| Previous Section | Home Page |
Mr. Jackson : The table shows the TEC operational budgets for 1991- 92. Information for Scottish local enterprise companies is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to provide. Budgets are for the period of TEC operation only and vary in the periods they cover because of the differing operational dates of TECs.
The TEC budgets for 1992-93 are still subject to negotiation.
TEC |Allocation
|£ million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
South East
Essex (23 July 1990) |29.162
Hampshire (17 September 1990) |31.963
Heart of England (17 September 1990) |10.733
Hertfordshire (30 April 1990) |19.527
Isle of Wight (15 October 1990) |4.123
Kent (12 November 1990) |32.172
Milton Keynes and North Bucks (17 September 1990) |6.488
Surrey (1 April 1991) |14.070
Sussex (1 April 1991) |25.984
Thames Valley Enterprise (30 April 1990) |19.784
London
AZTEC (12 November 1990) |10.742
CENTEC (16 September 1991) |11.951
CILNTEC (14 October 1991) |8.124
LETEC (1 April 1991) |27.618
North London (16 September 1991) |9.690
North West London (16 September 1991) |5.625
SOLOTEC (1 April 1991) |18.555
South Thames (27 May 1991) |20.510
West London (16 September 1991) |8.945
South West
Avon (1 April 1991) |29.263
Devon and Cornwall (30 April 1990) |52.475
Dorset (30 April 1990) |15.488
Gloucester (7 January 1991) |13.010
Somerset (23 July 1990) |13.259
Wiltshire (1 April 1991) |12.766
West Midlands
Birmingham (12 November 1990) |46.456
Central England (1 April 1991) |10.975
Coventry (17 September 1990) |25.768
Dudley (1 April 1991) |11.203
Hereford and Worcester (1 April 1991) |10.141
Sandwell (1 April 1991) |11.427
Shropshire (1 April 1991) |13.460
Staffordshire (15 October 1990) |34.627
Walsall (15 October 1990) |23.544
Wolverhampton (1 April 1991) |11.564
East Midlands and Anglia
Leicester (1 April 1991) |26.339
Northamptonshire (1 April 1991) |12.852
Lincolnshire (1 April 1991) |8.174
Greater Nottingham (1 April 1991) |21.420
North Nottingham (25 June 1960) |16.965
South Derbyshire (7 January 1991) |17.607
North Derbyshire (1 April 1991) |11.544
Norfolk and Waveney (12 November 1990) |22.888
Suffolk (12 November 1990) |14.243
Bedfordshire (1 April 1991) |12.137
Greater Peterborough (4 February 1991) |8.174
CAMBSTEC (4 February 1991) |6.362
Yorkshire and Humberside
Leeds (15 October 1990) |22.497
North Yorkshire (25 June 1990) |17.006
Bradford (7 January 1991) |18.696
Calderdale/Kirklees (3 April 1990) |20.592
Wakefield (7 January 1991) |12.231
Barnsley and Doncaster (7 January 1991) |25.705
Sheffield (1 October 1990) |24.206
Rotherham (30 July 1990) |12.127
Humberside (2 April 1991) |37.537
North West
Bolton and Bury (15 October 1990) |12.9
CEWTEC (1 April 1991) |21.0
Cumbria (30 April 1990) |17.3
ELTEC (29 May 1990) |17.3
LAWTEC (1 April 1991) |26.3
Manchester (12 November 1990) |38.5
METROTEC (23 July 1990) |10.5
Oldham (30 April 1990) |8.6
QUALITEC (1 April 1991) |9.3
Rochdale (30 April 1990) |6.5
S and E Cheshire (9 April 1990) |10.9
Stockport and High Peak (20 August 1990) |9.7
Merseyside (24 June 1991) |41.6
NORMID (24 June 1991) |11.9
Northern
Teeside (30 April 1990) |34.565
Tyneside (30 April 1990) |45.908
Wearside (30 April 1990) |21.484
Durham (1 October 1990) |34.380
Northumberland (17 September 1990) |15.639
Wales
Gwent (4 February 1991) |18.4
North East Wales (17 September 1990) |13.6
North West Wales (4 February 1991) |13.6
Mid Glamorgan (23 July 1990) |21.1
Powys (2 April 1991) |4.8
South Glamorgan (4 February 1991) |14.1
West Wales (23 July 1990) |31.5
Dr. Kumar : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how his Department uses business plans prepared by local TECs.
Mr. Jackson : The business plan sets out the TEC's planned activity for the year ahead. It forms the basis of any negotiations with the TEC on matters such as levels of resources. The approved business plan represents what the TEC agrees to deliver under its contract with us.
Column 34
Dr. Kumar : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will remove restrictions imposed within the operating agreement for local training and enterprise councils which meet the needs of their own areas.
Mr. Jackson : We are satisfied that the operating agreement with training and enterprise councils gives them the flexibility to arrange provision to meet the specific needs of their local areas.
Dr. Kumar : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he has given to transferring the remit of training and enterprise councils back to his Department.
Mr. Jackson : We are very satisfied with the way TECs are discharging their training and enterprise remit, and have no plans to transfer their responsibilities back to the Department.
Dr. Kumar : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what priority he gives to the business plan of local training and enterprise councils as compared with other main programmes for the unemployed.
Mr. Jackson : The activities set out in the training and enterprise councils' business plans are an important part of the wide range of help given to unemployed people through the Department.
