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Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what correspondence he has had with British Rail regarding the sale of land in Nottingham ;
(2) what fiduciary duties apply to the sale of British Rail land.
Mr. Portillo : My right hon. Friend has had no such correspondence. The objectives for the British Rail Property Board require it to secure a proper commercial price when disposing of underused or surplus land.
Sir John Stanley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will place in the Library a copy of the exchange of letters between British Rail and Eurorail referred to in his reply to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling of 27 November, Official Report, column 81.
Mr. Portillo : No. The letters deal with commercially confidential matters.
Sir John Stanley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what points he will require to be satisfied before giving his approval to the detailed shareholders' agreement for the joint venture between British Rail and Eurorail.
Mr. Portillo : I shall wish to be satisfied that the proposed joint venture offers value for money for British Rail, for the public and for the taxpayer. The details will depend on the ground to be covered by the agreement.
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much direct funding has been provided by Her Majesty's Government to British Rail for (a) capital investment and (b) revenue subsidy in each year from 1980-81 to 1989-90 and projected for 1990-91, all expressed at constant prices.
Mr. Portillo : Her Majesty's Government do not usually provide direct funding for British Rail's capital investment programme, but the public service obligation grants meets the difference between costs and revenues for grant supported services. Eligible costs include depreciation, a supplement to fund capital renewals, and interest. Grant therefore provides support for capital investment, but grant is not allocated to particular categories of expenditure. The figures for "rail" investment and for revenue subsidy (PSO and level crossings grants paid in each financial year) are as follows, in £ million and at constant 1989-90 prices :
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Year |Rail |Revenue investment |subsidy -------------------------------------------- 1979 |526 |1,040 1980 |537 |1,035 1981 |439 |1,262 1982 |357 |1,222 1983 |352 |1,202 1984 |<1>374 |1,110 1985-86 |498 |1,060 1986-87 |482 |912 1987-88 |604 |915 1988-89 |609 |<2>590 1989-90 |<2>691 |<3>517 <4>1990-91 |962 |462 <1> 1984-85 was a 15 month financial period. The figure shown for 1984 is the 12 month equivalent. <2> Current forecast. <3> PSO cash ceiling plus estimate for level crossings grant. <4> Estimates.
Arts and Design
Mr. Fisher : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what expenditure was made by his Department on (a) the arts and (b) design in the last financial year.
Mr. Atkins : In the last financial year the Department made no expenditure on the arts. The Department is involved in many aspects of design across a wide range of activities, with work undertaken both in- house and commissioned from outside bodies. It is not possible to establish the level of expenditure on design, except at disproportionate cost.
C. Maine Company
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement concerning his Department's inspection of the C. Maine Company, Milford Haven, under the terms of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 ; in the light of the European Court judgment in the Jaderow case delivered on 13 December.
Mr. McLoughlin : This judgment has no bearing on the registration of fishing vessels under the Merchant Shipping Act 1988.
Pacer 142 Trains
Mr. Pike : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will call for a report from the chairman of British Rail on the safety of doors on Pacer 142 trains ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Portillo : British Rail is required under the statutory accident reporting procedure to notify the Department of a failure on any part of a train which causes, or is likely to cause, an accident. The railway inspectorate is discussing the problems with power doors with the British Railways Board.
Oil Discharges
Mr. Terry Davis : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the flag states of eight non-United Kingdom ships alleged to have been responsible for illegal oil discharges in United Kingdom waters since 1984 ; and when were these cases passed on the competent authorities in the relevant flag states for investigation.
Mr. McLoughlin : The information is as follows :
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--------------------------------------------------- Liberia |13 August 1986 Liberia |7 April 1988 Liberia |27 July 1988 Bahamas |10 December 1988 Turkey |27 June 1989 Cyprus |3 November 1989 Brazil |9 November 1989 Antigua |11 December 1989
Stratford Station
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if there have been any changes in the plans to refurbish Stratford station, London E.15.
Mr. Portillo : The planning of station improvements is entirely a matter for the British Railways Board.
Traffic, (London)
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has regarding the total cost per annum arising from traffic congestion in London ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Atkins : The Department does not make estimates of the annual cost of traffic congestion in London. Congestion causes major problems and the Government have just announced further proposals for dealing with them.
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he takes to consider the implications for London traffic flows arising from various building developments in the capital.
Mr. Atkins : The traffic implications of most new development in London is for the boroughs to consider as part of their development control and planning responsibilities under the Town and Country Planning Acts. The Government consider the traffic implications of new development affecting trunk roads on a case-by-case basis. It has established special liaison arrangements with the boroughs and the London Docklands development corporation over developments in docklands.
