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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 30 January 1990
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Cash Limits
Mr. Irvine : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether there are any changes to his Department's cash limits or running cost limits for 1989-90.
Mr. Ridley : Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates :
There will be a token increase of £1,000 on class V, vote 1 (regional and selective assistance, support for aerospace, shipbuilding, steel and vehicle manufacture) to introduce a new subhead to meet expenditure on a special payment of £31,790,000 to the International Tin Council. Extra provision of £23,123,000 is also being made for assistance to the shipbuilding industry. The special payment to the International Tin Council and the additional provision for assistance to the shipbuilding industry are offset by a higher than expected receipts and reduced demand for expenditure on regional development grants, regional selective assistance, selective assistance to industry, and support for the aerospace and steel industries.
The cash limit for class V, vote 3 (administration, regulation of domestic trade and industry and consumer protection) will be increased by £155,642,000 from £248,181,000 to £403,823,000. The increase covers provision of £156,000,000 for ex gratia payments to investors in Barlow Clowes Gilt Managers Ltd. and Barlow Clowes International Ltd., and associated expenses : the decision to make these payments was announced in the House on 19 December 1989. Substantial recoveries are expected in future years and these will be credited to the Consolidated Fund. The increase is partially offset by transfers of £322,000 to the Central Statistical Office (class XIX, vote 18) in respect of staff and services recently transferred to the CSO ; £24,000 to the Cabinet Office (class XX, vote 2) in respect of the transfer to that Department of the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster ; and £12,000 to the Department of the Environment (class X, vote 5) in respect of the transfer to that Department of responsibility for the Government's city action teams. Included in these transfers are provisions for running costs which result in the running cost limit for the Department being reduced by £221,000 from £305,098,000 to £304,877,000.
In addition to these changes, the cash limit for class V, vote 2 (support for industry) will be reduced by £72,500,000 from £570,837, 000 to £498,337,000. This reflects reductions in requirements of £18.7 million for innovation, of £19.8 million for regional enterprise grants, and of £4 million for assistance for exceptional projects, in each case as a result of lower than expected demand, together with a reduction of £17 million for the consultancy initiatives as a result of lower costs per case and a slower than expected rate of completion of projects
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than originally anticipated, a reduction of £6 million for education and training as a result of lower than expected levels of activity, and a reduction of £7 million in grant in aid provision for the English Industrial Estates Corporation in the light of greater than expected receipts.The net effect of these changes will be charged to the reserve.
Accountancy Firms
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any proposals for requiring accountancy firms to split audit practices for tax advice and consultancy work.
Bicycles
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the bicycle manufacturing industry concerning recent EEC directives ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Forth : Representation has been made by the cycle industry about European standard EN 71 (in the United Kingdom BS 5665) and the implications for certain children's cycles of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1989 which implement the toy safety directive. There is concern that the tests specified in the standard may not meet the essential safety requirements of the regulations in respect of a range of children's cycles. We are considering this as a matter of urgency. If any harmonised standard does not meet the essential safety requirements the Government can refer the matter to the standing committee set up under directive 83/189 for reconsideration. However, the industry has been advised that when a harmonised standard is not appropriate to a particular product, it is open to the manufacturers to submit a model of the product to an approved body for an EC type examination. The test body is concerned to establish that the model submitted for approval meets the essential safety requirements and in so doing may, if the harmonised standard is inappropriate, have regard to other appropriate tests.
Unsolicited Mail
Mr. Hayes : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what safeguards he will introduce to protect the general public against potential abuses deriving from the use of unsolicited mail shots of health care professions not subject to any forms of statutory registration.
Mr. Forth : I have no plans to introduce any new legislation in this area. As well as the general consumer protection law, there is the British code of advertising practice which applies to direct mail advertisements in the same way that it applies to advertisements published in newspapers and magazines. The Advertising Standards Authority will investigate any complaints about breaches of the code and will take any action it considers appropriate.
