a significant contribution towards meeting them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the private finance initiative has met the Government's objectives in respect of capital equipment for university research; and if she will make a statement. [15267]

Procurement decisions in the higher education sector rest in the hands of independent, autonomous institutions who may use a range of different financial sources to fund capital projects, including those for research equipment. The overall yield from PFI is therefore dependent on the decisions made by those independent institutions.Following the joint DfEE-HE sector working group report on PFI in higher education, the HEFCE is currently considering a second round of bids for pathfinder status focusing on equipment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received about the cessation of funding for adult training courses dependent upon the Further Education Funding Council; and if she will make a statement. [15464]

The Department has received recently a number of representations on the subject of the funding of further education, including adult education training courses. On behalf of my right hon. Friend, I announced on 5 February arrangements for the future funding of further education, and copies of my letter to all further education colleges have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessments are made of the extent of skill shortages affecting employers. [15611]

The Department funds an annual survey of employers' recruitment difficulties and monitors similar surveys carried out by others.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new proposals he has to improve the accuracy of statistics on illegal drug use. [14189]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 11 November 1996, Official Report, column 1.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration detainees were held in (a) United Kingdom prisons by establishment and (b) (i) Campsfield house, (ii) Harmondsworth, (iii) Haslar, (iv) Meadvale Queens building, Heathrow, and (v) Tinsley house, on the nights of 31 January 1996 and 31 January 1997; and if he will make a statement. [15692]

The information available is given in the table.

Persons recorded as being in detention solely under Immigration Act powers, by establishment
Establishment	31 January 1996	31 January 1997
Prison Service establishment in England and Wales1:
Haslar	118	2129
Other establishments	402	2347
	520	4692
Immigration Service detention centres:
Campsfield house	197	195
Gatwick Meadvale	29	42
Harmondsworth	91	90
Heathrow Queen's building	14	15
Tinsley house	3—	134
1 Corresponding data for Scottish prisons are incomplete and have been excluded.
2 Figure relates to 31 December 1996.
3 Not open at the time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many asylum seekers were detained for a period of more than 48 hours during 1996; [15583](2) what percentage of asylum seekers were detained in

Reliable information on the historical flow of persons placed into detention, and on the length of such detention, can be obtained only through examination of individual case records. The information requested is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State Home Department how many of the cases of seekers on hunger strike at Her Majesty's Rochester have been brought for independent before a judicial authority. [15600]

On 12 February 1997, the total number of Rochester immigration detainees refusing food was eight, of whom six have sought asylum at some stage.It has been open to all of these detainees to seek bail, habeas corpus or judicial review, and four are known to have done so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the effect on the level of street crime in east Staffordshire of the introduction of closed circuit television in Burton and Uttoxeter. [15396]

The closed circuit television system in Burton has been operational for 16 months. The local police report that it has led to a reduction in auto-related crime of 95 per cent. and to a significant reduction in the number of public order offences. It has also had social benefits in terms of making people feel safer when visiting the town. Details of the effect of the system on crime levels in the wider east Staffordshire area are not available.Although the borough of east Staffordshire was awarded a grant in the second Home Office CCTV challenge competition to assist with the installation of CCTV in Uttoxeter, the system has not yet become operational.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to take disciplinary action against a chief constable responsible for the misuse of surveillance equipment; and what steps he has taken in consequence of such misuse within the last eight years. [15438]

My right hon. and learned Friend has no role in disciplinary proceedings except in that he is the appellate authority for all disciplined police officers. Under the Police (Discipline) (Senior Officers) Regulations 1985, the disciplinary authority for senior officers, including chief constables, lies with police authorities. In the Metropolitan police service, the disciplinary authority is the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. We are not aware of any disciplinary action having been taken against a chief constable in respect of alleged misuse of surveillance equipment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what records are kept by (a) Ministers, (b) Home Office officials, (c) the Police Complaints Authority, (d) Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary and (e) chief police officers about the use of surveillance equipment by chief police officers. [15435]

