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Rape
Mr. Tipping : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the number of reported offences of rape and indecent assault on women in England and Wales for the year 1979 and for the most recent year for which he has information ; and what are the figures for Nottinghamshire.
Mr. Jack : The available information relates to recorded offences and is given in the table.
These figures may reflect increased reporting by victims and/or changes in police recording practices.
Notifiable offences of rape and indecent assault
on a female recorded
by the police
England and Wales Number of
offences
--------------------------------------------------
|1979 |1991
Nottinghamshire
Rape |28 |111
Indecent assault on female |553 |642
England and Wales
Rape |1,170 |4,045
Indecent assault on female |11,834|15,792
Miss Carolyn Nunez
Mr. Steen : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter of 24 January from the hon. Member for South Hams regarding the application by Miss Carolyn Nunez for her British citizenship to be reinstated.
Mr. Charles Wardle : I have written to my hon. Friend today about the outcome of this application.
Police, Plumstead
Mr. Austin-Walker : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1), pursuant to his answer of 10 February, Official Report, column 630, what are the current and proposed numbers of uniformed constables in the Plumstead division of the Metropolitan police ;
(2), pursuant to his answer of 10 February, Official Report, column 630, what was the number of uniformed police officers in the Plumstead division of the Metropolitan police for each of the years 1991, 1992, and proposed for 1993, broken down by rank.
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Mr. Charles Wardle [holding answer 19 February 1993] : The information is as follows :
|1991|1992|1993
-----------------------------------------
Chief superintendent |1 |1 |1
Superintendent |1 |1 |1
Chief inspector |2 |2 |2
Inspector |10 |9 |9
Sergeant |40 |37 |37
Constable |209 |204 |194
Although the total number of uniformed constables is due to reduce during the current year, an equivalent increase in civilian staff will release police officers at present in support posts. As a result, the number of constables available for operational duties will be unchanged.
69. Mr. Austin Walker : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 4 February, Official Report, column 286, what representations he has now received about the number of police officers in the Plumstead and Greenwich divisions of the Metropolitan police ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Charles Wardle [holding answer 19 February 1993] : The following have now written to my right hon. and learned Friend : the chairman and Secretary of the Greenwich Police/Community Consultative Group :
Mrs. Grace Sole of Charlton ;
Mr. Roy Martin of Eltham, the Chairman of the Courtlands Residents Association ;
the Chairman of the Eltham Police/Community Working Group ; the Secretary of the Woolwich Central Baptist Church ;
and the Warden of Trinity College.
My right hon. and learned Friend has also received letters from my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) enclosing correspondence from the chairman and secretary of the Greenwich Police/Community Consultative Group ; and the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Raynsford) enclosing correspondence from the chairman of the Greenwich Police--Greenwich Sector Working Group.
Sex Discrimination Act
Mr. Fraser : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals for the repeal of section 23(1) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, as subsequently amended, or of section 25(1) of the same Act ; and what assessment he has made of the proposed consequences of repeal.
Mr. Forth : I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend has the matter of sex discrimination in the provision of school places under consideration.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Maastricht Treaty
Mr. Denzil Davies : To ask the Attorney-General whether he will list those articles, protocols and declarations relating to titles II, III and IV of the treaty of European union as adopted at Maastricht from which no rights and obligations arise which need to be given effect in domestic law.
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The Attorney-General : The articles and protocols relating to titles II, III and IV of the treaty of European union amend the Community treaties.
Any amendment to the Bill which, by preventing incorporation of a treaty provision into our domestic law, makes it impossible for the United Kingdom to implement its Community obligations would cause us to regard ourselves as unable to ratify the treaty ; and would mean that, if we did ratify, we should be in breach of our treaty obligations as soon as the treaty came into effect.
As a general principle, it is important to preserve consistency between our domestic law and Community law as it is applicable to the United Kingdom. This is best achieved by following the United Kingdom's consistent legislative practice of incorporating in domestic law not only all amendments to the Community treaties but any protocols annexed to those treaties.
