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Mine Closures
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the closure dates of Danygraid mine, Nant Medlyn mine, Darren mine (West Glamorgan), Hall of Auchinross mine (Ayrshire), Wrytree Drift mine and Robin Rock mine (Northumberland).
Mr. Nicholls : I will write to the hon. Member.
PRIME MINISTER
Privacy and Individual Choice
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Prime Minister what is the Government's policy on individual privacy and on individual choice as to who, or who may not, hold, use or disclose information that relates to that individual ; and whether she will establish a Cabinet Committee to review legislation across the whole range of Government on these issues.
The Prime Minister : The Data Protection Act 1984, introduced by this Government, has greatly extended the safeguards relating to personal information held on computer ; and privacy in the context of press activities is currently being examined by a committee under the chairmanship of Mr. David Calcutt QC. There are also sanctions against disclosure or misuse of information in particular circumstances, such as breach of confidence.
The Government subscribe to the conclusion of the Younger committee (1972) that a general right of privacy would be very difficult to define in law, given in particular the variety of situations to which it would have to apply and the inherent conflict with other principles such as freedom of expression. It keeps the issues under continual review, and believes that problems which arise are best considered in the context of particular aspects of people's lives.
General Sikorski
Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations she has had in regard to reconsideration by the Government for the repatriation to Poland of the remains of General Sikorski ; and what reply she is sending.
The Prime Minister : We periodically receive representations both for and against transfer of General Sikorski's remains to Poland. I told General Jaruzelski last June that we had reconsidered this question but felt the time was not yet right. We will continue to review our policy in the light of developments in Poland.
Rain Forests
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister what discussions she has had with the President of Mexico on rain forest problems.
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The Prime Minister : The Mexican Government are well aware of our concern for rain forest conservation. Last year the Government, at Mexican request, financed a forestry expert to advise on reforestation in the state of Quintana Roo.
Parliamentary Answer (Cost)
Mr. Nellist : To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost of providing the answer to the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell), Official Report, 18 January, columns 384-391.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 29 January 1990] : The reply was assembled from material provided by a wide range of Departments. The total cost of time of those who contributed, including secretarial staff, measured by salary, overheads and other costs, including printing, is estimated at £2,620.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Firearms
Mr. Vaz : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in the country carry firearms.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : In 1988--the latest year for which figures are available--7,194 police officers in England and Wales were qualified to carry firearms. Firearms were issued to police officers in 2,227 operations against criminals known or believed to be armed.
Gallows
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the reason for the keeping of gallows at Wandsworth prison ; when these gallows were last used ; how old are they ; how often they are examined and tested and how this is done ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John Patten : Gallows are kept at Her Majesty's prison, Wandsworth, for use if required. These particular gallows were last used on 8 September 1961. No record has been kept of when they were constructed. They are examined and tested every six months. The testing is undertaken by checking the equipment to see that it is functioning correctly.
Secondary Immigration
Mr. Marlow : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the ratio of secondary immigration to primary immigration since 1960 ; what studies have been undertaken to assess the likely levels of secondary immigration in different circumstances and with what results ; and what estimates he has made of the likely level of secondary immigration per 100,000 primary immigration from different sources.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Butler) on 22 January at column 518.
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Death Sentence
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the offences for which a person can be sentenced to death by courts in the United Kingdom ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John Patten : The death penalty is still available for offences of treason, piracy with violence and certain treasonable and mutinous offences re-enacted under the Armed Forces Act 1971.
Management Consultants
Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list any research reports or policy analyses received from outside management consultants after January 1985, but commissioned by his Department before that date, and the date of completion and cost of each contract.
Mr. Waddington : Information is not readily available before 1984. The Home Office awarded one contract in 1984 concerning research and policy analyses to Price Waterhouse for a review of marketing and sales effectiveness in the prison service industries and farms. The contract was completed in August 1985 at a cost of £16,100 (exclusive of VAT).
Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the contracts his Department has given to outside management consultants in policy areas concerning his Department since January 1985, and the date of completion and cost of each contract.
Mr. Waddington : The Home Department has let the following contracts to management consultants in policy areas since January 1985 :
Consultant and contract |<1>Cost |Completion
|date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990
Capita Ltd.
