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Mr. Michael Forsyth : I understand that the survey was launched on 3 September with the aim of assessing the extent to which people in the United Kingdom are affected by asthma, thus enabling improvements in asthma management to be considered. The Scottish Home and Health Department is obtaining from Action Asthma information about its work.
Junior Doctors (Working Hours)
Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for variation orders on working hours per week of junior doctors have been made by Greater Glasgow health board during 1990 ; and, of these, how many (a) have been refused and (b) are currently under consideration.
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Mr. Michael Forsyth : None.Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many variation orders on working hours per week of junior doctors have been issued during 1990 ; and how many are currently in force, for each health board area in Scotland.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : One variation order has been issued in 1990 to permit a junior doctor to be regularly rostered for duty in excess of the limit permitted under the hospital, medical and dental staff terms and conditions of service.
Health Visitors
Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that no newly qualified health visitor in Scotland is unable to find a job ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The responsibility for reviewing manpower requirements lies with health boards and it is for each health board to determine the number of students to be trained in accordance with identified manpower needs. While most newly qualified health visitors should find employment on completion of their training, it is impossible to guarantee the employment of all such health visitors and students are made aware of this when they enrol.
Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many vacancies for health visitors currently exist in each health board area in Scotland.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : This information is not held centrally.
Community Charge
Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department has considered research conducted by the Scottish Foundation for Economic Research for Strathclyde regional council into the effects of the community charge upon the poor ; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Lang : My right hon. and learned Friend has noted the findings of this research.
Old People's Homes
Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to implement in Scotland arrangements under the Registered Houses Act 1984 to ensure that local authorities may satisfy themselves that a person applying for registration to run a small home for old people is a fit person and that they may visit any such home as necessary.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The 1984 Act provisions do not apply in Scotland. Local authorities' statutory responsibilities for the registration and inspection of residential establishments provided under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 apply as matters stand to all homes irrespective of size.
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Multiple Sclerosis
Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail the nature and locations of therapeutic services currently available within the National Health Service in Scotland for sufferers from multiple sclerosis ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : This information is not held centrally.
WALES
Personal Data
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department will take positive steps to discuss with the Data Protection Registrar all his Department's legislation that impacts on the use, collection, processing or holding of personal data ; and whether he will make a statement.
Mr. David Hunt : My officials are aware of the need to consult the registrar about proposed legislation which might affect or be affected by the Data Protection Act 1984.
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of the inward investment projects secured for Wales during 1988 and 1989.
Mr. David Hunt : In 1988, Wales secured 97 inward investment projects and in 1989, 100 projects were secured. A list of the companies concerned, except where they have requested confidentiality, has been placed in the Library of the House.
Teaching Posts
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list showing the latest figures for (a) the total number of applications, (b) the total number of teaching posts and (c) the ratio of applications to teaching posts at secondary school level in Wales ; and if he will include a breakdown for each county and for each subject taught.
Sir Wyn Roberts : No information is available centrally on the number of teaching posts by subject. This, together with applications for appointment, is a matter for local education authorities. General information about the numbers of subject teachers is available from the secondary school staffing survey, which was published in July, and is in the Library of the House.
Water and Sewerage (Security Measures)
Mr. Mullin : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if, for each water and sewerage undertaker, he will list the dates on which the undertakers submitted their plans pursuant to paragraph 2(2) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 ;
(2) if he will place in the Library copies of the plans submitted to him by each water and sewerage undertaker pursuant to paragraph 2(2) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 ;
(3) if for each water and sewerage undertaker, he will state which plans he has approved with modification pursuant to paragraph 2(2) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 ;
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(4) if, for each water and sewerage undertaker, he will state the form in which he has prescribed the reports shall be submitted pursuant to paragraph 2(2) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 ;(5) if, for each water and sewerage undertaker, he will state which plans he has approved without modifications pursuant to paragraph 2(2) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989.
Mr. Grist : The former Welsh water authority prepared and submitted plans progressively, under letters of direction issued in 1983 and 1986. Undertakers are currently reviewing these plans, following the 1989 direction. In addition, plans for expenditure each year on the provision or purchase of facilities and equipment are submitted to the Department for approval, with modifications if necessary. It is neither in the interests of national security nor commercial confidentiality to provide the further information requested.
