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Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes an urgent review concerning the teaching of maths and the teaching of science, after the age of 14 years.
Sir Wyn Roberts : We intend to review the structure of the attainment targets for both maths and science for pupils of all ages in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Educationa and Science.
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School Subjects
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for the introduction of a more feasible range of subjects for pupils after the age of 14 years.
Sir Wyn Roberts : We intend to make a statement shortly.
Reading Standards
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessments he has made in each of the years since 1980 of reading standards in Wales ; and if he will make a statement ;
(2) what policies he has followed to increase the standard of reading in local education authority schools in Wales ;
(3) what action he has taken in each of the local education authorities in Wales to encourage improved standards in reading ; if he will list the measurements and assessments he has made of reading standards in Wales in each of the years since 1980 ; and if he will make a statement ;
(4) what initiatives he will take to improve reading standards in Wales.
Sir Wyn Roberts : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies given to him on 10 July 1990.
An assessment of reading standards is carried out as part of all Her Majesty's inspectors inspections of primary schools and, since 1983, I have arranged for all reports to be published. In addition to these reports, which recently have numbered around 40 per year, the assessment and performance unit (APU) published the results of their survey into language performance of pupils in 1981 and 1982. These assessments have been further supplemented throughout the period by Her Majesty's inspectorate (England and Wales) discussion and advisory papers in the "Curriculum Matters" series and "Aspects of Primary Education". Her Majesty's inspectorate Wales also published its own report "Aspects of Reading in English in the Junior Schools" in February 1989.
The teaching of English as a core foundation subject within the national curriculum was introduced into primary schools (pupils aged 5 to 7) from September 1989. Development of pupils' reading skills forms an essential element of the national curriculum programmes of study for English and sets out clear standards for achievement. As from this summer term, the individual achievement of all seven-year-old pupils will, for the first time, be assessed by law. Since April 1989 the Welsh Office has grant funded the appointment of additional specialist English advisers with the WJEC and in each of the local education authorities to support classroom teachers to introduce the national curriculum requirements for English and also from September 1989, Welsh.
A summary of the latest Her Majesty's inspectorate Wales findings on reading standards is being made available to all directors of education and chairpersons of education committees in Wales. I have asked that high priority be given to the follow-up of all reports of schools with less than satisfactory performance as noted in Her Majesty's inspectorate inspections, the local education authorities own monitoring procedures or the national
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curriculum assessment arrangements. I have asked Her Majesty's inspectorate to continue to report to me regularly on reading standards.Her Majesty's inspectorate is organising a conference in July which will be attended by headteachers of primary schools, senior staff, advisers, advisory teachers and teacher trainers. Reading will be featured as part of the conference.
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the standard of reading at the age of seven years.
Sir Wyn Roberts : The latest available evidence, based on a comprehensive programme of Her Majesty's inspectorate school inspections over the past 18 months, shows that the teaching of reading in about 83 per cent. of primary schools in Wales is good or satisfactory. I am still very concerned about the 17 per cent. that are not satisfactory. I am therefore, asking local education authorities to give high priority to following up reports on schools with less than satisfactory performance, and I will be receiving regular reports from Her Majesty's inspectorate on reading standards.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Lithuania
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will convene a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the use of force by the Soviet armed forces in Lithuania.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : No. We do not believe that raising this matter in the UN Security Council at this stage would contribute to a resolution of the present crisis. We can best help by working bilaterally and with our partners and allies to persuade the Soviet authorities to cease the use of force and return to negotiation with the elected authorities of Lithuania and the other Baltic states. We have raised the Baltic states in the current CSCE meetings at Vienna and Valletta, and are considering how best to pursue the matter further within the CSCE framework.
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to impose economic sanctions and to withdraw technological aid to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics until the Soviet troops are withdrawn from Lithuania.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : I would refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Kaufman) on 16 January. The EC has decided not to implement its economic assistance to the Soviet Union if the situation which prevails in Lithuania is prolonged in any way or extended to the other Baltic states.
Test Ban Treaty Conference
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the United Kingdom delegation to the partial test ban treaty amendment conference being held at the United Nations
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in New York from 7 to 18 January ; and if he will indicate the status of all civil servants and diplomats participant in the conference.Mr. Douglas Hogg : The United Kingdom delegation to the PTBTAC consists of the deputy head and one member of the United Kingdom delegation to the conference on disarmament in Geneva and two members of the United Kingdom mission to the United Nations in New York.