Assist with organisational review of the
probation service |65,750 |January
1989
National Economic Research Associates
Copyright protection for sound
recordings |<2>14,000 |December
Price Waterhouse
Privatisation of IBA transmission
system |84,000 |December
J. K. Clayton
Review of voluntary scientific effort in
civil defence |9,122 |October
Captain Hannant
Standard system for control of police
aviation |125,000 |October
BIS Applied Systems
Magistrates courts contingency
planning |21,586 |September
PE Inbucon
Issue of TV licences and saving stamps
by Post Office |<2>16,000 |August
Coopers and Lybrand
Review of passport issuing and
management information systems |51,677 |August
Lloyd's Merchant Bank
Privatisation of the tote |79,200 |April
Price Waterhouse
Options for privatising the IBA's
transmission network |<2>62,000 |April
County Nat West
Future of science and technology
group |30,000 |February
Broadcasting and Research Unit
Radio broadcasting and listening |74,000 |January
1988
Peat Marwick McLintock
Advice on the future of the laundry
industry within PSIF |46,664 |August
Deloitte Haskins and Sells
Examination of clerical support within
PSIF Farms and Gardens |25,625 |May
1987
Ernst and Whinney
Review of charging arrangements |76,000 |September
KMG Thomson McLintock
Main strategy on office automation |35,000 |July
Arthur Young Management Consultants
Information technology strategy for
accounting and financial
management systems |72,231 |June
Touche Ross
Study on scientific support for the
police service in England and Wales |109,000 |June
CSP International Ltd. (Booz, Allen
and Hamilton
Subscription television |128,000 |May
Christian Brann Direct
TV licence evasion |171,000 |March
Coopers and Lybrand
The future provision of staff training-
Magistrates' courts service |52,000 |January
1986
Lawson Somerset Ltd.
Easy payment methods for TV licence
fee |61,000 |September
Deloitte, Haskins and Sells
Development of a financial
management information system for
the probation service |35,000 |June
Touche Ross
Study of organisation in the directorate
of telecommunications |38,000 |March
<1> Exclusive of VAT.
<2> Figures represent only Home Office proportion of full cost.
Gwent Constabulary
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Gwent as to the whereabouts of the shotgun, the property of a Mr. G. W. Phillips, taken into the possession of the police by PC 853 Fairie of the Gwent constabulary on or before 10 November 1989.
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Mr. Peter Lloyd : I understand from the chief constable that the shotgun is being held at Newport police headquarters pending the outcome of further discussions with the owner.Guildford and Woolwich Bombings
Mr. Couchman : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are being made to finance the cost of Sir John May's inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the convictions arising out of the bomb attacks in Guildford and Woolwich in 1974.
Mr. Waddington : Parliamentary approval to expenditure on this inquiry will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the Home Office Vote for administration etc. (class XI, vote 3). Pending that approval, expenditure estimated at £222,000 will be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.
Immigration and Nationality Department
Sir John Wheeler : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a decision has been reached on the relocation of the immigration and nationality department from Croydon.
Mr. Waddington : We have decided that those parts of IND which are at present located in Lunar house, Croydon, should for the most part remain there. This decision has been taken in the light of a report by consultants on the feasibility and desirability of the relocation of IND and further work on costings and benefits. That further work has revealed that most of the financial and other benefits of relocation were taken when IND moved to Croydon in the first place. We have however decided that the nationality work of the Department can with advantage be brought together in the existing Liverpool nationality office which would otherwise not be needed beyond April 1991. In reaching this decision we have taken account of the likely reduction in the future volume of nationality work. We should complete the process of transferring the nationality work to Liverpool during 1991.
NATIONAL FINANCE
Creches
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether creche facilities are provided for working mothers employed in his Department ; in what locations ; and if they have to make a contribution to this service.
Mr. Ryder : No nursery facilities are yet available to staff in the Treasury, but London-based staff have access to a holiday play scheme financed by both parental and departmental contributions.
Drug Seizures
Mr. Butler : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many illicit drug seizures, broken down by drug category, have been made in United Kingdom ports in each of the last five years.
Mr. Ryder : Seizures made by Customs officers at United Kingdom ports and airports in the last five years have been as follows :
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|Heroin |Cocaine |Cannabis |Amphetamine|Other
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1987 |193 |174 |4,609 |62 |306
1988 |279 |221 |4,934 |74 |177
<1>1989 |432 |402 |6,788 |110 |294
<1> All 1989 figures are provisional.
The total numbers of drugs seizures made by Customs officers in 1985 and 1986 were 3,910 and 5,534 respectively, but a breakdown by drug category for these figures is not available.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Mr. Chris Smith : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has hitherto put forward for the United Kingdom's contribution to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ; and what proportion of the United Kingdom's contribution he intends should come (a) from the existing budget for overseas aid and development and (b) from new allocations of resources.
Mr. Ryder : The details of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are still being discussed. The United Kingdom will be a generous and enthusiastic contributor. How the contribution is met will be decided in future public expenditure surveys.
Local Government Finance
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his best estimates of the effects on the retail prices index in 1990-91 of (a) the introduction of the community charge and (b) the combined impact of non-domestic property revaluation and the introduction of the uniform business rate.
