| Previous Section | Home Page |
Iran
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the relationship of Iran with the Hizbollah and Hamas.Mr. Douglas Hogg:Hizbollah has itself stated the importance it attaches to its relationship with Iran. Both Hizbollah and Hamas attended the conference the Iranian Government organised in October 1991 in opposition to the middle east peace process.
Iraq
Mr. Harvey : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 January, Official Report, columns 853-54, what consultations he had with
representatives of the telecommunications company concerned before allowing the visas to be issued.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs wrote to a representative of the parent company twice during 1992 and stressed that he would not be prepared to put forward a project of the type proposed to the United Nations sanctions committee.
Mr. Harvey : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15January, Official Report, columns 853-54, what steps he took to ensure that any equipment being discussed was incapable of military application before granting the visas.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : It was made clear to representatives of the company concerned on a number of occasions that only goods approved by the United Nations sanctions committee could be exported to Iraq.
Gibraltar
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Spanish Government as to transport/passenger delays at the Spanish-Gibraltar border.
Mr. Garel-Jones : The Spaniards are well aware of our view that there should be the maximum possible free movement of EC nationals at internal borders commensurate with controlling the movement of terrorists, drug smugglers, other international criminals and illegal immigrants.
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to announce the name of the future Governor of Gibraltar; and what discussions on this appointment he has had with the Government of Gibraltar.
Mr. Garel-Jones : We hope in the near future to be in a position to announce the name of the new Governor of Gibraltar. The appointment is a matter for Her Majesty's Government, but we are in touch with the Gibraltar Government.
Immigration
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) men and (b) women in (i) Bombay, (ii) New Delhi, (iii) Karachi and (iv) Islamabad, were seeking entry visas to join spouses in the United Kingdom as at 14 January; and what is the average current waiting time at each post.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : The number of men and women waiting for an interview for entry clearance to join their spouses in the United Kingdom in Bombay, New Delhi, Karachi and Islamabad on 14 January, and the waiting time for interview, was as follows:
|Men Numbers |Women Numbers |Waiting Time Months
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bombay |87 |90 |3
New Delhi |10 |105 |3
Karachi |44 |42 |2
Islamabad |1,195 |411 |3
Mr. Harvey : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement outlining the kinds of transactions which may be undertaken with Iraq and Iraqi nationals on humanitarian grounds under the current sanctions regime for Iraq.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : The only transactions with Iraq permitted in the UK are those humanitarian exceptions permitted under UN Security Council resolutions 661 and 687 agreed on a case-by-case basis by the UN sanctions committee. Such exceptions include foodstuffs, medicine, medical and surgical equipment, basic human requirements--for example, toiletries, cooking requisites, tents, blankets and other items for the construction of basic shelter--and equipment necessary to restore basic local services-- clean water, sanitation and agriculture.
Israel
Mr. Hicks : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in sequence the actions taken by Her Majesty's Government over the decision of the Israeli Government to expel the Palestinians to the Israeli-occupied south Lebanon ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : Since the decision of the Israeli authorities to expel the Palestinians, we have issued two EC statements as presidency and supported United Nations Security Council resolution 799. In addition, the Foreign Secretary has written to the Israeli Foreign Minister, I have made our views clear to the Israeli ambassador, and EC ambassadors in Tel Aviv have made representations to the Israeli Foreign Minister. On 23 January RAF helicopters provided support to an International Committee of the Red Cross humanitarian mission to the deportees. Our position on the deportations remains clear : they are illegal and we will continue to urge the Israelis to comply with Security Council resolution 799 which calls for the immediate and safe return of the deportees.
EDUCATION
Behaviour Policies
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many local education authorities have developed strategies for supporting the behaviour policies of their schools which meet the standards expected by his Department ;
(2) how many local education authorities have schools which have whole school behaviour policies, as recommended in the Elton report on discipline in schools ; what information he has on the percentage of such schools in each LEA ; and to what extent they meet the standards expected by his Department.
Mr. Forth : This information is not collected centrally.
Column 638
Parents' Civil Liabilities
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Education what research he has commissioned on the impact of imposing on parents' civil liabilities for the acts of their children in schools.
Languages (Communication)
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of how many local education authorities and schools in each of these local education authorities communicate with parents in languages other than English in accordance with the recommendations of the Elton report.
