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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 12 January 1993
NATIONAL FINANCE
Public Expenditure
Mr. Straw : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many member countries of (a) the EC, (b) G7 and (c) the OECD include expenditure incurred by sub-national units of government, local authorities, states, departments, la"nder, municipalities, and so on, and financed by local taxation in the expenditure to be controlled by central Government in their public expenditure planning processes ; and if he will make a statement on the inclusion of United Kingdom local authority self-financed expenditure in the new control total.
Mr. Portillo : As explained in annex C to chapter 2 of the "Autumn Statement"--paragraph 2C.9--local authority self-financed expenditure-- LASFE--is included in the new control total because it is a significant component of general Government expenditure, is not primarily cyclical and cannot sensibly be allowed to vary without any requirements for offsetting adjustments. Although LASFE is not directly under central government control, the Government influence and restrain local authority expenditure, and hence LASFE, through grant, capping and capital receipts rules.
Information on which OECD countries include expenditure incurred by sub- national units of government and financed by local taxation in their public expenditure planning processes is not readily available. It can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Revenue Losses
Mr. Stern : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his most recent estimate of annual revenue losses arising from legal imports of (a) cigarettes, (b) other tobacco products, (c) wines and spirits, (d) beer and (e) other excisable goods, following the completion of the single market in January.
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Sir John Cope : The "Financial Statement and Budget Report" published in March 1992 made provision for a full-year loss of £250 million from increased cross-border shopping. We anticipate that most of the loss will be due to cigarettes, but the estimate is difficult and subdivisions between categories of alcoholic drinks and tobacco products would not be meaningful.
VAT
Mr. David Porter : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to collect value added tax from businesses at the current rate only on the turnover above the registration threshold ; and if he will make a statement.
Sir John Cope : Value added tax is a transaction-based tax ; it is collected by registered businesses from their customers and remitted to Customs. Unlike direct taxes, it is not a tax on the business. The relief suggested is, therefore, not appropriate.
Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the terms of reference of the planned review of the exemption from value added tax of educational materials ; and when he expects the review to be completed.
Sir John Cope : Customs and Excise are undertaking an internal review of the VAT exemptions available for educational services provided by fee paying schools, universities and other businesses to see whether, consistent with EC legislation, there is scope for simplification and rationalisation. It is too early yet to say how soon the review will be completed. There is no general exemption for the supply of educational materials and this is not part of the review.
Food Prices
Mr. David Porter : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will prepare a table showing for each year since 1 January 1973 (a) the average price of a standard loaf of bread, (b) the average price of a pint of milk, (c) the average price of a standard tin of baked beans, (d) the percentage increase in the price of each item, (e) the retail price index and (f) the United Kingdom net contribution to the EC budget ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Nelson : The available information is given in the following table. Average price data for baked beans are not available.
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Average January price (pence) Percentage price change (per cent.) over previous 12 months
Year<1> |Standard loaf of |Pint of milk<3> |Bread |Milk |January Retail |UK net contribution
|bread<2> |Prices Index (Jan |to the EC Budget £
|1974=100) |million
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1973 |10 |5.5 |n.a. |n.a. |89.3 |102
1974 |13 |5.5 |20.3 |0 |100.0 |29
1975 |14 |5.0 |8.3 |-9.2 |119.9 |-56
1976 |17 |8.5 |19.4 |69.8 |147.9 |167
1977 |21 |10.5 |23.2 |23.5 |172.4 |369
1978 |26 |12.5 |18.5 |19.1 |189.5 |822
1979 |30 |13.5 |13.4 |7.3 |207.2 |947
1980 |35 |15.0 |16.0 |11.1 |245.3 |706
1981 |39 |18.5 |11.0 |23.3 |277.3 |397
1982 |41 |20.0 |6.0 |8.1 |310.6 |606
1983 |43 |21.0 |3.5 |5.0 |325.9 |647
1984 |45 |21.0 |4.1 |0 |342.6 |656
1985 |47 |22.0 |3.0 |4.8 |359.8 |1,808
1986 |51 |23.0 |8.5 |4.3 |379.7 |572
1987 |55 |25.0 |4.0 |8.2 |394.5 |1,721
1988 |58 |26.0 |5.8 |4.2 |<4>407.5 |1,362
1989 |60 |28.0 |5.5 |7.2 |<4>437.9 |2,315
1990 |64 |29.0 |6.3 |7.5 |<4>471.4 |2,475
1991 |70 |32.0 |9.7 |8.2 |<4>513.6 |545
1992 |71 |33.0 |2.5 |4.6 |<4>534.9 |n.a.