The Government therefore continue to oppose deletion of the social protocol from the proposed revised list of Community treaties in section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972. But since the social protocol expressly states that acts adopted under the agreement of the other 11 member states shall not be applicable to the United Kingdom, its deletion would not render the United Kingdom incapable of fulfilling its obligations under the treaty of union and would not, therefore, prevent ratification.
Some amendments may add domestic procedures when implementing the treaty obligations. Some protocols may relate only to a particular member state. In such cases, the Government would have to examine carefully whether, if the Bill were amended, our law would still be consistent with our international obligations. But provided this condition were met, amendments in these categories would not be fatal to ratification.
Application of these principles will, I think, make it clear into which category particular amendments fall. If it is not clear how to apply these principles to a particular amendment I am willing to examine the matter carefully and give the House further advice on that amendment.
Crown Prosecution Service
Mr. Blair : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of cases referred to the Crown prosecution service in (a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c) July to June 1992 resulted in (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction, in each offence category.
The Attorney-General : I have been asked to reply.
Records are not maintained by the Crown prosecution service of outcomes in relation to offence categories. Percentage calculations of the number of cases prosecuted and the number resulting in a conviction cannot be given on a fully consistent basis for the periods requested. A revised system of data collection was introduced in April 1991 which makes comparison of figures before and after that date inappropriate. The figures in the tables relate to the number of defendants whose cases were handled in the 31 areas of the Crown prosecution service, but do not include specialist casework undertaken at the headquarters of the service.
In table one, in respect of magistrates courts, column 1 shows the number of defendant cases received ; column 2 shows the number which proceeded to a full hearing and disposal in the magistrates courts ; and column 3 shows the number which resulted in conviction.
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Table one-Magistrates Courts
|Column 1 Received |Column 2 Hearings |Column 3 Convicted
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990 |1,638,751 |1,136,235 |1,107,444
1991 |1,575,021 |1,078,006 |1,051,362
July 1991 to June 1992 |1,563,686 |1,045,279 |1,019,615
The number of cases received during a particular period does not equal the number finalised in that period, as incomplete cases are carried over from period to period. Cases which have not been included in the total proceeding to a full hearing and disposal in the magistrates courts include cases committed to the Crown court for trial, cases discontinued, cases resulting in a bind over, cases adjourned sine die, and cases in which the defendant could not be traced. Also not included in column 2 are cases submitted by the police for advice only and some non-criminal proceedings, such as forfeitures under section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959. In table two, in respect of Crown court cases, column 1 shows the number of cases received ; column 2 shows the number of cases which proceeded to a full hearing ; and column 3 shows the number which resulted in a conviction.
Table two
Crown court
|Column 1 Received |Column 2 Hearings |Column 3 Convicted
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990 |152,199 |105,516 |96,790
1991 |153,652 |106,026 |97,114
July 1991 to June 1992 |151,603 |105,373 |96,596
Cases not included in the total proceeding to a full hearing in the Crown court include cases in which no evidence was offered, cases in which all charges were left on file, cases resulting in a bind over, and cases in which the defendant could not be traced or was found unfit to plead. Also not included in column 2 are cases committed to the Crown court for sentence, and appeals.
PRIME MINISTER
Ministers' Homes
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Prime Minister in how many cases improvements made at public expense in the past five years to the private homes of Ministers, for reasons of personal security, have not been used wholly or mainly for those purposes.
The Prime Minister : I am aware of no such case. Since November 1990, responsibility for the provision of security measures for public figures at threat from terrorist attack has rested with the Home Office. Before November 1990, the provision of security measures was the responsibility of the accounting officer advised by the police and the relevant departmental security officer.
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Prime Minister how many houses or buildings attached to homes belonging to Ministers or their families which have been converted or improved at public expense for reasons of personal security have been the subject of professional fee payments out of public money in the last five years.
The Prime Minister : Where security measures are provided at public expense to a person at threat from
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terrorist attack, professional fees will be paid if this offers the best value for money. It is not possible to identify every case where such fees have been paid.Scott Inquiry
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out those matters in regard to exports to Iraq on which Ministers are prepared to give substantive answers while the Scott inquiry is sitting.
