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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 25 April 1989
EMPLOYMENT
Young Employees
Ms. Short : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total cost to central Government funds of the community industry scheme in 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1988-89 ; what was the cost per young employee ; and how much each young employee was being paid on average in each year.
Mr. Nicholls : The information requested is given in the following tables :
|c|Table 1|c| |c|Community Industry Scheme-total costs to central Government|c| |c|funds in 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1988-89|c| Year |Amount £ --------------------------------- 1986-87 |25,011,000 1987-88 |25,513,000 1988-89 |25,203,000
|c|Table 2|c| |c|Community Industry Scheme-cost per young employee in|c| |c|1986-87, 1987-88 and 1988-89|c| Year |Amount £ --------------------------- 1986-87 |3,682 1987-88 |3,870 1988-89 |4,000
|c|Table 3|c| |c|Community Industry Scheme-average pay per young employee in|c| |c|1986-87, 1987-88 and 1988-89|c| Year |Amount £ --------------------------- 1986-87 |1,915.08 1987-88 |1,819.65 1988-89 |1,666.64 Notes: 1. In Tables 1-3 the figures for the year 1988-89 are estimated, as final year end information is not yet available. 2. The decrease in average pay per young employee in 1987-88 and 1988-89 reflects the scheme's success in attracting a greater number of 16 and 17-year-olds whose rates of pay are lower than those per 18 and 19-year-olds.
Community Options Programme
Ms. Short : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether employment training trainees who opt to take up voluntary work organised under the community options programme will be required (a) to sign on as unemployed and (b) to satisfy the availability for work condition ; and whether they will continue to receive the £10 training premium.
Mr. Nicholls : People who choose to take up community opportunities after employment training, and who wish to claim unemployment benefit and/or income support, will be required to satisfy the appropriate legislation.
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Participants on community opportunities are not trainees and so will not receive a training premium. Their travelling expenses will be met in full.Community Industry Scheme
Ms. Short : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to merge the community industry scheme with employment training ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Nicholls : There are no plans to merge the community industry scheme with employment training.
Redundancy Notices
Ms. Short : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to how many employees of (a) the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, (b) the community task force and (c) the Apex trust, supported by funds from the community programme or job training scheme, have been issued with redundancy notices during the transition from CP/JTS to ET ; and how many have been issued with redundancy notices during the operation of ET to date.
Mr. Nicholls : Information is not available in the precise form requested.
The following figures are for employees declared redundant, within the meaning of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978, during the transition from the community programme and the job training scheme to employment training and during the operation of employment training to date :
Organisation |Number of redundancies ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders |250 Community Task Force |150 Apex Trust |7
Mines (Health and Safety)
Mr. Hardy : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the proposed amendments to the regulations on health and safety in the mines are intended to leave these matters within the discretion of management rather than subject to the authority of Her Majesty's inspectors.
Mr. Nicholls : No. Responsibility for health and safety continues to rest primarily with management. It is the duty of HSE's inspectors to ensure that the law is being observed and advise on working practices. Any new regulations proposed by the Health and Safety Commission will maintain or improve safety standards.
Regional Policy
Mr. John Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will reconsider his Department's regional employment policies in the light of the unemployment figures released by his Department on 13 April.
Mr. Lee : The policies of my Department are kept under continuous review in the light of changing circumstances.
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The March unemployment figures published on 13 April showed that in all regions of the United Kingdom unemployment was at a lower level than in March 1988. Total United Kingdom unemployment has fallen to its lowest level for over eight years, and there are well over 26 million people in employment--the highest number ever.FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Siemens Printers
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Siemens ND3 printers are used by his Department, either in-house or through a private contract ; and what is the location of each.
Mr. Waldegrave : There are no Siemens ND3 printers in either the ODA or Diplomatic Service wings of the FCO.
El Salvador
Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made, or plans to make, to the El Salvadorean Government concerning the case of Eliseo Cordova Aguilar, vice-president of the Salvadorean Institute of Social Security Co- operative, abducted by El Salvadorean authorities on 12 July 1988.