Records on the use of surveillance equipment by the police are not held centrally by Ministers or Home Office officials. Each force maintains its own records and these are available for inspection by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary. The Police Complaints Authority would not hold any information unless it related to an investigation into alleged misconduct.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what Home Office guidelines exist for ensuring that surveillance equipment is not misused by police officers and what is the legal force of such guidelines; when were such guidelines first introduced; what happened prior to the introduction of the guidelines; when were the guidelines first published; how are copies of the guidelines obtained by the public; what modifications have been made since the guidelines were first introduced; and when and for what reason each modification was made. [15437]

Intrusive police surveillance operations are presently authorised in accordance with guidelines issued by the Home Office in 1984. These guidelines have no statutory force. Formal guidance was first introduced by the Home Office in 1977 and, prior to 1977, police forces operated under the individual direction of their own chief officers. The 1984 Home Office guidelines were made public in a reply to a question from the hon. Member for Berkshire, East (Mr. Mackay) on 19 December 1984, Official Report, columns 157–58, and a copy was placed in the Library. Copies are available to the public on request from the Home Office. The only modification has been the replacement of the 1977 guidance with the current 1984 guidelines.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bovine animals were imported on 23 January on the MV Cap Afrique; if such animals entered and were rested at an EU-approved collection centre operating in full compliance with European law; and what was the age of such animals. [14607]

[holding answer 6 February 1997]: Forty bovine animals were imported on 23 January on the MV Cap Afrique. They were between 20 and 30 months of age. The animals were rested before being transported to their final destination. The resting place used is also an EC-approved collection centre but it was not operating as such when the animals were rested there.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when specified bovine material was banned in (a) the Irish Republic and (b) each other EU country. [14770]

The three other EU member states which have reported cases of BSE in native-born animals—France, Irish Republic and Portugal—all have some form of specified bovine material controls on cattle at slaughter. We understand the following controls apply.The Irish Republic introduced legislation on 22 April 1996, prohibiting the use, sale or export of specified bovine material—defined as the bones of the skull, brain, eyes, spinal cord, spleen, thymus, tonsils and intestines and mechanically recovered meat obtained from bovine vertebrae excluding the tail—for human consumption unless licensed by the Minister.In France legislation came into force on 28 June 1996 requiring the removal at the abattoir and incineration of:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee to complete its investigation of possible links between the use of organophosphate warble fly treatments and the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and if he will make a statement. [14823]

[holding answer 7 February 1997]: The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee is not currently investigating the use of organophosphate pesticides and a possible link with BSE. The theory that BSE could have been caused by the exposure of cattle to OP pesticides as a treatment for warble fly infestation has already been considered in detail by scientists in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health and the Medical Research Council. A report from SEAC entitled "Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies—A Summary of Present knowledge and Research" (HMSO ISBN 0 11 242 9874) published in 1995 and available in the Library of the House, reviewed a number of alternative theories of BSE, including the OP theory, concluded that none justified extending the current research programme to investigate them further at that stage. The report notes that the original epidemiological investigation considered any possible association between the use of agricultural chemicals, including OP insecticides, and the occurrence of BSE. None was found.I am aware of the recent press reports concerning new research carried out by the Institute of Psychiatry on behalf of Mr. Purdey into the use of phosmet and its possible association with BSE. Mr. Purdey has yet to produce any new scientific evidence to support his hypothesis or to cause us to question ours that BSE is of feed origin; a hypothesis that has been established form objective scientific research.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps (a) to reduce the incidence of degenerative hip disorders and leg disorders in adult male turkeys, (b) to bring beak-trimming of turkeys to an end and (c) to secure an end to the selective breeding practices in respect of turkeys; and if he will make a statement. [15498]

