Written Answers To Questions
Friday 20 June 1997
Home Department
Thomas G Moringiello
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date Mr. Thomas G. Moringiello (TH 2658) was convicted and of what offence; what sentence he received and on what date he completed his sentence; for what reason he is still being detained; what is the total cost to the taxpayer of his imprisonment; what was the sum of money involved in the offences for which he was convicted; and if he will make a statement. [3516]
Mr. Thomas G. Moringiello, who is a citizen of the United States, was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court on 27 June 1996 of 10 charges of fraud and deception involving sums totalling £815.69. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and recommended for deportation. Mr. Moringiello lodged an appeal against conviction and sentence, and this is due to be heard by the Court of Appeal on 26 June. Taking into account remand time, the conditional release date from his sentence was 21 August 1996, but he is now held under the Immigration Act 1971 pending the decision as to whether he should be deported. From the time of his first remand into custody on 1 December 1995 up to the present time, the cost of Mr. Moringiello's imprisonment has been approximately £35,384.
Alcohol (Young People)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will strengthen the law to prevent the drinking of alcohol by persons under the age of 18 years in public streets. [4182]
| Use of illegally held firearms in homicide, by type of firearm and calibre | |||||||||||
| England and Wales 1992–94 | |||||||||||
| Number of offences | |||||||||||
| Type of firearm Handgun | |||||||||||
| Police force | 9mm | .22 | .32 | .357 | .38 | .45 | .445 | .455 | .635 | N/K | Total handgun |
| Avon and Somerset | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 |
| Bedfordshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cambridgeshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cheshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cleveland | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cumbria | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Derbyshire | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Devon and Cornwall | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dorset | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Durham | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Essex | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gloucestershire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Greater Manchester | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 |
| Hampshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Hertfordshire | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Humberside | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kent | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lancashire | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
The Government is determined to tackle the problem of young people and alcohol. We will implement the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 which will provide the police with the power to confiscate alcohol from those under 18 years of age drinking in a public place.We have also set up a Ministerial Group to look at the promotion and sale of certain alcoholic drinks to children. We are holding urgent talks with the drinks industry to demand swift action. If we are not satisfied with the response we are prepared to take action ourselves.
Firearms
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by (1) each police force and (2) each London borough the number of persons shot with illegal firearms in each of the last three years and the current year, indicating (a) how many persons were (i) killed and (ii) injured, (b) the type of firearm used, (c) the calibre of firearm used, (d) the number of persons made answerable to the courts in respect of such crimes and (e) the number of occasions the police have sent an armed response team to an incident. [4051]
In the past, information on whether firearms used in crime are legally held or not or on the calibre of firearms used has not been collected centrally in England and Wales as a matter of routine. However, a special exercise was conducted last year to find out further information on homicides involving firearms. This covered the three years from 1992 to 1994, and out of a total of 196 homicides involving the use of a firearm, information was available in 129 cases to show the weapon was held illegally.Information on individual London Boroughs is not available centrally, nor is information on incidents where only non-fatal injuries were caused or the use of armed response teams in these incidents. The number of persons prosecuted for the offences is available only at disproportionate cost.The following table gives the available information by police force area:
Use of illegally held firearms in homicide, by type of firearm and calibre
| |||||||||||
England and Wales 1992–94
| |||||||||||
Number of offences
| |||||||||||
| Type of firearm Handgun | |||||||||||
| Police force | 9mm | .22 | .32 | .357 | .38 | .45 | .445 | .455 | .635 | N/K | Total handgun |
| Leicestershire | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Lincolnshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| London, City of | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Merseyside | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 |
| Metropolitan Police | 5 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 33 |
| Norfolk | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Northamptonshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| North Yorkshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Northumbria | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
| Nottinghamshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| South Yorkshire | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Staffordshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Suffolk | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Surrey | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sussex | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| Thames Valley | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Warwickshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| West Mercia | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| West Midlands | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 6 |
| West Yorkshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wiltshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dyfed-Powys | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gwent | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| South Wales | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dyfed Powys | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| All forces | 10 | 6 | 13 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 59 |
Type of firearm Shotgun
| ||||||
Police force
| 410
| 12 Bore
| 20 Bore
| Heavy
| N/K
| Total shotgun
|
| Avon and Somerset | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bedfordshire | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 3 |
| Cambridgeshire | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cheshire | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 |
| Cleveland | — | 4 | — | — | — | 4 |
| Cumbria | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Derbyshire | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 |
| Devon and Cornwall | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Dorset | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Durham | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Essex | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gloucestershire | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Greater Manchester | — | 3 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Hampshire | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Hertfordshire | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Humberside | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 |
| Kent | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Lancashire | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Leicestershire | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 |
| Lincolnshire | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| London, City of | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Merseyside | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 |
| Metropolitan Police | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | — | 9 |
| Norfolk | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 |
| Northamptonshire | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| North Yorkshire | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Northumbria | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 3 |
| Nottinghamshire | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| South Yorkshire | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 |
| Staffordshire | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Suffolk | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Surrey | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Sussex | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
Type of firearm Shotgun
| ||||||
Police force
| 410
| 12 Bore
| 20 Bore
| Heavy
| N/K
| Total shotgun
|
| Thames Valley | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 5 |
| Warwickshire | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| West Mercia | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| West Midlands | — | 2 | — | — | 4 | 6 |
| West Yorkshire | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wiltshire | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dyfed-Powys | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gwent | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| South Wales | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | 5 |
| Dyfed Powys | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 |
| All forces | 9 | 43 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 67 |
Police force
| Type of firearm Other 1
| Total other
| Total of firearms
| |
.22
| .38
| |||
| Avon and Somerset | — | — | — | 3 |
| Bedfordshire | — | — | — | 3 |
| Cambridgeshire | — | — | — | — |
| Cheshire | — | — | — | 2 |
| Cleveland | — | — | — | 4 |
| Cumbria | — | — | — | — |
| Derbyshire | — | — | — | 3 |
| Devon and Cornwall | — | — | — | 1 |
| Dorset | — | — | — | 1 |
| Durham | — | — | — | 1 |
| Essex | — | — | — | — |
| Gloucestershire | — | — | — | 1 |
| Greater Manchester | — | — | — | 6 |
| Hampshire | — | — | — | — |
| Hertfordshire | — | — | — | 2 |
| Humberside | — | — | — | 2 |
| Kent | — | — | — | 1 |
| Lancashire | — | — | — | 2 |
| Leicestershire | — | — | — | 3 |
| Lincolnshire | — | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| London, City of | — | — | — | — |
| Merseyside | — | — | — | 5 |
| Metropolitan Police | — | — | — | 42 |
| Norfolk | — | — | — | 4 |
| Northamptonshire | — | — | — | — |
| North Yorkshire | — | — | — | 1 |
| Northumbria | — | — | — | 5 |
| Nottinghamshire | — | — | — | — |
| South Yorkshire | — | — | — | 4 |
| Staffordshire | — | — | — | — |
| Suffolk | — | — | — | — |
| Surrey | — | — | — | 1 |
| Sussex | — | — | — | 3 |
| Thames Valley | — | — | — | 5 |
| Warwickshire | — | — | — | — |
| West Mercia | — | — | — | 1 |
| West Midlands | — | — | — | 12 |
| West Yorkshire | — | — | — | — |
| Wiltshire | — | — | — | — |
| Dyfed-Powys | — | — | — | — |
| Gwent | 2 | — | 2 | 3 |
| South Wales | — | — | — | 5 |
| Dyfed Powys | — | — | — | 2 |
| All forces | 2 | 1 | 3 | 129 |
1Rifle, Section 1 (prohibited) firearm. | ||||
Public Houses
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his proposed anti-social neighbours legislation will apply to public houses. [4076]
We are working on the details of the Community Safety Order for inclusion in the Crime and Disorder Bill, but I would expect it to be capable of applying to anti-social behaviour arising from an individual's presence in a public house.
Prison Statistics
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the maximum number of prisoners that can be accommodated at (a) Camp Hill, (b) Albany and (c) Parkhurst prisons on the Isle of Wight; and on what occasions those limits have been exceeded during the past 10 years. [4084]
The maximum number of prisoners that can be accommodated at a prison is known as the "operational capacity". This is defined as the certified total number of prisoners that can be held without serious risk to good order, security and the proper running of the planned regime. This number fluctuates, for example as accommodation is brought in and out of use and as assessments are revised by the Area Manager.As at 18 June, the operational capacity at
(a) Camp Hill was 531, (b) Albany was 436 and (c) Parkhurst was 349.
