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The Prime Minister [holding answer 19 October 1992] : Of the several thousand letters received from members of the public concerning the former Yugoslavia, a significant number have advocated military action. The purpose of the 2,400 troops we are providing is the protection of humanitarian convoys in central Bosnia. The Bosnian Serbs have undertaken to remove their combat aircraft to Serbia. The UN is working urgently to ensure that this happens.
Mr. Madden : To ask the Prime Minister what representations have been received by Her Majesty's Government for arms from those in Bosnia fighting aggression from Serbia or sponsored by Serbia ; on what dates such requests were made ; what types of arms were requested ; what was the response of Her Majesty's Government ; and whether any requests for arms are being considered by Her Majesty's Government.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 19 October 1992] : United Nations Security Council resolution 713 of 25 September 1991 established an arms embargo on all the territory of former Yugoslavia, including Bosnia- Hercegovina. There is no question of any consideration being given to requests for arms.
Pakistan
Mr. Madden : To ask the Prime Minister what financial assistance has been given by Her Majesty's Government, to date, to relieve suffering caused by flooding in Pakistan ; what other assistance has been given by Her Majesty's Government, to date, to Pakistan, to provide clean water, medical supplies, food, temporary shelter and clothing ; and on what date the Government of Pakistan requested formally Her Majesty's Government to assist in relieving hardship caused by flooding.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 19 October 1992] : Although the Government of Pakistan have made no formal request to the international donor community for relief assistance following the recent flooding, the Government have provided £475,088 for relief aid because of the magnitude of the disaster.
Mr. Madden : To ask the Prime Minister what action he has taken through the EC, the Commonwealth and the United Nations to co-ordinate international assistance to relieve hardship caused by flooding in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 19 October 1992] : The United Nations, in co-operation with the Government of Pakistan, has set up a committee of donors to co-ordinate relief efforts. The United Kingdom and its European Community partners, together with the European Commission, have participated in this committee through representatives in Islamabad.
Mr. Madden : To ask the Prime Minister what discussions have taken place between representatives of Her Majesty's Government and the Government of
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Pakistan about help and assistance from the United Kingdom to provide short, medium and long-term aid to Pakistan to rebuild the country following the flooding disaster ; and if he will give dates of when such meetings took place and the designation of officials participating.The Prime Minister [holding answer 19 October 1992] : Disastrous floods struck northern Pakistan on the night of 10 to 11 September. Senior officials of the British high aid commission in Islamabad, led by the economic and counsellor had discussed relief aid requirements with federal Government officials on 12 September. A first contribution for emergency relief was made the same day. There have since been weekly meetings between the British high commission and federal Government officials through the forum of the UN Disaster Relief Organisation Programme UN Development--chaired special co-ordinating committee for flood relief--on 14 and 24 September and 6October.
On several occasions following the emergency, the British high commissioner has discussed relief requirements with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, notably during a call on the Prime Minister on 21 September, and other senior ministers.
On 17 September the economic aid counsellor in the British high commission- -BHC--had discussions with the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab to determine further relief needs. As a result, we responded with a supply of tents and blankets which arrived in Lahore on 22 September, on a flight met by the same BHC official and the provincial Minister of Revenue.
On 23 September the economic aid counsellor held discussions with senior officials in the Government of Punjab.
On 27 September the first secretary (aid) visited Lahore for further discussions with senior provincial Government officials on relief distribution and further needs. On 6 October the same official visited Jhelum to monitor the delivery and further distribution of relief goods supplied under British aid, where he met district officials.
In addition, the British deputy high commissioner in Karachi and his staff have held regular contacts with Government of Sindh about emergency needs in the province.
The authorities in Pakistan have stressed the need for self reliance in terms of longer-term rehabilitation, and have therefore made no official request for aid for this purpose. However, we will continue to keep in touch with the Government of Pakistan about longer-term requirements in the context of our bilateral aid programme.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Fishing Fleet
Mr. John D. Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fishing boats are tied up at present at Portavogie, Kilkeel and Ardglass harbours ; and if he will make a statement on the size of the Northern Ireland fishing fleet which is still actively involved in the fishing industry.
