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Homelessness
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific account he takes of net expenditure by borough councils on homelessless as part of his structure of standard spending assessment for the year 1992-93.
Mr. Key : The total of standard spending assessments has been set in the light of the spending needs of all authorities including an allowance for appropriate expenditure on providing for the homeless.
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Business Rates
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will tabulate the annual income and expenditure on disbursements into and from the national non-domestic rates pool for each year of its operation together with his estimates of such operations for the year 1992- 93.
Mr. Key : The amounts of non-domestic rates distributed from, and contributed to the central pool for England in 1990-91 were :
Distributable |Contributions Amount |(£000) (£000) ------------------------------------------ 10,428,500 |10,733,421
The amounts which are being, or to be distributed and which it is estimated will be paid into the pool in 1991-92 and 1992-93 are :
|Distributable|Contributions
|Amount |(£000)
|(£000)
--------------------------------------------------------
1991-92 |12,408,000 |11,992,289
1992-93 |12,306,000 |12,339,000
The contributions for 1990-91 are currently being adjusted to reflect the amount of rates actually collectable from businesses in that year. It is estimated that those contributions will be reduced by about £127 million as a result of the adjustments. Contributions for 1991-92 will be adjusted during 1992-93.
Nursery Education
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what account he takes of the need for, or number of places currently provided in, nursery education in inner city areas when calculating his standard spending assessment for relevant local authorities ; and if he will state the arithmetic or other formula used for any such calculations.
Mr. Key : Provision for nursery education is made within the standard spending assessment for under-fives education. This is based on the numbers of children aged
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under five resident in each relevant authority with allowances for extra costs associated with additional educational needs and higher costs in London and the south-east. Details are given in the Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England), which is in the Library.Environmental Policy
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the ways in which Her Majesty's Government intend to work closely with the European Parliament in the coming months on environmental policy.
Mr. Baldry : The Government already consult, brief and exchange views with Members of the European Parliament on a regular basis. However, to achieve the smooth passage of Environment Council business during the United Kingdom presidency in the second half of this year, we will be developing further our contacts with the European Parliament and its environment committee.
Personal Social Services
Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimate of the personal social services share of reductions in rate or revenue support grant for England as a whole for each year since 1978-79 at 1991-92 prices, when calculated by applying to the grant reductions the share that personal social services spending made up of total local authority spending each year and using relevant expenditure in each year except for (a) net expenditure met by rents, rates and balances for 1978-79 to 1980-81, (b) budgeted net revenue expenditure for 1990-91 and (c) standard spending assessments for the current year.
Mr. Key : Revenue support grant, like its predecessor rate support grant, is paid to local authorities in support of general revenue expenditure. It would not therefore be appropriate to try to attribute amounts of grant to specific services.
Genetically Modified Organisms
Mr. Bermingham : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish his Department's regulations governing the contained use of genetically modified organisms and outdoor releases of genetically modified organisms following his consultations ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Baldry : Consultations on the proposed regulations were completed on 22 January and my Department and other interested governmental parties are currently analysing the results. The regulations will be laid as soon as possible after the issues raised by the comments received have been considered and resolved.
Local Government Finance
Mr. Ward : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library the draft regulations on the council tax upon which the local authority associations are being consulted through the council tax technical sub-group.
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Mr. Portillo : I am arranging for copies of the draft regulations already sent to the local authority associations to be placed in the Library of the House and for further drafts to be placed there as they are issued.
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table in the Official Report based upon the information contained in annex VIII of his local government statement of 26 November, showing for each local authority area listed on pages 2 to 13 (a) income from the community charge for standard spending, (b) business rate income and (c) revenue support grant in each case as a percentage of standard spending assessment, with each local authority being listed in ascending order according to the percentage size of its revenue support grant.
Mr. Key [holding answer 29 January 1992] : A table containing the information requested has been placed in the Library.
Thurrock Borough Council
Mr. Janman : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much Government grant has been paid to Thurrock borough council since April 1987 for expenditure on Thurrock borough council's housing stock.