Centrally recorded information on whether operational capacity has been exceeded is available only from 1 January 1996, based on population figures for the last Friday of each month. This indicates that the figure was exceeded at Albany in March 1997 and from November 1996 to January 1997 at Parkhurst.
Electric Shock Devices
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many British companies have been licensed under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1982 to handle, distribute, store and manufacture electric shock devices in each year since 1992; and if he will name them; [3815](2) What assessment he has made of procedures which regulate the manufacture, sales, storage and distribution of electric shock devices by United Kingdom companies. [3942]
The unauthorised acquisition, purchase, possession, manufacture, sale and transfer of weapons discharging electric shocks are considered to be prohibited under section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968.Applications for authority under section 5 of the 1968 Act are considered by the Home Office, for companies in England and Wales, and by the Scottish Office. Because of the specially dangerous nature of prohibited weapons, applications are subject to rigorous scrutiny. None will be granted unless
(a) the person or company making it is in all respects fit and proper; (b) they will comply with stringent security standards commensurate with the prohibited weapons to be held; and (c) there is
demonstrable evidence of a genuine and legitimate business or other need for the prohibited weapons in question.
Barcrest Limited were issued with authority under section 5(1)(b) of the 1968 Act on 22 April 1997 to purchase and possess four electric shock weapons to assist their research into preventing these from being used in attacks on gaming machines. This authority is valid for one year only.
No other company has been granted authority under the Firearms Acts in respect of prohibited electric shock weapons since 1992. I consider that these arrangements are effective in restricting trade in electric shock weapons in this country.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Air Taser Incorporated, Scottsdale, Arizona is or has been licensed under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1982 to handle, distribute, store or manufacture electric shock devices in the UK. [3945]
No authority has been given to this company by the Secretary of State under section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968 to possess, purchase, acquire, manufacture, sell or transfer such devices.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if (a) Racing Lines of Darwen, Lancashire, and (b) Mark Hilliard of Darwen, Lancashire, are or have been licensed to handle, distribute, store or manufacture electric shock devices in the United Kingdom. [3937]
Neither company has been given authority by the Secretary of State under section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968 to possess, purchase, acquire, manufacture, sell or transfer such devices.
Prisoners (Illiteracy)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the illiteracy rate among the current prison population. [3790]
Prison Service knowledge about literacy rates among prisoners is derived from the results of the basic skills screen test for literacy and numeracy which prisoners may be invited, but are not required, to take. These suggest that, while very few prisoners are actually illiterate, between 40 per cent. and 50 per cent. of those undertaking the test need help to improve their basic literacy and numeracy skills.
Metropolitan Police
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of police officers at each Metropolitan police station who have served with the Metropolitan police force for (a) up to five years, (b) five to 10 years, (c) 10 to 20 years and (d) 20 years and above; and in each case what is the amount spent on their pay. [3971]
The Commissioner has provided the following information.
| Division | Up to 5 years service | 5 and 10 years | 10 to 20 years | 20 or more years |
| 1 Area | ||||
| Belgravia | 83 | 76 | 98 | 55 |
| Brompton | 127 | 102 | 129 | 46 |
| Charing Cross | 102 | 114 | 135 | 66 |
| Fulham | 76 | 59 | 57 | 34 |
| Hammersmith | 81 | 98 | 117 | 39 |
| Marylebone | 92 | 93 | 84 | 55 |
| Notting Hill | 81 | 71 | 68 | 31 |
| Paddington Green | 94 | 107 | 117 | 46 |
| West End Central | 73 | 74 | 106 | 55 |
| Total | 809 | 794 | 911 | 427 |
| 2 Area | ||||
| Barnet and Hertsmere | 41 | 63 | 96 | 81 |
| Ealing | 76 | 83 | 152 | 43 |
| Golders Green | 57 | 47 | 78 | 33 |
| Hampstead | 45 | 53 | 70 | 39 |
| Harrow | 46 | 73 | 123 | 40 |
| Holborn | 68 | 46 | 59 | 34 |
| Holloway | 79 | 74 | 80 | 31 |
| Hornsey | 71 | 69 | 86 | 50 |
| Islington | 76 | 105 | 95 | 32 |
| Kentish Town | 58 | 81 | 105 | 41 |
| Kilburn | 72 | 138 | 112 | 51 |
| Southall | 61 | 79 | 102 | 49 |
| Tottenham | 83 | 75 | 90 | 26 |
| Wembley | 69 | 70 | 88 | 42 |
| West Hendon | 54 | 49 | 96 | 45 |
| Total | 956 | 1,105 | 1,432 | 637 |
| 3 Area | ||||
| Barkingside | 74 | 52 | 106 | 63 |
| Chingford | 70 | 59 | 64 | 68 |
| Dagenham | 55 | 73 | 108 | 67 |
| Edmonton | 69 | 59 | 88 | 47 |
| Enfield | 72 | 67 | 87 | 58 |
| Forest Gate | 70 | 90 | 91 | 41 |
| Havering | 51 | 63 | 137 | 83 |
| Ilford | 73 | 51 | 84 | 49 |
| Leyton | 69 | 61 | 72 | 35 |
| Limehouse | 57 | 70 | 93 | 33 |
| Plaistow | 72 | 87 | 114 | 40 |
| Shoreditch and Hackney | 74 | 103 | 110 | 49 |
| Stoke Newington | 87 | 100 | 104 | 44 |
| Whitechapel | 79 | 99 | 105 | 45 |
| Total | 972 | 1,034 | 1,363 | 722 |
| 4 Area | ||||
| Bexleyheath | 65 | 59 | 91 | 70 |
| Bromley and Orpington | 94 | 95 | 169 | 125 |
| Catford | 73 | 77 | 85 | 58 |
| Croydon | 64 | 52 | 100 | 69 |
| Epsom and Sutton | 83 | 92 | 142 | 95 |
| Greenwich | 71 | 80 | 83 | 51 |
| Lewisham | 92 | 71 | 105 | 54 |
| Peckham | 80 | 78 | 112 | 30 |
| Plumstead | 73 | 64 | 101 | 75 |
| South Norwood | 81 | 66 | 116 | 67 |
| Southwark | 82 | 92 | 84 | 42 |
| Walworth | 64 | 87 | 71 | 35 |
| Total | 922 | 913 | 1,259 | 771 |
Division
| Up to 5 years service
| 5 and 10 years
| 10 to 20 years
| 20 or more years
|
5 Area
| ||||
| Battersea | 77 | 83 | 85 | 41 |
| Brixton | 69 | 106 | 110 | 32 |
| Chiswick | 49 | 52 | 55 | 39 |
| Heathrow | 4 | 57 | 177 | 141 |
| Hillingdon | 107 | 71 | 132 | 101 |
| Hounslow | 66 | 52 | 98 | 40 |
| Kingston | 83 | 67 | 133 | 80 |
| Spelthorne | 44 | 35 | 65 | 53 |
| Streatham | 73 | 69 | 87 | 36 |
| Twickenham | 69 | 52 | 97 | 66 |
| Vauxhall | 96 | 103 | 128 | 50 |
| Wandsworth | 81 | 89 | 120 | 52 |
| Wimbledon | 99 | 58 | 103 | 59 |
| Total | 917 | 894 | 1,390 | 790 |
The information requested on the amount spent on officers pay is not readily available and could be only obtained at disproportionate costs.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the (a) training and (b) cost implications of retraining officers moved to new posts as a consequence of the tenure policy to be implemented by the Metropolitan police service. [3969]
The Commissioner informs me that there will be no increase in the Metropolitan Police's training budget as a result of the introduction of the new tenure policy. Any additional demands for training will be met within existing budgets. The majority of officers who transfer under the policy will do so to another police station and carry out the same function in a different environment. Those officers will therefore not require additional training.
Prison Service
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the siting of a new prison is an operational matter for the chief executive of the Prison Service. [3787]
Yes. A preliminary decision on where to build a new prison is taken following strategic research to determine the geographic area of greatest need. A decision to proceed with a site identified for prison development is then dependent upon widespread public consultation and appropriate planning approval.
Prisoners (Education)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the Prison Service budget is taken up with educational activities for prisoners; and if he will make a statement. [3789]
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. Russell) on 19 June, Official Report, column 245.
