| Home Page |
Column 749
Written Answers to Questions
Friday 12 January 1990
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
Ko Hsuan School
Mr. Wilshire : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when his inspectors last visited Ko Hsuan school in North Devon ; what inquiries they made ; if he will publish their report ; and if he will now make a statement on the information he has concerning the recent suicide of a pupil at the school.
Mr. Alan Howarth : My Department has asked for a full explanation from the school of the circumstances leading up to the tragic death of Nicholas Shultz.
Her Majesty's inspectors last visited the school in September 1988 to advise the Department about its final registration. The visit involved not only observation of work in progress but discussions with senior management about the curriculum. The boarding accommodation was briefly visited ; there was no evidence of boys and girls sharing the same dormitory or bedroom. This was one of the many visits to independent schools carried out by Her Majesty's inspectorate as part of its routine information-gathering. As such, it will not lead to a published report.
Column 750
Teacher Shortages
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information is kept on the number of children sent home due to lack of teaching staff in each local education authority.
Mr. Alan Howarth : Local education authorities are responsible for the deployment of teachers, and comprehensive information about the number of pupils sent home is not held centrally by the Department.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Teachers' Pay
Mr. Beggs : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average annual salary earned by graduates in (a) teaching, (b) the Civil Service, (c) industry and (d) commerce in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Cope : This information is not available.
Recruitment Advertising
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give for each health and social services board in Northern Ireland amounts spent on recruitment advertising for the last three years, together with a breakdown of the spending between (a) national press, (b) regional press, (c) specialist or periodical press and (d) other, stating which ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Needham : The information requested is as follows :
Column 749
Figures in £'s
|Nat Press |Reg Press |Specialist |<1>Other |Total
| Press
1986-87
Northern Board |4,722 |73,268 |8,959 |- |86,949
Southern Board |- |62,542 |5,673 |- |68,215
Eastern Board |6,232 |75,628 |12,275 |9,725 |103,860
Western Board |4,617 |70,999 |4,980 |- |80,596
Central Services Agency<2> |- |13,775 |4,048 |- |17,823
1987-88
Northern Board |8,142 |69,485 |8,290 |- |85,917
Southern Board |- |80,678 |8,342 |- |89,020
Eastern Board |10,970 |51,067 |12,068 |15,125 |89,230
Western Board |3,864 |96,637 |6,301 |- |106,802
Central Services Agency<2> |- |13,909 |5,050 |- |18,959
1988-89
Northern Board |8,318 |69,248 |4,523 |- |82,089
Southern Board |- |78,996 |8,058 |- |87,054
Eastern Board |9,879 |63,860 |13,263 |16,820 |103,822
Western Board |3,178 |75,958 |3,446 |- |82,582
Central Services Agency<2> |- |13,401 |5,897 |- |19,298
Notes:
<1> The Eastern Board produces a fortnightly Job Bulletin which is placed at locations to which the public has access eg Job Markets.
<2> Cost of advertisements by the Central Services Agency on behalf of Boards.
Drought Orders
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by (a) water company and (b) location, where drought orders still remain in force.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : There are no drought orders currently in force in Northern Ireland.
Column 750
Police Officers (Housing Allowance)
Mr. Shersby : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to implement the recommendation of the police negotiating board that officers in provided accommodation should receive a housing allowance and pay rent for their accommodation ; and if he will make a statement.
Column 751
Mr. Cope : No. The police authority will need to provide accommodation free of rent for the foreseeable future to meet operational requirements and as an incentive to recruitment. It has therefore been decided to maintain the status quo with officers in provided accommodation receiving no housing allowance but living rent-free. Draft regulations which amend the rent allowance provisions of the Royal Ulster Constabulary regulations 1984 have been sent to the police negotiating board for comment.Beef
Mr. John D. Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has made any representations to the Commission of the European Communities about the beef industry in Northern Ireland ; whether he is prepared to give additional assistance to the beef industry ; what representations he has received about the beef industry ; and if he will make a statement about the present state of the beef industry.
Mr. Peter Bottomley [holding answer 11 January 1990] : The Government are aware of the concerns being expressed about the current state of the beef industry in Northern Ireland. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had preliminary discussions with the Ulster Farmers Union on the matter and I intend to have a further meeting with the union shortly.
In the light of discussions with the union we will consider what action, including representations to the Commission of the European Communities through my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, might be taken to alleviate the concerns expressed.