The Government endorse the Farm Animal Welfare Council's view that high levels of leg disorders in adult male turkeys should be avoided by the continued application of careful selection and good management practices.The Government also support the Farm Animal Welfare Council's view that the long-term aim should be to end the need for beak-trimming. We are funding research into improved rearing methods which will assist in its achievement.I cannot agree with the implied suggestion that selective breeding is an inherently undesirable practice.I refer the hon. Member to the Farm Animal Welfare Council's report on the welfare of turkeys, and to the Government's response to it, for a fuller assessment of turkey welfare and account of the steps the Government are taking to improve it.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what powers his Department has in respect of preventing Flander's Folly, Craven Arms from falling into disrepair and dilapidation. [15357]

Responsibility for the upkeep of a historic building rests primarily with its owner. In the case of a historic building which has deteriorated to the extent that its preservation may be at risk, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State looks to the relevant local authority to take statutory action. Local authorities are empowered to serve notice on the owner of a listed building specifying works necessary for its preservation and, in the event of the owner failing to take action, to begin compulsory purchase proceedings. Authorities also have power to carry out works which are urgently necessary for preservation of an unoccupied listed building and recover the costs from the owner.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has similar statutory powers to those of local authorities. Her policy is to treat them as reserve powers, for use only in exceptional cases. On the information available, Flander's Folly, which is listed grade II, seems unlikely to be such a case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by Benefits Agency region the number of pensioners who also claim income support; and if he will make a statement. [14999]

The administration of income support is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients there are of the jobseeker's allowance in (a) north Devon and (b) Devon; and how many of these are aged under 25 years. [15092]

The administration of jobseeker's allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the revenue which will be generated by the removal of the cap on national insurance contributions. [14173]

If the upper earnings limit on employees' class 1 contributions and the upper profits limit on self-employed class 4 contributions were removed, it is estimated that an extra £3.75 billion would be collected in a full year.¹

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to meet representatives of London's homeless. [14167]

I have no plans to do so. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing is in regular contact with the voluntary agencies which co-operate with the Government in the rough sleepers initiative. I am kept closely informed on this matter.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13 February. [14312]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13 February. [14311]

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

To ask the Prime Minister what responsibilities in respect of the Government's policies towards constitutional matters he has given to the Secretary of State for Health. [15503]

Ministers have collective responsibility for all the Government's policies.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the performance of the NHS in the United Kingdom (a) since 1979 and (b) between 1974 and 1979. [16142]

Since 1979, the Government have established a record of significant and sustained improvements to the funding and management of the national health service, to patient services and to the pay and conditions of service of professional staff. For example:

spending on the NHS has increased by 75 per cent. in real terms. Between 1974 and 1979, in real terms spending increased by 17 per cent.

since 1979, capital spending has increased by 66 per cent. in real terms. Between 1974 and 1979, there was real-terms cut of 28 per cent.

the NHS is now one of the most efficient health services in the world. It treats 25 per cent. more patients per pound, at constant prices, than it did in 1979

since 1979, the percentage of gross domestic product spent on health in the United Kingdom has risen from 4.7 per cent. to 5.8 per cent. Between 1974 and 1979, the percentage of GDP spent on health in the United Kingdom fell from 4.8 per cent to 4.7 per cent.

I regret that there was an error in my oral reply of 11 February, Official Report, column 137. The correct figure for general and acute activity between 1974 and 1979, is an increase of 7 per cent. Since 1979, general and acute patient activity has increased by 80 per cent.

the number of doctors in England has increased by 23,000 since 1979

the number of qualified nurses and midwives has increased by around 55,000 since 1979

the number of dentists has increased by more than 6,000 since 1978

doctors' and dentists' average earnings have gone up by 74 per cent. in real terms compared with 0.1 per cent. between 1974 and 1979

nurses' average earnings have increased by 71 per cent. in real terms since 1979. Between 1974 and 1979, nurses' average earnings decreased by 3 per cent.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many hon. Members sit as a recorder or part-time recorder; what are the conditions under which they preside; and what is their remuneration. [15578]