Young Offenders Institution, Colchester
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list (a) the full cost of establishing the young offenders institution at Colchester Military Corrective Training Centre, (b) the maximum number of offenders who can be accommodated at any one time, (c) the number held there each week since it opened, (d) the number of staff employed, how many are Prison Service and how many military, (e) the date when the first offenders were admitted, and (f) the estimated annual running cost; and what are the comparative costs for an offender at Colchester and in a more traditional youth offenders institute. [3918]
The cost of establishing Colchester young offender institution was approximately £460,000.There is accommodation available for up to 38 young offenders, although the planned population is 32.From 20 February the population was 11. It increased to 21 on 4 April and to 29 on 15 May.Colchester young offender institution has 23 staff. Of these, 13 were appointed from the Military Corrective Training Centre and the others from the Prison Service.The first young offenders were admitted to Colchester young offender institution on 20 February.The current estimated running costs for the financial year 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998 are £1,006,000. These exclude an estimated charge of £114,292 made by the Ministry of Defence for rental of the accommodation and a contribution in lieu of rates.Based on the figure for running costs given above and a population of 32, the annual cost per place at Colchester will be about £31,500, compared with about £17,500 in a typical young offender institution.
Ethnic Minority Achievement Programme
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the future of the Ethnic Minority Achievement Programme. [4614]
Payment of grant under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 to Lancashire County Council in respect of its three Ethnic Minority Achievement Projects to support pupils in schools is due to continue until August 1998. We shall announce as soon as possible our general intentions with regard to such funding for the period after that. We shall shortly be in touch with the relevant authorities about the implications of local government reorganisation which takes effect next April.
Handguns (Olympic Games)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances a United Kingdom competitor will be able to train and take part in an Olympic Games event held in the United Kingdom which involves the use of a .22 weapon. [4869]
If the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill is passed, then all small-calibre pistols will become prohibited. It would then no longer be possible to use these weapons for target shooting in Great Britain and training here will cease.Three of the fifteen shooting events in the Olympic Games, if held in this country, would be affected by the prohibition. Competitors from any participating country could be allowed to take part in those three events by means of special authority being granted by the Secretary of State under the terms of section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968. Such authority would however be limited to the duration of the Games themselves. Unless the British competitors trained for these particular events outside Great Britain, they might be unable to qualify. The remaining twelve shooting events would be unaffected by the change and British competitors can continue to train for them in Great Britain.
Visitors' Visas
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to revise the rules and procedures on visitors' visas. [4805]
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 19 May, Official Report, column 7.
Custody (Time Limits)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government will introduce the 110 day rule applicable in Scots law to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. [2928]
[holding answer 19 June 1997]: The 110 day rule under the Scottish system sets custody time limits for indictable cases. Statutory custody time limits have applied also throughout England and Wales since 1991. For cases to be tried on indictment, they are 70 days from first appearance to committal and 110 days from committal to start of trial, although in many cases these limits are not being met. The Government have made a commitment to reduce delays in the criminal justice system and are currently developing a comprehensive strategy, including bringing down remand time to national targets, to achieve that aim. Time limits in Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Quota Hopping
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the implications of the OECD Multilateral Agreement on Investment for the Government's policy on quota hopping under the common fisheries policy. [3963]
The OECD Multilateral Agreement on Investment, which is currently being negotiated, should not impact upon the Government's policy on quota hopping. We are not intending to limit foreign investment in the UK fishing industry but will be focusing on ensuring that the activities of UK registered fishing vessels contribute substantial economic benefits to those communities in the UK dependent on fishing and related industries.
Beef
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what volume of beef or beef products consumed in the United Kingdom in 1996 was (a) home produced, (b) imported from other European Union countries and (c) imported from non-European Union countries; and if he will list the volumes from each country. [4651]
Figures for the volume of beef and beef products consumed are not available in the form requested. However, the net supply1 of beef to the UK market in 1996 was 742 thousand tonnes (dressed carcase weight equivalent) of which 15 per cent. was imported from EU countries and 10 per cent. from non-EU countries. Imports of beef and beef products, as recorded in the Overseas Trade Statistics, are shown in the following tables. Some imports may be destined for re-export rather than for consumption.
| Beef and beef product imports from EU countries in 19962 | ||
| Consignment weight in tonnes | ||
| Beef | Beef products | |
| Austria | 0 | 9 |
| Belgium—Luxembourg | 843 | 292 |
| Denmark | 849 | 331 |
| Finland | 0 | 0 |
| France | 8,091 | 1,765 |
| Germany | 3,551 | 1,485 |
| Greece | 0 | 57 |
| Irish Republic | 36,901 | 18,402 |
| Italy | 179 | 117 |
| Netherlands | 11.007 | 1,614 |
| Spain | 701 | 179 |
| Sweden | 42 | 0 |
| Total | 62,164 | 24,251 |
| 1 Net supply is UK beef production plus imports less exports of beef and net of stock change of beef. A proportion of this supply will have been processed into beef products, some of which may have been exported rather than consumed in the UK. This supply also excludes the beef component of imported beef products. | ||
| 2 All data are provisional and subject to amendment. | ||
| Beef and beef product imports from non-EU countries in 19962 | ||
| Consignment weight in tonnes | ||
| Beef | Beef products | |
| Argentina | 7,455 | 15,299 |
| Australia | 9,221 | 1,587 |
| Botswana | 6,927 | 419 |
| Brazil | 3,809 | 32,417 |
| Mauritius | 0 | 2,593 |
| Namibia | 6,388 | 0 |
| New Zealand | 3,880 | 1,333 |
| Paraguay | 115 | 0 |
| Romania | 0 | 395 |
| South Africa | 1,720 | 0 |
| Swaziland | 561 | 0 |
| Switzerland | 0 | 536 |
| U.S.A. | 2,847 | 1,146 |
| Uruguay | 8,115 | 4,012 |
| Zimbabwe | 5,209 | 2,091 |
| Other | 1,010 | 337 |
| Total | 57.257 | 62,166 |
| 1 Net supply is UK beef production plus imports less exports of beef and net of stock change of beef. A proportion of this supply will have been processed into beef products, some of which may have been exported rather than consumed in the UK. This supply also excludes the beef component of imported beef products. | ||
| 2 All data are provisional and subject to amendment. | ||
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what controls exist for the import of beef and beef products from non-European Union countries; and if he will make a statement. [4650]
All fresh meat imported into the UK, whether from other Member States or third countries, must have been produced in accordance with harmonised Community rules laid down in Council Directive 64/433/EEC. In the case of meat products the harmonised rules are laid down in Council Directive 77/99 (as amended).In addition, the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No. 2) Regulations 1996 prohibit the sale for human consumption all bovine meat derived from bovines which, at the time of slaughter, were more than 30 months old. This measure applies to all bovines slaughtered on or after 29 March 1996, whether in the UK or overseas, other than those registered under the Beef Assurance Scheme and those born, reared and slaughtered in those third countries specifically excluded by the Regulations (listed in the Schedule to the Regulations). This list of countries is confined to those where the Government is satisfied that we can import beef without risk.
Farm Waste
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidance he offers to farmers wishing to dispose of (a) farm plastics and (b) silage wrap. [4653]
General guidance is provided to farmers on the disposal of plastics in the MAFF/WOAD "Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Air and Soil". More detailed guidance on the disposal of pesticide containers, packaging and other contaminated materials is provided in the MAFF/HSC statutory "Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings". Copies of these documents have been placed in the Library of the House.MAFF has recently invited bids for a project to develop and test a manual to help farmers minimise waste, including waste plastics arising on-farm.
Radioactive Contamination (English Channel)
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the potential contamination of the English Channel and the fish and mammals therein from the discharge of radioactive material into the sea from the Cap de la Hague nuclear power station. [4643]
The Department carries out regular monitoring and assessment of the radioactive contamination of marine foodstuffs and environmental indicator materials within the English Channel.The results are published annually in the Department's report "Radioactivity in Food and the Environment". The latest report, for 1995, shows that the contamination attributable to the discharges of radioactivity from the Cap de la Hague reprocessing plant are of negligible radiological significance.
Fallen Stock (Disposal)
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what guidance he has issued to farmers faced with costs arising from the disposal of fallen stock; [4655](2) what assessment he has made of the level of incentives available to encourage farmers to dispose of fallen stock according to best practice; and if he will make a statement. [4656]
Farmers should dispose of all fallen stock in line with applicable legislation and codes of good practice. It is in their own interests to do so.
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his policy in respect of the disposal of fallen stock by use of ditches and similar locations in the countryside; [4657](2) what steps he is taking to discourage the disposal by farmers of fallen stock around the countryside. [4658]
Fallen stock should be disposed of in a way that prevents the spread of disease and does not pollute water. It is an offence under the Animal By-Products Order 1992 (as amended) to leave carcases in ditches or similar locations around the countryside. It is also an offence under the Dogs Act 1906 knowingly to leave carcases unburied at places where dogs can gain access. However, burial is a permitted method of disposal of fallen stock provided that the carcase is buried at sufficient depth to place it beyond the reach of carnivorous animals. Guidance is provided to farmers in the MAFF Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water and burial must be in ground where contamination of water cannot occur.