Terrorism (Compensation)
Mr. Gow : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report the criteria by which compensation is awarded to the victims of terrorism and to the families of the victims of terrorism in Northern Ireland and the amount of and the circumstances in which payments have been made in each of the past 10 years ; and whether he is satisfied with the way in which the present system operates.
Mr. Cope [holding answer 11 January 1990] : In Northern Ireland, as in Great Britain, the victim of a criminal injury is entitled to be compensated for pain, suffering and loss of amenities, and for any expenses or pecuniary loss resulting from his injuries. If the victim dies as a result of a criminal injury, compensation is payable to his relatives in respect of expenses incurred or pecuniary loss suffered as a result of the death. Additionally, in the case of incidents occuring on or after 1 July 1988, a bereavement award of £3,500 is payable to the spouse of the deceased victim or to the parents if the victim was unmarried and under 18 years of age. The rationale of the scheme is to ensure that victims and their families do not suffer financial hardship. The legislation makes no distinction between terrorist and other criminal acts except that in terrorist cases there is no upper limit to the amount of compensation for pecuniary loss which can be paid to victims or their dependants.
Where a victim survives his injuries the amount of pecuniary loss arising from his partial or total incapacity for work is based on his earnings and future career prospects and account is also taken of any occupational
Column 752
pension or gratuity and social security benefits payable as a result of the injury. The same considerations apply in assessing the amount of pecuniary loss suffered by the dependants of a deceased victim. In the case of pecuniary loss suffered by other relatives, including the deceased victim's parents, account has to be taken of the amount of the victim's financial contributions and the length of time such contributions could reasonably have been expected to have continued.In all cases compensation is paid as a tax-free lump sum. Any applicant who is dissatisfied with the amount determined has a statutory right of appeal to the courts.
The compensation provisions broadly follow common law practice and are similar to the compensation provisions in the rest of the United Kingdom. The scheme operates in a fair and reasonable way. The table shows the total amount of compensation paid in each of the past 10 years to the victims of terrorism, their dependants and other relatives.
Year |Compensation
|Paid
|£ million
---------------------------------------
1979-80 |1.2
1980-81 |5.1
1981-82 |3.5
1982-83 |3.9
1983-84 |4.6
1984-85 |5.5
1985-86 |7.9
1986-87 |4.2
1987-88 |4.3
1988-89 |5.6
|-----
Total |45.8
Traffic Flows
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the last census of traffic was carried out on each road which enters Limavady town ; what were the traffic figures for each road on that occasion ; and what is his estimate of the present figures, numbers to be given for daily, and maximum and minimum hourly traffic volumes.
Mr. Peter Bottomley [holding answer 9 January 1990] : Traffic figures on each road entering Limavady are obtained continually from automatic census points and annual figures are derived from these. The information for 1989 is as follows :
|Average |Maximum |Minimum
|daily traffic|hourly |hourly
|flow |traffic flow |traffic flow
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roe Bridge, A2 |13,142 |1,335 |13
Ballyquin Road, B68 |4,273 |396 |0
Rathmore Road, A37 |6,927 |742 |3
Dowland Road, A2 |3,861 |346 |0
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the present flow of traffic on a daily and maximum and minimum hourly flow basis across the Bann bridge, Coleraine and the Mountsandel bridge, Coleraine ; what were the figures when the last traffic census was taken ; and what were the figures for the Bann bridge before the Mountsandel bridge was opened.
Column 753
Mr. Peter Bottomley [holding answer 9 January 1990] : The present daily and maximum and minimum hourly traffic flows across the Bann bridge are estimated to be 26,452, 2,600 and 10 respectively. These are based on the last census in 1988 but there have been no significant traffic flow changes since then. Automatic census points on the Sandelford bridge gave actual figures for 1989 of 14,745, 1, 463 and eight respectively. The last complete census in 1987 gave figures of 13,450 and 1,350 vehicles with no minimum figure being available.The average 16-hour daily flow for the Bann bridge in 1972, before the Sandelford bridge was opened, was 22,290 vehicles. Maximum and minimum hourly flows are not available.
Column 754
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show (a) the number of vehicles which cross the Roe bridge at Limavady, and (b) the number of vehicles which cross the Roe bridge at Dungiven, each day and the number of such vehicles which are believed to be heavy commercial vehicles, and also the highest and lowest hourly traffic flows.
