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HIV
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United States Government concerning that Government's practice of requiring disclosure of the HIV status of visitors to the United States of America.
Mr. Sainsbury : In January the United Kingdom made an official approach to the United States Department of State on the question of United States immigration policy in relation to people with HIV and AIDS. The United States authorities recognised the difficulties caused by the present rules, which they have undertaken to apply flexibly and sympathetically, but they pointed out that a change in policy would require new legislation by the United States Congress.
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department offers to United Kingdom citizens on questioning about their HIV status by United States of America immigration authorities.
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Mr. Sainsbury : No United Kingdom citizens have sought advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on how to respond to questions regarding HIV status from the United States immigration authorities.EMPLOYMENT
Advice Interviews
Ms. Short : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether a claimant attending employment service counselling interviews with either (a) a new client adviser, (b) a restart counsellor or (c) a claimant adviser who feels they are being treated unfairly or harshly can ask for the interviewer to be changed ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Eggar : If a client wishes to see a different counsellor or adviser this can be arranged.
If no other suitable counsellor or adviser is available the client may see the office manager instead.
Review Interviews
Ms. Short : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether an unemployed claimant at a review interview whom an employment service councillor thinks is refusing suitable employment either before or after the interview and completes a UB195 and UB195A, or his or her representative can ask for and receive copies of both documents ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Eggar : Form UB195 is a report of a claimant who fails to take the chance of a job or training offered by an employment service counsellor. It contains details of the job vacancy or training opportunity offered and the submission to, and decision of, the statutory adjudication officer. Copies of this form are not available to the claimant.
Form UB195A, which is issued to the claimant as a matter of course, includes an exact copy of the details of the vacancy/training opportunity from the UB195. The UB195A offers space for the claimant to comment on their refusal, to assist the independent adjudicaton officer in deciding whether there was "good cause" for their refusal. Claimants may keep a copy of the UB195A ; or retain the original form and submit their comments on a separate sheet of paper. They may, as an alternative, ask the unemployment benefit office for a copy of the UB195A.
Training and Enterprise Councils
Mr. Cousins : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ensure that the operation plans of each TEC are available in the Library ; and if he will also place copies in the main libraries of the areas covered by the TECs.
Mr. Eggar : The contract between my Department and each TEC will require the publication of a summary of the TEC's corporate and business plans. I shall arrange for these summaries to be placed in the Library as they become available. The contract will also provide that a full copy of the corporate plan must be made available to the public at the registered office of the TEC. TECs will be free to choose whether to place copies of their plans in local libraries.
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Workplace Nurseries
Mr. Meacher : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all workplace nurseries known to him, by county, together with the number of places in each.
Mr. Nicholls : This information is not collected, but indications are that the provision of such facilities is growing.
Channel Tunnel
Mr. Tony Lloyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment on which occasions and for what reasons the Health and Safety Executive sought outside assistance from Her Majesty's inspectors of mines with reference to health and safety issues raised during construction of the Channel tunnel.
Mr. Nicholls : Her Majesty's inspectorate of mines is an integral part of the Health and Safety Executive, not an outside agency, and is involved as appropriate on health and safety matters relating to the Channel tunnel.
Radiation
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if, in the light of the Gardner report on radiation risks, he will review current radiation exposure limits at facilities in Scotland licensed to handle radioactive materials ;
(2) if, in the light of the Gardner report on radiation risks, he will review current radiation exposure limits at facilities in England licensed to handle radioactive materials ;
(3) if, in the light of the Gardner report on radiation risks, he will review current radiation exposure limits at facilities in Wales licensed to handle radioactive materials.
Mr. Nicholls [holding answer 28 February 1990] : The radiation exposure limits for all workers are set out in schedule 1 of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985. These regulations are based on internationally accepted recommendations from the International Commission on Radiological Protection which are currently being reviewed in the light of revised estimates of risk from radiation. On 5 February the Health and Safety Commission published a consultative document inviting comments on additional interim guidance on dose limitation pending receipt of revised international recommendations.
In view of the importance of the Gardner report it is to be referred to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) for immediate consideration. In addition, HSE, subject to the agreement of the individuals concerned, will be investigating in co-operation with BNFL whether other common factors were relevant in the Sellafield study cases. This may help to identify further measures to protect employees.