Training
Dr. Kumar : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the average unit cost for (a) youth training and (b) employment training and the expected monetary contribution towards this from employers both for 1991-92 and 1992-93.
Mr. Jackson : In 1991-92, the average cost per filled place per annum is £2,700 for YT and £6,100 for ET, including allowances. We are not able to make the 1992-93 figures public until negotiations between the Employment Department, and TECs for 1992-93 contracts are complete, as to do so would prejudice the Department's negotiating position.
Employer contributions are estimated to be £627 per filled place per annum on YT and £420 per filled place per annum on ET in 1991-92. We expect an increase in employer contributions in 1992-93.
Dr. Kumar : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for what reasons it was decided not to pay trainee allowance out of employment training but to include an allowance of £35 per week in the youth training unit price.
Mr. Jackson : Youth training must receive training allowances of at least £29.50 per week and £35 per week for 16 and 17-year-old trainees respectively. These allowances are paid directly to trainees by training providers from the funding available from training and enterprise councils.
Employment training trainees receive their previous benefit entitlement plus a £10 premium. Due to the direct link with benefit, employment training trainees are paid their training allowance by the Employment Service through the benefit payment computer system. It is therefore not necessary to include allowances in the employment training funding given to training and enterprise councils and providers.
Column 35
Dr. Kumar : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy in this year's round of negotiation on reducing the youth training price to a figure below that of employment training.Mr. Jackson : The prices paid to training and enterprise councils for youth training and employment training are set independently of each other and reflect among other things the differing nature of the programmes.
Local Initiative Fund
Dr. Kumar : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for what reasons the local initiative was reduced from £1.15 per capita to £0.45.
Mr. Jackson : The per capita allowance is just one element of money made available to training and enterprise councils through the local initiative fund. The total amount available for training and enterprise councils to spend through the fund in 1992-93 will be higher than their expected expenditure in 1991-92.
TRANSPORT
Cradlewell Bypass
Mr. Cousins : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the reasons for the postponement of the Cradlewell bypass project by his transport policies and plans Department in its settlement with the city of Newcastle upon Tyne ; when the new date for a commencement of his project is planned ; and whether the public safety implications of a consequential further postponement of the renovation of the listed Armstrong bridge across Jesmond dene have been taken into account.
Mr. Chope : The start date for Cradlewell bypass is a matter for the Newcastle city council.
Vehicle Excise Duty
Mr. Summerson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicle owners in 1991 renewed road tax on those vehicles after a period during which the vehicle was alleged to have been off the road.
Mr. Chope : The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Most breaks in licensing occur because the vehicle is in the hands of a dealer for sale.
Railway Services (Wales)
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has held during the past 12 months with his EC counterparts with a view to upgrading railway services through Wales, as part of his transport infrastructure links between Ireland and the rest of Europe ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Freeman : I last discussed these issues with the Irish Minister of Transport and Tourism, Mr. Lyons, on 6 July 1991. At last December's EC Council of Ministers, the Commission tabled a paper on European transport infrastructure networks, which will be the subject of future discussions between member states.
Column 36
Electrically Powered Passenger Road Vehicles
Mr. Viggers : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what monitoring he undertakes of advances in the development of electrically powered passenger road vehicles ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Chope : My Department's Transport and Road Research Laboratory is currently reviewing national and international research and experience in the use of alternative fuels and engines for road vehicles. This review will encompass electric vehicles and battery technology.
In addition to the TRRL review, my Department continues to keep abreast of electric vehicle developments worldwide, and I welcome the continuing efforts by manufacturers to develop advanced batteries and more competitive electric vehicles.
Disabled People (Parking)
Mr. Dykes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate discussions with representatives of the London boroughs association and other relevant bodies to examine the provision of increased parking spaces for registered disabled persons in the outer London boroughs.
Mr. Chope : No. But I shall ensure that a reference to this is included in the forthcoming parking guidance being issued under the Road Traffic Act 1991. This guidance will be subject to consultation with London local authorities.
Offshore Standby Vessels
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many emergency or standby vessels working in the offshore oil and gas industries have failed their inspections in each of the past five years ; how many of those deemed unsatisfactory were removed from this work in each of the past five years ; what other sanctions were imposed upon the owners of such vessels ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. McLoughlin : Annual surveys of standby vessels are carried out by the Department's marine surveyors to establish that the vessel satisfies the Merchant Shipping Regulations and the specific standards required by the standby vessel code. All defects and items of non-compliance are brought to the attention of the shipowners together with details of what repairs/modifications are required before a certificate of survey can be issued. Owners may withdraw vessels if the cost of repairs or modifications renders the further use of the vessel uneconomic.
Details of the number of vessels withdrawn by their owners in each of the past five years are not available to the Department. Other sanctions which have been applied to standby vessels include withdrawal of certificates pending repair, and delay to vessels until repairs are completed and approved by the surveyor.
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the frequency and duration of inspections of standby vessels operating in the offshore oil and gas industries ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. McLoughlin : Standby safety vessels operating in the offshore oil and gas industries are subject to annual
Column 37
surveys under Merchant Shipping Regulations and for reissue of the certificate of compliance with the "Code for the Assessment of the Suitability of Standby Vessels Attending Offshore Installations". This is the non-statutory document which sets out guidance on the standards to be achieved and equipment to be carried on such vessels.The duration of such surveys depends upon the condition of the vessel when presented for survey and the extent and type of any defects discovered during the survey.
Such vessels may also be subjected to random inspections during the currency of their certificates.