Northern Ireland
Royal Ulster Constabulary
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she plans to lay before the House the annual report for 1996 of the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [5133]
Copies of the Chief Constable's Annual Report 1996 have today been placed in the library. It is a general report on the carrying out by the RUC of their functions during 1996 which is submitted to the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and transmitted to me for laying before Parliament in accordance with Section 15 of the Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970.
Local Authority Services (Tendering)
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has in relation to compulsory competitive tendering for District Council services in Northern Ireland. [5132]
The existing legislation in Northern Ireland provides for the introduction of Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) to certain specified District Council services over a period of time. All but two of these services have already been subjected to CCT; the two remaining services are the Management of Sports and Leisure Facilities and Construction and Maintenance. These were due to be exposed to competition by 1 April 1998. However, in view of the Government's manifesto commitment on CCT, and plans to introduce a "best value" regime, I have decided to extend the existing timetable to 1 November 1998.This will allow time to take on board any proposals to modify the current CCT regime and to see how the proposals for a best value regime shape up in Great Britain. I am closely monitoring developments in this area in Great Britain with a view to extending the "best value" regime to District Council services in Northern Ireland as soon as practicable.In the meantime, the existing CCT legislation will continue to govern District Council services. Consequently, in the case of those services which have already been the subject of CCT, Councils will be required to continue to produce annual reports and to meet the financial objectives specified under the legislation and the DOE(NI) will also continue to monitor Councils' performance until the existing contracts end.
Rate Collection Agency
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Rate Collection Agency in 1997–98. [5243]
For 1997–98 the following performance targets have been set for RCA:
Collection and recovery of rates
1. To collect 97 per cent. of the gross domestic collectable rate, (excluding late assessments) by 31 March 1998.
2. To collect 98.55 per cent. of the gross non-domestic collectable rate (excluding late assessments) by 31 March 1998.
3. To achieve a reduction of 5 per cent. in the real value of the unit costs of collecting rates per hereditament over the two year period to 31 March 1998.
4. To generate refunds to 97 per cent. of ratepayers so entitled within 14 days of credits being identified.
Housing benefit administration
5. To process by 31 March 1998, 95 per cent. of applications for the incoming year received from housing benefit recipients before 15 March 1998.
6. To achieve a reduction of 5 per cent. in real value of unit costs of processing housing benefit cases over the two year period to 31 March 1998.
7. To assess 97 per cent. of housing benefit claims free of error.
Prison Service
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to change the manner of response to parliamentary questions concerning the Northern Ireland Prison Service. [5244]
In view of the special sensitivity of prisons matters, I have decided that all questions about the Northern Ireland Prison Service will be answered by a Northern Ireland Minister and not by the Chief Executive of the Service. This is no reflection on the Chief Executive nor does it have any implication for the Northern Ireland Prison Service as an agency. However, it recognises particular concerns that Ministers should answer personally on matters relating to imprisonment.
Education And Employment
Project Work
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will announce the commencement date for Project Work work placement providers. [4803]
I am today refocusing Project Work to include proper training and effective subsidies to employers to take on the long-term unemployed. This will enable Project Work providers to agree the detail of their contracts, including start dates, with the Employment Service.All Project Work pilots will in future include, as a standard feature, intensive help with basic skills for those who need it. I am also pleased to announce an increase in the amount of Workstart subsidy available in the Project Work pilot areas. This means that employers in these areas who take on someone out of work for over two years may receive £60 for a recruit aged 18 to 24 and £75 if aged between 25 and 50.Enhancing the help given by Project Work pilots is an integral part of the Government's drive to tackle long term unemployment. It extends a helping hand to the jobless by introducing intensive literacy and numeracy support within Project Work to those who need it. The strengthened basic skills element will help equip long term unemployed people more effectively for jobs.Project Work as inherited from the previous Government is far from perfect and is scheduled to last until the end of the financial year. We want to move to the New Deal as soon as possible, with the most effective package to help the young and long term unemployed off welfare and into work or training. The refocusing of Project Work with skills enhancement offers the long term unemployed support in getting a job, while the New Deal is still in the design and planning stages.We cannot allow the talents and energy of our citizens to go to waste, untapped and untrained in unemployment. It makes both moral and economic sense to offer a chance of a future to those who have almost given up hope.
Health
Royal Bolton Hospital
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients resident at Royal Bolton hospital on 1 June had been forced to remain in hospital for longer than their treatment required because suitable residential or day care support was not available; how many such patients had been resident at the hospital for (a) up to one week, (b) up to two weeks, (c) up to one month, (d) up to two months and (e) three months or more; and what estimate he has made of the additional financial costs to the NHS of these extended periods of care. [4252]
Effective communication between health and social services staff is crucial for people who need continuing care after a spell in hospital. Wigan and Bolton Health Authority and Bolton Social Services department work closely together to ensure that no patient is subject to unnecessary delay.
Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust do not have an information system which collects data on blocked beds, but a periodic census is completed manually, covering patients aged over 75 years. We understand from the trust that an additional census of these patients was undertaken on 17 June 1997 and the following position was recorded:
Reason
| Number of patients
|
| Awaiting completion of assessment | 9 |
| Awaiting nursing/residential home package | 7 |
| Awaiting domiciliary care package | 1 |
| Decision on continuing care under review | 2 |
| Other reason | 1 |
| Total | 20 |
Time delayed
| Number of patients
|
| Less than one week | 13 |
| One—Two weeks | 6 |
| Two—Three weeks | 1 |
| Total | 20 |
A further six patients aged under 75 years were awaiting a community care package.
The average cost per day for an elderly medical patient in the Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust is £120.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for the most recent date for which figures are available the number of people in the Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust area awaiting non-emergency treatment (a) up to 12 months, (b) up to 18 months, (c) up to 24 months and (d) over 24 months. [4246]
The latest available information gives the position on 31 March 1997. On that date 5,938 patients were waiting for admission to Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust, on either an inpatient or day case basis, of whom 5,918 had been waiting less than 12 months and all of whom had been waiting less than 18 months.
Portsmouth And South-East Hampshire Health Authority
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the £40,000 given in grants to the Portsmouth and South-East Hampshire health authority has been allocated; and to what extent this funding has satisfied the criteria set out in the bid. [4374]
Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority was awarded £40,000 as extra funding under the NHS dentistry access fund 1996–97. The bid from that health authority met the criteria which were set out in the directions sent to all health authorities.
Dental Services
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the cost of the dental service in England and Wales is borne by the users. [4380]
The proportion of gross expenditure on general dental services recovered through charges in England and Wales was 29 per cent. in 1996–97.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sum has been made available from the Department's Access Fund for NHS dentistry services in Cornwall; how this has been allocated; and which of his Department's criteria were met in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority bid. [4615]
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority was awarded £40,000 as extra funding under the NHS Dentistry Access Fund 1996–97. The bid from that health authority met the criteria which were set out in the directions sent to all health authorities.
Social Security
Compensation Recovery Unit
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit from personal injury damages in each year since 1989; and how much he estimates will be recovered in the current year. [2557]
Reform of the Compensation Recovery scheme will take place in October 1997. It will make the compensator liable for the repayment of benefits paid as a consequence of accident, injury or disease. Reform will also mean that compensation for pain and suffering will be paid to the victim in full. The administration of the Compensation Recovery Unit is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Andrew Dismore, dated 19 June 1997:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how much was recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit from personal injury damages in each year since 1989 and how much is estimated to be recovered this financial year.
As the Compensation Recovery scheme applies to compensation payments made on or after 3 September 1990, there were no monies recovered during the 1989–90 financial year. Details of the amounts recovered in each financial year since 1990 are given in the table below:
Financial year
| Amount recovered £ million
|
| 1990–91 | 3.7 |
| 1991–92 | 25.3 |
| 1992–93 | 51.3 |
| 1993–94 | 81.9 |
| 1994–95 | 110.1 |
| 1995–96 | 135.1 |
| 1996–97 | 145.5 |
Figures are provisional and subject to change. It is estimated that £179.9 million will be recovered during the current financial year.
I hope you find this reply helpful.
Lord Chancellor's Department
Archival Files (Release)
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of and how many archival files which were handed to the Public Record Office in 1965 were released (a) in whole and (b) in part before 30 years elapse [4659]
The Question concerns a specific operational matter on which the Chief Executive of the Public Record Office is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the Chief Executive to reply direct.
Letter from Sarah Tyacke to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 19 June 1997:
I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply for the Public Record Office to your question about the above.