There are three hon. Members who sit as recorders; there are none who sit as assistant recorders. I have deposited a copy of the "Terms and Conditions of Service of Recorders" in the House of Commons Library. By custom, Members who are recorders do not either sit in their constituencies or hear cases remitted from their constituencies. As from 1 December 1996, recorders receive a fee of £366 for each day they sit.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 21 January, Official Report, column 511, on the joint working party on reform of the Land Registration Act 1925, if he will list the dates on which the joint working party has met. [15450]

The joint working party has met on seven occasions, as follows: 27 April 1994, 29 September 1994, 11 November 1994, 16 February 1995, 2 July 1996, 23 July 1996 and 23 October 1996.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what factors underlie the delay in paying costs to Mr. Colin Balchin following his acquittal at Kingston crown court, case number TO960656. [14355]

The question concerns a matter which has been assigned to the Court Service under the terms of its framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the effect of his Department's policies on the residents of Bournemouth since 1992, with special reference to the effects of changes in the resources provided in real terms. [14944]

On 2 December 1996, the new Bournemouth combined court centre was opened. The court provides improved facilities for both court users and staff in Bournemouth. This includes the Probate Service, which has previously used accommodation at the magistrates courts.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many members of the Post Office Users Council for Northern Ireland there are; how many of these are perceived to be from the Protestant community; and how many are members of (a) the Ulster Unionist party, (b) the Democratic Unionist party, (c) the Social and Democratic Labour Party and (d) the Alliance Party. [14687]

There are currently six members of the Post Office Users Council for Northern Ireland, including the chairman. Information is not available on either their political or their religious affiliations.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number and type of British garden birds exported in each year since 1990 by (a) numbers, (b) species and (c) countries of destination. [15579]

The information requested is not available from the United Kingdom overseas trade statistics because the system under which trade is recorded does not separately identify exports of garden birds.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with the coal industry regarding its future; and if he will make a statement. [15880]

My officials and I are frequently in contact with those engaged in the coal industry on a wide range of issues relating to its current performance and future prospects.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the members of the North-west Konver working group. [15612]

Members of the North-west Konver working group are as follows:

	Organisation
Chair
Chris France	Acting Director Europe, Government Office North West
Secretariat
Alex Findlay, Carole Lythall, Rob Shipway, Mike Warburton, Vernon Clarke

	Organisation
Members
Mark Gallagher	European Commission
Pauline Herbert	Cumbria Training and Enterprise Council
Sheila Powell	Lancashire County Council
Colin Campbell	Chorley Borough Council
Tracey Morrison	Fylde Borough Council
Eric Hookway	Cumbria County Council
Tom Campbell	Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council
David Ingham	Carlisle Borough Council
Mark Ellison	Hyndburn Borough Council
Mike Dowden	Lancashire Enterprises Ltd. (LEL)
Roy Smith	LEL
Dr. Malcolm Green	British Aerospace Defence Ltd.
Harry Knowles	Furness Enterprise Ltd.
Michael Damms	East Lanes Chamber of Commerce
Roger Munns	Consortium of East Lanes Colleges
Jenny Booth	DfEE ESF Unit
Marcelle Janssis	DTI European Cohesion Division

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance has been given by his Department to British companies attending trade fairs in Iraq in 1996. [10748]

The DTI offered no support for British companies to attend trade fairs in Iraq in 1996 under the trade fairs support scheme. However, following the limited lifting of UN sanctions in 1996, four licences were issued to a UK exhibition organiser to assist British companies participating in exhibitions covering the water industry, medical equipment, oil and gas and an international trade fair.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to monitor separately the export of those weapons prohibited under the term of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill. [14111]

My Department does not monitor the subsequent export of licensed goods.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what redress is available to shareholders who believe that information given by them to a utility has been revealed without their consent; and if he will make a statement; [15346](2) if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a utility may divulge information given by shareholders for one purpose to a third party to be used for another purpose. [15344]