<1> The price data have been given for January of each year.
<2> Price for a white unwrapped 13/4lb loaf.
<3> Price for a pint of pasteurised milk. Prior to 1987 prices relate to delivered milk only. Since then shop-bought milk has been included in the
calculations.
<4> Indices have been converted to a January 1974-100 base from the official January 1987=100 base for ease of comparison.
Family Expenditure
Mr. David Porter : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the average spent each week by a family of two adults and two school age children on (a) food, (b) clothing, (c) entertainment, (d) housing and (e) taxes ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Nelson : The estimates are shown in the table. They are based on spending in 1991.
Average weekly expenditure Description |£ per week -------------------------------------------------------------------- Food |68.86 Clothing |24.83 Entertainment |41.42 Housing |64.34 Income tax and National Insurance employees contribution |107.88
Domestic Energy Supplies
Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to levy (a) value added tax or (b) any other additional taxation on domestic energy supplies.
Sir John Cope : My right hon. Friend will, as usual, set out his taxation proposals in the Budget. As is normal at this time of year, I cannot comment further at this time on any such proposals.
TRANSPORT
Lorry Trailers (Rail Transport)
Dame Jill Knight : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the upgrading of the existing British Rail network necessary in order to accommodate unaccompanied lorry trailers.
Mr. Roger Freeman : Discussions are to be held between BR, independent transport consultants and the Health and Safety Executive on the scope for accommodating piggyback freight on some of BR's existing lines. They will be considering the engineering, cost and safety implications of using redesigned wagons and enhancing height clearances on some lines.
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WALES
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been paid in each of the last five years to landowners in Wales in respect of compensation under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 ; and how much was paid during the same period in respect of land purchase.
Mr. David Hunt : Prior to 1 April 1991, payments under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for management agreements and land purchase were made by the Nature Conservancy Council for Great Britain as a whole, and were recorded centrally. Therefore figures for payments made in Wales prior to 1 April 1991 are not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
In 1991-92 payments made to landowners by the Countryside Council for Wales in respect of management agreements under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 amounted to £1.055 million. This amount included payments to encourage positive conservation measures as well as payments in respect of compensation, which are not recorded separately.
For 1991-92, £0.631 million was paid by the Countryside Council for Wales for the purchase of land in national nature reserves. In addition, the Countryside Council for Wales gave grants totalling £0.399 million towards the purchase of land by other organisations for nature and landscape conservation.
Urban Programme
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement indicating the criteria used in assessing (a) projects benefiting all of the county and (b) projects benefiting all of the borough/district as used in his Department's press release of 14 December concerning the urban programme in mid Glamorgan.
Mr. David Hunt : The press release included a map showing the location of the projects to be grant aided. Projects that were shown as benefiting the whole county or the whole borough or district were identified on the basis of the information supplied by the local authorities concerned in their grant applications.
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Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the sites of special scientific interest damaged by acid rain in the latest year for which figures are available and give the hectarage of each site of special scientific interest affected.
Mr. David Hunt : A study published in October 1992 identified 42 sites of special scientific interest in Wales as having freshwater habitats affected by acid deposition, out of a current total of 848 SSSIs. These sites are listed in the tables. The area given is that of the whole SSSI and not the area damaged. The study sampled freshwaters and did not assess damage to the land area of sites. The Countryside Council for Wales is currently seeking to establish how far land habitats are being damaged by acid rain. Present research has indicated that some parts of south Wales may also be affected by acid rain although this was not considered likely at the time of the original study.
Welsh SSSI surveyed and within which freshwaters were considered
to have been affected by acidification.