Non-smokers
Mr. Amos : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provisions are being made in all the offices and other places under his Department's control for the
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convenience and comfort of non-smokers ; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy for non-smokers.Mr. Forth [holding answer 29 January] : At present, smoking is prohibited in most common areas including reception areas, waiting rooms, restaurants, libraries and conference rooms. Smoking is banned in any office where a majority of staff vote for such a ban.
Beds (Flammability)
Mrs. Peacock : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to publish BS 7177.
Mr. Forth [holding answer 29 January] : The Department of Trade and Industry does not publish British standards.
The British Standards Institution published BS 7177 : 1989 "Resistance to ignition of mattresses, divans and bed-bases" on 29 September 1989.
Mrs. Peacock : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to enable manufacturers to continue production of goods which are to be subject to BS 7177, and will be for retail sale after the date for compliance with BS 7177.
Mr. Forth [holding answer 29 January] : Agreement has now been reached on the British standard specification BS 7177, which I intend to approve for the purposes of the general safety requirement of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 in respect of the cigarette and match resistance of domestic mattresses with effect from 1 September 1990.
Eastbourne Water Company
Mr. Gow : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet completed his inquiries into the Eastbourne Water Company ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Redwood [holding answer 26 January] : We are considering the matter, and I will write to the hon. Gentleman shortly.
Barlow Clowes
Mr. David Atkinson : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on which date Barlow Clowes investors will begin to receive the detailed offer referred to in his statement of 19 December 1989.
Mr. Redwood : Messrs. Cork Gully and Ernst and Young, who are making the payments as the Department's agents, have informed me that all investors have now been sent a letter setting out their entitlement under the scheme of payments. Anyone who believes that he is entitled to claim but who has not yet received a letter should write to the Department's agents at Queensway house, London road, South Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1NJ. Investors have been asked to return their forms by 19 February, although claims made after that date may be accepted if good reason is shown for the delay. In the interests of prompt payment of claims investors should make sure that the deeds of assignment they have been asked to sign are properly completed and dated : some 30 per cent. of those returned so far have not been dated, and this will inevitably delay payment in these cases.
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The payment to investors includes a sum representing interest up to 31 December 1989, as referred to in paragraph 8.19 of the Parliamentary Commissioner's report and in the letters sent to investors. I regret that due to a clerical error annex B to the Government's observations on the Parliamentary Commissioner's report contained the words "the date of payment" instead of "31 December 1989".WALES
Free Milk
Mr. Rogers : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children are receiving free milk (a) under the age of five years, (b) at ages five to seven years and (c) at ages seven to 11 years.
Mr. Wyn Roberts : At September 1988 there were 10,444 children in maintained schools (including special) in Wales in receipt of free milk. Information is not available by age or for children who do not attend school.
Schools (Staff Budgets)
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his most up-to-date estimate of the numbers and percentages of maintained primary and secondary schools in Wales whose school staff salary costs per teacher in post in 1993 will be (a) 15 per cent., (b) 10 per cent. and (c) 5 per cent. or more above average, (d) at or near the average and (e) 5 per cent., (f) 10 per cent. and (g) 15 per cent. below the average.
Mr. Wyn Roberts : No estimates have been made.
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he proposes to undertake before setting the formula for calculating school staff budgets under local financial management for maintained schools.
Mr. Wyn Roberts : None. As I told the hon. Gentleman on 25 January at column 851, it is the responsibility of each LEA to determine the formula for allocating budgets to the schools covered by its LMS scheme.
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his most up-to-date estimate of the numbers and percentages of maintained primary and secondary schools in Wales whose school staff salary costs, relative to average school staff salary costs per teacher in post are (i) 15 per cent., (ii) 10 per cent., (iii) 5 per cent. or more above average, (iv) at or near the average and (v) 5 per cent., (vi) 10 per cent., and (vii) 15 per cent. below average.
Mr. Wyn Roberts : The information is not readily available.