Mr. Yeo [holding answer 20 January 1992] : Thurrock borough council was not entitled to housing subsidy for the financial years 1987-88 to 1989-90. Housing revenue account subsidy, introduced on 1 April 1990, replaced housing subsidy and incorporated rent rebate subsidy which was previously paid to local authorities by the Department of Social Security. The council has claimed housing revenue account subsidy as follows :
|£
------------------------------
1990-91 |6,432,848
1991-92 |7,170,427
In addition, Thurrock has received housing capital allocations, including housing investment programme allocations, part of which will have been used for expenditure on its own stock. These allocations may be supplemented by the authority's own resources, and for the years in question total :
|£
---------------------------------------
1987-88 |2,359,000
1988-89 |2,044,000
1989-90 |1,839,000
New Capital Finance System<1>
1990-91 |3,305,000
1991-92 |<2>4,063,000
<1> Changes made at the time of
introduction of the new capital
finance system in 1990-91 mean that
the levels of allocations before and
after that date are not comparable.
Provisional estimate of final allocation.
Wild-Caught Bird Trade
Mr. Gale : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will commission and fund a study on a case-by-case basis into which bird species are likely to benefit from the wild-caught bird trade, as recommended on page 3 of the recent Joint Nature Conservancy Council report on international trade in wildlife.
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Mr. Baldry [holding answer 28 January 1992] : The Government already support studies of the potential impact of wildlife trade throughout the world through its subscription to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The JNCC and the royal botanic gardens, Kew, also monitor the wildlife trade generally on our behalf. We will keep the need for further research under review.Mr. Gale : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to introduce registration and possession controls for all Convention on Trade in Endangered Species appendix 1 species held in the United Kingdom, as recommended on page 3 of the recent Joint Nature Conservancy Council report on international trade in wildlife.
Mr. Baldry [holding answer 28 January 1992] : I wrote to the European Commission in October urging it to propose stricter controls on the trade in appendix 1 species. The Commission reported in December that it planned to publish proposals shortly, and my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside pressed for early progress on these. We shall be giving urgent attention to the proposals when they are published.
Mr. Gale : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those birds species that (a) have benefited and (b) are likely to benefit from the international trade in wild-caught birds.
Mr. Baldry [holding answer 28 January 1992] : Comprehensive information on species which have benefited from trade is not readily available. Properly controlled trade can provide an incentive for the better management of many species. The same general principles can be applied to the bird trade as to trade in other species mentioned in the JNCC report.
Defence Estate
Mr. Rogers : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to ensure that local authorities will receive sufficient information from the Ministry of Defence to ensure that land forming part of the defence estate is noted in their registers of potentially contaminated land.
Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : I have been asked to reply.
There is a close liaison between the Ministry of Defence and the Department of the Environment concerning the implications for the defence estate of the public registers of land which may be contaminated to be compiled under section 143 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In addition, the MOD is working with the DOE to prepare a profile of potentially contaminative uses of defence land which is designed to assist local authorities to compile register entries. The MOD will respond positively at the appropriate time to local authority requests for information, subject to the constraints of national security.
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WALES
Radon Gas
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the total number of deaths from lung cancer in Wales and the estimated proportion of deaths caused by exposure to radon gas.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : During 1990 there were 1,976 deaths from lung cancer in Wales. It is not possible to give an accurate estimate of how many, if any, of these were caused by exposure to radon. The National Radiological Protection Board estimates that 5 per cent. of lung cancer deaths in the United Kingdom may be attributable to exposure to radon.
Information on lung cancer deaths in years prior to 1990 is contained in the OPCS publication "Mortality Statistics : Area"--Series DH5--which is available in the Library of the House.
Waste Disposal
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects local authorities in Wales to finalise their new arrangements for waste disposal sites.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : By September 1992.
Children's Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the date on which the children's ear, nose and throat operating theatres will be transferred from the Children's Ear, Nose and Throat hospital, Cowbridge road west, Ely, Cardiff, to the University hospital of Wales, the Heath, Cardiff ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : This is an operational matter for the authority.
Primary School Classes
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of children in primary classes in Wales in (a) 1988 and (b) 1991, in classes of (i) 31 to 35, (ii) 36 to 39 and (iii) 40 and above.