SSSI Name |Area of whole SSSI
|(not area damaged)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Dwyfor
Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar |138 ha
Hafod Garregog |45 ha
Meirionnydd
Ceunant Cynfal |36 ha
Cadair Idris |3,548 ha
Rhinog |2,681 ha
Coed Ganllwyd |59 ha
Coedydd Abergwynant |88 ha
Migneint |4,108 ha
Dduallt |135 ha
Arfon Arthog |280 ha
Pont Croesor |91 ha
Llyn Tegid |484 ha
Aberconwy
Sychnant Pass |109 ha
Fairy Glen Woods |43 ha
Llynnau Mymbyr |67 ha
Llyn Goddionduon |7.ha
Llynnau Bodgynydd |25 ha
Llyn Bychan |4 ha
Llyn Ty'n y Mynydd |7 ha
Pandora Reservoirs |8 ha
Carneddau |8,190 ha
Arfon
Coedydd Aber |185 ha
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) |2,740 ha
Cwm Dwythwch |385 ha
Glydeiriau and Cwm Idwal |2,780 ha
Llyn Cwellyn |89 ha
Clwyd
Berwyn |15,991 ha
Mynydd Hiraethog |6,321 ha
Llandegla Moor |576 ha
Dyfed/Powys
Montgomery
Coed Afon Crewi |5 ha
Coedydd Llawr-y-glyn |102 ha
Pencreigiau'r Llan |234 ha
River Wye |<1>0 ha
Pumlumon |3,848 ha
Radnor
Marcheini Uplands |810 ha
Cwm Gwynllyn |92 ha
Rhos Rhyd-y-ceir |8 ha
Maelienydd |350 ha
Ceredigion
Coedydd a Cheunant Rheidol |234 ha
Llynoedd Ieuan |175 ha
Elenydd |22,770 ha
Cwm Doethie and M Mallaen |6,187 ha
<1> 250 km length
Medical Research
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Medical Research Council in relation to the closure in 1995 of the epidemiology unit at Llandough hospital ; what provision he will arrange in relation to the Caerphilly study into factors affecting heart disease incidence ; what other proposals for medical research in Wales he has exchanged with the research council ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Gwilym Jones [holding answer 11 January 1993] : Officials were involved in the review of the Medical Research Council-funded epidemiology unit and keep in close touch with the MRC as a matter of course. Senior officials, including the chief medical officer, met the Secretary of the Medical Research Council in Cardiff on 12 November 1992 to discuss the closure of the unit, and the future Medical Research Council developments in Wales. I am pleased to say that the Medical Research Council has endorsed the recommendation of its systems board that the Caerphilly study should continue to be supported through to the completion of phase IV, which will require work beyond the closure date of the unit.
I consider a sound research base very important and I am keen to see Medical Research Council investment in Wales maintained. Thus, I am encouraged to note that the Medical Research Council is discussing with researchers in Wales a number of possible projects under the clinical research initiative.
Learning Difficulties
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish a revised learning difficulties strategy for Wales.
Mr. Gwilym Jones [holding answer 11 January 1993] : The revised document will be published in time to relaunch the strategy from 1 April 1993.
EC Doctors and Dentists
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will encourage district health authorities to embark on recruitment drives in Europe to attract doctors and dentists to work in Wales.
Mr. Gwilym Jones [holding answer 11 January 1993] : All health authorities in Wales are currently able to recruit doctors and dentists from Europe. All, with the exception of Powys health authority, have already recruited from Europe.
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LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
Postponed Cases
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will give the numbers of cases postponed in (a) magistrates courts and (b) stipendiary magistrates' courts in each county, indicating (i) the percentage involved at each court, (ii) the reasons for each postponement and (iii) the cost of each postponement in the latest year for which figures are available.
Mr. John M. Taylor : The information is not available centrally in the form requested.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Prison Service Agency
Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria were used in the selection of the new chief executive of the Prison Service Agency ; what steps were taken to ensure a fair and open competition ; if the selected candidate was the first recommendation of the selection panel ; and what is to be the salary of the appointee.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 21 December, Mr. Derek Lewis was appointed chief executive and director general of the new Prison Service Agency in an open competition conducted under the aegis of the Civil Service Commissioners. The Recruitment and Assessment Services issued a public advertisement and Saxton Bamfylde International plc conducted an executive search. The advertisement stated that the successful candidate would need to have experience, most probably at chief executive level, of leading a substantial organisation in the public or private sector ; a track record of successful management of large -scale change, delivering improved quality and efficiency ; and first-class communication skills and good judgment appropriate to the leadership of a highly complex and sensitive public service. In accordance with the normal practice the recommendations of the selection panel are confidential. Mr. Lewis's salary is £125,000 a year and he is eligible for a performance bonus of up to 35 per cent. of basic salary, assessed by the Department on the basis of measures of performance.
Racial Incidents
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been for incitement to racial hatred each year since 1965 under
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section 5a of the Public Order Act 1936 and subsequently sections 17 to 23 of the Public Order Act 1986 ; and how many of these prosecutions have been successful.Mr. Jack : Information for 1979 to 1991, which is provisional, is given in the table. Data for 1965 to 1978 are not available.