Mr. Hanley : It is understood that there are, in total, 20 fishing vessels of over 10 m in length which are at present tied up at Portavogie, Kilkeel and Ardglass harbours. As with other member states, the future size of the United Kingdom fishing fleet, which includes that of Northern
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Ireland, is the subject of continuing examination and consultation with the Commission in multi-annual guidance programme targets.Students' Unions
Mr. John D. Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount of public funds is allocated per annum to the students' unions in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Hanley : In the 1991-92 academic year payments--largely from public funds--by universities and colleges of education in Northern Ireland to their respective students unions amounted to £1,427,900. Information in relation to students unions in further education colleges is not readily available.
SCOTLAND
Consultants
Mr. Dewar : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the occasions when his Department has employed Quayle Munro as consultants in the last three years, with details of the projects concerned.
Mr. Lang : Details of the projects undertaken by Quayle Munro on behalf of The Scottish Office in the last three years are as follows :--
Details of Project |Contract Period
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisers to Secretary of State on privatisation of
the Scottish Bus Group. |1988-1991
Advising on proposals for the direct labour
organisation of Scottish Homes. |1990
Advising on the sale of Scottish public transport
companies by local authorities. |1991 (ongoing)
Advising on the funding arrangements for the
Skye Crossing, including the tender competition
and tender clarifications with the Concessionaire. |1990-1992
Advising on the options for the future
organisation of water and sewerage services in
Scotland. |1992
Lockerbie Air Crash
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officers of (a) the Scottish police and (b) other police forces are currently engaged on the investigation of the bombing of Pan Am 103 ; and which countries have been visited by British police officers in connection with the Lockerbie disaster.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Seven officers of the Dumfries and Galloway constabulary are currently directly engaged in the Lockerbie investigation. No other police force in the United Kingdom is presently involved. Inquiries have been conducted in 70 countries. It would not be helpful to identify each of the countries visited.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
British Aerospace
Mr. Bennett : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with British Aerospace about the joint venture for regional aircraft with Taiwan.
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Mr. Sainsbury : The joint venture is a commercial matter between British Aerospace and the Taiwanese Aerospace Corporation. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has, however, been kept informed of progress. He met John Cahill, chairman of British Aerospace and Earle Ho, chairman of the Taiwanese Aerospace Corporation, on 29 July, during the latter's visit to the United Kingdom.
Toys (Safety)
Mr. Redmond : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement as to the grounds on which the EC has banned birthday cards which have an age badge attached for children under three years old ; and what action his Department is taking.
Mr. Leigh : My Department is not aware of any action by the EC or any member state to ban such items.
Recycling
Ms. Walley : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the reasons for the recent fall in the United Kingdom's recycling rate for paper.
Mr. Eggar : The recycling rate for paper can be measured in two ways : the proportion of waste paper used in the production of paper and board in the United Kingdom or the amount of waste paper recovered as a proportion of paper consumed in the United Kingdom. The most recent figures available to my Department show that the proportion of waste paper used in production in the first half of 1992 was, at 59.7 per cent., identical to the rate one year earlier. This was in a period in which United Kingdom production of paper and board increased by 2.8 per cent. Recovery tonnages also increased over the period from 1,585,000 tonnes in the first half of 1991 to 1, 616,000 tonnes in the first half of 1992. However, since United Kingdom consumption in the period increased at a faster rate than United Kingdom production, the recovery rate fell from 33.7 per cent. to 32.5 per cent.
My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has met representatives of the paper and board industry to discuss the pattern of trade and, in particular, the impact of changing environmental legislation in other member states of the European Community.
Postal Services
Mr. Spearing : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement concerning the application of the principle of subsidiarity to the purposes, and proposals made in the communication of the European Commission (7390/92) concerning policies for postal services, indicating which proposal for improvements could not be achieved by national postal authorities or by co-operation within the international postal union.
