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Mr. Nelson [holding answer 1 December 1992] : Of the total £750 million allocated to boost the housing market in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, £580 million was allocated to the Housing Corporation to enable housing associations in England to purchase empty properties. Seventy-five per cent. of this £580 million has already been allocated to individual associations. Of this 75 per cent., half--around £220 million--has been allocated to projects in the Housing Corporation's three London and home counties regions.
PRIME MINISTER
Scott Inquiry
Mr. Hain : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the affidavit sent to him by Ms. Tess Lawrence on 30 November.
The Prime Minister : The affidavit has been sent by Ms. Lawrence to Lord Justice Scott. It will be for him to consider the information which it contains.
Legal Advice (Ministers)
Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since 1979 the Government have funded, wholly or in part, the cost of legal advice of representations for Ministers of the Crown in respect of matters which related in part to personal and private matters ; and if he will list the names of the Ministers in respect of whom such payments have been made.
The Prime Minister : There is no central record of such cases. Such advice is normally confidential.
Sprinkler Systems
Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy that sprinkler systems similar to those to be installed at the National Library of Scotland should be installed at the British museum in London.
The Prime Minister : It is for the trustees and directing staff of individual museums and galleries to decide on the most appropriate fire systems for their institutions with regard to the nature of their collections.
Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Prime Minister on what date the Government received copies of the report prepared by the International Atomic Energy Agency into the attempt by Iraq to build and develop nuclear weapons.
The Prime Minister : So far, the International Atomic Energy Agency has carried out 15 inspections aimed at uncovering Iraqi attempts to build and develop nuclear weapons. As reports of these inspections are published as Security Council documents, they are placed in the House of Commons Library.
Engagements
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 3 December.
Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 3 December.
The Prime Minister : This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.
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NORTHERN IRELAND
Civil Servants
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants are employed by the Northern Ireland Office in (a) London, (b) Belfast and (c) elsewhere.
Mr. Mates : As at 1 November 1992, the number of people working for the Northern Ireland Office was :
(a) 110 in London
(b) 2,813 in Belfast and
(c) 2,870 elsewhere.
Terrorism
Mr. McNamara : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library a comprehensive list of all those who have died as a result of Northerrn Ireland terrorism, including the date and location of their death and of the incident leading to their death and the organisation allegedly responsible for the death since August 1968 in (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Great Britain, (c) the Republic of Ireland and (d) other EC countries.
Mr. Mates : I will write to the hon. Gentleman when compilation of the available information is completed and arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.
Wildlife
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he or his officials last met representatives of the agrochemical industry to discuss the future funding of the wildlife incident investigation schemes.
Mr. Hanley : Wildlife incident investigation schemes operate on a common basis throughout the United Kingdom. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food takes the lead in negotiations with the agrochemical industry, and I understand that it has recently met with industry representatives to discuss the funding of the scheme.
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future funding of the wildlife incident investigation scheme Northern Ireland.
Mr. Hanley : Wildlife incident investigation schemes operate on a common basis throughout the United Kingdom with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the lead Department as far as their operation is concerned.
Laganside Corporation
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 26 November, Official Report, column 789, relating to the auditing arrangements of the Laganside Corporation, on what date he expects to complete the amended financial memorandum ; and if he will place a copy in the Library.
Mr. Atkins : Laganside Corporation was advised by letter dated 1 December 1992 of the amendment to the financial memorandum. The amended section now reads :
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"The Northern Ireland Audit Office shall have full access on request to the books and records of the Corporation."I am arranging for a copy of the memorandum to be placed in the Library.
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Bangladesh
Mr. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about aid to Bangladesh.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : Britain provided £56 million in aid to Bangladesh in 1991. Our aid programme supports development of the country's natural resources, its physical infrastructure and its human resources through health and population, education and training. We promote good government through our assistance with economic reform, and improvements to the efficiency and accountability of public services. We have established a new aid management office in Dhaka, staffed by a multi-disciplinary team, which will allow us to focus our aid still more effectively on Bangladesh's development priorities.
Global Environment Facility
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to provide additional resources for replenishment of the global environment facility ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : The Government have agreed to provide new and additional resources for the replenishment of the global environment facility. Provision for this will be made following the outcome of the replenishment negotiations and as soon as the level and the timing of our contribution is known.