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
Industrial Waste
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the licences for dumping industrial waste including the substances, companies and
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amounts involved which have been (a) submitted to him, (b) submitted to the Oslo commission and (c) approved by him since 1 December 1989 giving the dates in each case.Mr. Gummer : The information is as follows :
Sterling Organics
Aqueous residue from preparation of paracetamol 42,000 tonnes. Submitted to Oslo Commission : 19 September 1989.
Application for renewal received : 18 December 1989.
Licence approved : 23 February 1990.
Fisons
Wash waters from synthesis of Intal--a treatment for asthma and allergies 4,000 tonnes.
Submitted to Oslo Commission : 19 September 1989.
Application for renewal received : 18 December 1989.
Application rejected : 16 January 1990.
Orsynetics
Salt solution from manufacture of o-tolyl-biguanide 3,000 tonnes. Submitted to Oslo Commission : 5 October 1989.
Application for renewal received : 14 December 1989.
Licence approved : 22 February 1990.
Fine Organics
Wash waters from synthesis of antibiotic and anti-ulcer medicines 8,000 tonnes.
Submitted to Oslo Commission : 21 December 1989.
Application awaited.
Tate and Lyle
Chalk solution from sugar refining 30,000 tonnes.
Submitted to Oslo Commission : 16 February 1990.
Application awaited.
I also refer the hon. Member to my written answer of 22 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans), Official Report, column 899, in which I stated that it is the Government's intention that none of these wastes will continue to be dumped at sea after the end of 1992.
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields of 4 December 1989, Official Report, columns 105-8, if he will list the licence applications for dumping industrial waste which in 1990 he expects to (a) renew, and (b) refuse ; if he will list those for which alternative methods of disposal will be found : and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Gummer : I have renewed licences held by Orsynetics and Sterling Organics. I expect to renew licences held by Fine Organics, Tate and Lyle, National Power and ICI. I have refused a licence to Fisons. Other licences will not be renewed if alternative means of disposal of the wastes concerned are available at the time existing licences expire.
Alternative means of disposal will be implemented for all the wastes concerned. As I stated in my written answer of 22 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) Official Report, column 899 , it is the Government's intention that none of these wastes will continue to be dumped at sea after the end of 1992. For several of those licences to be renewed in 1990 an alternative means of disposal is expected to be in place within a year.
I also expect to renew licences held by British Coal for dumping stone from colleries.
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer to the hon.
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Member for South Shields of 4 December 1989, Official Report, columns 105-8, if he will list the applications for dumping industrial waste which he approved in 1989, listing the substances, quantities and companies involved ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Gummer : I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 4 December (Official Report, columns 105-8), which lists the applications received. All except the solid waste from boric acid production were approved.
I also refer the hon. Member to my written answer of 22 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) (Official Report, column 899 ) in which I stated that it is the Government's intention that none of these wastes will continue to be dumped at sea after the end of 1992.
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place the details in the Library of the applications for dumping industrial waste to include the chemical components, the amounts involved and the companies involved for (a) wash waters from the synthesis of antibiotic and anti-ulcer medicines and (b) chalk solution from sugar refining.
Mr. Gummer : I am arranging to place in the Library copies of the information sent to the Oslo Commission about these wastes. I also refer the hon. Member to my written answer of 22 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans), Official Report, column 899, in which I stated that it is the Government's intention that none of these wastes will continue to be dumped at sea after the end of 1992.