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) types, (b) ages and (c) names of emergency or standby vessels currently working in the offshore oil and gas industries.
Mr. McLoughlin : The information is as follows :
Name |Year of |Type of vessel
|build
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdonian |1977 |Standby/Rescue<4>
Alexandra Tide |1974 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Anegada |1962 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Atlantic Defender |1979 |Supply Ship
Barnsley |1960 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Barra Supplier |1984 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Black Isle |1973 |Standby/Rescue<3>
Black Watch |1981 |Research Vessel
Blue Flame 1 |1976 |Pipe Laying Vessel
Breydon Eider |1961 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Britannia Challenger |1964 |Ex Hospital Ship
Britannia Champion |1980 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Britannia Chieftain |1973 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Britannia Cobra |1978 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Britannia Crusader |1976 |Supply Ship
Britannia Endeavour |1975 |Supply Ship
Britannia Fury |1972 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Britannia Gazelle |1978 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Britannia Harvester |1972 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Britannia Knight |1976 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Britannia Monarch |1973 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Britannia Stallion |1978 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Britannia Venturer |1965 |Research Vessel
Britannia Vixen |1978 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Britannia Warrior |1973 |Standby/Rescue<1>
British Claymore |1982 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Cam Cheetah |1959 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Civet |1960 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Cougar |1958 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Defender |1983 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Cam Guardian |1970 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Jaguar |1957 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Lynx |1960 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Observer |1953 |Standby/Rescue<3>
Cam Panther |1958 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Protector |1983 |Standby/Rescue
Cam Puma |1966 |Standby/Rescue
Cam Ranger |1983 |Standby/Rescue
Cam Retriever |1972 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Scout |1956 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Searcher |1971 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Seeker |1967 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Sentinel |1982 |Standby/Rescue
Cam Sprite |1971 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Valiant |1939 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Vanguard |1955 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Venturer |1973 |Standby/Rescue
Cam Viceroy |1958 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Victor |1969 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Viking |1972 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Viscount |1971 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Voyager |1957 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Vulcan |1958 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Cam Zebra |1960 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Colne Kestrel |1966 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Colne Phantom |1965 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Dawn Blazer |1965 |Survey
Dawn Gem |1958 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Dawn Monarch |1961 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Dawn Saviour |1960 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Dawn Shore |1967 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Dawn Sky |1967 |Survey
Dawn Warbler |1966 |Survey
DEA Supporter |1970 |Supply Ship
Euan |1936 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Exuma |1961 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Far Centurion |1983 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Far Earl |1986 |Platform Supply
Far Searcher |1975 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Far Seeker |1986 |Tug/Supply Ship
Far Sovereign |1982 |Platform Supply
Far Stream |1982 |Tug/Supply Ship
Grampian City |1976 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Concord |1961 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Dee |1975 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Grampian Eagle |1975 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Grampian Endeavour |1966 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Explorer |1965 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Falcon |1982 |Supply Ship
Grampian Forest |1962 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Freedom |1966 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Harrier |1967 |Standby/Rescue<3>
Grampian Highlander |1976 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian King |1959 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Monarch |1968 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Osprey |1937 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Otter |1983 |Supply Ship
Grampian Petrel |1959 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Pioneer |1981 |Standby/Rescue
Grampian Pride |1981 |Standby/Rescue
Grampian Protector |1983 |Standby/Rescue
Grampian Quest |1959 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Rose |1949 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Shield |1974 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Grampian Sprite |1982 |Supply Ship
Grampian Sword |1976 |Standby/Rescue<3>
Grampian Viking |1961 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Grampian Warrior |1977 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Hatherleigh |1961 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Kronbas |1975 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Maersk Mariner |1986 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Maersk Ranger |1980 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Maersk Rover |1982 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Maersk Runner |1980 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Mary Craig |1959 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Normand Skipper |1975 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Nova |1969 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Oakleigh |1961 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Putford Achates |1976 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Putford Achilles |1973 |Supply Ship
Putford Ajax |1976 |Supply Ship
Putford Apollo |1975 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Putford Falcon |1957 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Putford Harrier |1960 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Putford Merlin |1962 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Putford Osprey |1960 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Putford Petrel |1961 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Putford Skua |1967 |Diving Support
Putford Snipe |1969 |Tug/Supply Ship
Putford Teal |1969 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Putford Tern |1967 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Safe Carrier |1968 |Supply Ship
Safe Transporter |1971 |Supply Ship
Safe Truck |1976 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Scott Protector |1984 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Sea Sapphire |1973 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Seaboard Capella |1968 |Standby/Rescue<4>
Seaboard Castor |1941 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Seaboard Illustrious |1966 |Diving Support
Seaboard Implacable |1964 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Seaboard Integrity |1969 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Seaboard Intrepid |1968 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Seaboard Invincible |1970 |Diving/Support
Seaboard Sapphire |1980 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Seaboard Sceptre |1981 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Seaboard Sentry |1978 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Seaboard Snipe |1972 |Supply Ship
Seaboard Sovereign |1982 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Seaboard Support |1978 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Seaboard Supreme |1981 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Seaboard Swallow |1972 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Seaboard Swan |1971 |Supply Ship
Seaboard Swift |1972 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Shetland Service |1973 |Anchor/Tug Service
St. Anne |1962 |Standby/Rescue<1>
St.Elizabeth |1962 |Standby/Rescue<1>
St. Louis |1962 |Standby/Rescue<1>
St. Luke |1961 |Standby/Rescue<1>
St. Patrick |1975 |Standby/Rescue<1>
St. Phillip |1975 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Stirling Snipe |1982 |Supply
Stirling Teal |1982 |Supply
Suffolk Conquest |1974 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Tempest |1977 |Anchor/Handling Tug
Togo |1965 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Toisa Conqueror |1976 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Toisa Lynx |1983 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Toisa Panther |1984 |Platform Supply
Toisa Petrel |1983 |Tug/Supply Ship
Toisa Puffin |1980 |Supply Ship
Toisa Teal |1981 |Standby/Rescue<2>
Toisa Tiger |1983 |Anchor/Tug Supply
Toisa Widgeon |1981 |Standby/Rescue<3>
Umberleigh |1960 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Veesea Emerald |1980 |Supply Ship
Veesea Hurricane |1975 |Tug/Supply Ship
Veesea Sapphire |1977 |Supply Ship
Veesea Storm |1975 |Supply Ship
Veesea Tempest |1974 |Tug/Supply Ship
Veesea Topaz |1978 |Supply Ship
Winkleigh |1961 |Standby/Rescue<1>
Woodleigh |1960 |Standby/Rescue<1>
<1> Ex Fishing Vessel.