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on developments to date at the partial test ban treaty amendment conference being held at the United Nations in New York from 7 to 18 January.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : The partial test ban treaty amendment conference has been an opportunity for informed and responsible discussion of the issues surrounding nuclear testing. We hope that a consensus outcome will be possible.
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals have been submitted by the United Kingdom delegation to the partial test ban treaty amendment conference being held at the United Nations in New York from 7 to 18 January.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : The United Kingdom delegation has played a full part in the partial test ban treaty amendment conference general debate. No proposals have been submitted by the United Kingdom to the conference.
Advisory Companies
Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what public relations, public affairs, advertising and marketing companies are retained to advise him ; on what basis they are each appointed ; what is the cost, tenure and purpose of their appointment in each case ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Hurd : The Foreign and Commonwealth Office seeks the advice of a wide range of groups on presentational aspects of policy. Most advice given is on an informal and unpaid basis. Austin Knight Advertising UK Ltd., however, is retained by the Overseas Development Administration to advertise vacancies for overseas personnel. Their contract started on 1 June 1988 and expires on 31 March 1991. The contract was awarded following a competitive tendering exercise. The ODA does not pay a fee to Austin Knight but pays only for the advertising space.
EC Audiovisual Support Fund
Sir Russell Johnston : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom will join the European support fund for the co-production and distribution of creative cinematographic and audiovisual works.
Mr. Leigh : I have been asked to reply.
The Government believe that it is for the film industry to decide which European initiatives best serve its interest. We are about to consult industry on the structure of the European co-production fund which was announced by the Government last year. Possible options include using part of this fund for a contribution to EURIMAGES.
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PRIME MINISTER
Saudi Arabia
Mr. Rooker : To ask the Prime Minister if he raised with the Saudi Arabian Government during his recent visit the issue of British citizens missing since the tunnel disaster of 2 July 1990.
The Prime Minister : No. The British embassy in Riyadh remain closely in touch with the Saudi authorities who are continuing their investigations to try to trace the three British pilgrims still missing. We have provided finger prints of two of the pilgrims for comparison with those taken of victims before burial.
Departmental Budgets
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Prime Minister by how much the budget for the Department of Social Security will be decreased and the budget of the Department of the Environment will be increased for 1991-92 in respect of (a) hostels, (b) housing and community charge benefit subsidy and (c) care in the community.
The Prime Minister : For the 1991-92 financial year there will be no transfer of funds between the Department of Social Security and the Department of the Environment in respect of care in the community ; but in drawing up the proposed local government financial settlement for England for that year full account was taken of some £16.35 million in respect of hostels. Similarly, the effect of the £86 million reduction in direct subsidy for housing benefit and community charge benefit in 1991-92 was fully taken into account in drawing up the proposed local government financial settlements for that year.
Nuclear Arms
Mr. Wray : To ask the Prime Minister if he will now reconsider Her Majesty's Government's refusal to commit the United Kingdom to negotiate a complete ban on nuclear tests and to accept annual mini-reviews on the progress of effective reduction of nuclear weapons, as proposed by Mexico and other non-aligned nations at the review conference on the nuclear non- proliferation treaty in 1990.
The Prime Minister : We have made clear that we support a comprehensive test ban as a long-term goal to be reached on a step-by-step basis. Because our security will depend for the foreseeable future on deterrence based in part on the possession of nuclear weapons, we have a continuing need to test our nuclear weapons to ensure they remain effective and up-to-date. We believe that the conference on disarmament at Geneva provides the most appropriate forum for discussion of progress on nuclear testing issues.
European Community
Mr. Allen : To ask the Prime Minister what treaty amendments beyond those in the conclusions of the Rome European Councils are being considered by Her Majesty's Government for submission to the European Community.
The Prime Minister : The Government have already tabled draft treaty amendments on EMU. My right hon.
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Friend the Foreign Secretary referred in his speech to the House on 6 December to a number of areas in which the Government would seek improvements in the treaties in the context of the inter-governmental conference on political union. All these are covered by the conclusions of the Rome European Councils.Iraq
Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister what is the policy of the allies towards Iraq should the present regime be militarily defeated in the event of war.