Education Spending
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each county the standard spending assessments in the categories and sub -categories for (a) education as a whole, (b) under-fives, (c) primary schools, (d) secondary schools, (e) 16 to 19-year-olds, (f) further and higher and (g) adult and community.
Mr. Wyn Roberts : The Welsh revenue support grant formulae do not form a basis for calculating notional allocations of standard spending assessment for individual expenditure categories.
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Hospital Spending
Mr. Dunn : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report , hospital expenditure per head for each of the regional health authorities in Wales for each of the last five years.
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Mr. Grist : There are no regional health authorities, in Wales. Welsh district health authorities' revenue, capital and total expenditures per head for the last five years are shown in the following tables :
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Revenue expenditure
£ per capita
1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89
|Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total
|services |expenditure|services |expenditure|services |expenditure|services |expenditure|services |expenditure
|expenditure |expenditure |expenditure |expenditure |expenditure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clwyd |149.70 |180.77 |156.95 |191.74 |168.53 |207.25 |178.77 |228.13 |196.76 |253.77
East Dyfed |165.65 |203.60 |170.96 |211.42 |184.33 |230.48 |187.49 |247.91 |207.31 |271.74
Gwent |165.65 |203.05 |173.81 |212.56 |183.94 |226.62 |198.15 |246.27 |217.35 |273.02
Gwynedd |146.56 |189.96 |158.94 |203.40 |170.07 |219.05 |183.20 |238.93 |199.16 |262.45
Mid Glamorgan |162.61 |194.84 |173.37 |206.92 |186.29 |223.41 |202.57 |247.22 |220.38 |268.44
Pembrokeshire |107.88 |139.49 |114.26 |148.46 |120.59 |158.82 |130.39 |179.60 |151.58 |208.97
Powys |138.50 |186.49 |139.92 |191.10 |150.12 |205.98 |158.76 |231.83 |174.06 |251.29
South Glamorgan |255.80 |302.52 |273.05 |322.70 |287.53 |340.77 |312.44 |374.86 |341.22 |413.92
West Glamorgan |154.97 |188.34 |173.07 |208.79 |188.79 |228.65 |205.08 |253.81 |225.02 |281.74
|------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |-------
Wales |169.21 |207.82 |108.06 |220.99 |192.40 |237.75 |206.86 |261.62 |226.77 |289.47
Note:
The population figures used are based on mid-year estimates of resident population of district health authorities. However, it should be noted that
district health authorities are currently funded to serve catchment populations rather than resident population.
Sources: Health Authorities Annual Accounts, Welsh Office, OPCS.
Capital expenditure
£ per capita
1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89
|Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total
|services |expenditure|services |expenditure|services |expenditure|services |expenditure|services |expenditure
|expenditure |expenditure |expenditure |expenditure |expenditure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clwyd |10.67 |11.29 |15.80 |18.48 |12.03 |14.93 |11.59 |15.05 |13.80 |16.24
East Dyfed |8.93 |9.74 |6.81 |8.02 |8.72 |11.21 |6.60 |8.54 |9.90 |11.27
Gwent |7.24 |9.33 |7.91 |9.15 |14.58 |15.78 |14.67 |15.59 |14.58 |16.16
Gwynedd |10.85 |12.08 |2.99 |4.01 |3.80 |5.32 |9.39 |14.63 |5.54 |8.65
Mid Glamorgan |5.07 |5.64 |14.36 |14.90 |8.27 |9.72 |9.73 |10.73 |8.60 |11.70
Pembrokeshire |10.85 |11.60 |14.91 |15.86 |20.43 |21.59 |21.81 |23.95 |22.85 |24.00
Powys |6.60 |8.58 |4.81 |11.28 |5.76 |10.55 |6.43 |8.57 |6.50 |9.02
South Glamorgan |12.72 |15.83 |7.75 |9.16 |14.76 |16.28 |10.72 |11.56 |8.77 |12.79
West Glamorgan |12.82 |14.42 |21.12 |22.93 |28.25 |29.82 |28.58 |30.91 |30.31 |34.87
|------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |-------
Wales |15.72 |18.41 |16.00 |19.27 |17.28 |21.52 |16.95 |21.36 |16.40 |22.05
Note:
The population figures used are based on mid-year estimates of resident population of district health authorities. However, it should be noted that
district health authorities are currently funded to serve catchment populations rather than resident populations.