Mr. Waldegrave : We understand that Sr. Cordova Aguilar was sized by armed men in civilian clothing on 12 July 1988. He has not been seen since.
We have made no specific representations to the Government of El Salvador on this case. However, we have made plain the importance we attach to proper respect for human rights both to the present Government in El Salvador and to President-elect Cristiani, as well as in international fora, most recently at the UNCHR in February 1989.
We remain in close touch with human rights organisations and other interested bodies in El Salvador, and we shall continue to monitor the situation closely.
Immigration
Mr. Madden : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mr. Aushad Iqbal is to be issued with a visa by the post in Islamabad to join his wife in the United Kingdom ; when Mr. Iqbal's appeal, No.--TH/36030/87/6216 was upheld by the immigration appeal tribunal ; and when the post was instructed to issue a visa to Mr. Iqbal.
Mr. Waldegrave : The information required is not immediately available and a further reply will be sent to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Foreign Affairs Council
Mr. Greg Knight : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 24 April.
Mrs. Chalker : The Foreign Affairs Council met in Luxembourg on 24 April. I represented the United Kingdom.
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The Council agreed on the continuing need for a coherent and carefully differentiated policy towards the countries of eastern Europe.With the regard to Romania, the Council agree on the suspension of negotiations for a trade and co-operation agreement. Their resumption would require clear evidence of a significant improvement in Romania's respect for human rights, and observance of its CSCE obligations. The United Kingdom strongly endorsed this unequivocal message of serious Community concern at the situation in Romania. The Council also noted encouraging developments in the situation in Poland, and agreed that the Community should adopt a more flexible position in current negotiations for a trade and co-operation agreement. The United Kingdom strongly supports a positive Community approach to Poland, reflecting progress in the implementation of Polish economic and political reforms.
The Council also received reports on preliminary Commission discussions with the Soviet Union on a trade and co-operation agreement, and with the Gulf Co-operation Council on a second stage agreement.
Noting the concerns of some member states on textiles, the Council generally welcomed the results of the mid-term review of the Uruguay round, completed in Geneva earlier this month, which laid the foundations for substantive negotiations for the remainder of the round. The Council also noted progress in negotiations with the United Kingdom on the dispute over the EC's directive banning meat from animals reared with hormones.
An EC/Morocco Co-operation Council was held in the margins of the Council meeting.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Judges (East Anglia)
Sir Eldon Griffiths : To ask the Attorney-General how many additional judges he has appointed in the East Anglian region ; what additional court rooms and related resources and staff have been provided to support them ; and at what cost.
The Attorney-General : In the period 1 January 1988 to 31 December 1988 the number of judges assigned to the Chelmsford courts administrator's group within the south eastern circuit increased by two. The salary of a circuit judge is £48,100. During the same period, a combined court centre was opened in Norwich, being a net addition of one courtroom at a cost of a little more than £7 million. There has been no change in the complement of staff.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
New Knitwear Machinery (Greece)
Sir John Farr : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he is taking to seek to bring to an end the current payments of 50 per cent. grant in Greece on the purchase of new knitwear machinery in that country.
Mr. Alan Clark : I understand that assistance of this type would be permissible for investments in the Attica and border regions of Greece. Regional assistance is a legitimate form of assistance under article 93(2) of the
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Treaty of Rome. Under certain circumstances, United Kingdom knitwear companies investing in particular areas of the United Kingdom could be eligible for similar support.Siemens Printers
Ms. Walley : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many Siemens ND3 printers are used by his Department, either in-house or through a private contract ; and what is the location of each.
Mr. Forth : There are no Siemens ND3 printers in use in my Department.
GATT
Mrs. Peacock : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress his Department has made in the recent GATT negotiations in Geneva ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Alan Clark : I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke) on 10 April at column 396.
House of Fraser
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster under what section and subsections of the Companies Act he initiated his Department's inquiry into the affairs of the House of Fraser Holdings.