To produce actual or percentage figures for items from the 47,865 units transferred to the Public Record Office 1965, which were subsequently released in whole or in part before they were 30 years old, could only be done by checking against each individual item its expected and actual release date, and to do so would incur disproportionate cost.
I would be very pleased to invite you to the Public Record Office to see how the system works and to discuss this matter further, if you wished.
Cabinet Office
Engagements
To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list his official engagements for the month of July. [4641]
I expect to have a number of meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.
To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) if he will list the meetings he has had with persons and organisations external to the Government since taking office; [4660](2) if he will list the official engagements he has undertaken on behalf of the Government since taking office. [4642]
Since taking office I have had a number of meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.
Ministerial Activities
To ask the Minister without Portfolio what responsibilities he has in respect of monitoring and approving the activities of other Government Ministers. [4749]
My role is to assist my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and ministerial colleagues in implementing Government policy and presenting it effectively.
Press Releases
To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the press releases he has issued since taking office. [4640]
On 9 June, I released the text of my speech to the Media Trust. On 18 June, I issued a press notice, announcing the appointment of my Parliamentary Private Secretary.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Social Chapter
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many directives are currently under discussion for implementation under the social chapter; and for how many of these the United Kingdom would hold the right of veto. [4465]
The Council of Ministers is currently considering one draft directive under the Agreement on Social Policy (the proposed Burden of Proof Directive). The voting procedure is qualified majority.
National Heritage
Sport (Tobacco Sponsorship)
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received from (a) sports organisations, (b) non-sports organisations and (c) individuals relating to his proposal to ban tobacco company sponsorship of sport. [4183]
To date I have received 17 representations on the proposed ban on advertising by tobacco companies from organisations and individuals, including from the hon. Member himself; some in favour others against. I am giving them careful consideration.
Chess
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what criteria determine which sports are recognized by the Sports Council; and for what reasons chess is not an approved sport. [4236]
The United Kingdom and the Home Country Sports Councils have adopted a system of formal "recognition" of activities, primarily to identify those with which the Councils should be associated for the purposes of providing grant aid and services. The identification of these activities is based on a number of criteria, broadly based on the following principles:
- physical skills;
- physical effort;
- accessibility;
- rules and organisation;
- strategy and tactics;
- essential purpose;
- physical challenge;
- risk;
- "uniqueness";
- level of participation; and
- other issues (eg. political, moral, ethical etc.).
Heritage Fund And Millennium Commission Awards
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish the total awards made to date by (a) the Heritage Fund and (b) the Millennium Commission, by administrative counties in England. [4272]
[holding answer 19 June 1997]: The following table shows the number and value of awards made by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Millennium Commission as at 17 June.
| County1 | Heritage Lottery Fund | Millennium Commission2 | ||
| Total number | Total amount £ | Total number | Total amount £ | |
| Avon | 11 | 2,779,975 | 1 | 41,300,000 |
| Bedfordshire | 4 | 302,550 | — | — |
| Berkshire | 2 | 3,865,525 | 3 | 2,368,000 |
| Buckinghamshire | 5 | 575,450 | 1 | 126,000 |
| Cambridgeshire | 23 | 25,529,079 | 4 | 6,245,913 |
| Cheshire | 8 | 1,875,150 | — | — |
| Cleveland | 4 | 1,942,000 | 1 | 860,000 |
| Cornwall | 17 | 3,336,660 | 3 | 39,863,000 |
| Cumbria | 15 | 3,700,959 | 3 | 7,596,393 |
| Derbyshire | 10 | 3,729,725 | — | — |
| Devon | 19 | 7,328,200 | — | — |
| Dorset | 18 | 6,694,900 | — | — |
| Durham | 9 | 943,655 | 3 | 17.532,504 |
| East Sussex | 10 | 2.008,100 | — | — |
| Essex | 10 | 789,745 | 2 | 598,570 |
| Gloucestershire | 14 | 5,551,260 | 1 | 3,060,195 |
| Greater London | 125 | 202,972,610 | 7 | 105,143,718 |
| Greater Manchester | 26 | 54,817,325 | 3 | 28,081,702 |
| Hampshire | 21 | 14,146,496 | 1 | 40,000,000 |
| Hereford and Worcester | 11 | 2,713,400 | — | — |
| Hertfordshire | 7 | 14,965,625 | — | — |
| Humberside | 12 | 1,016,400 | 1 | 462,000 |
| Isle of Wight | 1 | 30,000 | 1 | 2,169,350 |
| Kent | 23 | 6,103,567 | 1 | 329,800 |
| Lancashire | 20 | 5,115,324 | 3 | 6,115,549 |
| Leicestershire | 9 | 407,150 | 1 | 23,250,000 |
| Lincolnshire | 15 | 644,849 | — | — |
| Merseyside | 10 | 12,616,500 | 4 | 30,389,695 |
| Norfolk | 16 | 5,775,623 | 3 | 31,589,000 |
| North Yorkshire | 25 | 3,991,822 | 1 | 313,750 |
| Northamptonshire | 8 | 2,005,930 | 1 | 736,000 |
| Northumberland | 8 | 282,200 | 1 | 207,000 |
| Nottinghamshire | 9 | 14,841,644 | 1 | 243,600 |
| Oxfordshire | 7 | 4,492,186 | 1 | 142,500 |
| Shropshire | 8 | 2,952,396 | 1 | 162,500 |
| Somerset | 15 | 1,967,250 | — | — |
| South Yorkshire | 7 | 2,660,047 | 1 | 50,000,000 |
| Staffordshire | 15 | 823,875 | 1 | 1,599,000 |
| Suffolk | 21 | 2,963,101 | 1 | 167,890 |
| Surrey | 10 | 1,652,732 | 3 | 485,000 |
| Tyne and Wear | 15 | 19,457,820 | 1 | 27,000,000 |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 198,300 | — | — |
| West Midlands | 18 | 16,850,550 | 3 | 57,555,540 |
| West Sussex | 8 | 500,170 | 1 | 29,897,500 |
| West Yorkshire | 28 | 19,829,791 | 2 | 1,365,000 |
| Wiltshire | 12 | 34,630,485 | — | — |
| Grand total | 691 | 522,378,101 | 66 | 556,956,669 |
| 1 The table shows the position at 17 June for capital projects by administrative county. In some places, former Metropolitan Counties are used as there is no county-level administrative unit. It is not possible at present to relate awards to the new unitary authorities. | ||||
Environment, Transport And The Regions
Road Traffic Reduction
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on how the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997 is to be implemented by local authorities, with particular reference to its financial implications. [4237]
The Government is considering at present the arrangements for implementing the Road Traffic Reduction Act. The Act provides for Ministers to issue guidance to local authorities on meeting its provisions. We envisage that this guidance will be issued in draft later this year to allow relevant bodies to comment. Amongst other issues, it is likely to address the financial implications for local authorities.
Trains (Slam Doors)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by train operating company the number of rolling stock units with slam doors in operation and the target dates for their replacement. [4446]
Slam-door trains in use at present, and current plans for their removal by 2000, are as follows:
| Operator | Number in service now | Number expected to be in service in 2000 |
| Scotrail | 200 | 0 |
| North London Railways | 26 | 0 |
| Regional Railways North East | 63 | 0 |
| North West Trains | 110 | 0 |
| South Wales and West | 8 | 0 |
| South West Trains | 476 | 340 |
| Connex South Eastern | 720 | 400 |
| Connex South Central | 600 | 600 |
| Total | 2,203 | 1,340 |
Driver And Vehicle Licensing Computer System
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to ensure that the computer system operating the Driver and Vehicle Licensing System will not be affected by the millennium problem. [4449]
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has reviewed all its computer systems. Those which would have been affected by the millennium problem are being upgraded or replaced. The programme of work is expected to be completed by the end of 1998.