Number of prosecutions at magistrates' courts and convictions at all courts under Section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936 and Sections 17 to 23 of the Public Order Act 1986<1>, 1979 to 1991 Year |Prosecutions|Convictions ---------------------------------------------------- 1979 |3 |2 1980 |- |- 1981 |3 |1 1982 |4 |4 1983 |2 |1 1984 |11 |2 1985 |25 |8 1986 |4 |11 1987 |11 |6 1988 |22 |2 1989 |28 |2 1990 |45 |4 1991<2> |67 |3 <1> Came into force on 1 January 1987. <2> Provisional.
Child Sex Abuse
Mr. Mike O'Brien : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many offenders have been charged with more than one incidence of child sex abuse ;
(2) how many incidents there have been of persons being treated for child sex abuse who have been charged with offences of a similar nature (a) during the course of their treatment and (b) within two years after their treatment finishing ;
(3) how many persons were convicted in each of the last five years for offences of sexual abuse against children ; and how many such persons have been convicted in each of the last 10 years in the Coventry and Warwickshire area.
Mr. Jack : Information is not collected centrally on the number of offenders who have been charged with more than one incident of child sex abuse. Nor are records kept centrally of the number of persons being treated for child sex abuse who have been charged with similar offences.
Information on the number of persons convicted of child sex crimes in England and Wales and the Coventry and Warwickshire areas is given in the tables. It is only possible from the information held centrally to identify sex offenders where the victim is known to be aged under 16 years.
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Table C Number of persons convicted at the magistrates' courts of child sex offences in Coventry Petty Sessional Division and at the Crown Court who were committed from Coventry Petty Sessional Division 1987-1991<1> Coventry Offence |1987 |1988 |1989 |1990 |<1>1991 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal |5 |1 |5 |3 |1 Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal |- |- |- |- |- Indecent assault on a male aged under 16 years |2 |3 |2 |2 |3 Indecent assault on a female aged under 16 years |11 |7 |11 |9 |9 Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13 years |- |- |- |1 |- Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 16 years |4 |4 |2 |2 |1 Incest with a girl under 13 years |- |1 |1 |- |- Inciting girl under 16 years to have incestuous sexual intercourse |- |- |- |- |- Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 years |- |- |- |- |- Person responsible for girl aged under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution, etc. |- |- |- |- |- Abduction of unmarried girl aged under 16 years |- |- |- |- |- Gross indecency with children |5 |5 |2 |2 |3 <1> Provisional.
Table C Number of persons convicted at the magistrates' courts of child sex offences in Coventry Petty Sessional Division and at the Crown Court who were committed from Coventry Petty Sessional Division 1987-1991<1> Coventry Offence |1987 |1988 |1989 |1990 |<1>1991 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal |5 |1 |5 |3 |1 Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal |- |- |- |- |- Indecent assault on a male aged under 16 years |2 |3 |2 |2 |3 Indecent assault on a female aged under 16 years |11 |7 |11 |9 |9 Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13 years |- |- |- |1 |- Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 16 years |4 |4 |2 |2 |1 Incest with a girl under 13 years |- |1 |1 |- |- Inciting girl under 16 years to have incestuous sexual intercourse |- |- |- |- |- Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 years |- |- |- |- |- Person responsible for girl aged under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution, etc. |- |- |- |- |- Abduction of unmarried girl aged under 16 years |- |- |- |- |- Gross indecency with children |5 |5 |2 |2 |3 <1> Provisional.
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Table C Number of persons convicted at the magistrates' courts of child sex offences in Coventry Petty Sessional Division and at the Crown Court who were committed from Coventry Petty Sessional Division 1987-1991<1> Coventry Offence |1987 |1988 |1989 |1990 |<1>1991 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal |5 |1 |5 |3 |1 Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal |- |- |- |- |- Indecent assault on a male aged under 16 years |2 |3 |2 |2 |3 Indecent assault on a female aged under 16 years |11 |7 |11 |9 |9 Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13 years |- |- |- |1 |- Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 16 years |4 |4 |2 |2 |1 Incest with a girl under 13 years |- |1 |1 |- |- Inciting girl under 16 years to have incestuous sexual intercourse |- |- |- |- |- Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 years |- |- |- |- |- Person responsible for girl aged under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution, etc. |- |- |- |- |- Abduction of unmarried girl aged under 16 years |- |- |- |- |- Gross indecency with children |5 |5 |2 |2 |3 <1> Provisional.