Mr. Maude : The inspectors were appointed to investigate the affairs of House of Fraser Holdings plc under the provisions of section 432(2) of the Companies Act 1985.
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the inspectors who considered the report dated 15 July 1988 submitted by buyers acting for the House of Fraser considered that report prior to its presentation to Ministers on 23 July 1988.
Mr. Maude : The inspectors considered fully and carefully all information and evidence received by them before submitting their report to my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State.
Airtours
Sir John Farr : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is satisfied that the interests of passengers are fully protected in travel schemes to the Caribbean offered by companies such as Airtours ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : Yes. Airlines operating charter flights originating in the United Kingdom and carrying United Kingdom passengers are required to operate aircraft in accordance with the airworthiness standards of the state with whom the aircraft is registered. Such standards must be equal to or above the airworthiness standards specified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Operators are also required to maintain adequate insurance cover. Charter flights of this nature must also be organised through a travel organiser holding a valid Air Travel Organisers Licence issued by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority.
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WALES
Bathing Water
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many E. coli per 100 ml. of water were found in the 1988 bathing water survey at Saundersfoot.
Mr. Grist : The information is shown in the following table :
Sample E. coli per Date |Time |100 ml --------------------------------------- 18 May 1988 |1145 |20 1 June 1988 |1215 |110 8 June 1988 |1215 |800 15 June 1988 |1200 |10 22 June 1988 |1200 |170 29 June 1988 |1230 |15,000 6 July 1988 |1230 |<100 13 July 1988 |1200 |200 20 July 1988 |1200 |1,300 27 July 1988 |1200 |600 3 August 1988 |1045 |500 10 August 1988 |1215 |500 11 August 1988 |1210 |100 17 August 1988 |1145 |600 24 August 1988 |1150 |400 31 August 1988 |1200 |600 13 September 1988 |1215 |600 14 September 1988 |1145 |100 21 September 1988 |1200 |155 26 September 1988 |1230 |300
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the actual E. coli figures for the three samples in Swansea bay which failed the EEC coliform directive in the summer of 1988.
Mr. Grist : The information is shown in the following table :
Sample E. coli per Date |Time |100 ml --------------------------------------- 28 June 1988 |0945 |2,100 31 August 1988 |1200 |11,000 27 September 1988 |1200 |5,200
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the highest level of E. coli per 100 ml found in the 1988 bathing water survey at (a) Cold Knapp, Barry, and (b) Oxwich bay ;
(2) what was the highest level of total coliforms per 100 ml found in the 1988 bathing water survey at (a) Oxwich bay, (b) Saundersfoot and (c) Whitesands.
Mr. Grist : The information requested is contained within the 1988 bathing water survey report, a copy of which, as the hon. Member will know, has already been placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the details of those samples in (a) Kinmel bay, (b) Rhyl and (c) Cold Knapp, Barry, sampled during the 1988 bathing water survey which failed to conform to the standards of the EEC coliform directive ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Grist : The information is shown in the following table :
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Date |Time of sample |Total Coliforms per 100|E Coli per 100 ml
|ml
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kimnel Bay<1>
4 July 1988 |1140 |24,500 |3,100
29 August 1988 |1130 |11,000 |2,940
1 September 1988 |1130 |>50,000 |4,400
28 September 1988 |1120 |12,200 |4,700
Rhyl<1>
5 May 1988 |1150 |23,600 |-
29 July 1988 |0850 |>30,000 |5,300
29 August 1988 |1055 |17,400 |8,400
1 September 1988 |1240 |11,300 |2,600
28 September 1988 |1045 |10,700 |2,090
Cold Knapp<2>
26 September 1988 |0935 |12,100 |4,700
27 September 1988 |1350 |32,000 |20,000
<1> Total number of samples taken 21.
<2> Total number of samples taken 18.
The samples which failed account for only a small proportion of those taken throughout the 1988 season. The medians were much lower. The Welsh water authority has in hand a programme of remedial works to ensure full compliance with the EC bathing water directive of all listed bathing waters in the Principality.