Mr. Ryder [holding answer 30 January 1990] : The Autumn Statement forecast is for RPI annual inflation to fall to 5 per cent. by the fourth quarter of 1990. It is not the practice to provide more detail than published in table 2.7 of the Autumn Statement.
DEFENCE
Number Plates
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of whether the use of United Kingdom number plates on cars owned by British personnel serving in West Germany represents the best available security arrangement ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : It is not the practice to comment on security matters. However, all security measures, including the question of number plates, are kept under close and continuous review.
Radar System, Fylingdales
Mr. Madden : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of the large phased-array radar system being installed at Fylingdales RAF station ; when installation work started ; what is the total cost of the installation ; whether the United States of America is making any financial contribution to this installation ;
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whether the phased-array radar is to become part of a battle management system linked to the SDI programme ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Archie Hamilton : I refer the hon. Member to the answers my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Neubert) gave the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) on 20 June 1989 at column 71. Installation work for the modernised facility started in August 1989, and at present exchange rates is expected to cost in the order of £160 million, of which the United States will pay in the order of 70 per cent. for the radar, and the United Kingdom approximately 30 per cent. for the supporting infrastructure. The modernised radar will provide an improved early warning system. It will not form part of a battle management system linked to the SDI programme.
Waste Disposal
Mr. Devlin : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will outline the procedures for the sale and disposal of surplus chemical type waste of the kind found stored on the Cleveland industrial estate, Darlington on Saturday 20 January.
Mr. Alan Clark : The material referred to comprised paints, pre- treatment solvents and adhesives. These had been purchased by a general trader from auctions held by the Ministry of Defence, which is the method by which low-value materials of this sort are disposed of. Hazardous and dangerous materials are dealt with under special disposal contracts placed by the Ministry.
Creches
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by location where creche facilities are provided for working mothers employed in his Department ; and if they have to make any payment for this service.
Mr. Neubert : We are planning to open nurseries for the children of MOD civil servants in central London and at the Royal Aerospace Establishment Farnborough. We are also considering what might be done at other locations. The level of charges to parents has yet to be determined.
Trident
Mr. Robert B. Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the cost of the Trident programme ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Tom King : I am pleased to announce that for the fourth year running there has been, in real terms, a reduction in the estimated cost of the Trident programme. The revised estimate now stands at £9, 380 million, based on the exchange rate used for the long-term costing of the defence programme, which this year is taken to be £1 = $1.62.
Although this estimate represents a cash increase of £291 million compared with the estimate announced in 1989, after allowing for the effects of inflation and exchange rate variations, there has been a real reduction of £432 million compared with that estimate, and a real reduction of £1,631 million over the original 1982 estimate. This is additional to the savings resulting from the decision to have United Kingdom missiles processed in the United States facility at Kings bay, Georgia.
Column 206
The proportion of the programme to be undertaken in the United Kingdom has risen to its highest level so far--69 per cent. The Select Committee on Defence previously asked that when announcing the annual revised estimate, I should report on the state of the project as a whole. I am pleased to say that the Trident project remains on programme to enter service in the mid-1990s. There has been no slippage in the in-service date since the decision to purchase Trident II was announced in March 1982. I am, as in the past, sending to the Chairmen of the Select Committee on Defence and the Public Accounts Committee a more detailed report covering the points on which the Select Committee on Defence sought advice. I am also placing a copy of this report in the Library of the House.CIVIL SERVICE
Reconstruction Competitions
Mr. Stanbrook : To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will give the precise date or dates of the last reconstruction competition or competitions held for administrative and professional officers for the Home Civil Service, and the dates of the last appointments resulting from these competitions.
Mr. Luce : I regret that the information requested is not available and cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost. The 88th annual report of the Civil Service Commissioners mentioned that "one or two" reconstruction" competitions for technical grades were in progress due in 1953-54, but I am advised that the Civil Service Commission has no information subsequently.
THE ARTS
Creches
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will list by location where creche facilities are provided for working mothers employed in his Department ; and if they have to make any payment for this service.
Mr. Luce My Department does not yet provide facilities for the use of its staff, but they have access to a local holiday play scheme financed by parental and departmental contributions.
SCOTLAND
National Health Service
16. Mr. Tom Clarke : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet Health Service unions in Scotland to discuss Health Service matters.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : There are no plans at present.
54. Mr. Knapman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the increase in National Health Service expenditure in Scotland since 1979.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : Gross expenditure on the Health Service in Scotland has risen by an estimated 31 per cent. in real terms between 1979- 80 and 1989-90.
Column 207
51. Mr. Bill Walker : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was National Health Service expenditure in Scotland for 1979 and 1990 ; and what increase or decrease this represents over and above inflation.Mr. Michael Forsyth : Gross expenditure on the Health Service in Scotland was £1,064 million in 1979-80, and is planned to rise to £3, 041 million in 1990-91. This represents an increase of about 35 per cent. in real terms.