The privatised utilities are subject to the same laws concerning data protection as any publicly quoted company. Data protection legislation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. I understand from him that the use of computerised personal data, including its disclosure, is governed by the Data Protection Act 1984. Responsibility for supervising and enforcing the Act lies with the Data Protection Registrar, to whom a complaint may be made if there is thought to have been a breach of the law.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) pursuant to his answer of 7 November, Official Report, column 277, when he expects the completion of the criteria for potential lenders to the loan guarantee scheme; [13000](2) when he expects new specialist lenders in the technology sector to be added to the loan guarantee scheme's list of approved lenders. [12956]

[holding answer 27 January 1997]: Following detailed consideration, the criteria for new lenders for the loan guarantee scheme have been agreed. We will shortly be writing to potential lenders seeking information, particularly about their experience and expertise in lending within the technology sector.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many contracts his Department has had with consultants; and what has been the total cost in each year since 1979–80. [15370]

[holding answer 11 February 1997]: The number of external consultancy contracts let centrally by the Department of Trade and Industry, 1995–96, plus value—including contract amendments—is as follows:

Year	Number	Value (£)
1995	81	5,600,000
1996	45	1,368,000

For information on contracts let centrally in 1990 to 1994, I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member on 18 July 1995,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what guidelines his Department issues to local development agencies in respect of them approaching companies in other areas to propose expansions or relocations away from their home areas; and what proposals he has to change these guidelines; [15645](2) what rules govern the operation of local development agencies. [15655]

My Department does not provide grants or operate guidelines to local development agencies for domestic promotional activities. It does give grants to regional development organisations in England, whose task is to assist the Invest in Britain Bureau in promoting the benefits of the UK and their regions as a location for inward investment. Where investment grants may be available under the regional selective assistance scheme, there are guidelines which rule out support simply for jobs being transferred from one part of the country to another. Assistance would be available only to eligible expansion projects which led to a net national benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his plans for establishing the Driving Standards Agency as a trading fund. [16140]

I have today laid an order in draft which, subject to the approval of the House, will establish the Driving Standards Agency as a trading fund from 8 am on 1 April 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with London Transport Underground management the introduction of the same system of random blood and alcohol level testing of staff members with safety responsibilities as is applied to railway company services. [15465]

This is a matter for London Underground, which I understand already has a very comprehensive system of alcohol and drugs testing for employees with safety responsibilities, using breath and urine tests. This includes screening of all new employees as well as a programme of unannounced tests on a selected sample of safety critical staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussion his Department has had with Kvaerner about the construction of a Thames bridge to be funded by continuing the tolling on the existing Dartford-Thurrock crossing; and if he will make a statement. [15687]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 10 February, Official Report, column 62.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many British-based companies operate (a) passenger aircraft more than (i) 20 years old and (ii) 25 years old and (b) freight aircraft more than (i) 20 years old and (ii) 25 years old; and if he will make a statement; [15272](2) if he will make a statement on the safety record of aircraft operated by British-based companies. [15224]

As of 10 February 1997, there were only four aircraft on the UK register of civil aircraft holding current transport category (cargo) certificates of airworthiness. Aircraft with transport category (passenger) certificates of airworthiness may be operated for any purpose, including the carriage of cargo; for this reason, the table does not distinguish between passenger and freight aircraft.

Aircraft over 5,700 kg maximum permitted take-off weight with a current transport category certificate of airworthiness
Construction date	Number of aircraft	Number of owners
1972–76 inclusive	37	24
Pre 1972	72	20

The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for the safety regulation of UK registered aircraft. The CAA has comprehensive maintenance requirements which ensure the continued airworthiness of all aircraft and especially older aircraft which may need more intensive maintenance. The CAA has played a major role in identifying maintenance requirements for ageing aircraft and in helping to ensure that these steps are implemented internationally. The very high standards of safety which all UK operators must attain have resulted in a very good aviation safety record.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received in respect of setting targets for (a) increasing rail freight and (b) levels of investment in the railways; and if he will make a statement. [15342]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on the export of military equipment to Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [15203]

We fully support United Nations Security Council resolution 1062 which expresses

"serious concern about the modernisation and upgrading of military forces"

on Cyprus. We will therefore grant licences for the export of equipment only to the military forces of either side on the island of Cyprus which we are satisfied does not fall within the following categories as defined by the EU common embargo list:

(a) Weapons designed to kill and their ammunition; or

(b) Weapons platforms; or

(c) Ancillary equipment which is specifically designed for use in conjunction with either (a) or (b).