M4 Motorway
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action his Department will be taking to minimise delays to traffic during the construction of the M4 between Baglan and Lonlas.
Mr. Wyn Roberts : Only that part of the A48 trunk road between Earlswood and Lonlas is likely to be significantly affected by construction of this final section of the M4. Detailed traffic management measures will be taken by the appointed contractor to ensure the continuing free flow of vehicles along it.
Drinking Water
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information his Department holds that enables him to assess the extent to which potable water in Wales complies with the European Community directive relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption (80/77/EEC).
Mr. Grist : Welsh water authority has the responsibility for ensuring that potable water within the Principality meets the standards of the directive.
The Welsh Office holds information concerning time-limited derogations and delays, which have been granted under articles 9 and 20 of the directive, in respect of sources which do not fully meet the standards. The water authority's progress in achieving compliance where derogations and delays have been granted is regularly reviewed.
The authority and the water companies in Wales have also submitted preliminary programmes of remedial work in relation to the proposed drinking water quality regulations.
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the cost at current prices to the
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Welsh water authority of complying with the European Community directive relating to the quality of water for human consumption (80/77/EEC).Mr. Grist : The full cost of the programme is still being evaluated.
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the cost at current prices to the Welsh water authority to bring the 11 bathing beaches which failed to comply with bathing water directive (76/160/EEC) into conformity.
Mr. Grist : The authority is currently reviewing its programme of remedial works which aims to achieve compliance of all listed waters. The full cost of the programme has yet to be evaluated.
Countryside Commission
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was his Department's response to the Countryside Commission's consultation papers "Paths, Routes and Trails" and "Changing the Rights of Way Network."
Mr. Wyn Roberts : The Welsh Office received copies of both papers but did not comment on either since it was neither necessary nor appropriate to do so.
ENERGY
Oil and Gas Resources
Mr. Bright : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he will publish his next report on the development of the oil and the gas resources of the United Kingdom (the Brown Book).
Mr. Peter Morrison : My right hon. Friend has today published the latest edition of the "Brown Book", and has arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House and the Vote Office. The report gives a detailed account of oil and gas development during 1988.
PRIME MINISTER
Westland
Q92. Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister whether Sir Leon Brittan cleared with No. 10 Downing street his statement on Channel 4 television, broadcast on 7 April, that Mr. Charles Powell and Mr. Bernard Ingham had expressly approved the decision to disclose a Law Officer's letter in the Westland affair.
The Prime Minister : I have nothing further to add to the many answers given in statements and in reply to questions on this subject.
Penrhiwceiber
Q110. Mrs. Clwyd : To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to visit Penrhiwceiber.
The Prime Minister : I have at present no plans to do so.
International Sugar Organisation
Q188. Mr. Shersby : To ask the Prime Minister what information she has concerning an offer by the French
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Government to provide free office accommodation and diplomatic immunity to the International Sugar Organisation if it moves from London to Paris ; what benefits accrue to Britain from the location of the sugar, wheat, cocoa and coffee organisations in London ; what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards this matter ; and if she will make a statement.The Prime Minister : I understand that the International Sugar Organisation is examining a number of locations, including proposals from France and other countries as well as alternative sites in London. Her Majesty's Government welcome the location of these organisations in London which reflects the merits of London as the leading international trading centre in these products. We already provide diplomatic immunity and rates concessions for these organisations as we do for all international organisations of similar standing.
Engagements
Mr. Pike : To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 April.
Mr. Barry Field : To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 April.
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 April.
The Prime Minister : This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.
CIVIL SERVICE
NUCAPS
Mr. Allen : To ask the Minister for the Civil Service when he last met the general secretary of NUCAPS ; and what topics were discussed.
Mr. Luce : I have meetings from time to time with representatives of Civil Service trade unions both centrally and during visits to Departments. Matters of mutual interest are discussed.
NATIONAL FINANCE
Government Debt
Mr. Allen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which major issues of debt have come up for redemption in the financial years (a) 1987- 88 and (b) 1988-89 ; and which are expected in 1989-90.