The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the remarks made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in the debate on 15 January at column 814. I have nothing further to add.
Public Records Office
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the findings of the report on the future of the Public Records Office prepared by the civil service efficiency unit published in December 1990.
The Prime Minister : I understand that my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has received the report of the efficiency scrutiny of the Public Record Office. The report has not yet been published. I understand that the Lord Chancellor intends to make a statement very shortly.
The Gulf
Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list in full the military objectives of the allies if war occurs in the Gulf.
The Prime Minister : The Government's objectives since the invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990 have been and remain those of the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Advertising
Mr. Michael : To ask the Prime Minister whose responsibility it is to ensure that departmental Ministers observe Government conventions on the use of paid publicity and advertising ; what process of scrutiny is currently in operation ; and by what process departmental Ministers are held to account for the actions of their Departments in this regard.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 16 January 1991] : It is the responsibility of individual Ministers to ensure that the conventions on Government publicity and advertising are observed by their Department. Ministers are accountable to Parliament for the actions of their Departments.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Security
12. Mr. Hunter : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he plans next to meet Ministers of the Government of the Republic of Ireland to discuss security in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Brooke : Security matters will be discussed at the next meeting of the Anglo-Irish intergovernmental conference. I expect this to take place shortly.
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UDR Four
13. Mr. Peter Robinson : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of his consideration of the case of Winston Allen, Noel Bell, James Hegan and Neill Latimer, known as the UDR Four.
Dr. Mawhinney : Last Thursday the hon. Gentleman presented my right hon. Friend with a dossier regarding these cases. It is being carefully examined.
Empty Council Housing
14. Mr. Gregory : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the most recent figure for empty local authority housing for up to six months, 12 months and over one year, respectively ; if he will list the local authorities concerned ; and if he will make a statement.
Dr. Mawhinney : The chief executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has advised that at 30 November 1990 they had 1,955 unoccupied dwellings of which 1,176 had been unoccupied for up to six months ; 292 had been unoccupied for between six and 12 months and 487 had been unoccupied for more than 12 months. Those figures exclude unoccupied properties which are not available for letting.
Anglo-Irish Conference
15. Mr. John Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the last meeting of the Anglo-Irish Conference.
Mr. Brooke : The last meeting of the conference took place on 30 November. Matters discussed included the prospects for political talks, security co-operation and economic and social topics. The joint statement issued after the conference was placed in the Library.
Housing Repossessions
16. Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many writs were lodged before the courts for the repossession of houses in the latest year for which figures are available ; how many repossessions occurred over that same period, together with comparable figures for 1980 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Hanley : Exact information is not available but it is believed that approximately 700 orders to repossess either domestic or commercial mortgaged properties were issued in 1990 compared with about 200 in 1982.
It should also be remembered that orders do not always lead to actual repossession, and therefore the total number of repossessions is not known.
Power Station Emissions
17. Mr. Beggs : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent present energy policy in Northern Ireland is intended to enable European Community directives on emissions from power stations to be complied with.
Mr. Hanley : Existing power stations in Northern Ireland will be contributing to the United Kingdom programme, announced on 20 December 1990, for
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achieving the cuts in emissions required by the Large Combustion Plants Directive. As for future power stations, they will have to comply with separate limits given in the directive.Sunday Trading
18. Mr. John Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received regarding Sunday trading.
Mr. Hanley : Apart from the hon. Member raising the matter in the House on 10 May, no representations have been received in recent years regarding Sunday trading in Northern Ireland.
Unemployment
19. Mr. Nellist : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the latest figure for the level of unemployment in Northern Ireland ; and what proposals he has to reduce that level.
Mr. Hanley : At 13 December 1990 (the latest date for which figures are available) there were 95,570 unemployed claimants in the Province. The Government's economic development strategy for Northern Ireland aims to improve the competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy and thereby bring about increased profitability and employment.
Government
20. Mr. Latham : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made in creating institutional and political structures of government in the Province which would command broad public support.