Mr. Forth : This information is not collected centrally. It is for local authorities and schools to consider the need for communication with parents in languages other than English in the light of local needs and circumstances. The Government have made the necessary statutory provisions to enable schools and LEAs to make governors' annual reports, pupils' reports and other documents for parents available in translation where this is appropriate.
Nursery Education
Mr. Byers : To ask the Secretary of State for Education what criteria are employed by his Department in distinguishing full-time and part-time nursery education for statistical and other purposes.
Mr. Forth : There is no statutory definition of these terms and the Department has not attempted to define full-time or part-time nursery education as such for statistical purposes. In its published pupil statistics it distinguishes those nursery pupils who usually attend for the length of the school day throughout the week, from those--the majority--who attend on mornings or afternoons only or on some other pattern.
Counselling Courses
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many LEAs have provided courses on basic counselling skills in the last two years ; what information he has on the percentage of staff in each LEA which have been on such courses ; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such courses.
Mr. Forth : This information is not collected centrally.
Management Consultancy Services
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many local education authorities provide management consultancy services for head teachers and support services for the professional development of teachers which meet the standards expected by his Department.
Mr. Forth : It is for individual local education authorities to decide what services of these kind to provide, in the light of demand from the schools and colleges which they maintain.
Column 639
School Discipline
Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made, following the Elton report of discipline in schools, of the equitable distribution of teaching and other resources across the ability range in schools and of how local education authorities are taking this recommendation into account when funding schools.
Ethnic Minorities
Mr. Kevin Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 11 January, Official Report, column 573, if he will take steps to introduce a DFE grant for new projects to meet the education needs of the ethnic minority population of all ages.
Mr. Forth : No. My right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce a separate DFE grant for new projects to meet the educational needs of the ethnic minority population.
Ballots
Mr. Byers : To ask the Secretary of State for Education in what circumstances a parent entitled to a list of parents who can vote in a school's opt-out ballot may be required to give an undertaking before receiving a copy of such a list.
Mr. Forth : The Education Reform Act provides that where a parent makes a request in connection with any proposal that a ballot should be held in accordance with section 61 of this Act, the parent is entitled to a copy of the list of the names and addresses of other parents. An appropriate fee may be charged for the cost of supply of the list.
Special Needs Education
Mr. Steinberg : To ask the Secretary of State for Education what measures he is taking to reduce the time taken in the issuing of statements of special needs for children.
Mr. Forth : The Education Bill presently before the House provides for the Secretary of State to set statutory time limits governing local education authorities' conduct of assessments and the making of statements of special educational needs. The Bill also provides for a statutory code of practice including criteria and guidance to which LEAs should have regard in carrying out those duties.
Home Economics
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received concerning the practical input in home economics in the national curriculum ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Forth : My right hon. Friend has received conflicting representations about the place of aspects of home economics in the national curriculum. In addition to those aspects included in national curriculum mathematics and science, the proposals for a revised national curriculum technology order, which my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and for Wales issued
Column 640
for consultation in December, make clear their view that pupils should learn to apply designing and making skills to textiles and food, as to other materials, as part of the programmes of study for this subject.English Test Papers
Mr. Byers : To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he was first aware that national newspapers were in possession of this summer's key stage 3 English test papers ; if he will carry out an inquiry into the circumstances ; and if he will now defer the tests or treat them as a pilot exercise.
Mr. Forth : The tests for English will go ahead as planned. In the light of the leak of the current question, my right hon. Friend has asked Lord Griffiths, chairman of the School Examinations and Assessment Council, to draw up new test papers, based on the successful model developed over the last two and a half years. My right hon. Friend first learnt that the current tests for English had become public on 20 January. He fully expects SEAC to establish how the leak occurred, to ensure that it does not happen again.
Truancy
Mr. Sedgemore : To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson) on 20 January, Official Report, column 282, if he intends to provide schools with a national definition of what constitutes (a) truancy and (b) an unauthorised absence.
Mr. Forth : Truancy and unauthorised absence are terms which are largely interchangeable. They may be defined as absence from school without leave from a duly authorised person. Guidance as to what constitutes authorised absence was given in DFE circular 11/91, published in July 1991. A copy is available in the Library.
Child and Family Guidance
Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his policy towards the funding of child and family guidance services by local education authorities.
Mr. Forth : It is for individual local education authorities to make provision for child and family guidance services in the light of local needs and circumstances.
Lord Griffiths
Mr. Byers : To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will dismiss Lord Griffiths from his post as chairman of the School Examinations and Assessment Council.