Sources: Health Authorities Annual Accounts, Welsh Office, OPCS.
Total expenditure
£ per capita
1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89
|Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total |Hospital |Total
|services |expenditure|services |expenditure|services |expenditure|services |expenditure|services |expenditure
|expenditure |expenditure |expenditure |expenditure |expenditure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clwyd |160.37 |192.06 |172.75 |210.22 |180.56 |222.18 |190.36 |243.18 |210.56 |270.01
East Dyfed |174.58 |213.34 |177.77 |219.44 |193.05 |241.69 |194.09 |256.45 |217.21 |283.01
Gwent |172.89 |212.38 |181.72 |221.71 |198.52 |242.40 |212.82 |261.86 |231.93 |289.18
Gwynedd |157.41 |202.04 |161.93 |207.41 |173.87 |224.37 |192.59 |253.56 |204.70 |271.10
Mid Glamorgan |167.68 |200.48 |187.73 |221.82 |194.56 |233.13 |212.30 |257.95 |228.98 |280.14
Pembrokeshire |118.73 |151.09 |129.17 |164.32 |141.02 |180.41 |152.20 |203.55 |174.43 |232.97
Powys |145.10 |195.07 |144.73 |202.38 |155.88 |216.53 |165.19 |240.40 |180.56 |260.31
South Glamorgan |268.52 |318.35 |280.80 |331.86 |302.29 |357.05 |323.16 |386.42 |349.99 |426.71
West Glamorgan |167.79 |202.76 |194.19 |231.72 |217.04 |258.47 |233.66 |284.72 |255.33 |316.61
|------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |-------
Wales |184.93 |226.23 |124.06 |240.26 |209.68 |259.27 |223.81 |282.98 |243.17 |311.52
Note:
The population figures used are based on mid-year estimates of resident population of district health authorities. However, it should be noted that
district health authorities are currently funded to serve catchment populations rather than resident population.
Sources: Health Authorities Annual Accounts, Welsh Office, OPCS.
Table file CW900130.003 not available
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Firing Range, Cardiff
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps have been taken to refurbish the range backstops at the national sports centre, Cardiff ; when he expects work to be completed ; and at what cost.
Mr. Grist : I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Sports Council for Wales, which operates the national sports centre.
Leisure Facilities
Mr. Michael : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the cost of staff time that will be involved in the legal, financial and administrative work necessary to put the operation of leisure facilities out to tender in respect of (a) each district council in Wales and (b) each county council in Wales ;
(2) what assessment he has made of the number of staff hours that will be involved in the legal, financial and administrative work necessary to put the operation of leisure and sports facilities out to tender in respect of (a) each district council in Wales and (b) each county council in Wales.
Mr. Grist : None. We are confident that the savings that will result will outweigh any initial costs incurred by authorities in preparing for competition.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
Dr. Thomas : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will obtain for his Departmental library a copy of the report, "New Technology, the NPT and the International Atomic Agency Authority Safeguards System" by D. Fakley and Adolf Von Baeckmann, published by the Programme for Promoting Nuclear Non-Proliferation.
Mr. Maude : The report, "New Technology, the NPT and International Atomic Agency Authority Safeguards System" by D. Fakley and Adolf Von Baeckmann, published by the Programme for Promoting Nuclear Non- Proliferation, is an occasional paper issued by the Centre for International Policy Studies at the university of Southampton. A copy will be added to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office library in due course.