<2> Ex Supply Vessel.
<3> Ex Cargo Vessel.
<4> Ex Tug.
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new vessels have been introduced into the United Kingdom emergency or standby vessels operating in the offshore oil and gas industries in each of the past three years ; how many of these vessels are (a) converted vessels or (b) custom-built emergency or standby vessels ; and how many of the custom-built vessels were built in United Kindom yards.
Mr. McLoughlin : The number of vessels certificated for the first time for use in the United Kingdom standby industry in the past three years were eight vessels in 1989, 24 in 1990 and 30 in 1991. Of these vessels the vast majority, some 61 vessels, were converted for the purpose. Only one was purpose built as a standby vessel and this may not have been directly for the United Kingdom industry but may have previously served as a standby vessel in Norway or elsewhere. No custom-built vessels were constructed in united Kingdom shipyards.
Column 40
Yachts
Mr. Steen : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consult the hon. Member for South Hams before he decides on (a) a timescale for the implementation of further revisions of the Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yacht) Regulations 1991 and (b) a code of practice for charter yachts.
Air Routes
Mr. Hoyle : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it a condition of granting regulatory approval of the purchase by W. S. Air Inc. of the Philadelphia/London and Baltimore/London routes from Trans World Airlines Inc. that all employees allocated to these routes will be offered transfer terms.
Mr. McLoughlin : The designation of one airline on a route in substitution for another is a matter for the Government of the country concerned, in this case, the United States. Employment arrangements are matters for the companies concerned and their employees, subject to any relevant rules regarding employment protection and transfer which apply under United Kingdom law. They are not matters on which I intervene.
M6
Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of plans to widen the M6 ; when he expects the public consultation process to begin ; and when he expects to be able to make a decision.
Mr. Chope : Preparation work is proceeding satisfactorily ; public consultation on proposals for the length between junctions 11 and 20 is planned for later this year.
Red Route Network
Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he used in deciding which roads to include in his draft red route network.
Mr. Chope : The main basis for the proposed red route network is the present primary route network with the addition of certain other strategically important roads and a limited network of roads in central London identified as being most important for the movement of traffic within the area.
Vehicle Emissions
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision he makes for the reporting of smoky emissions from on-road buses and for allowing such vehicles to be called in for immediate testing.
Mr. McLoughlin : Complaints to the Department's traffic area offices about smoky buses are followed up, if sufficient details of the vehicle and the incident are provided, by a letter to the operator. This asks him to have the vehicle checked and to report to the Department on the action taken. If there are persistent complaints about a particular operator or vehicle, the vehicle inspectorate will arrange to visit his premises. This could result in a vehicle being prohibited from use until a defect was rectified.
Column 41
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what current procedures exist for the testing of exhaust emissions of bus fleets.Mr. McLoughlin : Bus operators are responsible for ensuring that their vehicles comply with the emissions provisions in the Construction and Use Regulations. The density of diesel smoke from buses is checked visually by the vehicle inspectorate at annual roadworthiness tests and also at spot checks at the roadside and at operators' premises.
Policy Unit
Mr. Steen : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the establishment of his transport policy unit in each of the last three years ; what are its responsibilities ; and if he will list the deregulation initiatives taken.
Mr. Freeman : The staff complement for the transport policy unit was 7 posts in 1989, 9 in 1990 and 14 in 1991.
The unit's responsibilities are the co-ordination of cross-modal transport policy issues, especially concerning the environment and safety. Since 1991 it has also had responsibility for deregulation in transport ; for liaison with parliamentary Select Committees and for co-ordination of the Department's interests in the legislative programme.
The Government's deregulation initiative was started in 1985, and the areas targeted for review in each Government Department including DTp were set out in the White Paper "Lifting the Burden," Cmnd 9571. Progress with that programme, and subsequent additions to the programme, were set out in "Building Businesses not Barriers", Cmnd 9794, published May 1986, and "Releasing Enterprise", Cmnd 512, published November 1988. The programme for 1991 was announced to the House by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Corporate Affairs on 18 December 1990, Official Report, columns 99-100.