Mr. Peter Bottomley [holding answer 9 January 1990] : The information is as follows :
Column 753
|Number of |Number of |Highest |Lowest hourly
|vehicles per |heavy goods |hourly traffic|traffic flow
|day |vehicles per |flow
|day
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roe bridge, Limavady |13,142 |920 |1,335 |13
Roe bridge, Dungiven |7,324 |732 |728 |3
Civil Service
Mr. Mallon : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will give details of the religious composition of the successful applicants for posts offered by the Department of the Environment, at each grade level in the (a) supervisory, (b) craft and (c) the non-craft grade groups of the industrial staff and : (i) the general service and (ii) the scientific grade groups of the non-industrial staff ; and if he will give comparable figures for each year since 1983 ;
(2) if he will give details of the religious denomination of all applicants for posts offered by the Department of the
Column 754
Environment, at each grade level in (a) the supervisory, (b) the craft and (c) the non-craft grade groups of the industrial staff, and (i) the general service and (ii) the scientific grade groups of the non-industrial staff ; and if he will give comparable figures for each year since 1983.Mr. Peter Bottomley [holding answer 7 December 1989] : Equal opportunities monitoring in the Northern Ireland Civil Service began in 1985 when staff were asked to complete, on a voluntary basis, a confidential questionnaire about their schooling background. From this information the religious affiliation of staff was determined. The statistics available are as follows :
Column 753
Department of the Environment scientific group recruitment
Year Grade Applications Total Appointments
|level |Protestant|Roman |Not known |total
|Catholic
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1985 |- |- |- |- |- |-
1986 |C |33 |26 |17 |76 |2
1987 |D |31 |15 |18 |64 |3
1988 |E |108 |58 |9 |175 |2
1989 |- |- |- |- |- |-
Department of the Environment scientific group recruitment
Year Grade Applications Total Appointments
|level |Protestant|Roman |Not known |total
|Catholic
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1985 |- |- |- |- |- |-
1986 |C |33 |26 |17 |76 |2
1987 |D |31 |15 |18 |64 |3
1988 |E |108 |58 |9 |175 |2
1989 |- |- |- |- |- |-
Information about successful applicants is not provided because the numbers appointed were so small that it could serve to identify the religious affiliation of individuals.
Mr. Mallon : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the religious denomination of the members of the directorate of (a) the planning service, (b) the roads service, and (c) the water service ; and if he will give comparable details for each year for 1983 to 1988 respectively.
Mr. Peter Bottomley [holding answer 7 December 1989] : Equal opportunities monitoring in the Northern Ireland Civil Service began in 1985 when staff were asked
Column 754
to complete, on a voluntary basis, a confidential questionnaire about their schooling background. From this information the religious affiliation of staff was determined.The statistics available are as follows :
DOE Roads, Water and Town and Country
Planning Services
Directorates
Total number of staff in the three
directorates at 1 January 1989
|Number
----------------------------------------
Roads |4
Water |4
Town and Country Planning |3
|---
|11
With such small numbers further disaggregation could only serve to identify the religious affiliation of individual officers.
Mr. Mallon : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the religious composition of the staff of the Department of the Environment for each grade and level in (a) the supervisory, (b) the craft and (c) the non-craft grade group of the industrial staff ; and if he will give comparable figures for each year since 1983.
Column 756
Mr. Peter Bottomley [holding answer 7 December 1989] : Equal opportunities monitoring in the Northern Ireland Civil Service began in 1985 when staff were asked to complete, on a voluntary basis, a confidential questionnaire about their schooling background. From this information the religious affiliation of staff was determined. The statistics available are as follows :
Column 755
DOE industrial staff-by grade level
Protestant Roman Catholic Not known Total
Grade level |Number |Per cent. |Number |Per cent. |Number |Per cent. |Number |Per cent.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. At 2 April 1987 (first available date)
Supervisory |144 |43.4 |115 |34.6 |73 |22.0 |332 |100
Craft |248 |50.1 |114 |23.0 |133 |26.9 |495 |100
Non-Craft |1,342 |43.9 |1,007 |32.9 |709 |23.2 |3,058 |100
2. At 1 Janaury 1988
Supervisory |144 |43.4 |115 |34.6 |73 |22.0 |332 |100
Craft |256 |50.2 |114 |22.4 |140 |27.5 |510 |100
Non-Craft |1,363 |43.6 |1,026 |32.8 |739 |23.6 |3,128 |100
3. 1 January 1989
Supervisory |143 |44.8 |108 |33.9 |64 |21.3 |319 |100
Craft |243 |50.5 |105 |21.8 |133 |27.7 |481 |100
Non-Craft |1,260 |42.6 |963 |32.6 |733 |24.8 |2,956 |100
Mr. Mallon : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the religious composition of the staff of the Department of the Environment, for each grade level in (a) the general service and (b) the scientific grade groups of the non-industrial staff ; and if he will give comparable figures for each year since 1983.
