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BNFBDH Chemicals Ltd.
Starting during 1987
Bank of England
Shell
Barclays
Starting during 1986
Bank of England
BP
De La Rue
Deloitte, Haskins and Sells
Peat Marwick
Table VII Interchange with the private sector : Secondments from the Diplomatic Service
Organisation
Starting during 1990
Price Waterhouse
Barclays
Hongkong Bank
Starting during 1989
Northern Engineering Industries
London Chamber of Commerce
De La Rue
Hambros
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
British Aerospace
Thorn EMI
British Gas
London Chamber of Commerce
Starting during 1988
Smiths Industries
Thorn Lighting
BBC
Shorts, Vosper Thornycroft, GKN
Starting during 1987
Rank Xerox
ICI
Starting during 1986
British Aerospace
Barclays
Arabic Broadcasts
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any plans exist to use BBC transmitters in Oman and Cyprus for special broadcasts in Arabic to the people of Iraq ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : There is none. The BBC World Service continues to use the transmitters in Oman and Cyprus for its regular broadcasts in English and Arabic, which can be heard throughout the middle east, including Iraq. Since the crisis began, in August 1990, the BBC has increased the hours of Arabic transmissions from nine to 14 hours a day and those of English broadcasts to 24 hours a day in the region.
Military Aid
Mr. Tom Clarke : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Monklands, West on 21 January, Official Report , column 49, he will list those nations receiving British military aid since 1987.
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Mr. Douglas Hogg : The nations are Belize, Dominica, the Gambia, Grenada, Guyana, Maldives, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Seychelles and Tonga.
Aid (Eastern Europe)
Mr. Tom Clarke : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the assistance given over the past 12 months to (a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) Czechoslovakia and (d) Yugoslavia in the (i) food aid, (ii) technical assistance, (iii) trade access, (iv) export credits, (v) investment, (vi) training, (vii) environment and (viii) stabilisation.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : The European Commission, as chairman of the Group of 24 donor countries, publishes a regular "scoreboard" of assistance to eastern European countries. The latest edition, issued on 30 January, will be placed in the Library of the House.
Prisoners of War (Iraq)
Mr. Fearn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received concerning Iraqi treatment of British prisoners of war in Iraq.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : We need no representations to express our disgust at the Iraqi treatment of allied POWs in Iraq. Iraq has been in breach of her obligations under the third Geneva convention. It has paraded and interrogated captured allied airmen before the television cameras, has announced they would be sent to strategic sites, that some had been wounded and that one was now dead. Specifically, Iraq has breached article 13 which says that POWs must at all times be protected against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity, article 17, as regards interrogation, and article 19 as regards evacuation out of danger. Finally, article 23 states that no POW may at any time be sent or detained in areas where he may be exposed to the fire of the combat zone, nor may his presence be used to render certain points immune for military operations. Using the POWs as a human shield as Iraq claims to have done would be seen as a serious breach under the terms of article 23.
We have been in very close touch with the International Committee of the Red Cross. Our mission in Geneva has drawn each successive report to its attention immediately and asked for verification. Specifically on 29 January, we immediately informed it of Iraqi media reports on the wounding and possible death of an allied POW and asked that it seek confirmation as rapidly as possible. So far Iraq has refused to give access to the ICRC and has not notified it of the capture of any POWs. Representations have been made to the ICRC by other allied countries and by the presidency on behalf of the EC. We have also asked some Governments who may have good contacts with the Iraqis to press them to comply with their obligation. In addition, I have summoned the Iraqi ambassador twice, most recently on 29 January, to whom I made clear Iraq's obligations under the convention. The ambassador in Geneva made representations on humanitarian grounds to his Iraqi counterpart who undertook to pass the demarche to Baghdad. We are exploring what other avenues may be open.
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Honorary Consuls
Mr. Tom Clarke : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the duties of honorary consuls ; and what remuneration they receive.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : Under the supervision of a superintending post, honorary consuls can perform most functions of career consuls. Their main role, however, is helping and advising British nationals who find themselves in difficulty in their area.
They provide a valuable and cost-effective service in areas where there is no career post. Honorary consuls are not paid a salary. However, they may receive an honorarium of up to £1,000 per annum in acknowledgement of their services and certain office expenses.
Youth Exchange Centre
Mr. Tom Clarke : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many young people since 1985 have taken part in reciprocal exchanges between the United Kingdom and other countries through the youth exchange centre ; and what criteria are used for choosing participants.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : Since 1985, a total of 91,559 young people have taken part in reciprocal exchanges between the United Kingdom and other countries through the youth exchange centre. Participants are sought from among young people of 15 to 25-years-old who would not otherwise be likely to have the opportunity of any kind of international experience.