DEFENCE
Vulcan Bombers
Sir Nicholas Bonsor : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims) of 16 November 1992, Official
Column 641
Report, column 44, what sustainable sponsorship proposals to accept financial responsibility for keeping the Vulcan XH 558 in flying condition he has received ; what would be the required annual financial contribution and any non-recurring costs ; what steps he has taken to inform potential sponsors of these costs ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Aitken : Officials have met and corresponded with representatives of the campaign to keep the Vulcan flying on a number of occasions since 16 November, to explain in detail the implications of its continued operation. We have received no new sponsorship proposals during this period.
The estimated costs of continuing to operate the Vulcan remain as set out in the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend on 26 October 1992, Official Report, column 507.
I have decided that, without viable sponsorship, there is no further justification for delaying the sale of the aircraft, and tenders will be issued during the next week.
European Defence
Mr. Ancram : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of a continuing role for NATO alongside an independent European defence policy ;
(2) what is his policy in respect of the establishment of permanent forces of the WEU, in respect of their effect on the role and position of NATO.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The Government welcome the development of a European defence identity and fully support the development of the Western European Union (WEU) as a means to strengthen the European pillar of the Atlantic alliance. NATO will remain the principal guarantor of stability throughout the North Atlantic area and the forum for agreement on policies bearing on the security and defence commitments of its members. We do not advocate the establishment of permanent WEU forces or headquarters. Our approach, which is reflected in the WEU's Petersberg declaration of June 1992, is that WEU member states should make available military units from the whole spectrum of their conventional armed forces for the WEU's use in situations where NATO is not involved. These units will be drawn from forces with national and NATO roles, in the latter case after consultation with the alliance.
Mr. Ancram : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the effect of the new European defence proposals, involving rapid deployment of forces, potentially over long distances, on the United Kingdom defence budget.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The Petersberg declaration of June 1992 made it clear that military units which will be made available to the Western European Union will be drawn from the forces with national and NATO roles. NATO's new strategic concept emphasises the need for armed forces to be mobile and flexible. The defence budget agreed in the 1992 public expenditure survey took account of the restructuring of Britain's armed forces in line with the requirements of the strategic concept.
Column 642
HMS Ark Royal
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated initial and subsequent cost of the deployment of the Ark Royal group and the units deployed therewith ; and how much of that cost will be reimbursed to his Department by the Foreign Office.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The estimated additional cost is expected to be some £30 million if the deployment lasts for one year. It is not possible at this early stage to produce a meaningful breakdown of costs given the variable nature of the operation. No decision has yet been taken on which Department will bear the cost.
Merchant Seamen
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to mark the 50th anniversary of the battle of the Atlantic by taking steps to commemorate the contribution to the war effort made by merchant seamen.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : My Department is working closely with the Chamber of Shipping to ensure that the Merchant Navy and merchant seamen are properly represented at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the battle of the Atlantic on Merseyside at the end of May.
Anti-air Warfare Frigate
Mr. Menzies Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future development of the Franco-British anti-air warfare frigate.
Mr. Aitken : A preliminary co-operative phase for a common Franco- British AAW frigate, to enter service early in the next decade, was launched in November 1991 and is due to conclude in the autumn of this year. I am pleased to be able to inform the House that the French Minister of Defence, Mr. Pierre Joxe and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence have recently agreed proposals for the procurement and project management of project Horizon, as it is now termed. Discussions are continuing with Italy. The three chiefs of staff of the French, Italian and Royal Navy signed a joint staff requirement for the frigate in December 1992.
Joint Planning and Training
Mr. Menzies Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards joint planning and training between the members of NATO and the other members of the North Atlantic Co-operation Council.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : Areas of defence co-operation agreed by all members of the North Atlantic Co-operation Council (NACC) are outlined in the "Statement issued at the meeting of Defence Ministers at NATO Headquarters on 1 April 1992" and in the NACC statement of 18 December 1992. Both these documents are in the Library of the House. These guidelines cover discussion with NACC partners on members' approaches to planning and training, but not on joint planning and training.
Column 643
Defence Trade
Mr. Menzies Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made towards a NATO code of conduct in defence trade ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Aitken : Discussions are continuing with out allies on a NATO code of conduct in defence trade, with the aim of moving towards a more open defence equipment market within the alliance. We fully support this objective.
NATO
Mr. Menzies Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to receive the results of the review currently being undertaken of NATO's force structure.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : NATO Ministers expect to see an interim report on the implications for the new NATO structure of changing force levels among alliance members at their next meeting in the spring.