Air Services
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average length of time taken from push back to becoming airborne at Gatwick and Heathrow airports in 1986 and 1996. [4469]
National Air Traffic Services report that, based on 214,309 departures during 1996, the average length of time taken at Heathrow from push back to becoming airborne was 16.9 minutes. At Gatwick, based on a sample of 3,717 departures between April and September 1996, the average length of time taken was 15.0 minutes. The information requested in respect of 1986 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on airlines of congestion at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. [4468]
I have made no assessment. However, the impact of congestion on airlines operating at Heathrow and Gatwick is limited, as the total number of slots allocated is tightly controlled by National Air Traffic Services through the capacity determination process. The airlines are consulted on the necessary trade-off between any change in the total number of slots to be allocated and the consequences for the average delay the airlines can expect to experience.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for slots at Gatwick and Heathrow airports could not be accommodated in 1996. [4472]
Airport Co-ordination Limited is responsible for the allocation of slots at UK airports co-ordinated under EC Regulation 95/93. ACL inform me that at the two allocation rounds during 1996, covering the Winter 1996–97 and Summer 1997 seasons, the total of slot requests which could not be accommodated was 73,805 at Heathrow, and 46,547 at Gatwick.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the average length of airborne holding prior to touch down was at Heathrow and Gatwick airports in 1986 and 1996. [4470]
In 1996 the average airborne holding times for Heathrow and Gatwick airports were 3 minutes 9 seconds and 55 seconds respectively. Data for 1986 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average number of passengers per air transport movement at Heathrow and Gatwick in (a) 1986, (b) 1991 and (c) 1996; and what projections he has made for (i) 2001 and (ii) 2006. [4398]
The information for past years is as follows:
| Average number of passengers per air transport movement, 1986, 1991 and 1996 | |||
| 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | |
| Heathrow | 107 | 111 | 130 |
| Gatwick | 103 | 115 | 114 |
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average number of passengers per air transport movement at (a) Stansted, (b) Aberdeen, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Glasgow and (e) Southampton in (i) 1986, (ii) 1991 and (iii) 1996; and what projections he has made for (i) 2001 and (ii) 2006. [4399]
The information for past years is as follows:
| Average number of passengers per air transport movement, 1986, 1991 and 1996 | |||
| 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | |
| Stansted | 33 | 47 | 67 |
| Aberdeen | 22 | 23 | 29 |
| Edinburgh | 45 | 47 | 55 |
| Glasgow | 55 | 58 | 72 |
| Southampton | 21 | 22 | 23 |
Rail Safety
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by train operating company the number of accidents occurring on rolling stock operated by that company since privatisation. [4447]
This information is not available in the form requested. Accidents may be reported to the Health and Safety Executive either by the train operating company or by Railtrack Plc (in which case it is not always possible to identify on whose rolling stock the accidents have occurred). In addition, separate statistics showing accidents happening after the operative date for each franchise are not readily available.
Rail Services
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by train operating company the number of occasions and the details of warnings issued by (a) OPRAF and (b) the Rail Regulator for not operating services to the levels specified in the passenger service requirement. [4445]
The Franchising Director has proposed one draft enforcement order against a train operating company for a breach of the cancellation levels in the franchise agreement. The draft order published on 14 March against South West Trains, for poor performance in February and March, was withdrawn on 8 May following significant improvements in performance.The Franchising Director issued a notice on 18 June about a breach by Island Line of its cancellation levels in March 1997. There will be no further action as the company is taking all necessary steps to secure future compliance.The Rail Regulator is not responsible for enforcing compliance with passenger service requirements.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list by regional rail users committee the number of passenger complaints received for the last 12 months; [4510](2) if he will list by regional rail users committee the number of complaints relating to (i) punctuality, (ii) ticketing and (iii) other issues received over the last 12 months. [4511]
The most recent 12-month period for which details are available is the financial year 1996–97. The figures are as follows:
| Public complaints received by the rail users' consultative committees and by the london regional passengers' committee | ||||
| 1 April 1996 auntil 31 march 1997 | ||||
| Committee | Punctuality | Fares and tickets1 | Other complaints | Annual total |
| LRPC | 288 | 208 | 1,881 | 2,377 |
| RUCC for southern England | 99 | 29 | 896 | 1,024 |
| RUCC for western England | 321 | 80 | 1,011 | 1,412 |
| RUCC for Wales | 194 | 39 | 829 | 1,062 |
| RUCC for the Midlands | 155 | 18 | 314 | 487 |
| RUCC for eastern England | 77 | 54 | 538 | 669 |
| RUCC for north eastern England | 105 | 33 | 659 | 797 |
| RUCC for north western England | 272 | 86 | 1,116 | 1,474 |
| RUCC for Scotland | 42 | 24 | 385 | 451 |
| National total | 1,553 | 571 | 7,629 | 9,753 |
| 1 Fares and tickets category includes ticket pricing levels and structure; Railcards, Railrover tickets and promotional offers; permited routes; acceptance of through tickets; and predatory fares/exclusionary behaviour. | ||||
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by the train operating company the number of occasions recorded by OPRAF of that company operating trains with fewer carriages than specified in the passenger service requirement. [4444]
This information is not available in the form requested. A train is "short formed" if it operates with fewer seats than planned, whether or not the number of seats is specified in the passenger service requirement. Under their franchise agreements, operators face a penalty payment for every train short formed. Furthermore, a high level of short formations is liable to result in breach of the franchise agreement and enforcement action by the Franchising Director. There have been no material breaches of franchise agreements as a result of short formations; the performance payments of each operator will be published in the Franchising Director's annual report in the next few weeks.
Vehicle Safety
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to encourage vehicle manufacturers to improve the design of their vehicles following the publication of the EURONCAP crash test results. [4450]
Manufacturers are involved in the EURONCAP testing and evaluation programme and I am keen that they use the results in developing future models. I also hope that the publication of the results of the second series of tests on 13 family-sized saloons on 1 July 1997 will create consumer pressure for improved designs; that has been the experience in the United States and Australia, where similar programmes have been operating for some years.
Mixed Oxide Nuclear Fuels
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) of 10 June, Official Report, column 409, if he will set out the basis for the statement that in the event of an aircraft accident mixed oxide nuclear fuel poses no significant risk to public health. [4375]
My statement was based upon the conclusions of the Advisory Committee on the Transport of Radioactive Materials (ACTRAM) an independent body charged with advising the Secretary of State for Transport and the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission on major issues related to the transport of radioactive material and on the robustness of the containers used.In its report, The Transport of Civil Plutonium by Air, published in 1988, ACTRAM concluded: (14.2)
"The health risk to people from the current transport of civil plutonium by air to and from the UK is [also] extremely remote and acceptable."
Bearing in mind that the major hazard of plutonium is one of inhalation, its comments specifically on Mox fuel are particularly relevant: (14.3)
"Plutonium dioxide mixed with Uranium dioxide in the form of ceramic pellets constitutes no significant inhalation hazard."
A copy of ACTRAM's report is available in the Library.
Trees
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of trees planted by the Highways Agency (a) are red-leaved and (b) have leaves which turn red in the Autumn; and what plans he has to increase that percentage. [4313]
I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highway Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Theresa May, dated 20 June 1997:
The Deputy Prime Minister has asked me to reply to your recent question asking what percentage of trees planted by the Highways Agency are red-leaved or have leaves which turn red in the Autumn; and what plans he has to increase that percentage.
Unfortunately it is not possible to quantify this information. Most trees planted by the Highways Agency are native deciduous and although there are no red-leaved native trees, those such as the Wayfaring Tree can give a dense red colour in the Autumn. In general Autumn colour varies with species, soil and weather, and adds interest to tree planting's important role of helping to fit roads into their surroundings. There are no plans to change the current practice.
Seatbelts
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to extend the MOT test to include checks on the operation of seatbelts. [4451]
Mandatory seatbelts are already checked in MOT tests to ensure that they latch and unlatch correctly. The condition of the webbing, anchorage and retractor mechanism is also checked for deterioration. However, there is no check on the restraining operation of seat belts. It would be very difficult to devise a meaningful and reproducible test which could be carried out in 18,000 MOT testing stations across the country and we are aware of no evidence that seat belts fail to operate properly in practice.
Out-Of-Town Developments
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the guidance to planning inspectors on granting permission to out-of-town or edge-of-town shopping centres. [3824]
Guidance is contained in PPG6: Town Centres and Retail Developments. It clarifies that the key tests that should be applied to assessing proposals for new retail development are the application of the sequential approach to site selection, the impact on the development plan strategy, the vitality and viability of existing centres, accessibility by a choice of means of transport particularly public transport, impact on overall travel and car use and other environmental impacts. We have no current plans to change it.
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date the review of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council will be published by the Local Government Commission for England. [4046]
The Commission have been directed to prepare the Final Report by 25 November 1997. A report containing their draft recommendations is to be published on 1 July 1997.
Dog Fouling Fines
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantage of allowing local authorities to use for enforcement purposes the revenue from fines levied under dog fouling legislation. [4027]
We believe that local authorities prosecuting criminal cases should have no pecuniary interest in them. A local authority does not receive the fine imposed by a Court on an offender in cases under dog fouling byelaws or the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. It follows that the local authority should not keep the income from any fixed penalty notices which it issues for offences under the 1996 Act.