Within this context, export licence applications will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways the Department of Health is intending to review and assess the clinical data of the long-term health effects arising out of the nerve gas attacks on the Tokyo subway and Matsumato in 1994 and 1995. [14417]

Department of Health officials have examined available published papers on the health outcomes of the incidents in Tokyo and Matsumoto, and will continue to do so as further work appears.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 5 December, Official Report, column 758, what was the title of the conference attended by the official of his Department in July 1995; who were the organisers of this conference and where this conference was held; when the small working group is expected to finalise the guidance on managing the effects on health of incidents where chemicals have been deliberately released; and if this guidance will be made public. [14416]

The conference in question was the seminar on responding to the consequences of chemical and biological terrorism. It was sponsored by the United States public health service's office of emergency preparedness and was held at the uniformed services university of health sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. The small working group is aiming to complete its work by the end of July. The intention is to distribute the guidance to the national poisons information service and those who need it in the national health service, including public health and accident and emergency departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what use his Department and its agencies make of postcode areas for the collection of data and in formulas for the distribution of grants and awards; and when such usages were last reviewed. [14799]

Postcode areas are used in the analysis of data collected centrally in order to identify the health authority or local authority to which the data relates. The national health service uses a patient's postcode to identify which health authority is responsible for funding health care. Different data sets are reviewed on a regular basis, when the business need for the information is fully considered.Neither the Department of Health nor any of its agencies use postcode data in formulae for the distribution of grants or awards.

	Mefloquine	Proguanil and Chloroquine	Other	None	Unknown	Total
1987	0	61	166	304	165	696
1988	0	138	256	407	224	1,025
1989	1	144	251	378	296	1,070
1990	1	162	169	452	275	1,059

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of GP fundholder appeals to the Department of Health in protest against the budgets allocated to them by health authorities between 1990–91 and 1995–96 were upheld. [14846]

Until April 1996, regional health authorities were statutorily responsible for determining general practitioner fundholder budgets. There was no formal right of appeal to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State against these budgets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research trials for the licensing of the drug Lariam were carried out on (a) women, other than service personnel, and (b) tourists going to countries subject to malaria, before the licensing of the drug in 1990; and what trials have been conducted subsequently, indicating the dates. [15195]

As for other medicines, information from research trials of Lariam (mefloquine) held by the Licensing Authority is confidential. Section 118 of the Medicines Act 1971 precludes the disclosure of confidential information received in pursuance of the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlie the delay in publication of the Malaria Advisory Committee's new guidelines for the use of Lariam; what is the revised date of publication; and if he will make a statement. [15196]

The United Kingdom malaria guidelines are prepared by an informal group of experts. This group has no statutory status. We have been advised that this group of experts is preparing new guidelines. The consultation process is taking longer than anticipated. Publication will take place as soon as possible following finalisation of the consultation process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence his Department has evaluated concerning the number and proportion of patients prescribed Lariam who visit overseas countries where malaria is prevalent and subsequently (a) contract malaria and (b) incur (i) severe and (ii) non-severe side-effects of the drug. [15192]

The number of cases of falciparum malaria reported in the United Kingdom since 1987 are given in the table. The table is subdivided to give the chemoprophylactic regimen stated in each case but information on compliance with this regimen is not available, nor is information on the number of people taking each different malaria prophylactic regimen.Cases of falciparum malaria—excluding mixed infections—by stated chemoprophylactic regimen, reported in the United Kingdom to the Malaria Reference Laboratory:

	Mefloquine	Proguanil and Chloroquine	Other	None	Unknown	Total
1991	1	265	186	529	287	1,268
1992	4	168	102	422	239	935
1993	3	180	129	474	262	1,048
1994	16	114	109	541	398	1,178
1995	28	96	97	492	399	1,112
19961	35	136	119	514	464	1,268
1 1996 data are provisional.