Iraq
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many ministerial visits have been made from his Department to Iraq since 1979.
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Mr. Douglas Hogg : There have been seven visits to Iraq by Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers since 1979.
The Gulf
Mr. Amos : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the actual amount of Japanese financial assistance to the allied war effort in the Gulf up to 24 January.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : The original contribution offered by the Japanese was $2 billion for the multinational forces and $2 billion for economic assistance to Jordan, Egypt and Turkey. On 24 January a further contribution of$9 billion for the multinational forces was announced by the Japanese Government.
TRANSPORT
Inflammable Cargoes
Mr. Steinberg : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the amount of inflammable cargo transported by road for each year since 1980.
Mr. Chope : The information requested is in the table. Available road freight statistics do not indicate whether commodities are inflammable. However, figures are provided for petrol and petroleum products. The table shows the amount of petrol and petroleum products and all commodities transported by road. This is shown in tonnes and also in tonne kilometres, the latter taking account of the distances the commodities are moved.
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Petroleum products and all commodities transported by road: 1980-1989
|1980 |1981 |1982 |1983 |1984 |1985 |1986 |1987 |1988 |1989
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes (million)
Petrol and petroleum
products |74 |61 |68 |68 |68 |71 |62 |64 |77 |65
All commodities |1,383|1,286|1,376|1,344|1,390|1,445|1,471|1,542|1,751|1,807
Petrol and petroleum
products (percentage
of all commodities) |5.4 |4.7 |4.9 |5.1 |4.9 |4.9 |4.2 |4.2 |4.4 |3.6
Tonne kilometres (billion)
Petrol and petroleum
products |4.3 |3.7 |3.7 |4.2 |4.0 |4.3 |3.7 |4.1 |4.9 |4.5
All commodities |92.4 |92.9 |93.8 |95.1 |99.9 |102.9|105.4|113.3|129.8|137.4
Petrol and petroleum
products (percentage
of all commodities) |4.7 |4.0 |3.9 |4.4 |4.0 |4.2 |3.5 |3.6 |3.8 |3.3
Source: Department of Transport.
Cycling Facilities
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in descending order the London boroughs by Department of Transport grant-assisted expenditure on cycling facilities in the last three years.
Mr. Chope : Bids from the London boroughs for transport supplementary grant for cycling facilities come into the category of minor works. Support is given on a block grant and none for specific schemes. The information requested is therefore not available.
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Orange Badge Parking
Mr. Hannam : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that the orange badge parking scheme for disabled people is recognised by the central London authorities ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Chope : Department of Transport officials met officers from the four London authorities currently outside the national scheme, and members of the disabled persons transport advisory committee--DPTAC--in September
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last year to explore the scope for applying some aspects of the orange badge scheme to central London. All four authorities agreed to consider the possibility of granting some concessions to badge holders subject to the implementation of modifications to the scheme now under consideration and to changes in London boroughs parking enforcement powers as envisaged in part II of the current Road Traffic Bill.Mr. Hannam : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that display of the orange badge by anyone other than the legitimate badge holder is made a criminal offence.
Mr. Chope : We have already agreed in principle to the creation of this new offence, which would require legislation.
Trees, Pickburn
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why his Department cut down trees in Doncaster road, Pickburn, South Yorkshire, that were shielding houses from the effects of traffic on the A1(M) ; who authorised the action, and on what authority it was carried out ; and what recompense will be given to the householders.
Mr. Chope : The work on this boundary hedge to encourage growth near ground level is to prevent children and animals from straying on to the motorway. The work was carried out in accordance with the Department's code of practice for routine maintenance introduced in 1985. No compensation is available to nearby householders in these circumstances.
Railways (Security)
Mr. Fearn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail to discuss increased security on Britain's railways.
Mr. Freeman : I met the chief constable of the British Transport police on 18 January to discuss current security arrangements on the railways and London underground.
A2 Roadworks
Mr. Dunn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the length of time roadworks have been undertaken on that stretch of the A2 roadway between Falconwood cemetery, Eltham and Pepper Hill, Swanscombe, since 1 January 1983 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 30 January 1991] : The periods during which major roadworks have been undertaken on the A2 between Falconwood cemetery, Eltham and Pepper Hill, Swanscombe, since the beginning of January 1983, are as follows :
|Duration
|(weeks)
----------------------------------------------------------------
A2 in London Borough of Bexley
May-November 1986 |20
March-May 1987 |13
October 1987-January 1988 |15.5
August-December 1989 |13
November 1990-in hand, expected to complete
March 1991 |(15)
A2 in Kent: County Boundary to Swanscombe
November 1984-January 1985 |12
July-December 1985 |19
August 1988-February 1989 |26
February-May 1989 |14
July-September 1990 |10
October-November 1990 |5
January 1991-in hand, expected to complete
February 1991 |(5)
The work largely comprises major maintenance, the provision of hard shoulders, lighting and safety fences.