Mr. Mullin : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if, for each water and sewerage undertaker, he will list the number of employees he has required to be made available (a) as regional co-ordinators and (b) in such other capacity as he has required and in what capacity, pursuant to paragraph 5(2) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage undertakers) Direction 1989.
Mr. Grist : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has appointed a chief regional water co-ordinator, a deputy chief regional water co-ordinator and regional water co-ordinators. Seven employees have been made available by Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig to fulfil these roles.
Mr. Mullin : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if, for each water and sewerage undertaker, he will give the losses which it has sustained by reason of compliance with the direction, pursuant to paragraph 6(2) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 ;
(2) if he will place in the Library copies of the reports submitted to him on or before 1 April 1990 pursuant to paragraph 6(1) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 ; (3) if, for each water and sewerage undertaker, he will state the form in which he has prescribed the reports shall be submitted pursuant to paragraph 6(2) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 ;
(4) if, for each water and sewerage undertaker, he will list the dates on which the undertakers reported to him pursuant to paragraph 6(1) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989.
Mr. Grist : It is not in the interest of national security to provide details. Information on the losses sustained by each undertaker in complying with the direction is subject to the normal rules of commercial confidentiality.
Mr. Mullin : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) whether, having regard to the Civil Defence (General Local Authority Functions) Regulations 1983 and section 3 of "Emergency Planning Guidance to Local Authorities", the duty to consult other water and sewerage undertakers pursuant to paragraph 5(1) of the Security Measures (Water Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 is
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to be extended to local authorities with civil defence functions under regulation 4 of the 1983 regulations ; and if he will make a statement ;(2) if, for each water and sewerage undertaker, he will state the extent to which he has required their plans, operations, facilities and services to be complementary and co-ordinated pursuant to paragraph 5(1) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 ;
(3) whether, having regard to the Civil Defence (Fire Services) (Water) Regulations 1956, the duty to consult other water and sewerage undertakers pursuant to paragraph 5(1) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 is to be extended to fire authorities ; and if he will make a statement ; (4) what guidance, procedures and requirements have been notified to the water sewerage undertakers by him pursuant to paragraph 2(1)(b) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 ; and if he will place copies in the Library ; (5) what general policy in respect of civil defence he has notified to the water and sewerage undertakers pursuant to paragraph 2(1)(a) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 ; and if he will place a copy in the Library.
Mr. Grist : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment on 23 July 1990.
Mr. Mullin : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if, for each water and sewerage undertaker, he will list the land he has specified pursuant to paragraph 3(1) of the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989.
Mr. Grist : It would not be in the interests of national security to give the information requested.
Milford Haven (Fishing)
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial support has been given for fish processing in Milford Haven since 1979.
Mr. David Hunt : Since 1979 regional selective assistance of £40, 000 has been provided for two fish processing projects in Milford Haven.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial support has been given to individual trawler companies and combines operating from Milford Haven since 1979 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. David Hunt : Since 1979, grants totalling £489,000 have been provided by the Welsh Office and the European Commission for six commercial fishing projects in Milford Haven. In addition the Sea Fish Industry Authority, acting on behalf of the Government, provides grants and loans for the construction of new fishing vessels and improvements to existing vessels. For Wales as a whole, the authority has since 1979 provided £1,653,000 in grants and loans for 251 projects.
I place a great deal of importance on the need to sustain and develop a successful sea fishing industry in Wales, and am pleased that practical support is being provided to commercial fishermen.
Mr . Nicholas Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the fishing industry in Milford Haven since June 1987.
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Mr. David Hunt : During the period in question, Welsh Office Ministers and officials have received numerous representations on a wide range of issues relating to the fishing industry in Milford Haven. My hon. Friend did bring in to see me on 20 September senior representatives of the industry and I am carefully considering the arguments he and they put forward.Laura Ashley
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit the Leeswood, Clwyd, Laura Ashley factory now proposed for closure.
Mr. David Hunt : I have no present plans to do so.