Pesticides
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the pesticides which have been reviewed since 16 March 1989 ; and if he will make a statement ;
(2) if he will list those pesticides which are currently being reviewed which are undergoing (a) a full review and (b) a partial review ; and if he will make a statement ;
(3) if he will list those pesticides which have been reviewed that have (a) been subject to a full review and (b) been subject to a partial review ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Gummer : The following pesticides approved by my Department have been reviewed by the advisory committee on pesticides :
Reviews concluded by the ACP before 16
March 1989
|Review
------------------------------------------
Amitrole (Aminotriazole) |Partial
Aldicarb |Partial
Binapacryl |Full
Biologicalagents |Partial
Bitertanol |Full
Cyhexatin |Partial
Dinoseb |Full
Dinoseb-Acetate |Full
Dinoterb |Full
DNOC |Full
Ethylene Dibromide |Full
Maleic Hydrazide |Full
Mercury Compounds |Full
Persistent Organochlorine
Insecticides |Full
Synthetic Pyrethroids |Full
2, 4, 5-T |Full
Triazophos |Partial
Reviews currently in progress
|Review
------------------------------------------
Alachlor |Full
2-aminobutane |Partial
Benomyl |Full
Bromoxynil |Full
Captan |Full
Carbendazim |Full
2,4-D
Dimeton-s-methyl
Dimeton-s-methyl-sulphone |Full
Diazinon |Full
Dichlorvos |Full
Dinocap |Full
Ferbam |Full
Ioxynil |Full
Lindane |Full
Linuron |Full
Mancozeb |Full
Maneb |Full
Methyl bromide |Partial
Mevinphos |Full
Monolinuron |Full
Nabam |Full
Oxydemeton-methyl |Full
Propineb |Full
Sulfonyl ureas |Partial
Technazene |Full
Thiabendazole |Full
Thiram |Full
Thiophanate methyl |Full
Zineb |Full
Reviews currently in progress
|Review
------------------------------------------
Alachlor |Full
2-aminobutane |Partial
Benomyl |Full
Bromoxynil |Full
Captan |Full
Carbendazim |Full
2,4-D
Dimeton-s-methyl
Dimeton-s-methyl-sulphone |Full
Diazinon |Full
Dichlorvos |Full
Dinocap |Full
Ferbam |Full
Ioxynil |Full
Lindane |Full
Linuron |Full
Mancozeb |Full
Maneb |Full
Methyl bromide |Partial
Mevinphos |Full
Monolinuron |Full
Nabam |Full
Oxydemeton-methyl |Full
Propineb |Full
Sulfonyl ureas |Partial
Technazene |Full
Thiabendazole |Full
Thiram |Full
Thiophanate methyl |Full
Zineb |Full
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those pesticides for which a review is planned that will be subject to (a) a full review and (b) a partial review ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Gummer : The advisory committee on pesticides will consider the most appropriate form of review for each active ingredient, listed in the reply given on 11 December, Official Report, column 512.
Sea Wall Defences
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of sea wall defences along the north Wales, Lincolnshire and Somerset coastlines following the extensive flooding from the storms on 25 to 27 February.
Mr. Gummer : The state of flood defences, including sea walls, is continually monitored by the responsible authorities, and close liaison is maintained by my river and coastal engineers with authorities, in particular the National Rivers Authority, which undertake most of the works. Increases in grant provision following the public expenditure surveys in 1988 and 1989 resulted from our review, in close consultation with the National Rivers Authority and other responsible authorities, of current and future coastal and flood defence needs.
On the Lincolnshire coastline, where some £9 million has been invested since 1984 in the improvement of the
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defences between Mablethorpe and Skegness and an accelerated programme of works of the order of £20 million is planned over the next three years, the defences have successfully resisted two recent surge tides.On the Somerset coastline the defences, which were constructed following the serious floods of 1981 at a cost of some £16 million, have in general resisted the extreme conditions, although there has been some flooding as a result of the unusual combination of high tide, surge, and wind. Among those locations where flooding has been experienced, schemes at Shirehampton and Pill are already programmed.
Authorities responsible for defences are assessing the effects of the storms, and we have asked for an early indication of changes to programmes. Grant at rates up to 70 per cent. (rising to 75 per cent. in 1990-91) from my Department will be available for schemes which satisfy our technical, economic and environmental criteria. Government responsibility for the north Wales coastline rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
National Fruit Collection
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest position in relation to the proposed move of the national fruit collection from Brogdale to Wye college.
Mr. Curry : The transfer of the national fruit collection from Brogdale to Wye college is proceeding on schedule. Wye college is due to take over management of the collection on 1 April, and the detailed arrangements for its transfer and maintenance are being finalised.
All the rootstocks for the first phase of fruit trees have been obtained and some have been planted. The remainder will be planted as soon as weather and soil conditions permit. Some cuttings of soft fruit have also been taken. The rootstocks will be budded in late July/August and the first fruit trees will be established at Wye in the winter of 1991-92.