44. Mr. Michael Brown : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current Health Service expenditure in Scotland ; and what increase this is in real terms over 1979 expenditure.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : Gross expenditure on the Health Service in Scotland in 1989-90 is estimated to be £2,816 million, representing an increase of about 31 per cent. in real terms since 1979-80.
33. Mr. Eadie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the National Health Service.
23. Mr. Sillars : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met trade unions from the National Health Service ; and what was discussed.
47. Mr. Salmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met trade unions from the National Health Service ; and what was discussed.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : My right hon. and learned Friend met the British Medical Association last month to discuss the new contract for general practitioners.
Mr. Roger King : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the current Health Service expenditure programme in Scotland.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : Expenditure on the NHS in Scotland will exceed £3 billion for the first time in the coming year ; almost three times the budget we inherited on taking office.
Devolution
17. Mr. Ian Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had from the business community in Scotland on devolution.
Mr. Lang : The senior management of many important companies in Scotland have repeatedly expressed their concern about the adverse effects which any form of devolution would have on the Scottish economy.
Rail Electrification
18. Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last discussed the electrification of the Edinburgh-Linlithgow, Falkirk High-Glasgow and Edinburgh-Aberdeen lines with ScotRail.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Decisions on electrification schems are for British Rail working within guidelines set by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.
Self-governing Hospitals
19. Mr. Favell : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospitals have expressed an interest in the self-governing hospital proposals.
Column 208
Mr. Michael Forsyth : We have had serious expressions of interest from Forfar and the Royal Scottish National hospital at Larbert whilst a number of others are seeking further information.
Craig Dunain Hospital
20. Mr. Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future of Craig Dunain hospital, Inverness.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : No. Action is presently with the Highland health board.
ScotRail
21. Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the general manager of ScotRail ; and what matters were discussed.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : My right hon. and learned Friend and I discussed various topics relating to rail transport when we met the general manager of ScotRail in the company of the chairman of British Rail, Sir Robert Reid, on 31 October 1989.
63. Mr. Robert Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet the general manager of ScotRail ; and what will be discussed.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : My right hon. and learned Friend and I have met the general manager of ScotRail from time to time and we expect to continue this practice with Mr. Bleasdale, the new director. Discussions at such meetings normally cover a wide range of topics.
Forestry Commission
22. Mr. Barry Field : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what planting incentives are currently offered by the Forestry Commission.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The Forestry Commission currently offers the following planting grants, payable in instalments over 10 years, for both new planting and restocking, including natural regeneration, under its woodland grant scheme.
Rate of Grant (£ per hectare)
Area |Conifers |Broadleaves
(hectares) |(including
|Native
|Pinewoods)
------------------------------------------------
0.25-0.9 |1,005 |1,575
1.0-2.9 |880 |1,375
3.0-9.9 |795 |1,175
10 and over |615 |975
A better land supplement of £200 per hectare is payable where planting under the woodland grant scheme takes place on arable land or improved grassland (as defined for the farm woodland scheme). In addition, the following grants are offered by the Forestry Commission under its woodland grant scheme for new planting in association with the farm woodland scheme.
Rate of Grant (£ per hectare) Area |Conifers |Broadleaves (hectares) ------------------------------------------------ 1.0-2.9 |505 |1,375 3.0-9.9 |420 |1,175 10 and over |240 |975
Table file CW900131.020 not available
The better land supplement is not available for planting under the farm woodland scheme through which annual payments are made by the agriculture Departments.
61. Mr. Harris : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Forestry Commission's proposals for farm tree planting grants.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Grants for planting trees on farms are available under the Forestry Commission's woodland grant scheme, including grants for planting done in association with the farm woodland scheme. Full details of both schemes are given in the explanatory booklets which are in the Library.
Kelvin Central Bus Company
24. Dr. Bray : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a grant to employees on the same terms as to management to assist in the preparation of an employee bid for the Kelvin Central bus company.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to the hon. Member for East Kilbride (Mr. Ingram) on 22 January at column 545.
National Health Service (Waiting Times)
25. Mr. Teddy Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average waiting time for patients in the Scottish Health Service in 1979 ; and what it is now.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : Average waiting times for non-urgent patients have fallen by 10 per cent. since 1979 ; around half of all patients admitted to hospital are admitted immediately.
Competitive Tendering
26. Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had regarding competitive tendering in the National Health Service in Scotland.
37. Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding competitive tendering in the National Health Service in Scotland.
45. Mr. Ernie Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding competitive tendering in the National Health Service in Scotland.
46. Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had regarding competitive tendering in the National Health Service in Scotland.
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