Speed Limits
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he has assessed the possible effect of more stringent enforcement of speed limits on emissions of carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen from road traffic ;
(2) what would be the effect on emissions of carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen from road traffic if speed limits on motorways were (a) increased to 80 mph and (b) reduced to 50 mph.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 28 January 1991] : The precise effect of a change in speed limits or enforcement would depend on the way in which average driving speeds were affected. The available evidence suggests that, typically, reducing average speed from 70 to 50 mph would reduce a car's CO emissions by about 20 per cent. and NOx emissions by about 25 per cent.
The rate of CO emissions would increase proportionately more rapidly from 70 to 80 mph and NOx emissions would also rise.
Red Routes
Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what quantifiable criteria have been used to measure the operation of the red route pilot project ; and on what days and at what times monitoring has taken place.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 30 January 1991] : The "before" surveys were carried out at a variety of times and on a variety of days during 1990. A full programme of monitoring including "after" surveys is being carried out.
The quantifiable objectives for the pilot scheme are :
During the working day reduce average journey times--currently 26.5 minutes --and the variation in journey times--presently 15 minutes--thus improving journey reliability along the route.Reduce traffic in adjacent rat- runs.Improve the reliability of bus services operated so that more run to timetable.Reduce casualties along the route and on adjacent roads and thus contribute to meeting the targets for the Boroughs concerned.Improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and reduce conflicts between them and vehicles.
The aim is to achieve the objectives without encouraging an increase in the number of cars being used for commuting into central London and any adverse impact on shops along the route.
Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision he has made in the red route pilot project for money to be collected and deposited with banks by security vans.
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Mr. Chope [holding answer 30 January 1991] : Although there is no general exemption for security vehicles, arrangements can be made between the police and the operators individually according to the nature and location of deliveries.Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the effects of the red route pilot project on traders' businesses along the line of the route ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 30 January 1991] : Since the pilot route opened representations have been received from several businesses. In some cases it has been possible to provide some loading or waiting areas, but in other cases the location of the businesses is such that loading or waiting is not possible without creating congestion or affecting safety. It is too soon to reach conclusions about long-term effects.
Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) organisations and businesses and (b) members of the public responded to the consultation on the red route pilot project.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 30 January 1991] : A total of 221 responses were made by businesses and 240 by members of the public or organisations. As a result of the consultation, several important changes to the scheme were made, mainly to suit the needs of local businesses.
Deaths, Edge Hill
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the deaths of three railway workers at Edge Hill railway sidings, Liverpool, on Friday 18 January.
Mr. Forth : I have been asked to reply.
The three men had been called out at 03.40 to repair faulty points at Edge Hill. They had telephoned the signalman, who had reported the fault, to inform him that they were on the way, but he heard no more from them. Later, the fault cleared and the signalman set a route over the points for an empty train bound for Liverpool Lime Street station.
From the evidence available, it seems most likely that the men had started work on site and were struck by the empty train. The crew of a track maintenance machine that passed over the same line shortly afterwards were the first to notice that an accident had occurred. They alerted the signalman who called the emergency services. An inspector from the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate visited the site later in the day to carry out an investigation. British Rail's internal inquiry began on Monday 21 January. The inspectorate will, on receipt of British Rail's report, decide whether any further action is necessary.
WALES
Whitchurch Hospital
Mr. Gwilym Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons have been detained at Whitchurch hospital because of lack of medium secure accommodation for each of the last five years ; what has
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been the cost involved ; and whether South Glamorgan health authority has been compensated for that expenditure.Mr. Nicholas Bennett : District health authorities are responsible for meeting the health care needs of their mentally ill patients, including those who need to be cared for in secure conditions. The records maintained by South Glamorgan health authority do not allow for precise calculations of the number of patients treated in ward west 3 who might have warranted medium secure acommodation over the past five years, but the authority estimates that 15 or 20 might have fallen into this category. In recognition of the special role undertaken by Whitchurch hospital for this group of patients, additional funding has been made available since 1977 for nursing support. This currently amounts to £180,000 a year. The Welsh Office also helps to fund a hospital social worker at the hospital.
Mr. Gwilym Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons have been accommodated in the locked ward at Whitchurch hospital for each of the last five years ; what has been the extra cost involved ; and whether South Glamorgan health authority has been compensated for that expenditure.
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