Linen Washing
Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he will take to ensure that prisons conform to guidelines issued in circular DHSS HC (87) ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Circular instructions 9/1992 replaces, so far as practice in the prison service is concerned, DHSS circular HC (87) on the washing of foul and infected linen. Annex 3 of the circular instruction includes detailed guidance on the treatment of foul and infected linen and the wearing of protective clothing, which all prisons are expected to follow so as to ensure that such items are hygienically washed to the standards recommended in the DHSS circular.
EDUCATION
Adult Education
Mr. Dowd : To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many enrolments there were for courses of adult education provided by the Inner London education authority at the time of its abolition ; and what are the current corresponding figures for its successor authorities.
Mr. Boswell : In November 1989, there were some 222,000 enrolments of students aged 19 and over on courses in adult institutions and further education colleges maintained by the Inner London education authority. In November 1991, the corresponding figure for institutions maintained by the inner London boroughs or funded through the London residuary body is provisionally estimated as 202, 000.
PRIME MINISTER
Prince and Princess of Wales
Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister how many times he met the Prince and Princess of Wales to discuss their separation before his announcement on 9 December 1992.
The Prime Minister : I meet both the prince and princess periodically to discuss a range of issues.
Engagements
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.
Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.
The Prime Minister : This morning I 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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Nuclear Test Veterans
Ms. Lynne : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 1992, Official Report, column 655, when the further report from the National Radiological Protection Board on mortality and cancer evidence relating to nuclear test veterans will be published ; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. McMaster) on 24 November at column 577.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Homelessness
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on the number of homeless persons presently seeking dwellings who are (a) Roman Catholics, (b) Protestants and (c) others in each district of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Mr. Atkins : This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I am advised by its chief executive that the information requested is not readily available. However an indication of the total number of homeless persons seeking Housing Executive accommodation is given by the numbers of applicants in the A1 group--emergency housing category-- of the executive's waiting list. The number in the A1 group in each executive district as at 30 November 1992 was as follows :
District |A1 Applicants ------------------------------------------- Antrim |27 Armagh |19 Ballycastle |8 Ballymena |22 Ballymoney |1 Banbridge |11 Bangor |15 Belfast 1 |98 Belfast 2 |38 Belfast 3 |96 Belfast 4 |49 Belfast 5 |50 Belfast 6 |53 Belfast 7 |75 Carrickfergus |36 Castlereagh 1 |17 Castlereagh 2 |18 Coleraine |30 Cookstown |6 Craigavon |3 Downpatrick |72 Dungannon |10 Fermanagh |19 Larne |16 Limavady |26 Lisburn 1 |55 Lisburn 2 |30 Lisburn 3 |63 Londonderry 1 |139 Londonderry 2 |49 Londonderry 3 |109 Lurgan |17 Magherafelt |6 Newry 1 |31 Newry 2 |25 Newtownabbey 1 |15 Newtownabbey 2 |20 Newtownards 1 |38 Newtownards 2 |10 Omagh |35 Portadown |12 Strabane |25
HEALTH
Diethylstilbestrol
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies she has undertaken into the long-term carcinogenic and other side-effects on children born to mothers given DES as a treatment for high blood- pressure during pregnancy in the period 1941 to 1960 ; if she will assist the formation of DES self-help groups ; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. Sackville : International studies have suggested that Diethylstilbestrol is potentially carcinogenic to daughters of women prescribed the drug and can have potential non carcinogenic side effects on offspring of both sexes.
The Department has supported a study among EC member states aimed at providing information to the public and medical profession. This was undertaken by "DES Action the Netherlands" on behalf of the European Commission. We have no current plans to assist in the formation of DES self -help groups, but it is open to voluntary bodies to seek financial support under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968.
DES was not widely prescribed in this country and the estimated number of women who might develop cancer as a consequence is very small.
The prospect for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer in this country has been greatly enhanced by the introduction of the NHS breast and cervical screening programmes. Additionally, anyone who develops symptoms which worry them should immediately contact their doctor.
Any new information relating to side effects from DES will be monitored in the usual way when it becomes available to the Committee on Safety of Medicines.
NHS Property
Sir Thomas Arnold : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is Her Majesty's Government's practice in respect of use of the proceeds from disposal of national health service land or other property which was in origin substantially funded by charitable donations.
Mr. Sackville : All proceeds from the sale of national health service land and property are retained by the NHS for reinvestment in the NHS.
Prescription Charges
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will outline her decision on the level of prescription charges to be applied from 1 April.
Dr. Mawhinney : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Morley and Leeds, South (Mr. Gunnell) on Tuesday 8 December 1992 at column 633 .