Malawi
Mr. Simon Coombs : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British aid to Malawi.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : At the Consultative Group in May 1992, we and other donors agreed to withhold new balance of payments and restrict other forms of aid, pending improvements in Malawi's human rights record. We welcome the decision to hold a referendum on the one-party system and other indications that the Malawi Government are beginning to address human rights issues. It is essential that the referendum is conducted fairly and those calling for democratic changes are allowed to campaign freely and openly. We continue to urge the Malawi Government to make further improvements in human rights.
We keep our position on aid under regular review, but for the moment we are concentrating new aid on humanitarian relief and projects to help the poorest. So far this year we have allocated £12.3 million of humanitarian relief, including £0.5 million of medical supplies offered during November.
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Tropical Forests
Mr. Chris Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest information on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation's estimates on rates of tropical forest loss.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : Preliminary estimates from the current 1990 FAO forest resources assessment indicate a rate of tropical forest loss in excess of 17 million hectares annually.
Mr. Chris Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure implementation of the forest principles agreed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : We shall publish a national plan on our own implementation of the forest principles, by the end of 1993. We are also using our influence, together with our EC and G7 partners, to seek agreement to an international review process. We believe that this should involve the Sustainable Development Commission which is being established by the United Nations General Assembly.
Grenada
Mr. Meacher : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the environmental impacts of the Commonwealth Development Corporation/Liberty Club Ltd. tourist hotel development in Grenada.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : It is the Government's responsibility under the Commonwealth Development Corporation Act to set the policy framework in which the Commonwealth Development Corporation carries out its activities. Decisions on individual investments are the responsibility of its board. Assessment of the environmental aspects of proposed investments is an integral part of the Commonwealth Development Corporation's project appraisal and approval procedures. In these circumstances, it would not be appropriate for the Overseas Development Administration to undertake separate studies of proposed projects.
Commonwealth Development Corporation
Mr. Jonathan Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to authorise the Commonwealth Development Corporation to extend its area of operations ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : Approval has been given to the Commonwealth Development Corporation undertaking activities in the Dominican Republic. In pursuing investment opportunities the Commonwealth Development Corporation will endeavour to give priority to promoting the private sector.
Human Rights
Mr. Worthington : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether applicants for membership of the Commonwealth have to fulfil any standards with regard to democracy or respect for human rights.
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Mr. Lennox-Boyd [holding reply 1 December 1992] : All countries applying to join the Commonwealth are expected to adhere to the "Declaration of Commonwealth Principles" issued at the 1971 Singapore Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
Cameroon
Mr. Worthington : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has received about the arrest and detention of Dr. Bieleu, president of the Union of Cameroonian Democratic Forces.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd [holding answer 1 December 1992] : We have received a large number of representations about human rights abuses in Cameroon following the Presidential elections on 11 October. Particular concern has been expressed by human rights groups in both the United Kingdom and Cameroon about the detention of opposition leaders, including Dr. Bieuleu, who is currently detained without charge at the headquarters of the Gendarmerie Nationale in Yaounde . The authorities have also apparently refused Dr. Bieuleu medication to control his diabetes.
We have made our concerns about human rights abuses plain to the Cameroon Government and have called publicly on President Biya to release those in detention, especially leaders of the opposition parties.
World Bank
Mr. Denham : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the number of staff available to support the United Kingdom executive director of the World bank in his evaluation of the economic poverty alleviation and environmental impact of proposed World bank projects.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd [holding answer 26 November 1992] : The United Kingdom executive director has a joint office dealing with World bank and IMF matters. In addition to two alternate directors, there are six assistants, all of whom have responsibilities for reviewing World bank projects and policies. Technical back-up is available as necessary from professional advisers at the ODA's headquarters.
Malaria Conference
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the conference in Amsterdam on malaria, at which the Department of Health was represented.
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Mr. Lennox-Boyd [holding answer 27 November 1992] : I have been asked to reply.Participants from 102 member states of the World Health Organisation unanimously adopted the world declaration on the control of malaria at the ministerial conference in Amsterdam on 26 to 27 October. Acknowledging that malaria constitutes a major threat to health and to economic development, the conference concluded that malaria can and must be controlled with the tools now available ; the key to success is applying the right strategy in the right places at the right time ; in most endemic countries the goal will be to prevent malaria mortality and to reduce morbidity as well as social and economic losses due to the disease through building local and national capabilities ; and aid donors should increase support for malaria control efforts.