Mr. Leigh [holding answer 19 October 1992] : The range, quality, reliability and pricing of postal services varies considerably throughout the European Community. The EC Commission has taken the view that postal services form an essential part of the social and business infrastructure of the EC, and that individuals and organisations are entitled to certain minimum standards. The Commission's proposals in its Green Paper on postal
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services are to achieve their objective essentially through a combination of harmonisation and market opening measures, and the elimination of harmful cross-subsidies. The principle of subsidiarity will be reflected in that member states will remain free to provide postal services to a higher standard than the minima decreed by the Commission, to adopt more liberal regimes, to organise their regulatory structures and generally to tailor their services to meet the specific needs of local circumstances.Microelectronics
Mr. Cousins : To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will publish tables showing the total of payments under the investment support for fibre optics and opto-electronics programme by 31 March 1992, the total payments to projects in each region and any payments during 1991- 92 in total and for each region ;
(2) if he will publish tables showing the total of payments under the microelectronics industry support programme II by 31 March 1992, the total payments to projects in each region and any payments during 1991-1992 in total and for each region ;
(3) if he will publish tables showing the total of payments under the microelectronics industry support programme I by 31 March 1992, the total payments to the projects in each region and any payments during 1991-92 in total and for each region.
Mr. Leigh [holding answer 19 October 1992] : Details of financial assistance under these three programmes are contained in the "Industrial Development Act 1982 Annual Report". Copies of the most recent report for the year ended 31 March 1992 are available in the Library.
Electricity Generating Plants
Mr. Spearing : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the installed capacities of electricity generating plants in the United Kingdom of the generating and regional companies using gas for steam and gas turbines respectively ; and what capacity of the former was initially installed for burning coal.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 19 October 1992] : There are at present two combined cycle gas-fired stations in operation in England and Wales :
Organisation |Location |Estimated capacity
|(MW)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lakeland Power |Roosecote, Cumbria |235
PowerGen plc |Killingholme, South Humberside|450
|(1st unit)
One-Roosecote-is on the site of an earlier coal-fired station.
Mr. Spearing : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what instruction, advice or guidance he has given to the main electricity generating undertakings, and regional electricity companies respectively, concerning the short or long-term sources of their fuel supplies, since the privatisation of the electricity production and supply industry.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 19 October 1992] : I am not in a position to give instructions to private sector
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companies. I have made clear to all concerned the importance I attach to seeing contracts put in place as soon as possible which will provide stability to the coal industry over the next few years and bring benefits to electricity customers.Mr. Spearing : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the number and total installed capacity of power stations converted or built to use gas as a fuel since the abolition of the Central Electricity Generating Board, stating in broad terms the number and capacity installed by each of the new national and regional electricity undertakings, and others respectively, and the range of gas price per gigajoule paid.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 19 October 1992] : Gas-fired power stations--above 50MW--in England and Wales, commissioned since 31 March 1990 were :
Organisation |Location |Estimated capacity
|(MW)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lakeland Power |Roosecote, Cumbria |235
PowerGen plc |Killingholme, South Humberside|450
|(1st unit)
Gas prices are a commercial matter for the companies concerned.
Mr. Spearing : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total capacity of those coal-fired power stations due to be closed by the main generating undertakings, consequent to their planned reductions in coal burn for 1993, giving the capital cost per megawatt, and fuel cost per gigajoule respectively, for the most efficient coal and gas-fired power stations now available for construction at current gas and United Kingdom produced coal prices respectively.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 19 October 1992] : These are commercial matters for the generating companies.
Agencies and Trading Funds
Mr. Cousins : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the outturn income and receipts for 1990-91 and 1991-92, projected outturns for 1992-93, and plans for subsequent years for the agencies and trading funds responsible to his Department.
Mr. Leigh [holding answer 19 October 1992] : Details that the hon. Gentleman has asked to be published can be found in table 16 on page 20 of the publication entitled "Trade and Industry--The Government's Expenditure Plans 1992-93 to 1994-95", Cm 1904, dated February 1992. A copy of this publication, which is updated annually, is in the House's Library.
SPUR Scheme
Mr. Cousins : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the total of applications, offers and payments made under the SPUR scheme as at 1 October 1992, the same information for each region and each region's share of the total.