There are several possible reasons for the changes in the number of cases of malaria occurring with the different prophylaxis regimens. The number of cases may rise either because of increasing resistance by the malaria parasites or because more of the drug is being used and they may fall because of better compliance or because the drug is used by fewer people.As for any licensed medicine, the Medicines Control Agency evaluates reports of suspected adverse drug reactions associated with Lariam (mefloquine) from the yellow card reporting scheme. However, often full details of the degree of the severity of side effects are not reported. In addition, worldwide information on adverse drug reactions from published literature, post-marketing studies and safety reports provided by the manufacturer are also evaluated, in order to ensure that the benefits of mefloquine in treating and preventing malaria outweigh the risks of developing an adverse drug reaction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list (a) the scientific reports, with dates of publication, which provided the basis for granting a licence for the sale of Lariam in 1990 and (b) the scientific reports published since 1990 which are relevant to that licence. [15194]

The decision to grant a licence for Lariam was based on all the available evidence, published or unpublished and whether or not favourable to the application. The data submitted by the company was assessed by the Medicines Control Agency, which sought the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the Government's independent safety experts. The CSM were satisfied as to the safety, quality and efficacy of the product, the sole criteria under the Medicines Act 1968.A large number of scientific reports are published relating to authorised medicines. As for all medicines, the Medicines Control Agency continuously reviews the published scientific reports in conjunction with other evidence that becomes available to ensure that the benefits of use outweigh the risk of developing adverse reactions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding iron deficiency in children; and if he will make a statement. [14996]

We have received one letter since the beginning of the year. The prevalence of anaemia, which is the clinical manifestation of iron deficiency, has been monitored among young children by the "National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) of Children Aged 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 years" published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1995. Seven per cent. of males and 9 per cent. of females aged one and a half to four and a half years had haemoglobin levels less than 11g/dl.On 2 January 1997, fieldwork for the NDNS of young people aged four to 18 years started. This will include measures of iron status. The joint Department of Health-Medical Research Council nutrition research programme will be funding research to help develop better measures of iron status.The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy has agreed to convene an expert group to assess the iron status of the population. The group has not yet started work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists appeared before an NHS tribunal on the grounds that they breached their terms of service in each year since 1990. [15071]

Information is not collected centrally. However, details of the total number of cases, for all practitioners, is published in the annual report of the Council on Tribunals, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 24 January, Official Report, column 767, how many deaths from food poisoning occurred in 1996 by category. [15136]

The information requested is not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of (a) dysentery and (b) food poisoning there were in (i) York, (ii) North Yorkshire, (iii) Yorkshire and (iv) England in 1996. [15198]

Data on the number of cases of food poisoning and dysentery notified to the Office for National Statistics for 1996 are not yet available. Provisional figures for the first two quarters of 1996 have been published in "Quarterly Monitor (Series MB2) for Infectious Diseases" and copies are available in the Library. Provisional figures for the third quarter have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he has issued on the availability of the Excimer process to improve vision and laser eye surgery to treat eye disease in the NHS. [15433]

It is for health authorities to decide what services should be made available to their residents following an assessment of their needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment of the health effects of pepper gas and the possible carcinogenic effects of capsaicin, has been made by the senior medical officers of the Department of Health since 1991; how many published and internal papers have been written by the Department's medical officers on this subject since 1991; and what are the current security classifications of these reports. [14385]

A single report on pepper spray was prepared by the Department of Health in 1993. This is unclassified. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.