Newbury Bypass
Sir Michael McNair-Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce his decision about the proposed route for the Newbury bypass ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Atkins : My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport are carefully considering all the objections and representations made together with the report and recommendations of the independent inspector who held the public inquiry. They hope to be able to announce their joint decisions very early in the new year.
Road Excavations
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all those authorities and organisations, both public and private, having a statutory right to dig up roads in London in (a) 1980 and (b) the current year.
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Mr. Atkins : Information is not available in the form requested. All highway authorities have statutory rights to carry out roadworks. The main public utilities have statutory rights of long standing to place and maintain their apparatus in the public highway. In addition various organisations have powers under public and private legislation or specific authority under licence to carry out excavation in the highway.
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what efforts are made to co-ordinate road repairs and road excavation in London ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Atkins : Individual highway authorities co-ordinate those roadworks in London for which they are responsible. The Department attaches particular importance to the careful programming and traffic management arrangements of works on its own roads. The Department also encourages highway authorities to promote co-operation between organisations having statutory rights to excavate roads and to co-ordinate these works with their own. The Goverment have proposed, as part of the legislation they intend to bring forward to implement the recommendations of the Horne report, that in future highway authorities will be given a positive duty to co-ordinate all excavations in the highway with a view to minimising the disruption to road users.
Greater Manchester Northern Relief Road
Mr. Lewis : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who were the consulting engineers for the centre section of the Greater Manchester northern relief road M6 to M66.
Mr. Atkins : Allot and Lomax with G. Maunsell and Partners (in consortium) are looking at options for the M56-M62 section of the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road.
Planning, (London)
Sir John Stanley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what organisation he has established in his Department to deal with the strategic planning of London's transport ; what is its name ; what is its staffing ; and at what ranks and grades.
Mr. Atkins : Work on the strategic planning of London's transport is undertaken by a number of directorates within the Department, in particular highways, railways, public transport. The heads of these directorates, and colleagues from the Department of the Environment's London regional office, meet regularly to discuss London's transport problems and to co-ordinate action. In this they are supported by a secretariat from the transport policy unit. The unit is headed by a grade 5 and is at present made up of four grade 7s, a senior economic assistant and a personal secretary.
Driver Testing and Training Division
Mr. Ward : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the annual report and accounts for driver testing and training division are available.
Mr. Atkins : The driver testing and training division's annual report and accounts for 1988-89 have now been issued. I am placing copies in the Library.
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Accounting Procedures
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether in the last 10 years he or his predecessors, either by direction or informally, secured changes in the accounting conventions followed by the British Transport Docks Board, Associated British Ports, the British Airports Authority or British Airways, respectively ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. McLoughlin [holding answer 18 December 1989] : British Transport Docks Board accounts were prepared under the historic cost convention during the period up to privatisation, adding current cost accounts as supplementary from 1980. British Airways accounts were produced under the historic cost convention with current cost accounts as supplementary for the whole period up to privatisation. British Airports Authority accounts were changed from modified historic cost convention to current cost convention in 1980-81 and produced on that basis up to privatisation. The change of convention was decided by the authority and agreed by the Government.
PRIME MINISTER
Homelessness
Dr. Thomas : To ask the Prime Minister what plans she has to visit a shelter for the homeless in London or other major city in the United Kingdom during the Christmas period.
The Prime Minister : I have at present no plans to do so.
Meetings (Mr. David Hart)
Mr. Mullin : To ask the Prime Minister (1) when Mr. David Hart last met Mr. Charles Powell ; in what capacity ; and for what purpose ; (2) when Mr. David Hart last met Sir Percy Cradock ; and for what purpose ;
(3) when Mr. David Hart last visited Downing street ; in what capacity ; and for what purpose ;
(4) when Mr. David Hart last visited the Cabinet Office ; in what capacity ; and for what purpose ;
(5) when she or her officials last met Mr. David Hart ; and if she will make a statement.
The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) at column 1169. Mr. Hart is not employed by me or by 10 Downing street in any capacity.
My normal practice is and will continue to be neither to confirm nor deny that meetings with private individuals have taken place even in those cases where no such meeting has occurred.
Inland Revenue
Mr. Allen : To ask the Prime Minister if she will visit the proposed relocation site for the Inland Revenue in Nottingham.
The Prime Minister : I have at present no plans to do so.
Relocation
Mr. Allen : To ask the Prime Minister what co-ordination exists between the Treasury and the Department of Transport on the use of British Rail land for the relocation of Government Departments.