Mr. Leigh [holding answer 19 October 1992] : Applications, offers and payments made under the Support for Products under
Research--SPUR--scheme as at 1 October 1992 were as follows :
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Applications Offers Payments
Region |Number |Per cent. of total|Number |Value £ million |Per cent. of total|Value £ million |Per cent. of total
|by value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
East |25 |6.5 |12 |1.40 |7.8 |0.08 |6.0
East Midlands |19 |4.9 |14 |1.15 |6.4 |0.13 |9.8
North East |10 |2.6 |7 |0.60 |3.3 |0.04 |3.0
North West |90 |23.4 |46 |3.32 |18.5 |0.17 |12.8
South East |60 |15.6 |31 |3.38 |18.8 |0.21 |15.8
South West |41 |10.6 |14 |1.26 |7.0 |0.11 |8.3
West Midlands |32 |8.3 |24 |1.40 |7.8 |0.10 |7.5
Yorks/Humberside |52 |13.5 |27 |1.74 |9.7 |0.20 |15.0
Wales |25 |6.5 |14 |1.15 |6.4 |0.04 |3.0
Scotland |31 |8.1 |23 |2.54 |14.2 |0.25 |18.8
|------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |-------
Total |385 |- |212 |17.94 |- |1.33 |-
Enterprise Initiative
Mr. Cousins : To ask the president of the Board of Trade if he will publish tables showing the total of payments under the enterprise initiative programme by 31 March 1992, the total payments to projects in each region, and payments during 1991-92 in total and for each region, together with the projected outturn total spend for 1992-93.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 19 October 1992] : Total payments on enterprise initiative consultancy projects from the launch of the scheme in 1988 up to the end of March 1992 amounted to £142.3 million. In the 1991-92 financial year payments reached a total of £52.1 million, and the current forecast for 1992-93 is £57.1 million. Regional breakdowns of project payments for the period to 31 March 1992, and for 1991-92, are as follows. An accurate regional breakdown for 1992-93 will not be available until the end of the current financial year.
Table 2
Project payments 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992
DTI region |£ million
-----------------------------------------------
North East |3.1
North West |6.9
Yorkshire and Humberside |6.0
West Midlands |6.9
East Midlands |3.7
South West |3.8
East |3.2
South East |11.2
Scotland |4.2
Wales |3.1
|-------
Total |52.1
Table 2
Project payments 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992
DTI region |£ million
-----------------------------------------------
North East |3.1
North West |6.9
Yorkshire and Humberside |6.0
West Midlands |6.9
East Midlands |3.7
South West |3.8
East |3.2
South East |11.2
Scotland |4.2
Wales |3.1
|-------
Total |52.1
Coal Mining
Mr. Spearing : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will summarise the use made by any Government of a member state of the European Community of any provision they make for national support for the coal mining industry, stating the approximate price and percentage assistance per tonne, and per gigajoule respectively.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 19 October 1992] : The amount of subsidy for current caol production in 1990 for relevant European Community member states was as follows :
|£ per tonne
------------------------------------
Belgium |55
France |10
Germany |39
Spain |19
Source: European Commission.
The United Kingdom does not provide subsidies for the current production. Agreed Community policy is to restructure the coal industries towards economic viability and to eliminate such subsidies.
Mr. Spearing : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the articles in any treaty of the European Communities and any regulation or directive applied in this respect which permit any national supports for the deep coal mining industry, or public support for any form of electricity generation.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 19 October 1992] : Article 4 of the treaty of Paris, which established the European Coal and Steel Community treaty, declared that aid to member states' coal industries was incompatible with the common market in coal. Nevertheless, a series of decisions of the Council have recognised that in order to adapt the level of production it was necessary to allow such aid, and laid down the conditions which should be satisfied, which included the authorisation of the Commission. The current
decision--2064/86/ECSC--stipulates that for aid to be authorised by the Commission, it must help to achieve one or more of the following objectives :
Improvement of competitivity of the coal industry, which contributes to assure a better security of supply.
Creating new capacities provided that they are economically viable.
Solving the social and regional problems related to developments in the coal industry.
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EMPLOYMENT Young People at Work
Ms. Quin : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if she intends to preside in her capacity as president in office of the Social Affairs Council over a discussion on the proposed Council directive on the protection of young people at work ;
(2) if she will make a statement about Government policy towards the proposed EC Council directive on the protection of young people at work ;
(3) what is her view on the European Commission's proposals in the draft directive on the protection of young people at work as it concerns (a) night work, (b) rest time, (c) rest period and (d) paid leave.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : Discussion of this directive is still at a very early stage. The European Parliament has not yet delivered its opinion and the Commission's proposals may be revised before they are considered by the Council. The agenda for the Social Affairs Council in December has not yet been finalised.