The aim of the deregulation initiative is to remove the unnecessary regulation and licensing of business. The Government have, however, no hesitation in retaining or making new regulations where these are needed particularly for safety reasons. For example we are seeking agreement in the EC for improvements in regulatory standards for the safe construction of vehicles. The Department's aim is to review all existing regulations, to ensure that these are not out of date, or overlapping, or so obscure as to be ineffective--and where they are, to abolish them ; and, if new regulations are necessary, to make them as unburdensome as possible.
London Underground (Danger Lights)
Mr. Fearn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the latest position concerning London Underground and the railways inspectorate's report on procedures at danger lights.
Mr. Freeman : I understand that this matter will be addressed in a report to be published within the next few weeks by the Health and Safety Executive on the railway inspectorate's inquiries into two separate accidents involving London Underground trains.
Column 42
British Rail
Mr. Fearn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning British Rail's proposed reduction of services on the west coast main line ; and what plans he has to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss these reductions.
Mr. Freeman : The Department has received a number of representations. The level of service on any particular line is a matter for British Rail.
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
Statements of Attainment
Mr. Cousins : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science which level 6 statements of attainment in GCSE English reading and writing he proposes to forgo to reduce the coursework weighting.
Mr. Eggar : The limits on coursework in GCSE English which my right hon. and learned Friend announced in November allow for up to 20 per cent. of the total marks to be based on coursework in reading and writing combined. Within that it should be possible for the examining groups to devise ways of testing skills, knowledge and understanding across the full range of statements of attainment. It is not necessary that each and every statement of attainment be the subject of examination.
European Year of Elderly People
Mr. Andrew Bowden : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans his Department is making for the European year of elderly people and solidarity between the generations in 1993.
Mr. Alan Howarth : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has lead responsibility in this area, in conjunction with the Department of Social Security, and I refer my hon. Friend to his reply today. In drawing up plans for the European year, the Department of Health is consulting a wide range of national voluntary and professional bodies, statutory authorities and other relevant Government Departments.
School Pupils
Mrs. Currie : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in rank order the English local education authorities showing (a) expenditure per secondary school pupil and (b) the proportion of pupils achieving five GCSEs at grade A to C for the most recent year available.
Mr. Eggar : The table shows school-based spending per secondary pupil in financial year 1989-90 and the average percentage of school leavers obtaining five or more grades A, B or C at GCSE in 1987-88, 1988-89 and 1989-90.
|Net |Percentage
|institutional|of leavers
|expenditure |with five or
|per secondary|more
|pupil 1989-90|GCSE/0/CSE |Rank
|(£) |Grades A-C |(passes)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inner London |2.745 |17.4 |92
Waltham Forest |2,490 |17.7 |91
Ealing |2,345 |21.5 |82
Newham |2,310 |14.3 |94
Brent |2,225 |23.3 |75
Barking |2,200 |13.6 |95
Coventry |2,180 |21.3 |83
Salford |2,140 |24.9 |68
Kingston-upon-Thames |2,120 |34.2 |14
Sandwell |2,115 |17.4 |92
Liverpool |2,110 |20.7 |85
Knowsley |2,105 |11.6 |96
Rochdale |2,050 |24.5 |70
Hillingdon |2,010 |27.3 |54
South Tyneside |2,010 |26.8 |59
Wigan |2,000 |34.6 |12
Walsall |1,995 |25.5 |65
Havering |1,990 |28.6 |46
Newcastle-upon-Tyne |1,980 |22.3 |80
Harrow |1,975 |44.1 |1
Wirral |1,975 |32.5 |22
Derbyshire |1,975 |26.9 |57
Wolverhampton |1,975 |21.2 |84
St. Helens |1,970 |22.9 |77
Bromley |1,955 |31.7 |27
Dudley |1,955 |28.9 |43
Nottinghamshire |1,955 |24.7 |69
Barnet |1,945 |39.0 |5
Croydon |1,935 |22.9 |77
Merton |1,925 |28.7 |45
Trafford |1,920 |32.8 |20
Sheffield |1,920 |25.9 |64
Cleveland |1,915 |27.3 |54
Hertfordshire |1,900 |36.1 |10
Leicestershire |1,900 |28.4 |48
Gateshead |1,865 |20.7 |85
Stockport |1,860 |34.9 |11
Bury |1,860 |23.1 |76
Shopshire |1,855 |32.4 |23
Redbridge |1,855 |25.3 |66
Buckinghamshire |1,850 |41.2 |2
Cumbria |1,845 |29.6 |39
Sunderland |1,845 |24.1 |72
Sutton |1,840 |37.0 |8
Bolton |1,840 |31.9 |26
Solihull |1,835 |33.4 |16
Tameside |1,835 |29.1 |42
Birmingham |1,835 |22.7 |79
Bexley |1,820 |30.2 |34
Lancashire |1,820 |29.4 |41
Suffolk |1,820 |26.6 |60
Enfield |1,815 |31.4 |29
Bedfordshire |1,815 |27.3 |54
Oxfordshire |1,810 |29.8 |37
Rotherham |1,810 |28.6 |46
Kirklees |1,810 |28.2 |49
Norfolk |1,810 |27.8 |51
Doncaster |1,805 |23.6 |73
Essex |1,800 |30.9 |31
Avon |1,800 |30.2 |34
Barnsley |1,795 |26.9 |57
Richmond-upon-
Thames |1,790 |38.0 |6
Hampshire |1,790 |32.8 |20
Staffordshire |1,790 |26.6 |60
Warwickshire |1,770 |30.9 |31
East Sussex |1,765 |36.5 |9
Oldham |1,765 |21.7 |81
North Yorkshire |1,760 |37.6 |7
Humberside |1,760 |23.4 |74
West Sussex |1,745 |39.6 |4
Somerset |1,745 |31.4 |29
Gloucestershire |1,735 |34.3 |13
Berkshire |1,735 |32.4 |23
Durham |1,735 |26.3 |63
Cheshire |1,725 |33.3 |18
Sefton |1,715 |33.3 |18
Leeds |1,715 |24.3 |71
Devon |1,710 |29.5 |40
Cornwall including