The United Kingdom delegation was led by ODA's chief health and population adviser and included representatives from the Department of Health and the Liverpool and London Schools of Tropical Medicine. The United Kingdom delegation stressed the need for cost-effective interventions to tackle malaria. It noted that ODA already provides substantial support to the management of malaria in many developing countries, and announced ODA's intention to establish a United Kigdom malaria consortium to help developing countries acquire skills needed to develop cost-effective malaria strategies and undertake relevant operational research. Developing countries will be able to apply for such assistance under ODA's bilateral country programmes. We hope that other aid agencies, such as WHO and the World bank, will also draw on this United Kingdom expertise.
United Nations Programmes
Mr. Meacher : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the United Kingdom contributed financially to (a) the United Nations development programme, (b) the world food programme, (c) the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, (d) UNICEF, (e) the United Nations fund for population activities, (f) the United Nations environment programme and (g) the United Nations disaster relief organisation, in cash and at 1991 prices for each year since 1985.
Mr. Lennox Boyd [holding answer 16 November 1992] : Contributions in cash terms and in 1991 prices were as follows.
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|c|United Kingdom contributions to United Nations organisations in cash terms|c|
£ thousands
|1985 |1986 |1987 |1988 |1989 |1990 |<1>1991
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Nations Development Programme |21,000 |21,000 |23,000 |24,500 |26,001 |27,114 |28,964
World Food Programme<2> |500 |500 |10,392 |4,542 |15,674 |4,030 |15,190
United Nations High Commission for Refugees |16,860 |14,020 |14,800 |19,470 |19,316 |19,495 |23,475
United Nations Children's Fund |8,400 |8,308 |12,000 |12,223 |12,200 |9,285 |11,232
United Nations Population Fund |4,500 |4,500 |5,000 |5,250 |5,500 |<3>6,000|<4>7,500
United Nations Environment Programme |750 |1,000 |1,000 |1,250 |3,000 |3,000 |4,000
United Nations Disaster Relief Organisation |n/a |n/a |n/a |2,746 |391 |719 |898
n/a-Not available.
<1>The figures for the United Nations Development Programme, the World Food Programme and the United Nations
Children's Fund have been updated since the answer given to the House on 14 July 1992.
<2>Contributions to the World Food Programme include subscription payments, commodity purchase and, from 1987, food
aid. Prior to 1987 the food aid channelled through the World Food Programme could not be distinguished from other
food aid, and therefore is not included
in this table.
<3>United Kingdom pledge for 1990, of which £3 million was actually paid in February 1991.
<4>United Kingdom pledge for 1991. Excludes payment of £3 million in February 1991 against 1990 pledge.
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|c|United Kingdom contribution to United Nations organisations at 1991 prices|c|
£ thousands
|1985 |1986 |1987 |1988 |1989 |1990 |<1>1991
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Nations Development Programme |30,047 |29,044 |30,301 |30,279 |29,990 |29,052 |28,964
World Food Programme<2> |715 |692 |13,691 |5,613 |18,079 |4,318 |15,190
United Nations High Commission for Refugees |24,124 |19,391 |19,498 |24,063 |22,279 |20,888 |23,475
United Nations Children's Fund |12,019 |11,490 |15,809 |15,106 |14,072 |9,949 |11,232
United Nations Population Fund |6,439 |6,224 |6,587 |6,488 |6,344 |<3>6,429|<4>7,500
United Nations Environment Programme |1,073 |1,383 |1,317 |1,545 |3,460 |3,214 |4,000
United Nations Disaster Relief Organisation N/a N/a N/a 3,394 451 770 898
Note: Latest available Her Majesty's Treasury deflators (consistent with the Autumn Statement) were used. These
figures therefore differ from those given in the answer to the House on 14 July 1992.
N/a-Not available.
<1>The figures for the United Nations Development Programme, the World Food Programme and the United Nations
Children's Fund have been updated since the answer given to the House on 14 July 1992.