Mr. Lilley : The information is as follows :
Per cent. |£ million
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) The stocks of over £500 million redeemed in 1987-88 were:
10" |Exchequer |Stock |1987 |1,550
6" |Funding |Loan |1985-87 |559
10 |Treasury |Stock |1987 |1,600
3 |Treasury |Stock |1987 |950
12 |Treasury |Stock |1987 |1,950
73/4 |Treasury |Loan |1985-88 |500
2 |Index-linked Treasury|Stock |1988 |1,352
(b) The stocks of over £500 million redeemed in 1988-89 were:
10" |Exchequer |Stock |1988 |1,450
93/4 |Treasury Convertible |Stock |1988 |1,147
3 |British Transport |Stock |1978-88 |1,302
9" |Treasury |Stock |1988 |2,050
11" |Treasury |Stock |1989 |2,250
(c) The stocks of over £500 million to be redeemed in 1989-90 are:
9" |Treasury Convertible |Stock |1989 |854
3 |Treasury |Stock |1989 |500
10" |Treasury |Stock |1989 |1,400
10 |Exchequer |Stock |1989 |2,400
11 |Exchequer |Stock |1989 |2,000
5 |Treasury |Stock |1986-89 |601
13 |Treasury |Stock |1990 |1,000
2 |Index-linked Treasury|Stock |1990 |500
11 |Exchequer |Loan |1990 |1,400
12" |Exchequer |Stock |1990 |1,250
Mr. Allen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the rules relating to the holding of Government debt by insurance companies and pension funds.
Mr. Lilley : I do not know which rules the hon. Member has in mind.
Departmental Staff
Mr. Sean Hughes : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with respect to the support grades in his Department (a) what is the number of staff employed, (b) how many vacancies there are in London and elsewhere and how many of these have existed for over one month and over three months, (c) how many temporary and casual appointments there are and (d) how much overtime was worked by them in London and elsewhere.
Mr. Brooke : The number of support grades employed in the Treasury is 241 ; the number of vacancies in London and elsewhere are five and none respectively, of which two have existed for over one month and three have existed for over three months ; there are no temporary appointments and 1 casual appointment ; in 1988-89 about 49,500 hours overtime were worked in London and 1,600 hours overtime elsewhere.
Mr. Sean Hughes : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with respect to the support grades in his Department (a) what is the number of staff employed, (b) how many vacancies there are and how many of these have existed for over one month and over three months, (c) how many temporary and casual appointments there are and (d) how much overtime was worked by them in London and elsewhere.
Mr. Brooke : The number of support grades employed in the Treasury is 241 ; the number of vacancies is five, of which two have existed for over one month and three for over three months ; there are no temporary appointments and one casual appointment ; in 1988-89 about 49,500 hours of overtime were worked in London and about 1,600 hours overtime elsewhere.
Computers
Miss Emma Nicholson : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many instances have been detected in his
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Department of computer (a) hacking, (b) viruses, (c) logic bombs, (d) trojan horses or (e) other types of computer misuse, whether perpetrated by authorised or unauthorised users of computers ; and how many unsuccessful attempts have been recorded.Mr. Brooke [holding answer 24 April 1989] : It is not the policy of the Treasury to make public details and circumstances of computer security incidents, their perpetrators and their success or failure, since such information might be of assistance to potential attackers.
Capital Charges
Mr. Ralph Howell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what level the interest elements of capital charges are set for public sector capital assets ; how this figure is arrived at ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Major [holding answer 24 April 1989] : I assume my hon. Friend has in mind the returns the Government expect the public sector to earn on capital assets. I refer him to my statement on 5 April, at column 187.
Fees and charges for non-trading public bodies will normally be set to recover a cost of capital of not less than 6 per cent. in real terms. This is based on the real pre-tax costs of capital to a private sector company raising funds for low-risk purposes. Trading bodies such as nationalised industries are required to earn a real rate of return of 8 per cent. on their new investment programmes as a whole. This is derived from the average pre-tax real rate of return achieved on assets in the private sector.
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