Mr. Menzies Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the consequences for NATO's force structure of the proposals by Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain to reduce their domestic forces.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : An assessment of the consequences of our allies' proposals for NATO's force structure will be made once their reviews have progressed.
Polaris
Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the technical maximum number of warheads capable of deployment on Polaris missiles when they first entered service ; what change took place in connection with the deployment of Chevaline ; and what is the technical maximum currently.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The 16-missile Polaris submarines each entered service with the Royal Navy carrying 48 warheads. The Chevaline development provided warheads that are hardened against the effects of anti-ballistic missile defences, together with penetration aids, and the ability to manoeuvre the payload in space. It is long-standing policy not to divulge specific warhead numbers either current or planned ; but the Government made clear at the time that Chevaline did not involve any increase in the number of warheads associated with the Polaris force.
Royal Yacht Britannia
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the refit of the royal yacht Britannia in 1987 was spent on (a) the superstructure, (b) the engines and (c) the royal apartments.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The work carried out during Britannia's refit in 1987 falls into the following categories :
|Per cent.
-------------------------------------
Structure |22.0
Propulsion |7.2
Royal apartments |17.3
Other |53.5
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the annual costs published for the royal yacht Britannia include the cost of personnel ; and what is the personnel cost for the latest available year.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The annual costs published for the royal yacht Britannia do include the cost of personnel. The personnel costs for 1991-92 were £3,904,000.
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the planned service life of the royal yacht Britannia.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : HMY Britannia had a routine refit in Portsmouth last year costing some £6 million to £7million. This was designed to keep her safe, seaworthy and up to date for the next few years. In view of her age, it is obviously sensible to consider her future. This consideration is at an early stage and it is too soon to speculate as to its outcome.
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many days the royal yacht Britannia was used by members of the royal family for public engagements and private purposes in each year since 1989.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : During the period specified, HMY Britannia has been used by members of the royal family, as follows :
|Total number of days
---------------------------------------------------------------
1989 |55
1990 |42
1991 |31
1992 |27
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many days the royal yacht Britannia was used for military manoeuvres in each year since 1989.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : During the period in question HMY Britannia was not required to participate in military manoeuvres.
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many sea-days the royal yacht Britannia was used for conferences and seminars to attract business for Britain in 1991 and 1992.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : HMY Britannia hosted six such sea-days during the period in question, three in each year.
Royal Flight
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flights were undertaken by the royal flight in 1991 ; and how many aircraft of what type are in the flight.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The Queen's Flight undertook 1,220 passenger- carrying flights in 1991. The flight currently comprises three BAe 146-100 executive jet aircraft and two Wessex helicopters.
Parachute Training
Ms. Corston : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of training in first aid, and specifically in the symptoms of head injury, given to personnel involved in the supervision of service men and women undertaking parachute training.
Column 645
Mr. Archie Hamilton : All non-commissioned officer parachute training instructors are required to obtain a first aid certificate during basic training as a physical training instructor ; this includes recognition of some forms of concussion.
Trainees have immediate access to fully qualified medical officers the moment they feel unwell and during all forms of parachute training a fully qualified medical attendant and ambulance are available at all times. Furthermore, individual trainees are instructed to report sick if they consider themselves unfit to continue further training.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Waste Exports
Mr. Dafis : To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 9 November 1992, Official Report, column 587, if he will indicate (a) the type of waste sent to each country, (b) the ports utilised to transfer the waste, (c) the original producer of the waste within the United Kingdom, (d) the responsible authorities for each producer of waste and port of exit for waste exports and (e) the companies receiving the waste after its export.
Mr. Eggar : It is not possible to answer the question without disproportionate cost. However, a certain amount of the information is available in the public domain, and may be obtained from HM Customs and Excise through their appointed marketing agents. Broad statistics on exports of waste products are contained in Business Monitor (MM20)-- "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.
Plugs
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent statements his Department has made on the Plug and Socket (Safety) Regulations 1987 in respect of pre-fitted plugs ; and when he expects to lay further regulations.
Mr. Leigh : Following my Department's review of the Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1987, I announced on 30 January 1992 a proposal to revise these regulations and to include a requirement that domestic electrical appliances be supplied fitted with a correctly fused 13 -amp plug. This matter is currently the subject of consultation.
No decision on the progress of the revised regulations can be taken until full consideration has been given to the responses received from the public consultation.
| Next Section
| Home Page |