Sir Wyn Roberts : Information on the number of children in primary classes is not held centrally in the form requested. The table gives the number of ordinary classes in primary schools by size of class. Data for 1991 are not yet available.
|31 to 35 |36 to 40 |41 and over
------------------------------------------------------------
1988 |1,602 |132 |8
1990 |1,634 |97 |9
Figures relate to September of the academic year.
Public Opinion Surveys
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since 22 July 1991.
Mr. David Hunt [holding answer 5 November 1991] : None.
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PRIME MINISTER
Engagements
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 30 January.
Mr. MacGregor : I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has been having important discussions today with President Yeltsin on his first visit abroad as President of an independent Russia. My right hon. Friend will be meeting President Bush this evening after his arrival in New York to chair a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
UN Environment and Development Conference
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the organisations invited, and the criteria for inviting them, to his meeting with non-governmental organisations on 5 February to explore the prospects for the United Nations conference on environment and development in Rio de Janeiro in June.
Mr. MacGregor : I have been asked to reply.
Participants in the seminar on 5 February have been invited in their personal capacity, not as representatives of organisations. Leading figures from environment and development groups and business were asked to nominate appropriate individuals to receive invitations to the seminar. The choice of whom to nominate was left entirely to them.
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy, in his discussions with President Yeltsin on 30 January, to raise the outstanding verification problems that hinder the completion of a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.
Mr. MacGregor : I have been asked to reply.
No.
HOME DEPARTMENT
National Alliance of Womens Organisations
Miss Emma Nicholson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the National Alliance of Womens Organisations ; and if he will make a statement ;
(2) if he will provide financial support to the National Alliance of Womens Organisations.
Mrs. Rumbold : We recognise the practical advice this body provides for some women's organisations. We have provisionally decided to give NAWO a small grant in 1992-93 to help with administrative costs. This is subject to approval by Treasury and by Parliament.
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Police Truncheon (Replacement)
Mr. Kilfedder : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will authorise the replacement of the present police short truncheon with the American side handled baton.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The procurement of equipment is the responsibility of chief officers of police. We are prepared to arrange for a scientific evaluation of any equipment which might assist in public order control if chief officers request it.
Knife-proof Vests
Mr. Hill : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will carry out an urgent evaluation of a knife-proof vest for police foot patrols.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The Home Office police scientific development branch recently completed research on stab resistant materials. We are ready to undertake further scientific research into new products if requested to do so by chief officers.
Firearms
Mr. Shersby : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been carried out by his Department since the enactment of the Firearms Act 1982 of the extent to which imitation firearms now on sale can be converted to fire live ammunition without any special skill using tools in common use.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Under the Firearms Act 1982 any imitation firearm which is readily convertible to fire live ammunition is subject to the same strict licensing controls as a "real" firearm. Since that Act came into effect, it has been normal practice for manufacturers and retailers to submit model firearms to the Home Office forensic science service for an assessment of their status before releasing them for sale.
Asylum Seekers
Ms. Gordon : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for each month how many asylum applications were decided (a) by the granting of refugee status, (b) by the granting of exceptional leave to remain and (c) by the refusal to either ; and, of those granted refugee status or leave to remain, how many were port applicants for asylum and how many were lawfully in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Available monthly information for 1990 and the first half of 1991 is given in the table. Corresponding information for the second half of 1991 is not yet available.
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Decisions<1><2><3> on applications<3> for asylum in the United Kingdom
Number of applications<1>
Granted asylum Granted exceptional leave
|Applied |Applied |Total |Applied |Applied |Total |Refused
|at port |after entry<4>|granted |at port |after entry<4>|granted
|asylum |exceptional
|leave |leave
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990
January |105 |55 |160 |240 |75 |320 |60
February |80 |35 |115 |180 |60 |240 |55
March |60 |40 |95 |165 |45 |210 |40
April |45 |25 |65 |170 |60 |235 |45
May |30 |20 |55 |150 |55 |210 |90
June |25 |35 |60 |80 |50 |130 |45
July |40 |35 |75 |85 |75 |165 |45
August |30 |25 |55 |75 |60 |135 |45
September |55 |20 |75 |180 |85 |270 |70
October |90 |20 |110 |125 |75 |200 |70
November |40 |40 |75 |130 |100 |230 |80
December |15 |35 |55 |60 |35 |90 |55
1991<5>
January |20 |30 |55 |395 |115 |510 |90
February |10 |20 |30 |135 |110 |250 |85
March |5 |30 |40 |70 |65 |135 |115
April |10 |25 |30 |20 |65 |85 |115
May |10 |30 |35 |20 |45 |65 |110
June |5 |20 |25 |15 |40 |55 |70
<1>Excluding dependants.