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Maternity Services
Mrs. Lait : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the report of the departmental study team set up to consider good practice in commissioning and providing maternity services in units led by midwives and/or general practitioners ; and if she will make a statement.
Dr. Mawhinney : I am pleased to announce that the study team's report, entitled "A study of midwife-and GP-led maternity units" has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library and distributed throughout the national health service in England. The report sets out principles of good practice in purchasing and the effective use of resources, the roles of clinicians, safety and location of units and quality of service. Although it was based on visits to maternity units led by midwives or general practitioners, many of the principles are relevant to maternity services more generally.
Drug Costs
Mr. Gale : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list, for each of the last 10 years, the average proportion of the increase in national health service spending attributable to manufacturers' price increases, for each of the 10 groups of prescription medicines and drugs covered by the proposed extension to the limited list.
Dr. Mawhinney : Available data do not permit the effect of manufacturers' pricing increases to be identified separately from other factors affecting the total cost of national health service prescriptions.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Accommodation (Loans)
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many loans were given from the social fund in each of the last three years to young people under the age of 21 years living in the Greater London area to help pay a deposit to secure accommodation.
Mr. Scott : The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 11 January 1993 :
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about loans from the Social Fund to help pay a deposit to secure accommodation. Payments for deposits to secure accommodation are excluded from the Social Fund by the Secretary of State's Direction. However, loans for the payment of rent in advance are available from the Social Fund to assist people moving into accommodation. In the financial year 1990-91, 1,822 such awards were made in the Greater London area totalling £363,366. In 1991-92, 1,854 awards were made to the value of £365,752. The corresponding figures for 1989-90 are not held but you may wish to note that 12,833 awards totalling £1.8 million were made nationally during this year. No information is available as to the age of the applicants to whom awards were made.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy is also being placed in the Library.
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Resettlement Units
Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the current timetable for the transfer of each of the Department of Social Security resettlement units to independent landlords ;
(2) what are the plans for units that are specifically excluded from the transfer programme for resettlement units ;
(3) what arrangements have been made by the DSS resettlemenmt unit to guarantee that there will be continued revenue funding for each transferred resettlement unit and any associated replacement provision ;
(4) what provision is being made for appropriate replacement accommodation and permanent move-on accommodation for single homeless people currently resident in DSS resettlement units.
Miss Widdecombe : The management of the Resettlement Agency is a matter for Mr Tony Ward, the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Tony Ward to Mr. John Battle, dated 12January 1993 : I am writing in response to the four questions that you have recently asked about the business of the Resettlement Agency of which I am the Chief Executive.
Your first question asked, "What is the current timetable for the transfers of each of the Department of Social Security Resettlement Units to independent landlords?"
Our first exercise to dispose of the resettlement units at Camden in London, and Newbury in Berkshire should be completed by 31 March 1993. At that time this Agency will cease to have any operational responsibility for the units and they will be disposed of to two separate voluntary organisations. We have not yet decided the exact timescales for the nine remaining units which will be subject to similar processes. However, provisional planning is that at least four will be disposed of by the end of March 1994, and at least a further four by the end of March 1995.
Your second question asked, "What are the plans for units that are specifically excluded from the transfer programme for resettlement units?"
Only two of our resettlement units fall into this category, namely Bishopbriggs in Scotland and Leeds. Bishopbriggs is certain to be replaced by other hostel provision. We are, as yet, undecided about the prospects for our unit at Leeds. We are currently considering ways in which the unit could be modernised, but if this is not a practical option then the unit would be replaced by other facilities.
Your third question asked about the guarantees, "that there will be continued revenue for each transferred resettlement unit and any associated replacement provision?"
The current intention is that revenue funding will continue for those organisations which the Agency currently funds, and in the future might fund. However, funding is subject to monitoring arrangements which aim to ensure that the care standards are adequate, that the conditions of grant award are within the legislation, and that the facilities are managed in a way which provides value for money. Providing these conditions are met and subject to overall Government policy, I expect funding to continue.
Your fourth question asked, "What provision is being made for appropriate replacement accommodation and permanent move-on accommodation for single homeless people currently resident in DSS Resettlement Units?" (RUs).
Only two RUs are currently in the process of being replaced. These are the 80 bed unit at Southampton and the 64 bed unit at Stormy Down in South Wales.
At Southampton, by 1 April 1993 the replacement provision will consist of 136 beds at various locations in the region. In South Wales the replacement provision will consist of 65 beds, and an additional 14 beds where we provide financial support.
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