Pedestrianisation (London)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the pedestrianisation of sections of London; and if he will make a statement. [3665]
[holding answer 18 June 1997]: My Department has not traditionally commissioned studies into pedestrianisation schemes. In London this has been a matter for Boroughs to take forward as the local transport authority. However, the Traffic Director for London may, where appropriate, liaise with Boroughs in assessing the impact on traffic of specific schemes. We will shortly be consulting on our plans for a new strategic authority for London which would have transport responsibilities.My Department, in association with the Department of National Heritage, English Heritage and London Transport, has contributed to the "World Squares for All" study led by Westminster City Council, tasked with developing a masterplan for the Whitehall Conservation Area. This may include elements of pedestrianisation. Proposals will be published for public consultation in September.
Single Regeneration Budget
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to invite further bids under the single regeneration budget; and what funds will be available in (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–00 and (c) 2000–01. [4804]
My hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning announced on 22 May, Official Report, columns 152–53, that the Government would continue with Round 4 of the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund, altered to take account of our policy priorities. Bids have been invited by 26 September 1997. On current expenditure plans, total provision nationally for the SRB Challenge Fund of £568 million in 1998–99 and £625 million in 1999–00 includes £12.5 million in 1998–99 and £75 million in 1999–00 for new schemes approved under the current bidding round. The level of resources available for new schemes in each Government Office region will depend on the levels of commitments in each region from the three previous Challenge Fund rounds. Expenditure plans have not yet been set for the year 2000–01. No decisions have yet been taken on whether to have further bidding rounds after Round 4.
Driving Bans
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the five most common primary reasons for driving bans for a period of (a) one year or under, (b) one to two years, (c) two to three years, (d) over three years and (e) life; and if he will make a statement; [3663]
(2) how many and what percentage of drivers are currently banned from driving for a period of (a) one year or under, (b) one to two years, (c) two to three years, (d) over three years and (e) life; and if he will make a statement. [3662]
[holding answers 18 June 1997]: I have been asked to reply.Figures on the number of drivers currently disqualified from driving could be made available only at disproportionate cost.The number of disqualifications imposed by the courts by period of disqualification and by offence group is published annually in "Offences relating to motor vehicles England and Wales, Supplementary tables" (tables 13 and 14).Copies of these publications are in the Library.
Scotland
Hiv-Aids
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to match for Scotland the increase in funding for HIV-AIDS treatment in 1997–98 made by the Department of Health in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [4213]
[holding answer 19 June 1997]: Health Boards were advised in March this year of the funds earmarked for the treatment and care of HIV-AIDS patients in their areas in 1997–98. It is open to individual boards to augment these resources from their general allocations in the light of local circumstances. I am currently assessing whether further action is appropriate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the number of HIV-AIDS sufferers receiving treatment (i) by health board area and (ii) in Scotland as a whole; what was the spending per head on treatment and care of HIV-AIDS sufferers (i) by health board area and (ii) in Scotland as a whole, in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [4215]
[holding answer 14 June 1997]: Around 1,000 people in Scotland are estimated to be receiving treatment for HIV infection or AIDS. Of this total, some 870 are being treated within the Lothian, Greater Glasgow, Tayside and Grampian Health Board areas. In the current financial year, £9.6 million has been allocated by way of funds earmarked for HIV-AIDS treatment and care. On that basis, expenditure per patient would amount to around £9,600. But that figure does not take into account any additional resources which individual boards may commit from their general allocations.
Home Energy Efficiency Grants
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total value of and how many home energy efficiency grants were paid to residents in (a) the Highlands and Islands and (b) Scotland as a whole, in 1996–97. [3798]
I have been asked to reply.
The information requested is as follows:
Number of grants
| Total value £
| |
| Scotland | 38,135 | 5,754,000 |
| Highlands and Islands | 3,085 | 512,000 |
Because of the way scheme data are collected, the Highlands and Islands information does not include figures for the Argyll and Bute area, which incorporates Inverclyde, Dumbarton, Renfrew and parts of west Glasgow. 3,774 grants were paid in this area, with a total value of £531,570.
Trade And Industry
Environmental Taxes
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on use of environmental taxes to encourage industry to be more competitive. [3022]
I have been asked to reply.It would not be appropriate to comment in the run-up to the Budget.
Treasury
Bank Of England
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to bring forward the proposed Bill to give the Bank of England operational responsibility for setting interest rates. [2088]
The Bank of England Bill will be introduced after the summer Recess.
Ways And Means Advance
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the prohibition of overdraft facilities with the Bank of England in article 104 in the Maastricht treaty will come into effect. [1447]
In accordance with Article 109e(3), Article 104 took effect at the start of the second stage of Economic and Monetary Union on 1 January 1994.However, paragraph 11 of Protocol 11 to the EC Treaty states that "the United Kingdom may maintain its 'ways and means' facility with the Bank of England if and so long as the United Kingdom does not move to the third stage [of Economic and Monetary Union]".
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the outstanding ways and means advance from the Issue Department at the Bank of England to the National Loans Fund at the end of the current financial year. [3561]
Outstanding ways and means advances from Issue Department at the Bank of England to the National Loans Fund at the end of 1996–97 were £14,322 million. Whilst current Government policy is to keep the stock of short-term financing (both the ways and means advance and Treasury bills) roughly constant from year-to-year, its composition depends on fluctuations in the month-to-month pattern of factors affecting the liquidity position of the banking system, including the note issue and net government receipts or payments. As these can be large and unpredictable, it is difficult to give a meaningful forecast of the ways and means advance for the end of this financial year.
Special Advisers
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what capacity his special advisers are employed in his private office. [3243]
Four paid Special Advisers have been appointed in the following capacities:
- Ed Balls: Economic Adviser to the Chancellor
- Charlie Whelan: Press Adviser to the Chancellor
- Edward Miliband: Special Adviser to the Chief Secretary
- Andrew Maugham: Special Adviser to the Chief Secretary
Corporation Tax
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his assessment of the effects on business investment decisions of (a) a classical system and (b) an imputations system of corporation tax. [3368]
Any assessment of the effects on business investment decisions of a classical or an imputation system of corporation tax is dependent on the specific features of that system and the tax rates adopted.
Departmental Appointment
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the nature of the appointment of Ms Sue Nye to the Treasury. [3360]
Ms Sue Nye has been appointed personally by the Chancellor as his Political Secretary. She is not an employee of the Treasury and receives no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses from public funds.
Vat
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of VAT was paid by businesses and is recoverable as a business cost in each of the last three years. [3446]
The approximate proportion of total VAT paid which was paid by businesses and recoverable as a business cost in each of the last three years was as follows:
- 1994–95: 78 per cent.
- 1995–96: 79 per cent.
- 1996–97: 78 per cent.
Oil Tax
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was in each of the last five financial years the amount of tax revenue received per barrel of oil produced. [3378]
North Sea oil tax revenues received per barrel of oil produced in the same financial year, including revenues from gas production converted into equivalent amounts of oil, are in the table below.
| Tax1 revenue per barrel | |
| 1992–93 | 1.20 |
| 1993–94 | 1.00 |
| 1994–95 | 1.20 |
| 1995–96 | 1.70 |
| 1996–972 | 2.30 |
| 1 Petroleum revenue tax, corporation tax, and royalty. | |
| 2 Provisional. | |
Taxpayers
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his current estimate of the outstanding amount of money owed by the Inland Revenue to taxpayers which has not been claimed by them. [3533]
No estimate has been made. There are many circumstances in which taxpayers and others may be able to claim money from the Inland Revenue, and tax offices will often be aware of a particular case only when a claim is received.
Internet
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for taxing usage of the Internet. [3325]
Access to the Internet has always been subject to value added tax. Following a derogation from the Sixth VAT Directive to all member states agreed by the Council of Ministers on 17 March, legislation will be introduced in the UK with effect from 1 July 1997. The legislation, which covers a range of telecommunication services including Internet access, changes the rules governing where, for VAT purposes, the supply takes place. This will ensure fairer taxation where these services are supplied from one country to another. Further information on these changes is available in an Information Sheet issued by Customs and Excise titled VAT Information Sheet 2/97.
Income Tax
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the top rate of income tax on earned income in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany, (c) France, (d) the USA and (e) Japan; and at which income level it applies. [3527]
The information for tax regimes in force at the beginning of 1997 is given in the table. The income figures relate to earned income of single taxpayers and have been converted to pounds sterling using 1996 OECD purchasing power parities.