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The Prime Minister : The use of British Rail land is a matter for the British Railways Board, which is free to deal with Government Departments.
Official Historian
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to establish an official historian's office for the Prime Minister.
Arts and Design
Mr. Fisher : To ask the Prime Minister what expenditure was made by her office on (a) the arts and (b) design in the last financial year.
The Prime Minister : The total expenditure incurred by my office on the arts and design in 1988-89 was £9,794.
Methodist Church
Mr. Pike : To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received in the last two years asking her to meet leaders of the Methodist Church ; when she last met them ; and when she next proposes to meet them.
The Prime Minister : I receive a considerable number of requests for official meetings each year. I have at present no plans to meet leaders of the Methodist Church.
LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
Select Committees
Mr. Allen : To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will bring forward a substantive motion to give effect to the recommendations of the Liaison Committee report of Session 1984-85, HC 363, in respect of the automatic nomination of Select Committees after a general election.
Sir Geoffrey Howe : The Government's view of the recommendations of the 1984-85 Liaison Committee was given on 23 November 1987 by my right hon. Friend the Member for Colchester, South and Maldon (Mr. Wakeham) who stated that he did not consider that the existence of a Standing Order providing for nominations for these Committees to be put forward within a prescribed period would necessarily have expedited their establishment in this Parliament.
Mr. Allen : To ask the Lord President of the Council what was the expenditure on full-time specialist staff appointed to service departmental Select Committees in each year since 1979.
Sir Geoffrey Howe : The grade of temporary assistant (later to become specialist assistant) to Select Committees was introduced to the Clerk's Department in October 1980. The table sets out the numbers of specialist assistants in post at 1 April 1981 to 1 April 1989 and their total annual gross salaries payable at that date. All specialist assistants work for departmental Committees.
-------------------------------- 1981 |5 |49,730 1982 |6 |66,168 1983 |6 |72,646 1984 |5 |64,892 1985 |4 |53,756 1986 |5 |69,909 1987 |5 |75,862 1988 |4 |61,128 1989 |7 |117,691
Voting Records (Press Fee)
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Lord President of the Council under what arrangements newspapers and broadcasting stations are being asked to pay a fee to publish details of the Division voting records of hon. Members ; and if he will make a statement.
Sir Geoffrey Howe : I have no knowledge of any such arrangements.
CIVIL SERVICE
Staff (Pay Scheme)
Mr. Baldry : To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement about the discretionary pay scheme for grades 2 and 3 staff in the home Civil Service.
Mr. Luce : In the third round of awards made under the arrangements announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 23 April 1987, awards have been made to 18 grade 2s and 77 grade 3s. The total number of staff currently granted awards following the first three rounds of the scheme is 36 grade 2s and 149 grade 3s, respectively 26 per cent. and 30 per cent. of each grade. This is within the ceiling of 35 per cent. of each grade recommended by the Top Salaries Review Body earlier this year.
The full year cost of these awards is £463,400 or about 1.8 per cent. of the annual pay bill for the grades concerned.
Next Steps
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will set out in the Official Report a table of bodies announced as candidates for Next Steps executive agency status, showing the date of announcement of candidature, date of establishment as agency (where appropriate) and the number of staff and expenditure-turnover for each candidate-agency at latest convenient date.