Column 756
Mr. Peter Bottomley [holding answer 7 December 1989] : Equal opportunities monitoring in the Northern Ireland Civil Service began in 1985 when staff were asked to complete, on a voluntary basis, a confidential questionnaire about their schooling background. From this information the religious affiliation of staff was determined. The statistics available are as follows :
Column 757
2. Scientific Group by Grade Level
Grade LevelProtestant Roman Catholic Not Known Total
|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals |41 |65.1 |14 |22.2 |8 |12.7 |63 |100
2. Scientific Group by Grade Level
Grade LevelProtestant Roman Catholic Not Known Total
|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals |41 |65.1 |14 |22.2 |8 |12.7 |63 |100
2. Scientific Group by Grade Level
Grade LevelProtestant Roman Catholic Not Known Total
|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals |41 |65.1 |14 |22.2 |8 |12.7 |63 |100
2. Scientific Group by Grade Level
Grade LevelProtestant Roman Catholic Not Known Total
|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals |41 |65.1 |14 |22.2 |8 |12.7 |63 |100
2. Scientific Group by Grade Level
Grade LevelProtestant Roman Catholic Not Known Total
|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals |41 |65.1 |14 |22.2 |8 |12.7 |63 |100
2. Scientific Group by Grade Level
Grade LevelProtestant Roman Catholic Not Known Total
|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals |41 |65.1 |14 |22.2 |8 |12.7 |63 |100
2. Scientific Group by Grade Level
Grade LevelProtestant Roman Catholic Not Known Total
|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals |41 |65.1 |14 |22.2 |8 |12.7 |63 |100
2. Scientific Group by Grade Level
Grade LevelProtestant Roman Catholic Not Known Total
|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.|Number |Per cent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals |41 |65.1 |14 |22.2 |8 |12.7 |63 |100
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT
Panama
Dr. Thomas : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make available emergency economic and medical aid to Panama to assist the reconstruction of the country following the invasion by United States forces.
Mrs Chalker : I have no such plans.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Barlow Clowes
Mr. Warren : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why compensation paid by Her Majesty's Government to Barlow Clowes investors includes compound interest from the date of deposit to the end of December 1989 ; and why this interest is deemed to be free of liability for tax.
Mr. Redwood : The terms of the Government's scheme of payments to investors in Barlow Clowes are in accordance with the recommendation of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. The Department's statement regarding the tax liability of these payments reflects the advice of the Inland Revenue and is a matter for it.
Vietnam
Mr. Mullin : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when export credits guarantee cover was restored to Vietnam.
Mr. Ridley [ holding answer 11 January 1990 ] : Export Credits Guarantee Department cover for business with Vietnam on medium and long-term credit was withdrawn in March 1982. Since December that year cover for short-term business has remained available subject to
Column 760
payment being made on terms of cash against documents out of an irrevocable letter of credit confirmed before shipment by a bank in the United Kingdom.While ECGD continues to monitor developments no early relaxation of these terms is envisaged.
Balance of Trade
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the balance of trade with (a) the rest of the European Communiity, (b) the USA and (c) Japan ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Norman Lamont : I have been asked to reply.
Information from which crude trade balances may be derived can be found in the Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, available from the Library of the House, or on the central statistical office databank which may be accessed through the Library.
Crude balances slightly overstate deficits (or understate surpluses) since the value of imports, but not that of exports, includes insurance and freight.
Manufacturing Output
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish a table showing the increase in the volume of manufacturing output less food etc. and of exports of manufactures based on current values.
Mr. Norman Lamont : I have been asked to reply.
Index numbers of the volume of output of manufacturing industries and of food, drink and tobacco--at 1985 prices--are published in the index of output of the production industries press notice, tables 1 and 2 respectively, together with their relative weights. Manufacturing output less food, drink and tobacco can be derived for these two series. Exports of total manufactures--in current value terms--are published in the United Kingdom balance of payments current account press notice, table 8. Both press notices give percentage changes for the latest three months on the previous three months
Column 761
and on the same three months a year earlier. The press notices are available from the House of Commons Library.Column 762
PRIME MINISTER
Lords Lieutenant for England and Wales
Mr. William Powell : To ask the Prime Minister if she will list the lords lieutenant for England and Wales, the dates of their appointment and projected date of retirement.