Scilly |1,700 |33.8 |15
Wiltshire |1,700 |30.1 |36
Northamptonshire |1,685 |27.8 |51
Lincolnshire |1,680 |26.6 |60
Surrey |1,675 |40.7 |3
Calderdale |1,665 |27.8 |51
Northumberland |1,645 |33.4 |16
Cambridge |1,640 |29.8 |37
Hereford and
Worcester |1,635 |32.1 |25
Dorset |1,635 |31.5 |28
Bradford |1,635 |17.8 |90
Isle of Wight |1,575 |28.1 |50
Kent |1,570 |28.9 |43
North Tyneside |n/a |30.3 |33
Hounslow |n/a |25.2 |67
Wakefield |n/a |20.3 |87
Manchester |n/a |20.2 |88
Haringey |n/a |19.8 |89
Note: "Per pupil expenditure figures are derived from LEAs' returns of
their spending to the Department of the Environment and their pupil numbers
to the Department of Education and Science. Figures are for 1989-90, the
latest year for which actual spending information is available; n/a'
indicates that a return was not received from the authority. Net
institutional expenditure covers spending on salaries and wages, recurrent
premises costs, books and equipment, and certain other supplies and
services. It excludes spending on LEA administration, home to school
transport, school meals and financing costs of capital expenditure."
Mrs. Currie : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in rank order, by local education authority, the proportion of 16 and 17-year-olds staying on at school or going into full- time education.
Mr. Eggar : Data for 1989-90 were published last year and are available in the Library. Participation rates for 1990-91 will appear in a statistical bulletin in May. Copies will be placed in the Library.
Mrs. Currie : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of 16 and 17-year-olds in Derbyshire (a) stayed on at school, (b) went into other full-time education or (c) received some form of part-time education in 1979, 1986 and the most recent year available.
Mr. Eggar : Participation rates for 16 and 17-year-olds in Derbyshire who stayed on at school or in other full-time and part-time education in 1979, 1986 and 1989 are as follows :
Percentage of population
|1979-80|1986-87|1989-90
------------------------------------------------------------
Age 16
School |18 |18 |21
Full-time further education |17 |26 |29
Part-time further education |17 |17 |16
Age 17
School |13 |13 |16
Full-time further education |9 |17 |20
Part-time further education |20 |14 |15
Column 45
Truancy
Mr. Cousins : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how may categories of absence are set out in the regulations on reporting on truancy ; and what pilot survey was carried out of the costs and benefits of requiring these categories.
Mr. Fallon : The Education (Pupils' Attendance Records) Regulations 1991 improve the data on truancy by requiring schools to categorise pupils' absence in one of two ways : authorised or unauthorised. The additional costs of doing this are limited, since schools should already have been enquiring into reasons for absence. The draft regulations and explanatory circular were sent in advance as consultation documents to local education authorities and other bodies concerned.
Council for National Academic Awards
Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what external legal advice his Department has received on the contractual status between the Council for National Academic Awards and students currently registered with that body who will not complete their courses or programmes of research until after September 1992.
Mr. Alan Howarth : It is not the usual practice of the Department to disclose whether it has received legal advice. My right hon. and learned Friend accepts that it will be essential for alternative arrangements to be made for students presently registered with the Council for National Academic Awards, but who will not complete their courses until after September 1992. As indicated in
Column 46
his answer on 16 December, Official Report, columns 31-33, he is satisfied that the necessary arrangements are capable of being made within the planned timetable.Validation Fees
Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the maximum validation fee which may be charged under the present regulations for both polytechnics and universities ; and what is the maximum fee proposed under arrangements for the future.
Mr. Alan Howarth : The maximum recommended fee for university validation of college courses in the academic year 1991-92 is £340. The Department will be consulting the Committee of Vic-Chancellors and Principals shortly about the fee for 1992-93 in respect of existing validation services. We believe that the current level may not allow for economies of scale as numbers of students have increased in recent years. In the case of new or existing degree awarding institutions offering validation services to other colleges for courses currently validated by the Council for National Academic Awards, the Department has requested estimates of the costs involved and the fee to be charged by the end of May. An analysis of the full costs associated with CNAA validation suggests that institutions offering validation on the same basis might be expected to offer a service at a fee ranging from under £150 to over £250, depending on the number of institutions, courses and students involved. The education departments will notify in June a maximum fee for validation services for 1992-93 in respect of students starring relevant courses in that academic year.
Column 47
Grant-maintained Schools
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what have been the individual levels of (a) relief from liability for rates, (b) special
Column 48
purpose grant--VAT--and -- annual maintenance grant for each grant-maintained school for each of the financial years 1989 -90 and 1990-91.Mr. Eggar : The information requested is set out in the tables.