Mr. Luce [holding answer 20 December 1989] : The information requested is as follows :
Announced Candidates for Executive Agency Status
|Dates
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Building Research Establishment |24 October 1988
Cadw |23 October 1989
Central Office of Information |9 February 1989
Central Statistical Office |5 April 1989
Central Veterinary Office |20 April 1989
Civil Service Commission |13 April 1989
Civil Service Occupational Health Service |9 May 1988
Defence Accounts Organisation |18 October 1989
Defence Research Agency |18 February 1988
Department of Registers of Scotland |29 April 1988
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Directorate |18 February 1988
Driving Standards Agency |25 July 1988
Employment Service |18 February 1988
Forensic Science Service |23 May 1989
Fuel Suppliers Branch |28 July 1988
Historic Buildings and Monuments |29 April 1988
Hydrographic Office |18 October 1989
Insolvency Service |13 July 1988
Intervention Board for Agricultural
Produce |11 January 1989
Land Registry |26 October 1988
Meteorological Office |18 February 1988
Military Survey |18 October 1989
National Engineering Laboratory |24 July 1989
National Physical Laboratory |7 June 1988
Ordnance Survey |14 December 1989
Overseas Development Natural Resources
Institute |19 December 1989
Passport Office |18 February 1988
Patent Office |13 July 1988
Planning Inspectorate |21 December 1988
Property Holdings |27 September 1989
Radiocommunications Division |13 July 1988
RAF Training |18 October 1989
Royal Mint |23 November 1989
Royal Parks |18 February 1988
Service Childrens Schools |18 October 1989
Social Security IT Services |17 May 1989
Social Security Benefits |17 May 1989
Training Agency |5 December 1988
Vehicles Certification Agency |25 July 1988
Veterinary Medicines Directorate |20 April 1989
Total 43 Agencies (This includes three in Northern Ireland that are
|not listed here)
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Announced Candidates for Executive Agency Status
|Dates
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Building Research Establishment |24 October 1988
Cadw |23 October 1989
Central Office of Information |9 February 1989
Central Statistical Office |5 April 1989
Central Veterinary Office |20 April 1989
Civil Service Commission |13 April 1989
Civil Service Occupational Health Service |9 May 1988
Defence Accounts Organisation |18 October 1989
Defence Research Agency |18 February 1988
Department of Registers of Scotland |29 April 1988
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Directorate |18 February 1988
Driving Standards Agency |25 July 1988
Employment Service |18 February 1988
Forensic Science Service |23 May 1989
Fuel Suppliers Branch |28 July 1988
Historic Buildings and Monuments |29 April 1988
Hydrographic Office |18 October 1989
Insolvency Service |13 July 1988
Intervention Board for Agricultural
Produce |11 January 1989
Land Registry |26 October 1988
Meteorological Office |18 February 1988
Military Survey |18 October 1989
National Engineering Laboratory |24 July 1989
National Physical Laboratory |7 June 1988
Ordnance Survey |14 December 1989
Overseas Development Natural Resources
Institute |19 December 1989
Passport Office |18 February 1988
Patent Office |13 July 1988
Planning Inspectorate |21 December 1988
Property Holdings |27 September 1989
Radiocommunications Division |13 July 1988
RAF Training |18 October 1989
Royal Mint |23 November 1989
Royal Parks |18 February 1988
Service Childrens Schools |18 October 1989
Social Security IT Services |17 May 1989
Social Security Benefits |17 May 1989
Training Agency |5 December 1988
Vehicles Certification Agency |25 July 1988
Veterinary Medicines Directorate |20 April 1989
Total 43 Agencies (This includes three in Northern Ireland that are
|not listed here)
The numbers of staff and expenditure/turnover for each agency and candidate are contained in annex A of the White Paper "The Finance and Accountability of Next Steps Agencies" (Cm. 914, published on 14 December 1989), except in the case of the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute (ODNRI) which employs 453 staff and has an annual expenditure of £16.4 million.
NATIONAL FINANCE
Mortgage Tax Relief
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of tax units receiving mortgage interest relief in each income band in 1988-89 and the number with investment income ; and if he will provided a forecast for 1989-90.
Mr. Lilley : The information requested is in the tables. These estimates are subject to revision.
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Tax units receiving mortgage interest relief
by range of total income 1989-90
(Thousands)
Range of total |With no |With |Total
income |investment |investment
|income |income
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to £5,000 |210 |240 |450
£5,000-£10,000 |490 |1,160 |1,650
£10,000-£15,000 |530 |1,790 |2,320
£15,000-£20,000 |340 |1,690 |2,030
£20,000-£30,000 |190 |1,680 |1,870
£30,000 + |50 |930 |980
|------ |------ |------
Total |1,810 |7,490 |9,300
Tax units receiving mortgage interest relief
by range of total income 1989-90
(Thousands)
Range of total |With no |With |Total
income |investment |investment
|income |income
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to £5,000 |210 |240 |450
£5,000-£10,000 |490 |1,160 |1,650
£10,000-£15,000 |530 |1,790 |2,320
£15,000-£20,000 |340 |1,690 |2,030
£20,000-£30,000 |190 |1,680 |1,870
£30,000 + |50 |930 |980
|------ |------ |------
Total |1,810 |7,490 |9,300
Estimates of the numbers of tax units receiving mortgage interest relief are based on information from the 1987-88 survey of personal incomes. In the projections to 1988-89 and 1989-90, it is assumed that the proportions of mortgagors in each income range with investment income are the same as those for 1988-89 provided in previous reply to the hon. Member on 29 July 1988 at columns 732-34.
Exchange Rate Mechanism
Mr. Allen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the next revaluation of the exchange rate mechanism ; and whether he will be making representations to that revaluation meeting.
Mr. Ryder : Any future realignment of the currencies in the exchange rate mechanism will take place in accordance with the resolution of the European Council of 5 December 1978 on the establishment of the European monetary system and related matters.