The Prime Minister : A list of lords lieutenant for England and Wales follows, together with the dates of their appointment and expected retirement.
Column 761
County |Lord-Lieutenant |Date of appointment |Date of retirement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
England
Avon |Sir John Wills, TD, FRICS, JP |April 1974 |July 2003
Bedfordshire |Lt. Col. Hanmer Hanbury, LVO, MC. JP |March 1978 |January 1991
Berkshire |John Henderson Esq, CVO, OBE |June 1989 |May 1995
Buckinghamshire |Commander The Hon. John Fremantle, |September 1984 |January 2002
| RN (Retd.), JP
Cambridgeshire |Michael Bevan Esq. |August 1985 |August 2001
Cheshire |The Viscount Leverhulme, TD |August 1949 |July 1990
Cleveland |The Lord Gisborough, TD |March 1981 |July 2002
Cornwall |The Viscount Falmouth |October 1977 |October 1994
Cumbria |Sir Charles Graham, Bt. |February 1983 |July 1994
Derbyshire |Col. Peter Hilton, MC, JP |January 1978 |June 1994
Devon |The Early of Morley, JP |May 1982 |May 1998
Dorset |The Lord Digby JP |September 1984 |July 1999
Durham |David Grant Esq, CBE |April 1988 |January 1997
East Sussex |Admiral Sir Lindsay Bryson, KCB |November 1989 |January 2000
Essex |Admiral Sir Andrew Lewis, KCB, JP |August 1978 |January 1993
Gloucestershire |Col. Martin Gibbs, CB, DSO, TD, JP |June 1978 |February 1992
Greater London |Field Marshal The Lord Bramall, GCB, |January 1986 |December 1998
| OBE, MC, JP
Greater Manchester |Col. J. B. Timmins, OBE, TD, JP |December 1987 |June 2007
Hampshire |Sir James Scott, JP |December 1982 |October 1999
Hereford and Worcester |Captain Thomas Dunne, JP |July 1977 |October 2008
Hertfordshire |Simon Bowes Lyon Esq, FCA |January 1986 |June 2007
Humberside |Richard Bethell Esq. |October 1983 |March 1997
Isle of Wight |The Lord Mottistone, CBE |August 1985 |December 1995
Kent |The Rt. Hon. Robin Leigh-Pemberton |August 1982 |January 2002
Lancashire |Dr. Simon Towneley |March 1976 |December 1996
Leicestershire |Timothy Brooks Esq, JP |January 1989 |March 2004
Lincolnshire |Henry Nevile Esq. |November 1975 |March 1995
Merseyside |Henry Cotton Esq. |May 1989 |July 2004
Norfolk |Timothy Colman Esq. |March 1978 |September 2004
Northamptonshire |John Lowther Esq, CBE, JP |January 1984 |November 1998
Northumberland |The Viscount Ridley, TD |January 1984 |July 2000
North Yorkshire |Sir Marcus Worsley, JP |March 1987 |April 2000
Nottinghamshire |Sir Gordon Hobday |January 1983 |February 1991
Oxfordshire |Sir Ashley Ponsonby, MC |January 1980 |February 1996
Shropshire |John Dugdale Esq. |February 1975 |May 1998
Somerset |Lt. Col. Geoffrey Luttrell, MC, JP |March 1978 |October 1994
South Yorkshire |Hugh Neill Esq, CBE, TD, JP |May 1985 |March 1996
Staffordshire |Sir Arthur Bryan |July 1968 |March 1998
Suffolk |Sir Joshua Rowley, JP |March 1978 |December 195
Surrey |Richard Thornton Esq, OBE, JP |May 1986 |October 1997
Tyne and Wear |Sir Ralph Carr-Ellison |July 1984 |December 2000
Warwickshire |Vacant
West Midlands |The Earl of Aylesford, JP |April 1974 |November 1993
West Sussex |Her Grace, Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk,|May 1975 |March 1990
| CBE
West Yorkshire |The Lord Ingrow, OBE, TD, JP |May 1985 |August 1992
Wiltshire |Field Marshal Sir Roland Gibbs, GCB, |December 1989 |June 1996
| CBE, DSO, MC
Wales
Clwyd |Sir William Gladstone, Bt, JP |August 1985 |October 2000
Dyfed |Mr. David Mansel Lewis, JP |February 1979 |October 2002
Mid Glamorgan |Vacant
South Glamorgan |Mrs. Susan Williams, MBE |December 1985 |August 1990
West Glamorgan |Lt. Col. Sir Michael Llewellyn, Bt. |December 1987 |June 1996
Gwynedd |Vacant
Gwent |Mr. Richard Hanbury-Tenison, JP |June 1979 |January 2000
Powys |Mr. Mervyn Bourdillon, JP |July 1986 |August 1999
Column 763
EC Internal Matters (Director General)
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister what steps are being taken to fill the post of Director General for internal matters in the EEC.