Column 47
Rate relief, special purpose grant (VAT) and annual maintenance grant
Grant-maintained schools 1989-90
School |Rate relief<1> |Special purpose|Annual mainte-
|grant (V) |nance grant
|£ |£ |£
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Audenshaw |10,963 |7,062 |720,999
Bacup and Rawtenstall |8,182 |11,777 |798,379
Bankfield High |3,520 |2,823 |253,728
Baverstock |20,799 |4,257 |1,002,248
Castle Hill Middle |7,705 |1,246 |358,030
Colyton |4,183 |6,271 |418,166
Heckmondwike |7,413 |8,481 |635,755
Hendon |9,603 |15,764 |1,014,663
King's Grantham |0 |18,136 |725,427
London Oratory |0 |49,700 |1,987,982
Old Swinford |0 |14,965 |598,609
Queen Elizabeth Boys |10,115 |16,747 |1,074,470
Queen Elizabeth Grammar |0 |8,977 |359,080
Queensbury |36,314 |0 |830,089
St. Francis Xavier |0 |12,676 |507,040
St. James CE |0 |16,157 |646,289
Skegness Grammar |6,441 |9,062 |620,110
Small Heath |22,527 |3,213 |1,029,582
Wilmington Girls |8,495 |3,459 |478,148
Wilson's |0 |20,540 |821,616
<1> The amount of additional rate relief schools received as a result of acquiring
charitable status. Former voluntary schools already had charitable status and received
no new relief by virtue of becoming grant-maintained.
Rate relief, SPG(V), and annual maintenance grant
Grant maintained schools 1990-91
School |Rate relief<1>|SPG(V) |AMG
|£ |£ |£
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adams' Grammar |0 |13,784 |551,367
Audenshaw |31,669 |2,795 |1,378,570
Bacup and Rawtenstall |36,192 |56 |1,449,913
Bankfield |28,606 |0 |914,221
Baverstock |63,642 |0 |1,918,281
Beechen Cliff |28,595 |8,580 |1,486,988
Bishopshalt |17,829 |10,597 |1,137,055
Bournemouth |43,477 |0 |1,053,358
Bridgewater Hall |81,460 |0 |1,669,961
Brindley Hall |48,705 |0 |995,410
Bullers Wood |7,728 |4,604 |493,289
Cardinal Vaughan |0 |45,977 |1,839,088
Carre's |0 |11,589 |463,553
Castle Hall |23,601 |0 |665,222
Claremont |53,453 |938 |2,175,612
Colyton |18,892 |4,519 |936,438
Ecclesbourne |21,078 |13,356 |1,377,834
Francis Bacon |11,840 |0 |274,399
Guildford |29,655 |0 |875,906
Handsworth |0 |9,254 |370,145
Hardley |11,001 |0 |332,160
Heckmondwike |21,869 |9,191 |1,242,397
Hendon |31,948 |14,420 |1,854,762
King's Grantham |0 |33,938 |1,357,509
Lancaster Royal Grammar 0 42,295 1,691,815
London Nautical |43,500 |0 |1,376,869
London Oratory |0 |88,298 |3,531,926
Longfield |14,359 |0 |443,043
Marling |10,791 |9,886 |827,089
Netherthorpe |0 |33,910 |1,356,419
Old Swinford |0 |27,777 |1,111,088
Pate's Grammar |0 |27,810 |1,112,387
Queen Elizabeth Boys |27,316 |24,654 |2,078,790
Queen Elizabeth Grammar 0 16,298 651,917
Rickmansworth |40,587 |0 |1,076,521
Skegness |16,843 |10,233 |1,083,026
Small Heath |115,336 |0 |1,834,857
Southfield |45,936 |0 |1,197,409
Southlands, Berks |43,399 |0 |1,212,203
St. Francis Xavier |0 |52,095 |2,083,788
St. George's |7,998 |1,442 |377,592
St. James CE |0 |30,903 |1,236,106
Stroud |9,187 |10,584 |790,824
Watford Boys |0 |29,937 |1,197,489
Wilmington Girls |27,631 |0 |877,138
Wilson's |0 |40,275 |1,611,010
Wolverhampton |9,197 |7,861 |682,316
Wymondham |9,701 |1,510 |448,439
<1>The amount of additional rate relief schools received as a result of acquiring
charitable status. Former voluntary schools already had charitable status and
received no new relief by virtue of becoming grant-maintained.
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what applications have been received from grant-maintained schools for special purpose grant-restructuring ; and in each case (a) how many posts have been affected and (b) what grant has been paid.
Mr. Eggar : The information requested is as follows :
Column 49
Application received from
Grant (£) per school<1>
Premature Retirement
Name of school |Number of |Lump Sum |Annual |Redundancy/
|posts<2> |Compensation |Voluntary
|severence
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adams' Grammar School |3 |12,992 |4,331 |-
Aylesford School |1 |6,534 |2,178 |-
Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School |4 |15,600 |5,200 |-
Bankfield School |1 |- |- |20,586
Baverstock School |2 |8,631 |2,877 |-
Beechen Cliff School |3 |16,310 |5,436 |-
<1> Special Purpose Grant (Restructuring) approved to date for payment to support relevant costs.
<2> Number of posts in respect of which of which Special Purpose Grant (Restructuring) has been approved to
date.