Dr. Thomas : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the European Council Ministers meeting in Dublin on 20 January discussed (a) European Community initiatives to export nuclear technology to eastern European states and (b) ways of using articles III and IV of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty to assist eastern Europe with nuclear technology.
Mr. Waldegrave : No. At the informal meeting of EC Foreign Ministers hosted by the Irish presidency on 20 January, there was no discussion of these matters.
Nepal
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he will take concerning violations of human rights in the Nakkhu prison, Nepal.
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Mr. Maude : We will continue to make known to the Nepalese Government, as and when necessary, our concerns about respect for human rights.
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Nepal concerning that country's non-party assembly system and the banning of the opposition.
Kashmir
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had seeking his intervention with the Indian Government concerning recent civil disturbances in Kashmir ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maude : None. We have no sympathy with those who espouse violence to achieve political ends. We hope it will prove possible to find a peaceful solution to the current problems in Kashmir.
Visas
Mr. Fraser : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to bring about the mutual abolition of visas for travel between the United Kingdom and Hungary.
Mr. Maude : There are no plans at present to abolish visas for Hungarians travelling to the United Kingdom. However, we recognise that the situation in eastern Europe is changing rapidly. Although the final direction of these changes is far from clear, we welcome the moves towards greater democracy and freer movement of people. We shall continue to watch the situation closely and will adjust our policies in the light of developments, keeping in touch with our European Community partners.
Council of Ministers
Mr. Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent his Department at the Council of Ministers meetings ; and what will be the agenda, on (a) general affairs : 5 and 6 February, 4 to 6 March, 2 and 3 April, 7 and 8 May, 18 and 19 June, 28 and 29 April and (b) development : 29 May.
Mr. Maude : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I normally attend Foreign Affairs Council meetings. Depending on the weight of trade items on the agenda, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry may also attend. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs attends informal Foreign Ministers' meetings, and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development attends Development Council meetings. Subjects expected to be discussed by the next and subsequent Foreign Affairs Councils include relations with eastern Europe, economic and monetary union, the Uruguay round, and trade relations with Third countries.
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Kurds
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees concerning the problems of Kurdish people.
Mr. Maude : We are in regular touch with UNHCR on the problem of Kurdish refugees. We are currently studying an international appeal launched by the UNHCR on 20 December for assistance to Iraqi Kurdish refugees in Turkey.
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Government of Iraq concerning the treatment of Kurdish people.
Mr. Waldegrave : I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Gentleman on 25 October last year at column 490.
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the staff of Her Majesty's embassy in Turkey to visit the refugee camps of Kurdish asylum seekers from Iraq.
Mr. Maude : Staff from Her Majesty's embassy, Ankara, last visited the Iraqi Kurdish refugee camps in Turkey in July 1989. A request to the Turkish Government for a further visit in December was refused. We have repeatedly urged the Turkish Government to reconsider their position.
El Salvador
Mr. Barry Field : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received on the progress of the investigations into the killing of six Jesuits in El Salvador.
Mr. Sainsbury : I understand that a colonel, two lieutenants, one sub-lieutenant, two sergeants, one corporal and two soldiers of the Salvadorean armed forces have now been detained in connection with the killing of the six Jesuits, their cook and her daughter.
Export Services
Ms. Quin : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will supply figures for spending by his Department on export services, in constant prices, for each year since 1979.
Mr. Maude [holding answer 22 January 1990] : Spending on export services is not identified separately in statistics on resources devoted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to commercial work overseas. Generally, about 90 per cent. of commercial work is in support of British exports. Since 1984-85, the following amounts, excluding London overheads, have been devoted to commercial work overseas (at 1984-85 constant prices) :
|£ million
------------------------------
1984-85 |56.9
1985-86 |54.8
1986-87 |54.8
1987-88 |52.8
1988-89 |49.0
No comparable figures are available for the years before 1984-85. The decline in spending in real terms during this period paralleled a similar decline in the FCO's overall overseas spending, but higher productivity in both responsive and initiative work led to increased output from fewer staff. For example, between 1983 and 1989, posts overseas reported a 14 per cent. increase in export intelligence notifications and a 60 per cent. increase in the number of market inquiries.