Top rate of central government income tax Per cent
| Taxable income level above which top rate applies £
| |
| United Kingdom | 40 | 29,265 |
| Germany1 | 53 | 39,350 |
| France2 | 54 | 29,330 |
| USA3 | 39.6 | 182,150 |
| Japan4 | 50 | 117,200 |
1 Excluding solidarity surcharge (7.5 per cent. of tax) and church tax (9 per cent. tax). At incomes below the level shown rates rise gradually according to a complex formula. | ||
2 There are also 48 per cent. and 43 per cent. tax bands which start at £23,790 and £14,620 respectively. | ||
3 States and local governments also impose income tax. OECD use a typical level of 7.25 per cent. Federal income tax at 36 per cent. starts at £83,760 and 31 per cent. tax at £40,150. | ||
4 Local inhabitant taxes are also charged, at 15 per cent. on incomes over £26,650. Central government tax at 40 per cent. starts at £70,330 and 30 per cent. rates begins at £35,160. | ||
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he intends to monitor the implementation of self-assessment of individuals' liability for income tax; and if he will make a statement. [3547]
The Inland Revenue has in place a number of management information systems to monitor the implementation of self assessment. As the Minister responsible for Self Assessment I also receive a monthly progress report.
Tax System
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Treasury has to reform the schedular arrangements of the United Kingdom tax system. [3521]
The way in which different types of income are classified for tax purposes will be considered as part of the Inland Revenue project to rewrite direct tax law so that it is clearer and easier to use.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the first draft of re-written and simplified tax legislation will be published. [3619]
On present plans, we hope to publish the first draft re-written legislation for consultation next month.
Pensions (Tax Relief)
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reduce tax relief on pension contributions; and if he will make a statement. [3331]
It would not be appropriate to comment on any possible tax changes during the run-up to the Budget.
Bank Of England Monetary Policy Committee
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if non-voting members of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee are entitled to take part in the deliberations of the committee; and if their comments will be minuted; [4576]
(2) how many non-voting members are permitted to attend the Bank of England's monetary policy committee; and what criteria are used in selecting those non-voting members. [4580]
The Treasury representative is the only non-voting member of the monetary policy committee. The Treasury representative can take part in the discussion, but not in the decision, on interest rates. As is the case with other members, comments made by the Treasury representative will be reflected but not attributed in the minutes.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what priority the Bank of England's monetary policy committee is expected to give to imbalances between the demand and output of (a) different industries, (b) different sectors and (c) different regions of the economy in making its decisions on interest rates. [4637]
The Chancellor has made it clear that the monetary policy committee will be responsible for taking full account of regional and sectoral information in its monetary policy decisions. The Bank's Court will have particular regard to whether the Bank is collecting such information, and the Court will itself be reformed so that it is representative of the whole of the United Kingdom.
Mortgage Interest Tax Relief
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his Department's estimates of the income distribution of taxpayers benefiting from mortgage interest relief. [3708]
Information for 1997–98 is given in the table. The estimates are based on information projected from the 1994–95 Family Expenditure Survey and are therefore provisional.
| Number of beneficiaries of mortgage interest relief by range of total income | |
| Range of total income (lower limit)1 £ | Number of single people or married couples benefiting from mortgage interest relief thousands |
| 0 | 960 |
| 5,000 | 1,070 |
| 10,000 | 1,930 |
| 15,000 | 2,240 |
| 20,000 | 1,680 |
| 25,000 | 1,090 |
| 30,000 | 970 |
| 40,000 | 760 |
| Total | 10,700 |
| 1 Total income of husband for married couples. | |
Low Pay
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people in the constituency of Bolton, West who currently earn less than (a) £2.50, (b) £3, (c) £3.50 and (d) £4 per hour. [4247]
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Tim Holt to Ms Ruth Kelly, dated 20 June 1997:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on earnings in the Bolton West parliamentary constituency.
The latest available information, from the New Earnings Survey (NES) April 1996, is given in the table below.
Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence, NES April 1996
| ||||
Percentage of employees with hourly earnings (excluding overtime) less than:
| ||||
£2.50
| £3.00
| £3.50
| £4.00
| |
Bolton West
| ||||
| Full-time | 1.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 15.2 |
| Part-time | 3.6 | 3.6 | 17.9 | 42.9 |
| All | 1.6 | 2.4 | 7.1 | 21.3 |
Unemployment
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many persons aged 18 to 24 years in Bolton, West are currently registered unemployed; [4250](2) how many persons in Bolton, West aged 18 to 24 years are currently seeking and available for work; [4248](3) how many persons aged 18 to 24 years in Bolton, West who are currently registered unemployed have never been employed. [4249]
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Tim Holt to Ms Ruth Kelly, dated 20 June 1997:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent questions (4250,4248 and 4249) on unemployment of 18 to 24 year olds in Bolton West.
The measure of unemployment, derived from the quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS), is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are: a) without a paid job; b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained. However, largely because it is a sample survey, information is not available from the LFS in as much geographical detail as from the claimant count measure described below.
ONS also publishes the monthly claimant count, which is based on the administrative system and includes all people claiming unemployment-related benefits (i.e. Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support or National Insurance credits) at Employment Service offices on the day of the monthly count, who on that day had signed on as unemployed and available to do any suitable work. Essentially, all people who attend an Employment Service office to sign are counted, irrespective of whether they are actually receiving benefit.
Both measures are described and compared in the ONS booklet How Exactly is Unemployment Measured?, a copy of which is enclosed.
In April 1997, on the unadjusted basis there were 329 18 to 24 years olds unemployed claimants in the Bolton West parliamentary constituency. The group you refer to in your second question "currently seeking and available for work" is broadly the same as the ILO definition of unemployment except that this also includes those who are waiting to start a job they have already obtained. However this information is not available at Parliamentary Constituency level. The lowest level at which any LFS data is available is Local Authority District.
No information is available from the claimant count about those who are currently seeking and available for work or those registered unemployed who have never been employed. Information about those ILO unemployed who have never been employed is available from the LFS, but not below county level.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) males and (b) females have been unemployed in Southport for more than (i) six months, (ii) 12 months and (iii) 24 months. [4019]
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Ronnie Fearn, dated 20 June 1997:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on unemployment in Southport by duration.
The measure of unemployment, derived from the quarterly Labour Force Survey, is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are: a) without a paid job; b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained. However, largely because it is a sample survey, information is not available from the LFS in as much geographical detail as from the claimant count measure described below.
ONS also publishes the monthly claimant count, which is based on the administrative system and includes all people claiming unemployment-related benefits (i.e. Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support or National Insurance credits) at Employment Service offices on the day of the monthly count, who on that day had signed on as unemployed and available to do any suitable work. Essentially, all people who attend an Employment Service office to sign are counted, irrespective of whether they are actually receiving benefit.
The information you have requested is only available for claimant unemployment and is given in the attached table.
Unadjusted claimant unemployment by duration in the Southport parliamentary constituency, April 19971
| ||
Males
| Females
| |
Duration
| ||
| Over 6 months | 1,019 | 307 |
| Over 12 months | 676 | 186 |
| Over 24 months | 364 | 90 |
1 Unemployment figures by duration are produced quarterly | ||
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) male and (b) female 18 to 25-year-olds are currently unemployed in Southport. [4020]
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Ronnie Fearn, dated 20 June 1997:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on unemployment in Southport.
The measure of unemployment, derived from the quarterly Labour Force Survey, is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are: a) without a paid job; b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained. However, largely because it is a sample survey, information is not available from the LFS in as much geographical detail as from the claimant count measure described below.
ONS also publishes the monthly claimant count, which is based on the administrative system and includes all people claiming unemployment-related benefits (i.e. Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support or National Insurance credits) at Employment Service offices on the day of the monthly count, who on that day had signed on as unemployed and available to do any suitable work. Essentially, all people who attend an Employment Service office to sign are counted, irrespective of whether they are actually receiving benefit.
The information requested can only be derived from the claimant count. In April 1997, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 417 males and 148 females aged 18 to 24 years who were claimant unemployed in Southport.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the levels and rates of unemployment were in each constituency in (a) April and (b) May. [4144]
[holding answer 17 June 1997]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Tim Holt to Mrs. Cheryl Gillan, dated 20 June 1997:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on the levels of unemployment in each constituency.
The measure of unemployment, derived from the quarterly Labour Force Survey, is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are: (a) without a paid job; (b) available to start work within the next two weeks and (c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained. However, largely because it is a sample survey, information is not available from the LFS in as much geographical detail as from the claimant count measure described below.
ONS also publishes the monthly claimant count, which is based on the administrative system and includes all people claiming unemployment-related benefits (i.e. Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support or National Insurance credits) at Employment Service offices on the day of the monthly count, who on that day had signed on as unemployed and available to do any suitable work. Essentially, all people who attend an Employment Service office to sign are counted, irrespective of whether they are actually receiving benefit.
Claimant unemployment rates are not available for parliamentary constituencies. The only information for parliamentary constituencies is the unadjusted level of claimant unemployment, which is accessible from the Nomis database in the House of Commons Library.