<2>Contributions to the World Food Programme include subscription payments, commodity purchase and, from 1987, food
aid. Prior to 1987 the food aid channelled through the World Food Programme could not be distinguished from other
food aid, and therefore is not included in this table.
<3>United Kingdom pledge for 1990, of which £3 million (in cash terms) was actually paid in February 1991.
<4>United Kingdom pledge for 1991. Excludes payment of £3 million (in cash terms) in February 1991 against 1990
pledge.
EDUCATION
Open University
Mr. Mans : To ask the Secretary of State for Education if the Open university will be given the extra funds previously indicated for 1993 to enable it to continue to increase its undergraduate student numbers.
Mr. Forman : The baseline funding for the Open university, which is being transferred to the Higher Education Funding Council for England in 1993-94, includes provision for the university to recruit an additional 2,000 undergraduate students in 1993. I understand that the funding council's decision on the university's funding for the period up to 31 July 1993 takes account of these additional students.
Adult Illiteracy
Mr. Nigel Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for Education what measures are being taken to tackle adult illiteracy in England.
Mr. Forman : The Further and Higher Education Act 1992 places the Further Education Funding Council under a duty to secure adequate provision of basic literacy teaching for adults. The Government also support the adult literacy and basic skills unit which provides advice and undertakes development work in basic skills.
Birmingham City Council
Dr. Lynne Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effect of penalties imposed on council spending which exceeds standard spending assessment on the ability of Birmingham city council to reach its standard spending assessment for education ; and what action he proposes to take.
Mr. Forth : Birmingham city council is responsible for deciding its overall budget and spending priorities and is accountable locally for the decisions it takes.
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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS Maastricht Treaty Mr. Legg : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the provisions of the treaty of Maastricht which (a) alter the status of the council as an institution of the European Community, (b) increase the scope of majority voting or (c) reduce the right of unilateral action by the United Kingdom.
Mr. Garel-Jones : I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 20 May at column 169 detailing extensions of majority voting under the Maastricht treaty. The status of the Council is not altered by the treaty on European union. The United Kingdom would forgo the right to act unilaterally in monetary mattes if it chose to join the move to a single currency, but the treaty does not oblige it to do so. The treaty includes new articles on education, training, culture, health, consumer protection, industry and development which include powers for the Community to act. But measures in all these areas had already been adopted under the existing treaty, so the articles concerned largely make explicit what is already possible under existing provisions. In addition, article 3b of the treaty sets new criteria for Community action across the board, which will limit its right to constrain member states' activities. On balance, therefore, we are confident that member states' freedom of action will be increased.
South-West Atlantic (Fish Stocks)
Mr. Shersby : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place with the Argentine Government concerning the conservation of fish stocks in the south-west Atlantic ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Garel-Jones : Discussions were held with the Argentine Government at the fourth meeting of the South Atlantic Fisheries Commission on 23 and 24 November 1992. The delegations exchanged views on conservation and related matters. We shall continue the dialogue with the Argentine Government.
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Mr. Shersby : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the value of licences to fish for illex squid in Falkland Islands waters in 1992, if he will make an estimate of the projected income for 1993 ; what information he has concerning investment in fisheries in the Falkland Islands ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Garel-Jones : The income from illex squid licences to fish in Falkland Islands waters in 1992 amounted to £20.768 million. The current licensing round is not yet complete and prospective income is uncertain. It could be significantly lower. The market for squid is weak. There may be fewer applications for licences.
Mr. Shersby : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent information he has concerning the depletion of stocks of the illex squid in the waters of the south-west Atlantic ; and what is his policy for ensuring that immature squid is protected from overfishing in these waters.
Mr. Garel-Jones : The proportion of the annual illex squid brood which is not caught each season and is thus able to breed has been sufficient to maintain an adequate stock in Falkland Islands waters. We support the measures taken by the Falkland Islands Government to prevent overfishing by limiting the number of licences for fishing in the Falkland Islands conservation zone (FICZ), closing the fishery early if necessary and negotiating voluntary restraint agreements to prevent overfishing in the adjacent high seas. We discuss with Argentina measures for fisheries conservation in the South Atlantic Fisheries Commission.
Malta
Sir Russell Johnston : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with Malta's application for membership of the European Community.
Mr. Garel-Jones : The Maltese application has been referred to the European Commission for its Opinion. We look forward to an early discussion by the Council of Ministers when the Opinion is available.
Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty
Mr. Jacques Arnold : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current status and recent implementation of the CFE treaty.
Mr. Garel-Jones : An agreement to apply the CFE treaty provisionally from 17 July 1992 was signed by all 29 CFE states parties at the Helsinki summit on 10 July. This was in response to the view of many states parties that implementation of the treaty, which was signed on 19 November 1990, should not be delayed any further by the failure of some states parties to ratify quickly. The treaty entered into force definitively on 9 November, following ratification by the last two states parties, Belarus and Kazakhstan, on 30 October.
In the 120-day period of intensive inspection since 17 July, the United Kingdom has conducted 21 inspections in the countries of the former Warsaw pact, and has received seven inspections from them. On 14 November the treaty moved into its three-year reduction phase, in the course of
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which states parties will reduce their equipment holdings to the limits specified by the treaty. We are satisfied that the CFE treaty, which we regard as a cornerstone for co-operative security in Europe, has been properly implemented so far.EC Officials
Sir Thomas Arnold : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 November, Official Report, column 1012, how many of the British employees at the European Commission are translators or interpreters ; and if he will break down the figure for those in the administrative grade by directorate general.
Mr. Jackson : I have been asked to reply.
There are currently 185 full-time British translators and interpreters working for the European Community institutions. These are additional to the figures for British officials employed in the European Commission in my answer of 13 November, at column 1012. The provision of detailed breakdowns of staffing figures is a matter for the European Community institutions.
Cameroon
Mr. Worthington : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Government have taken at the United Nations or elsewhere about the current political and constitutional position in Cameroon.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : A Cameroonian mission, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Francis Nkwain, visited the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 18 November. We called on the Cameroon Government on this occasion to take all possible measures to end human rights abuses and to take active measures to demonstrate their commitment to democracy. We have subsequently drawn to the attention of the Cameroon Government a British statement issued on 19 November which urged President Biya to end the state of emergency and to release those in detention or under house arrest, especially leaders of the opposition parties.
Mr. Worthington : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations he has made into the civil rights position of the SDF candidate for the presidency in Cameroon in respect of human rights ; and whether his Department has sought to meet Mr. John Fru Ndi recently.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : The continued restriction on Mr. Fru Ndi appear to run counter to Cameroon's obligations under the international convention on civil and political rights. The British ambassador to Cameroon has spoken to Mr. Fru Ndi several times by telephone and a member of the embassy visited the North-West Province on 23-24 November, when he was able to meet him in person.
Mr. Worthington : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Government have made about the treatment of the English-speaking Cameroons in recent years.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : We have been given no grounds to make such representations in recent years. The current problems in Cameroon are not solely related to problems
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between the anglophone and francophone communities in Cameroon, but rather stem from the conduct of the presidential election on 11 October and the increase in human rights abuses in the aftermath of that election.Tropical Forests
Mr. Chris Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many species of tropical rain forest timber he considers to be in danger of global extinction as a result of over- harvesting.
Mr. Maclean : I have been asked to reply.
Species threatened with extinction which are, or may be, affected by trade are listed in appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The appendix currently includes two tropical timber species : the Guatemalan Fir, Abies guatemalensis, and Brazilian Rosewood, Dalbergia nigra.
HEALTH
Health Practices
Mr. Nigel Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken to promote better health practices in England.
Dr. Mawhinney : Over £150 million has been invested since 1989 to support medical and clinical audit. The philosophy of audit is now generally accepted by the medical and other health care professions. The clinical outcomes group, jointly chaired by the chief medical officer and chief nursing officer and representing all the major professional groups in the national health service, has been set up to drive forward the concept of clinical audit and focus on establishing outcomes.
Other initiatives include :
the "Health of the Nation" which has set targets in the area of awareness and prevention of illness ; and
a series of bulletins entitled "Effective Health Care", bringing together evidence of the effectiveness of specific health care interventions. Four bulletins have been issued to date :
Population Screening for Osteoporosis
Rehabilitation after Stroke
The Management of Subfertility
Treatment of Persistent Glue Ear in Children
Department of Health funded research programmes which will form the basis of standards for audit in future ;
encouraging the medical royal colleges to set best practice standards for their specialties.
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