The Prime Minister : Appointments in the Commission are made by the Commission. The Government naturally make every effort to ensure that there is an equitable proportion of British personnel on the staff of the EC institutions, in particular in important posts.
Mr. John Mogg
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister when she expects Mr. John Mogg to leave the service of the Cabinet Office.
The Prime Minister : Mr. Mogg joined the Cabinet Office in July 1989. On present plans, his posting would last for two to three years.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Hillsborough Disaster
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what compensation has been offered to Mr. Trevor Hicks in respect of each of his daughters killed in the Hillsborough stadium disaster ; what is the total compensation to be awarded to bereaved families ; and on what basis their claims will be met ;
(2) what compensation will be payable to parents who lost a child aged under 18 years, or a spouse aged over 18 years, in the Hillsborough disaster.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : My right hon. and learned Friend has no power to intervene in these matters. I understand, however, that the South Yorkshire police authority, through its insurers, has been in touch with Mr. Hicks's solicitors asking for further information about his claim.
Official Secrets
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the effect of the draft Official Secrets Act 1989 (Prescription) Order 1989 will enable prosecution of the officials listed in schedule 2 to the order under the Official Secrets Act 1989 for disclosing certain categories of information to hon. Members ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Waddington : The draft order establishes that the office holders listed in schedule 2 and some associated staff (all of whom at present fall within the scope of section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911) are to be treated as Crown servants for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989. They will be liable to prosecution for unauthorised disclosures in the limited circumstances laid down in the Act.
Drugs
Mr. Knowles : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on opportunities for new manufacturers of opium derivatives to enter the United Kingdom market in the light of the recommendations in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report published in April 1989.
Column 764
Mr. Waddington : While I shall continue to apply strict security measures to the manufacture and distribution of controlled drugs, I shall ensure that they do not create unnecessary restrictions on competition. I therefore welcome firm proposals from new manufacturers to establish opium derivative production.
TRANSPORT
Leeds City Station
Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to approve the additional funds required for British Rail's completion of the upgrading of the west end of Leeds City station with an additional platform and improved track and signalling.
Mr. Portillo : I understand that British Rail has started design work on a major scheme at Leeds, to be undertaken in the early 1990s.
No question of approval by this Department arises at present.
Nuclear Fuel
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by year for the last 10 years the number of loaded waste nuclear fuel train movements through Doncaster that were completed (a) with no accidents involved and (b) with an accident involved.
Mr. Portillo : The Department does not collect this information, but I understand that loaded nuclear fuel flasks do not normally travel through Doncaster and there has not been an accident involving this type of traffic in the Doncaster area.
Blind People
Dr. Thomas : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to require all contractors or councils that dig up pavements or road surfaces to place firm barriers around the holes to ensure blind people are not endangered.
Mr. Atkins : A revised version of chapter 8 of the traffic signs manual to be published later this year will include such measures. The manual is a code of practice, compliance with which is taken to satisfy general legal requirements for the proper guarding of works. The proposed legislation to reform the Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950 will be used to enforce such requirements for utility works. This legislation will be introduced as soon as there is a suitable opportunity.
NATIONAL FINANCE
Departmental Staff
Mr. Nicholas Winterton : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he intends to take concerning the involvement of Mr. Peter Wetherby, an employee of his Department, under the pseudonym of Dominic Delaney in the organisation of the Troops Out movement or the Martyrs Committee.
Mr. Lilley [holding answer 7 December 1989] : The activities of Mr. Peter Wetherby in relation to the Troops
Column 765
Out movement and the Manchester Martyrs are being investigated by his employers, the Inland Revenue. Any subsequent action will depend on the outcome of those investigations.Mr. Nicholas Winterton : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current position and place of work of Mr. Peter Wetherby.
Mr. Lilley [holding answer 7 December 1989] : Mr. Peter Wetherby is a revenue executive employed by the Inland Revenue in its Greater Manchester region.
Mr. Nicholas Winterton : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has issued any guidance to his employees on involvement with the Troops Out movement.
| Next Section
| Home Page |