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the Clwyd, Delyn and Alyn and Deeside councils to discuss the job losses associated with the Laura Ashley company.
Mr. David Hunt : I very much regret the job losses recently announced by Laura Ashley Holdings Ltd. I, my officials, the WDA and DBRW are in close touch with the company and are exploring what might be done to off-set the job losses. The local authorities involved will have a part to play and I will not hesitate to contact them if necessary.
Gwynedd Health Services
Dr. Marek : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the £8 million to be provided to the Gwynedd health authority to transform the provision of health services in the county will be wholly or partly by way of loan ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Grist : On the basis of the Gwynedd health authority's plan to rationalise health services within the district, as outlined in its pathfinder business plan, my right hon. Friend has offered, in principle, a loan of up to £8 million toward the capital cost of the implementation of this strategy. As currently envisaged, the loan would amount to £3.5 million in 1991-92 and £4.5 million in 1992-93 ; and, under existing arrangements, the expectation would be for this finance to be repaid subsequently from revenue savings. However, as a result of the reforms arising from the National Health Service and Community Care Act, resource allocation arrangements are currently under review. Authorities were recently consulted on proposed changes which would re-establish a central funding mechanism for capital schemes of strategic importance as from 1 April 1992. If these proposals are implemented, it is likely that the funding of major schemes in progress at that time--which would, of course, include those which are in prospect in Gwynedd--will be subsumed within transitional arrangements that accord with the new allocation mechanisms. In such circumstances, the strategic capital brokerage made available to Gwynedd to enable the authority to proceed with these schemes would cease to be regarded as a loan and would instead be redefined as central funding of those schemes under the transitional arrangements. My right hon. Friend intends to make an announcement on new resource allocation arrangements and transitional arrangements to apply from 1 April 1991 in January when consultations on new revenue allocation mechanisms have also been completed.
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NATIONAL FINANCE Diesel Duty
Mr. Teddy Taylor : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the special rate of duty charged on diesel used by agriculture; what is the purpose of this provision; and what is the differential between this rate and that for diesel used by industry.
Mr. Ryder : The special rate of duty charged on diesel--gas oil-- used by agriculture is 1.18p per litre. Its purpose is to raise revenue but at a rate significantly lower than that chargeable on diesel--gas oil--used as road fuel. Both industry and agriculture pay duty at the rebated rate; the full rate of 19.02p per litre is paid only on fuel used in road vehicles.
European Monetary System Mr. Teddy Taylor : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his assessment as to whether the conditions for entry into the exchange rate mechanism of the EMS have been met; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maude : The conditions have now been substantially met, and accordingly the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Government's decision to join the exchange rate mechanism of the EMS on 5 October.
Money Supply
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in the money supply since 1 January 1988; and how much of the total is accounted for by the funding of the trade deficit.
Mr. Maples : There is no simple connection between the money supply and the trade deficit. Figures for the monetary aggregates are published in table 11.1 of "Financial Statistics". Information on the trade balance is published in table 27 of "Economic Trends".
Personal Data
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many subject access requests under the terms of the Data Protection Act his Department has received; what was his estimate of the number of requests that would be received; what consideration he is giving to the subject access fee charged by his Department as a result; and whether he will make a statement.
Mr. Ryder : No subject access requests have been received by the Treasury since the Act came into effect. Initial estimates of likely volume, based on discussions with the Data Protection Registrar and examination of the experience of other European countries, were that the number would probably be low. Departments agreed that civil servants would not be charged for reasonable access to their records, but that non civil- servants--with legitimate access--would be charged the guideline £10. That is still the Treasury view.
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department will take positive steps to discuss with the Data Protection Registrar all his Department's legislation that impacts on the use, collection, processing or holding of personal data ; and whether he will make a statement.
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Mr. Ryder : I am reminding my officials of the need to consult the registrar about proposed legislation which might affect or be affected by the Data Protection Act 1984.Mr. Cohen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has discussed his concerns about the direct marketing exploits of financial institutions that promote the uptake of credit with the Data Protection Registrar ; and whether he will make a statement.