<2>Provisional figures, rounded to the nearest 5.
<3>Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same year.
<4>Comprehensive information on the immigration status of these applicants is not readily available.
<5>1991 figures are likely to understate because of delays in recording.
Police (Body Armour)
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to provide body armour to all the police forces for the protection of officers ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The procurement of equipment for forces is entirely a matter for chief officers. I understand that all forces have body armour available for officers when an operational need can be foreseen. The Home Office is ready to undertake scientific research into new products if requested so to do by chief officers.
DNA Profiles
Mr. Bermingham : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy in respect of the retention of the paper copy of DNA profiles taken from persons cleared of an offence as part of the case record ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Paper records of DNA profiles are retained by forensic science laboratories for audit and quality assurance purposes.
Prison Estate
Sir John Wheeler : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce his conclusions on the further review of the prison estate.
Mr. Kenneth Baker : I have considered very carefully the large number of representations received following my announcement on 24 July 1991, Official Report, column 596, of the proposals which had emerged from the review of the prison estate. The proposals included changes to the roles of 15 establishments, and the closure of seven
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establishments as well as units at Her Majesty's prison Drake Hall, Her Majesty's prison Highpoint and Her Majesty's prison Norwich. Since these proposals were made the prison population has risen and the prison service has had to resort to very high levels of police cell use to accommodate prisoners. Yesterday there were 1,244 prisoners in police cells. The use of police cells in this way is entirely unacceptable and I do not now believe that it would be right to continue with the proposed closures, except for Her Majesty's remand centre Pucklechurch and the open unit at Her Majesty's prison Highpoint in 1993- 94. I therefore now intend that the establishments in the following list should continue in operation for at least the next two years and subject where appropriate to changes of role. HMYOI KirklevingtonTo convert to adult use.
HMYOI Werrington
To remain as a young offender institution.
HMP Hewell Grange
To continue for the present in its temporary role as an adult open prison.
HMYOI Finnamore Wood Camp
To remain as a young offender institution.
HMP Oxford
Closure to be deferred and to be used as a decanting facility by London establishments during the present period of large scale refurbishment.
HMP Aldington
To remain as a training prison.
HMP Norwich (Britannia)
Closure to be deferred and to be used temporarily to relieve the main establishment while work goes ahead to install integral sanitation.
HMP Drake Hall
The proposal to mothball one unit will not now go ahead. I have also reached the following conclusions in respect of the proposed changes of role :
HMYOI Castington
To be retained as a young offender institution.
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HMYOI DeerboltTo establish a juvenile unit within existing buildings.
HMP Nottingham
To be retained as a training establishment.
HMYOI Lancaster Farms
To be used as a remand centre as well as a young offender institution.
HMP Risley
To be used as both a local and training prison as new accommodation comes into use.
HMP Leeds
To be used as both a training and a local prison as new accommodation comes into use.
HMP Stafford
Further consideration will be given to the proposal for this establishment to be converted in part to a local prison in 1995-96. HMP Gloucester
One wing to be used as a remand centre.
HMYOI Eastwood Park
To close as a young offender institution (1992-93) and re-open as a female establishment (1993-94).
HMYOI Hollesley Bay Colony
To convert in part to adult use.
HMP Bedford
To convert in part to a remand centre. But further consideration will be given to whether it will in addition be necessary to use some of the accommodation at HMP Woodhill as a remand centre.
HMP Reading
To convert to a remand centre.
HMP Elmley
To open as part local and part category C training prison. HMP Coldingley
To convert from a category B to a category C training prison. HMYOI Guys Marsh
Further consideration will be given to the most effective way of providing an adequate number of remand centre places in the south of England. It is now proposed that for the time being Guys Marsh will be used to hold adult male sentenced prisoners as well as young offenders.
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