Costs (£) per school
Name of school Number of Premature Retirement
posts
|Lump Sum |Annual |Redundancy/
|compensation|Voluntary
|severance
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bingley Grammar School |3 |11,974 |3,931 |-
Bournemouth School |1 |4,123 |1,374 |-
Bourne Abbey School |2 |4,506 |1,502 |-
Bridgewater Hall School |1 |6,077 |2,026 |-
Bullers Wood Girls Schools |2 |9,736 |3,245 |-
Caistor Grammar School |4 |19,497 |6,499 |-
Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School |2 |14,509 |4,170 |-
Carres Grammar School |2 |10,219 |3,406 |-
Claremont High School |3 |14,523 |4,841 |14,513
Colyton School |2 |13,601 |4,534 |-
Crossley Heath School |3 |16,015 |5,338 |-
Dartford Boys School |2 |12,187 |4,062 |-
Ecclesbourne School |4 |18,964 |6,321 |-
Francis Bacon School |3 |9,357 |3,119 |-
Great Barr School |6 |27,837 |9,277 |-
Handsworth Grammar School |1 |6,836 |2,279 |-
Hardley School |2 |11,134 |3,711 |-
Haydon School |1 |5,970 |1,990 |-
Heckmondwike Grammar School |6 |13,403 |4,467 |-
Hendon School |2 |14,109 |4,703 |-
King Edward VI School |4 |18,158 |6,053 |-
King John School |2 |11,578 |3,859 |-
Kingsley Park School |2 |12,168 |4,056 |-
Kingswood School |3 |14,304 |4,768 |-
Kirkby Kendal School |2 |6,512 |2,171 |-
Lancaster Girls Grammar School |4 |13,772 |4,591 |-
Lancaster Royal Grammar School |5 |19,391 |6,475 |-
Maplesden Noakes School |1 |- |- |21,863
Marling School |1 |3,257 |1,086 |-
Moseley Park GM School |1 |5,933 |1,978 |11,852
Netherthorpe School |2 |10,602 |3,534 |9,732
Nonsuch High School for Girls |4 |9,134 |3,044 |-
Northampton School for Boys |1 |4,508 |1,503 |9,478
Oldfield School |1 |465 |155 |11,234
Pates Grammar School |2 |12,515 |4,172 |-
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School |5 |19,720 |6,572 |-
Queen Elizabeth School for Boys |1 |5,459 |1,820 |-
Queensbury School |3 |8,155 |2,718 |-
Queensmead School |4 |17,410 |5,803 |-
Ribston Hall High School |4 |11,934 |3,978 |9,594
St. Augustine's Roman Catholic |1 |7,231 |2,410 |-
Comprehensive School
St. Bartholomews School |3 |14,604 |4,870 |-
St. Francis Xavier's College |2 |10,200 |3,400 |-
St. Georges School (Kent) |3 |16,210 |5,403 |-
St. Georges School (Lincolnshire) |4 |18,093 |6,031 |-
Southfields School for Girls |1 |8,462 |2,821 |-
Southlands School |2 |- |- |10,420
Skegness Grammar School |4 |16,110 |5,371 |-
Stroud High School |2 |11,718 |3,906 |-
St. James' Church of England School |2 |12,345 |4,114 |-
(Bolton)
The North Halifax High School |3 |11,753 |3,918 |-
Watford Grammar School |1 |3,750 |1,250 |-
Westcliff High School for Boys |4 |14,425 |4,809 |-
Wilmington Boys School |3 |14,805 |4,935 |-
Wilmington Girls School |1 |- |- |722
Wilsons School |4 |10,236 |5,996 |10,455
Wolverhampton Girls School |3 |17,180 |5,727 |-
Wymondham College |6 |23,168 |7,723 |-
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School<1> |- |- |- |-
Woodroffe School<1> |- |- |- |-
Arnewood School<1> |- |- |- |-
<1>Applications have been received from these three schools and are still under consideration.
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science which grant-maintained schools have made an application for a change of character ; and, in each case, (a) what was the proposed change and (b) whether the proposed change has been approved.
Column 52
Mr. Eggar : The information requested is set out in the table.
Column 51
School |Date of |Nature of proposed change |Outcome
|publication
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skegness Grammar School |1 November 1989 |Addition of boarding provision |Approved 31
|October 1990
Chalvedon School |5 June 1991 |Change in age range from 11-16 |Approved 27
|to 11-18 |August 1991
Castle Hall School |8 November 1991 |Change in age range from 9-13 |Under consideration
|to 11-18; introduction of selec-
|tive admissions arrangements;
|significant enlargement
The Cornwallis School |15 November 1991 |Change in age range from 11-17 |Under consideration
|to 11-18
St. John the Baptist School |21 November 1991 |Change in age range from 12-18 |Under consideration
|to 11-18
Hardley School |2 January 1992 |Change in age range from 12-16 to 11-16|Under consideration
The King's School, |10 January 1992 |Significant enlargement |Under consideration
Grantham
Highams Park School |14 January 1992 |Change in age range from 11-16 |Under consideration
|to 11-18
Avon Valley School |17 January 1992 |Change in age range from 12-16 |Under consideration
|to 11-16; introduction of 50
|selective places
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the proposed arrangements for the calculation of annual maintenance grant for grant-maintained schools for 1992-93 ; if he will make copies of the responses available ; and whether the proposals are to be amended in the light of the responses received.
Mr. Eggar : We received some 60 responses to the consultation paper issued on 17 October last year, the majority from local education authorities and grant-maintained schools. We have not published the responses to previous consultations on annual maintenance grant and do not intend to do so this year. In reaching final decisions my right hon. and learned Friend considered carefully the responses submitted. As he announced in his
| Next Section
| Home Page |