Trade Statistics
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the extent to which the deterioration in the trade balance since 1975 is due to lack of productive capacity in British industry ; and if he will name the sectors in which British suppliers have been unable to meet demand for this reason.
Mr. Norman Lamont : The rise in the United Kingdom trade deficit in 1988 and 1989 reflected very strong growth of domestic demand from both companies and the personal sector, which outstripped industry's capacity to meet it. Strong growth in investment has begun to produce additional capacity which will enable British industry to meet more of the demands made on it. Industry has already exploited export opportunities. In 1989, exports of manufactures, excluding erratics, increased by 10 per cent., the fastest growth rate since 1973. Manufactured exports, excluding erratics, in the current year to date are 10 per cent. higher than in the corresponding period last year. CBI surveys suggest that an historically high proportion of firms across all sectors experienced capacity constraints during 1988 and 1989.
Mr. Dewar : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the annual index of (a) total industrial production and construction and (b) manufacturing industry for the United Kingdom in each year from 1970 to the most recent year for which figures are available; (2) what was the annual index of (a) gross domestic product (output) and (b) manufacturing output for the United Kingdom in each year from 1970 to the most recent year for which figures are available.
Mr. Norman Lamont : For the answers to these questions I refer the hon. Member to table 1.5 of "United Kingdom National Accounts", 1990 edition, otherwise known as the CSO Blue Book and to the Scottish Office news release 0801 of 15 May 1990. The former gives separate annual output index numbers for the years 1968 to 1989, for each of construction, manufacturing, and total production as well as the output based gross domestic product index. The latter includes the available figures for an index of construction and production for the United Kingdom.
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has made to Chancellor Kohl concerning the adverse effect on other countries of the German surplus on visible trade; and if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the amount of that surplus in terms of dollars for (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the United States of America and (c) Japan in 1979, 1985, 1989 and the current year to date.
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Mr. Norman Lamont : My right hon. Friend the Chancellor has made no such representations. The information for 1989 and the current year is available in recent editions of "IMF Directions of Trade Statistics". Figures for 1985 and 1979 are available in the "IMF Direction of Trade Statistics Yearbook" for 1989 and 1986 respectively.
Mortgages
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are taken to assess the number of cases on which interest relief is being given on mortgages taken out for purposes other than home purchase.
Mr. Maude : For loans taken out from 6 April, 1988, mortgage interest relief is given only where the loan is applied to the purchase of a person's sole or main residence or for the purchase of life annuities by people aged 65 or over.
Mrs. Gorman : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received calling for abolition of mortgage interest tax relief.
Mr. Maude : My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer receives a variety of representations about mortgage interest relief, ranging from extension to abolition.
Import Levies
Sir Richard Body : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the import levy imposed at the last convenient date on imports from (a) African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and (b) other countries of (i) paddy rice round grain, (ii) paddy rice long grain, (iii) husked rice round grain, (iv) husked rice long grain, (v) semi-milled round grain, (vi) semi- milled long grain, (vii) wholly-milled rice round grain, (viii) wholly- milled rice long grain and (ix) broken rice.
Mr. Ryder : The import levy per tonne on rice at 1 October 1990 falling within the stated descriptions was :
|States associated|Other
|with the |Countries
|Community<1>
|£ |£
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paddy rice round grain
(CN Code 100610 92 0 00) |121.8837 |249.5501
Paddy rice long grain
(CN Code 100610 96 0 90) |123.6322 |253.0389
Husked rice round grain
(CN Code 100620 92 0 00) |153.0825 |311.9396
Husked rice long grain
(CN Code 100620 96 0 90) |155.2560 |316.2946
Semi-milled round grain
(CN Code 100630 42 0 00) |189.8393 |398.8069
Semi-milled long grain
(CN Code 100630 48 0 90) |230.0609 |479.1939
Wholly-milled round grain
(CN Code 100630 92 0 00) |202.4552 |424.7284
Wholly-milled long grain
(CN Code 100630 96 0 90) |246.9435 |513.6970
Broken rice
(CN Code 100640 00 0 00) |73.8906 |152.6000
<1> African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries; and Overseas Countries and
Territories of member States associated with the Community.