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT
Rain Forests
Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will name each of the research projects on the (a) medicinal and (b) nutritional plants and trees of the rain forest funded by (i) Her Majesty's Government and (ii) the European Community.
Mrs. Chalker : The research projects in nutritional plants and trees of tropical forests funded by the Overseas Development Administration are as follows :
African acacias : study and acquisition of genetic resources. Evaluation of central American multipurpose hardwood tree species for dry zones.
Exploration and collection of calliandra calothyrsus.
Intensive study of leucaena genetic resources in central America and Mexico.
Evaluation of genetic variation in gliricidia sepium.
Acacia karoo : evaluation and acquisition of genetic resources. There are currently no Overseas Development Organisation-funded projects on medicinal research, but we are ready to consider requests from developing countries for assistance in this area.
The European Community currently has a number of research projects under consideration. Details are not yet available.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Stephen and Christopher Fellows
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Attorney-General what was the cost of the case of Stephen and Christopher Fellows heard at Stafford crown court.
The Attorney-General : This case was tried in the Crown court at the election of the defendants, who there entered guilty pleas. The cost of 20 minutes' court time was about £300. The cost to the legal aid fund of solicitor and counsel will be about £280 to £380. Prosecution costs were £270, although these costs should be offset by the effects of an order made against the defendants to pay £120 each towards the costs of the prosecution.
European Community Reports (Disclosure)
Mr. Aitken : To ask the Attorney-General how many reports he has received of the unauthorised disclosure of internal EEC reports and documents since the passing of the Official Secrets Act ; and what action he has taken in consequence.
The Attorney-General : I have received no such reports.
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Abortions
Mrs. Ann Winterton : To ask the Attorney-General what criteria are taken into account in considering prosecutions in cases where medical personnel fit intra-uterine devices with the intention of aborting pregnancies in their early hours without obtaining the certification appropriate under the Abortion Act 1967.
The Attorney-General : The criteria set out in the code for Crown prosecutors, issued under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, are applied in all prosecutions considered by the Crown prosecution service. The criteria require that there is sufficient evidence to afford a realistic prospect of a conviction and that the public interest requires a prosecution in the circumstances.
EC (Internal Market Document)
Mr. Teddy Taylor : To ask the Attorney-General what action he proposes to take under the Official Secrets Act in relation to the publication in the British press of the internal Community document relating to the impact of the internal market on regions ; and if he will make a statement.
NATIONAL FINANCE
Mortgage Interest Relief
Mr. Hawkins : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the value today of the ceiling for mortgage interest tax relief if it had been indexed in line with inflation and if it had been indexed in line with average house prices.
Mr. Lilley : The ceiling for mortgage interest relief was set at £30,000 in 1983-84. It would be £41,000 in 1989-90 if it had increased in line with the movement in retail prices, and £64,000 if it had increased in line with the movement in average house prices.
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Earned Income (Taxation of Benefits)
Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will increase in line with inflation the current level of earned income above which all benefits are taxable.
Mr. Lilley [holding answer 29 January 1990] : I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.
Mr. Archy Kirkwood : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the current level of earned income above which all benefits are taxable if the existing level had risen in line with the retail price index since the time it was fixed at £8,500.
Mr. Lilley [holding answer 29 January 1990] : The earnings threshold--also known as the PIID limit--above which employees' benefits are taxed would be £18,100 in 1989-90 if it had risen in line with the retail price index since it was fixed at £8,500 in 1979-80. All directors are liable to tax on their benefits regardless of the level of their earnings.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Recruitment Advertising
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the posts advertised for the last three years by (a) health and social services boards, (b) the Department of Health and Social Services, (c) education and library boards and (d) the Department of Education for Northern Ireland showing which publications each post was advertised in and the number of applicants who replied to each.
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