The Government question on the ground of subsidiarity the need for EC legislation on young people's employment. In the United Kingdom the health and safety and educational interests of children below the minimum school leaving age are protected by existing legislation. Young employees above the minimum school leaving age are in general covered by the same legislation as adults in the same occupations. Specific health and safety protection for young employees in the United Kingdom is based on factors distinguishing them from adults. The Government also question whether the Commission's current proposal on night work, rest time, rest periods and paid leave are justified on these grounds.
Social Fund Grants
Mr. Bowis : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the procedure by which colleges of further and higher education should in future apply for European social fund grants once these cease to come through local education authorities ; and if she will make it her policy that existing ESF funded courses will continue to be so funded.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : Local authorities have offered to continue to handle applications for European social fund grants for courses at colleges of further education for the whole of 1993. Arrangements for applications thereafter will depend upon the results of the forthcoming Community-level review of the EC structural funds, which are due to take effect from January 1994 onwards. The Government will consult closely with all concerned as to arrangements to apply then.
Labour Statistics
Lynne Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is her estimate of the number of young people seeking a youth training place in Birmingham for the most recent date for which figures are available.
Mr. McLoughlin : The information requested is not available.
Mr. Madden : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the current number of job
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vacancies in the travel-to-work areas which include the coal mines which British Coal has announced will close ; and if she will make a statement.Mr. McLoughlin : Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Mr. M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Max Madden dated 20 October
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to her about the number of current job vacancies within the travel to work areas for the coal mines which British Coal has announced will close. This is something which falls within the responsibilities she has delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
I attach a table showing the number of vacancies unfilled at Jobcentres on 2nd October 1992, the last statistical count date, for each of the relevant travel to work areas. All of the travel to work areas are included as requested although following the statement by the President of the Board of Trade on 19 October only 8 of these areas have a colliery now designated for closure after the statutory consultation period has been completed.
It is not possible to provide information on the total number of job vacancies available in the labour market but it is estimated that about one third of all vacancies are notified to Jobcentres. I hope this is helpful.
As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.
Colliery |Travel to Work Area |Number of unfilled
|vacancies at local
|Jobcentres on 2
|October 1992
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Easington
Vane Tempest |Durham |313
Wearmouth |Sunderland |603
Westoe |South Tyneside |146
Parkside |Wigan and
|St. Helens |742
Prince of Wales |Wakefield and |705
Sharlston |Dewsbury
Frickley
Rossington |Barnsley, Doncaster,|879
Bentley |Rotherham and
Hatfield/Thorne |Mexborough
Markham Main
Houghton Main
Grimethorpe
Maltby |Rotherham and |1,190
Kiveton |Mexborough
Sheffield
Silverhill |Worksop, Alfreton |551
Bevercotes |and Ashfield,
Bilsthorpe |Retford, Mansfield
Clipstone
Rufford
Cotgrave |Nottingham |465
Calverton
Bolsover |Chesterfield |352
Markham
Shirebrook
Trentham |Stoke |571
Silverdale
Betws Drift |Llanelli |351
Point of Ayr |Shotton, Flint and |574
|Rhyl
Taff Merthyr |Merthyr and |452
|Rhymney
WALES
Road Safety
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the local road safety schemes supported by his Department in Wales ; and how much money has been allocated to each scheme in the current year.
Sir Wyn Roberts : The table lists the Department's road safety engineering schemes programmed for the current year.