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Sir Richard Body : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present import levy on duty on cheese from Canada.
Mr. Ryder : The present import levy, effective from 16 September 1990, on cheese from Canada (CN Code 040690 21 0 10) is £178.8483 per 100 kg. Consignments accompanied by a valid IMA 1 certificate, issued by exporting countries having special agreements with the European Community may be admitted at a reduced rate of £9.1665. No duty is payable in either case.
Manufacturing Exports
Mr. Pawsey : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the growth of manufacturing exports since 1983.
Mr. Norman Lamont : Manufacturing exports have grown on average by 7.1 per cent. a year since 1983 and in 1989 by 10.5 per cent.--the fastest growth in any year since 1973. Supply side reforms have transformed industry's ability to compete on world markets, and allowed manufacturers to maintain their share of world trade after decades of decline.
Exchange Rates
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage increases to date in the trade-weighted real exchange for the £ sterling at current nominal rates of exchange, against the Deutschmark, dollar and yen since (a) the fourth quarter of 1976 and (b) the first quarter of 1987, measured in terms of relative export prices for manufacturers, taking into account : (i) the increase in the nominal rate of exchange and (ii) the difference in the rate of inflation since the fourth quarter of 1989, as shown in table F8 of the monthly "Review of External Trade Statistics" ; and if he will add a figure for the exchange rate mechanism countries combined in so far as these are available.
Mr. Maples : Table F8 of the monthly "Review of External Trade Statistics" is compiled using information from the IMF, and will be updated in due course.
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage increases in the trade-weighted real exchange for sterling at current nominal rates of exchange compared to the D-mark, dollar and yen between the fourth quarter of 1976 and the first quarter of 1990 measured in terms of relative export prices for manufacturers and the increase since then in the nominal rates of exchange; what effect the increase to the first quarter of 1990 had on the balance of trade in manufacturers ; and what is his estimate of the effect which the increase since the first quarter will have on that balance in the next 12 months.
Mr. Maples : Figures for nominal and real exchange rates are available in "IMF International Financial Statistics". Recent movements in nominal and real exchange rates will be among the many factors taken into account in the revised forecast for visible trade to be published in the "Autumn Statement".
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Public Expenditure
Sir Richard Body : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state in percentage terms the increase or decrease in expenditure since 1979 of each of the 17 programmes of public expenditure.
Mr. Norman Lamont : The information requested can be derived from table 21.2.10--General Government expenditure by function, 1978-79 to 1989- 90--in chapter 21 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1990-91 to 1992- 93", Cm. 1021.
Inflation
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the current inflation rates in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other Group of Seven countries.
Mr. Maples : Excluding mortgage interest payments and community charge, UK inflation was 8.3 per cent. in September 1990. The latest, more comparable inflation rate for other G7 countries was 3.4 per cent. in August.
Mr. Thurnham : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the rate of inflation; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maples : The all-times RPI inflation rate was 10.9 per cent. in September. Underlying inflation, as measured by the RPI, excluding mortgage interest payments and the community charge, was 8.3 per cent.
Mr. Wallace : To ask the Chanbcellor of the Exchequer what is the underlying rate of inflation.
Mr. Maples : There are a number of ways of estimating the underlying rate of inflation. As measured by the RPI, excluding mortgage interest payments and the community charge, it was 8.3 per cent. in September.
Taxpayers' Charter
Mr. Stern : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a charter for taxpayers in relation to their rights under investigation by either the Inland Revenue or Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.
Mr. Maude : The Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise jointly published a taxpayer's charter in July 1986. It sets out the principles and standards of service which both departments aim to achieve in handling taxpayers' affairs ; and what people can do if they wish to appeal or complain.
In addition, a number of leaflets are published for people involved in investigations :
IR71 PAYE : Inspection of Employers' and Contractors Records. IR72 Inland Revenue Investigations : The examination of business accounts ; and
IR73 Inland Revenue Investigations : How settlements are negotiated.
Visits by VAT officers.
Copies of the taxpayer's charter and of the leaflets have been placed in the Library of the House.
Criminal investigations carried out by both departments are conducted under the codes of practice of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
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