Scotch Whisky
Mr. Canavan : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what subjects he expects to discuss at his next meeting with representatives of the Scotch whisky industry.
Mr. Curry : I have nothing to add to my reply of 8 February 1990, Official Report, column 726.
Bottled Water
Miss Widdecombe : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what responsibilities the food safety directorate has in the analysis of bottled water purity.
Mr. Maclean : The responsibility for the routine analysis of bottled water rests with local authorities. The food safety directorate undertakes analysis of food and drink as part of the Government's food surveillance programme or if there is a more general safety concern. The rapid response to the recent problem experienced by Perrier is an example of the latter role.
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Fish Farming
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's policy towards the development of fish farming.
Mr. Curry : Our policy is to encourage the development of an efficient fish farming industry within the framework of statutory controls relating to fish disease and environmental considerations.
Eggs
Mr. Riddick : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many eggs were imported from the continent in 1989.
Mr. Curry : The latest figures supplied by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise show that 1,129,347 cases of eggs were imported in 1989, of which 1,109,706 cases came from countries on the European mainland.
Alar
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now order a full review of alar.
Mr. Gummer : The advisory committee on pesticides reviewed consumer safety aspects of daminozide and concluded that the margins of safety are extremely large. Further data would be required for assessment if food uses were to continue.
Mink Farm
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his replies to the hon. Member for Caerphilly of 22 February, Official Report, columns 896-97 , whether there is a mink farm at Stansted in Essex ; and if he will make a statement about his method of compiling statistics on the numbers and locations of mink farms.
Mr. Maclean : There is a licensed mink farm at Stansted, Essex. Applications for licences to operate mink farms in England are received at the Ministry's divisional offices, which record locations and numbers of licences issued. The other agricultural departments are responsible for compiling statistics relating to farms in their regions. My answer of 22 February, column 897 contained a typographical error ; the table showing numbers of mink farms should have shown a total as at 20 February 1990 of 50, not 51.
Battery Hens
Mr. Matthew Taylor : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what area would be required for a caged hen to allow her to perform all natural functions without hindrance ; what is the area designated within the battery system per hen ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maclean : Recent research has indicated that the activity demanding most space for a single bird (wing flapping) requires a considerably greater area than the minimum space allowance of 450 sq cm laid down in the Economic Community battery hens directive. In the review of the directive which is due to commence this year we will press for the minimum space to be increased.
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DEFENCE
Savings
Mr. Skinner : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has given any recent consideration to possible defence savings.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : I refer the hon. Member to the answer given at column 596 on 6 February 1990 to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan).
Nuclear Weapons
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last discussed deployment of short-range nuclear weapons in Europe with his North Atlantic Treaty Organisation counterparts.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : My right hon. Friend met his NATO counterparts at the NATO nuclear planning group meeting in Armansil, Portugal on 24-25 October 1989, where the planning group confirmed its long-standing commitment to keep NATO's nuclear forces responsive, survivable and effective across the required spectrum of ranges.
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now answer questions seeking to establish the countries in eastern Europe on which British and NATO nuclear weapons are targeted.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : There are no grounds for any departure from the long-established practice of successive Administrations of not commenting on targeting policy.
Mr. John Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he had with the United States defence authorities regarding the stockpiling of unassembled nuclear missiles in the United Kingdom.
Military Sufficiency
Mr. John Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence his Department has on the policy of the Soviet General Staff towards the doctrine of military sufficiency.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : We have taken careful note of the statements by Soviet leaders on the shift in their military doctrine towards a more defensive posture, and the impact this is having on the structure of their armed forces. The unilateral force reductions and withdrawals from eastern Europe have provided some practical evidence of this shift, as have recent Soviet exercise patterns, although enhancements in the capability of remaining Soviet forces continue. We will continue to keep this under close examination and look forward to a CFE agreement which will bring about further reductions in Soviet forces in Europe.
Information (Access)
Mr. Michael : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make it his policy to compare the access to information available to hon. Members in respect of the various responsibilities of his Department with the
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equivalent access available to elected representatives in the United States of America and consider widening the scope and detail of the former.
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