|£
------------------------------------------------------------------
Clwyd
A494-Tafarn y Gelyn
Visibility improvement |25,000
A494/A55-Ewloe interchange
Cycleway and safety fence |25,000
A55-Brookside junction, Northop Hall
Closure of central reservation gaps |13,500
A55-Llanddulas, Glan Conway
Closure of emergency crossing points |70,000
A55-Pont Dafydd
Closure of central reservation gaps |25,000
A55-Traveller's Inn
Closure of central reservation gaps |6,000
Dyfed
A44-Llanbadarn Fawr
Splitter island |15,000
A40-Arnolds Hill
Traffic calming |90,000
A40-Letterston Cross
Improvement to crossroads |20,000
A4076-St. Peter's Road, Johnston
Demolition and footway widening |5,000
A487-Hill Terrace, Fishguard
Safety fence |70,000
A40-Bethany Row, Haverfordwest
Traffic calming |40,000
A40-Abbey Mead
Traffic calming |3,500
A44-Lovesgrove junction, Aberystwyth
Junction improvement
Gwynedd
A5-Dalar crossroads, Anglesey
Bus bay |30,000
A5-Pont y Pair hotel, Betws y Coed
Footway |5,000
A5-Padog bends
Signing |7,000
A470-Church street, Glan Conway
Junction improvement |10,000
A470-Tollgate cottage, Pen Loyn, Tan Lan
Widening |20,000
A470-Dolgellau bypass
Signing |10,000
A487-Little Market, Porthmadog
Pelican crossing |35,000
Powys
A470/A44-Llangurig roundabout
Signing |1,000
A470-Minhafron, Llandinam
Footway widening |5,000
A489-Newtown
Footway widening |3,000
A487-Glaspwll, Machynlleth
Signing |1,000
A487-Cwmbach
Signing |9,000
A470-Llanwrthal junction, Near Doldowlod
Junction improvement |13,500
A479-Tretower
Kerbs and footway |5,000
A470/A40-Brecon roundabout
Reconstruction of central island and signing |5,000
A40-Pont y Bryn Hurt
Road realignment |605,000
A470-Tan House Bridge, Rhayader
Widening and visibility improvement |255,000
A470-Carno road, Caersws
Footway, widening and visibility improvement |209,000
West Glamorgan
M4-Kenfig
Wind indicator |30,000
A48-Briton ferry
Safety fence |5,000
Dentists
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will announce measures to alleviate the shortage of manpower in dentistry in Wales.
Mr. Gwilym Jones : The Department has recently reminded family health services authorities in Wales that they can apply for permission to employ salaried dentists in areas where there is a serious shortage of general dental practitioners. One FHSA has already been given permission to employ salaried dentists and one other application is under consideration.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total number of sites of special scientific interest in Wales and the number of these that have been (a) partially and (b) wholly damaged.
Sir Wyn Roberts : There are 845 sites of special scientific interest in Wales. Since 1985, when formal monitoring began, 137 SSSIs have at some time been damaged and one SSSI has been lost.
Coal Industry
Mr. Richards : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes in response to recent developments affecting the coal industry in Wales.
Mr. David Hunt : I recognise that the closures of Betws and Taff Merthyr will have a severe impact on the local economies affected and I am determined that the maximum possible help will be made available to the individuals and communities involved.
The Government have already announced a comprehensive range of services for those affected by the closures, covering in particular their counselling and
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retraining needs and the assistance they will need to find secure new employment. The training and enterprise councils have a key role to play here.I have already met the chairmen of the West Wales and Mid Glamorgan TECs and asked them to let me have within two weeks action plans covering all unemployed people in the closure areas and any redundant miners who live outside them. I expect the action plans to address not only the labour market issues but also, in conjunction with the Welsh Development Agency, proposals for business development and the creation of new jobs.
Although the Government have announced a moratorium on the proposed closure of Point of Ayr, I have met the chairman of the North East Wales TEC and asked his TEC to prepare a contingency plan for that area.
To assist implementation of these plans, I have arranged for up to £4.8 million for employment and training measures to be made available over the next 18 months.
I am also concerned to tackle the regeneration of the areas affected and secure their economic, social and environmental development. In particular :
I am making a special allocation of £2.5 million in 1992-93 under the urban programme and I am inviting the local authorities to let me have urgent proposals on how these funds can most effectively be used ;
European funding has an important contribution to make. I hope shortly to announce agreement to 80 projects including European Regional development fund grants of over £15 million in the areas affected. In addition, a further £2.8 million is available under the ERDF and, in the light of recent decisions, I shall be exploring with local authorities and other partners how these funds can best be deployed.
In Wales we have the Welsh Development Agency which, with its record budget of £167 million, is already heavily engaged in these areas.
I have discussed with the chairman of the agency its plans taking account of current developments. Overall decisions on the future budget of the WDA have still to be taken as part of the public expenditure round, but I can announce now that the WDA will be spending £33 million over the next 18 months on a range of measures which will assist economic development in the areas concerned. This will include about £16 million on land reclamation and urban property development, and nearly £5 million on business support services and £10 million on urban renewal joint venture schemes.
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