Mr. Brooke : I am continuing to seek agreement among the main constitutional parties in Northern Ireland on a basis for talks which would address all key relationships to everyone's satisfaction.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
21. Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he hopes to announce an appointment in the regional orthopaedic unit at Musgrave Park hospital of a specialist combining treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Mr. Hanley : It is the responsibility of the Eastern health and social services board to decide on the requirement for orthopaedic consultants at Musgrave Park hospital and for the Department of Health and Social Services to approve the appointment. No submission for approval to the appointment of a consultant combining treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has yet been received in the Department.
Colin Wallace
22. Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his response to the most recent representations he has had from Colin Wallace.
Dr. Mawhinney : Mr. Wallace's most recent letter to my right hon. Friend was replied to on 16 August 1990.
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Film Industry
23. Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding there is for the film industry in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Hanley : Support for the film industry in Northern Ireland is provided on the same basis as support to industry generally. In addition modest levels of financial assistance are provided by the Arts Council for Northern Ireland and through the business sponsorship incentive scheme administered by the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts (ABSA) on behalf of the Department of Education.
Elderly People
24. Mr. A. Cecil Walker : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if any extra resources are being made available specifically for the elderly within the budget of the Eastern health and social services board.
Mr. Hanley : Health and social services boards in Northern Ireland will have resources of £830 million available to them in 1991-92, an increase of almost £84 million on the current year. Individual allocations will be announced shortly and it will be for the Eastern board to determine the distribution of resources across the various programmes of care, including the elderly.
Further Education
25. Mr. Kilfedder : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when decisions will be made regarding further education in Northern Ireland.
Dr. Mawhinney : The closing date for responses to the Government's consultative document, "Signposts for the 90s--A Review of Further Education", was 31 December 1990. The views received are being carefully considered and an announcement on the way forward will be made in the early summer.
Security
26. Mr. Riddick : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest security situation.
Mr. Brooke : I refer to the answer that I gaveearlier today to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Leith (Mr. Brown).
Tourist Board
27. Mr. Mackay : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of the Northern Ireland tourist board.
Dr. Mawhinney : The Northern Ireland tourist board is being restructured and strengthened to enable it to implement the strategy for tourism introduced in 1989 for achieving sustained growth of tourism to and within Northern Ireland.
Irish Republic
28. Mr. Canavan : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what subjects he expects to discuss at his next meeting with representatives of the Government of the Republic of Ireland.
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Mr. Brooke : I expect to discuss political matters, security co-operation and economic and social topics among others at the next meeting of the Anglo-Irish intergovernmental conference.Nursery Education
29. Mrs. Fyfe : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of three and four-year-olds have a full-time nursery place.
Dr. Mawhinney : Eight per cent.
Fallen Animals
6. Rev. William McCrea : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the burial of fallen animals.
Mr. Hanley : I am aware of the problems associated with the disposal of fallen animals and I am very concerned about the particular difficulties arising from the cessation of collection services by the two major rendering
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plants. I have had useful discussions with one of the rendering plants who are considering providing a disposal service.I will be meeting next week representatives of district councils in Northern Ireland led by the hon. Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (Mr. Maginnis) to discuss the general question of disposal of fallen animals.
Government Appointees
Rev. Ian Paisley : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of all Government-appointed nominees to the board of Laganside corporation since its formation, giving the year of appointment and the length of service in each case.
Mr. Hanley [holding answer 16 January 1991] : The following members have been appointed by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland to serve on the board of Laganside Corporation since its inception on the 14 June 1989 :
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Member |Period of Appointment
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Duke of Abercorn
(Chairman)
Mr. J. B. McGuckian
(Deputy Chairman) |Since inception on |14 June 1989
Mrs. M. Spence |14 June 1989 to |to date
Mr. J. Carson, CBE |13 June 1992
Dr. B. Feeney
Mr. J. Fitzpatrick
Dr. R. B. Henderson,CBE
Mr. F. Cobain |1 August 1989 to |1 August 1989
|13 June 1992 |to date
Mr. D. Moreland, CBE |Since inception on |14 June 1989
|14 June 1989 to |until resignation
|13 June 1992 |on 31 March 1990
Mr. G. R. Irwin |1 May 1990 to |1 May 1990
|13 June 1992 |to date
Rev. Ian Paisley : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of all Government-appointed nominees to the Northern Ireland Fire Authority since its formation, giving the year of appointment and the length of service in each case.
Mr. Hanley [holding answer 16 January 1991] : The information is as follows :
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