Tax Evasion
Mr. Allen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each type of tax currently levied on companies and the number of prosecutions for tax evasion in each category for the latest year in which figures are available.
Mr. Lilley : The four main taxes on companies and the number of completed prosecutions for evasion involving these taxes in the year to 31 March 1989 are :
Tax |Prosecutions ------------------------------------------------ Corporation Tax |6 Petroleum Revenue Tax |0 VAT |33 Rates |<1> <1> Being a tax on property rates cannot be "evaded" in the sense that the term is normally understood. It follows there can be no prosecution in respect of rates although there are many civil actions for non-payment.
Retail Prices Index
Mr. Hunter : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the change in retail prices over the period June 1979 to October 1989, or the most recent month for which figures are available, measured against the retail prices index, of gas, electricity, bread, beer, four star/premium (97-99 RON) petrol net of duty and taxes and of four star/premium (97-99 RON) petrol including duty and taxes.
Mr. Ryder : The following table shows the percentage increase in the retail prices index (RPI) between June 1979 and November 1989, together with the equivalent increases for gas, electricity, bread, beer and petrol and oil (inclusive of duty and taxes).
|Percentage increase
|in the RPI between
|June 1979
|and November 1989
------------------------------------------------------------
All items |112.9
Gas |144.2
Electricity |122.3
Bread |86.7
Beer |176.7
Petrol and oil |88.8
The RPI does not measure net prices ; nor is a comparison for four-star petrol available separately from the RPI. However, using other sources, it is estimated that the price of four-star petrol increased by some 25 per cent. over approximately the same period net of duty and taxes, and by some 95 per cent. including duty and taxes.
Value Added Tax
Mr. Allen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenues he receives from the value added tax levied upon the sale of insulation, double glazing and heating control equipment ; and whether he will make an estimate regarding the proportion of that tax which is reclaimed by value added tax registered traders.
Mr. Ryder : Details of the VAT charged on the supply of insulation, double glazing and heating control equipment are not available separately from other VAT revenue. Neither is it possible to determine the amount of such tax which is recovered by registered traders as part of their normal input tax deductions. When these products are incorporated in new domestic dwellings there is no burden of tax because the supply of new housing is zero rated to the consumer.
Mr. Galbraith : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the conditions under which value added tax may be recovered from privatised contracts for ancillary services within the National Health Service ; and when these conditions were first made known.
Mr. Ryder : The conditions under which VAT may be recovered in respect of these contracted out services are set out in the Treasury directions made under the provisions of section 11 of the Finance Act 1984. The first such
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direction was made in 1984 and the latest direction was published in the Edinburgh Gazette in the issue dated 7 April 1989. A copy is in the House Library.Tobacco
Mr. Ted Garrett : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would have been the effect on the retail prices index had tobacco excise duty, inclusive of value added tax, been index linked for 1989-90.
Mr. Ryder : It is estimated that the impact effect on the retail prices index of an indexation of tobacco excise duty in 1989-90 would have been to increase the index by 0.15 per cent.
Cash Limits
Mr. Livingstone : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it Government policy to increase the appropriate cash limits in the Autumn Statement in line with inflation.
Mr. Lamont : No. Public expenditure is planned and managed in cash.
Exchange Rates
Mr. Livingstone : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the exchange rate of the pound on the date of the publication of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement in terms of (a) the dollar, (b) the deutschmark, (c) the Japanese yen and (d) the sterling index ; what are the latest available exchange rates for these categories ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Ryder : At the close of business on 15 November and 19 December, the exchange rates against sterling for the specified currencies were as follows :
|$/£ |DM/£ |Yen/£ |£ERI
-----------------------------------------------
15 November |1.5825|2.9113|227.2 |88.7
19 December |1.6030|2.7764|230.4 |86.6
Green Pound
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the National Farmers Union concerning a realignment of the green pound and other proposals ; and what response he has made.
Mr. Norman Lamont : My right hon. Friend receives a large number of representations on a wide variety of subjects.
Inland Revenue
Mr. Allen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure the successful relocation of the Inland Revenue in Nottingham.
Mr. Lilley : The Inland Revenue remains committed to its plans to relocate some 2,000 headquarters posts to Nottingham. However, it has always made it clear that its decision is conditional on obtaining a suitable site reasonably quickly on satisactory terms. I very much hope that, with the continuing support of the city and county councils, the department will be able to obtain a site in the near future.
Column 370
Mr. Allen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last discussed the relocation of the Inland Revenue.
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