The Prime Minister : Lord Justice Scott has terms of reference which allow him to look into all the issues which he regards as relevant to his inquiry. Ministers will continue to answer substantive questions where to do so would not prejudice the issues being investigated by the inquiry.
Law and Order
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to transfer responsibility for law and order concerns within Wales to the Secretary of State for Wales.
The Prime Minister : The Government always keep departmental distribution of functions under review.
Polly Peck
Mr. Rogers : To ask the Prime Minister what activities were undertaken in northern Cyprus and the east Mediterranean directly or indirectly by Polly Peck for the United Kingdom Government between 1985 and 1990.
The Prime Minister : I am not aware of any such activities having been undertaken. A full trawl of all Government Departments and agencies could not be carried out without incurring disproportionate cost.
N M Rothschild
Mr. Rogers : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the work obtained and the fees paid to N M Rothschild in the course of the Government's privatisation programme since 1983.
The Prime Minister : The table shows the Government appointments made to N M Rothschild in privatisations since 1983. The fees paid are a matter of commercial confidentiality. Appointments for adviser to the Government are made following full competition. The Government's consistent practice has been to select the firm offering the best value for money.
N M Rothschild privatisation appointments
Privatisation |Year |Appointment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BT |1984 |Underwriter
Britoil |1985 |Underwriter
British Gas |1986 |Adviser to Government
|Underwriter
Royal Ordnance |1987 |Adviser to Government
British Airways |1987 |Underwriter
Rolls-Royce |1987 |Underwriter
BAA |1987 |Underwriter
British Petroleum |1987 |Adviser to Government
|Underwriter
British Steel |1988 |Underwriter
Water |1989 |Underwriter
Regional Electricity |1990 |Underwriter
Companies
BT |1991 |Member of French
|syndicate
Northern Ireland |ongoing |Adviser to Government
Electricity
British Coal |ongoing |Adviser to Government
Matrix Churchill Trial
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 4 February, Official Report, column 472, how much of the evidence of the key witness was given in response to questions which referred to the disclosed documents.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 19 February 1993] : As I indicated in my answer of 4 February, I suggest matters relevant to the Matrix Churchill trial should await the outcome of Lord Justice Scott's inquiry.
Kashmir
Mr. Cox : To ask the Prime Minister how he intends to monitor the commitment of the Prime Minister of India to respect human rights in Kashmir.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 17 February 1993] : During my visit, I encouraged the Indian Prime Minister to allow international human rights organisations and others to visit Kashmir. We shall continue to monitor the situation through our high commission in Delhi, through our contacts with human rights organisations and through media reports. We shall continue to raise human rights issues with the Indian Government.
NATIONAL FINANCE
VAT
Mr. Peter Bottomley : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provisions of European legislation govern the introduction of a 5 per cent. VAT rate of goods and services now (a) exempt, (b) zero rated and (c) subject to the standard rate.
Sir John Cope : Article 1(1) of Council directive 92/77/EEC adopted on 19 October 1992, replacing article 12(3) of the sixth VAT directive 77/388/EEC, provides for reduced rates of VAT, of not less than 5 per cent., which may be applied to goods and services in a list annexed to the directive, regardless of their current VAT rating.
In addition, article 1(4)(b) of 92/77/EEC, replacing article 28(2) of 77/388/EC provides for the application of a reduced rate, of not less than 5 per cent., to goods and services which at 1 January 1991 were subject to a zero rate in accordance with Community law.
Mr. David Atkinson : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional revenue would be obtained by applying VAT at a level of (a) 5 per cent. and (b) 17.5 per cent., to each of (a) food, (b) children's clothes and shoes, (c) public transport, (d) energy, (e) newspapers and (f) books.
Sir John Cope : Table D1 of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1992 Autumn Statement" shows the estimated cost of the main VAT zero rates. These estimates suggest the following yields :
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£ billion
|5 per cent. |17.5 per cent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) |Food |2.0 |7.0
(b) |Children's clothes and shoes |0.2 |0.6
(c) |Passenger transport |0.5 |1.9
(d) |Domestic fuel and power |0.5 |1.8
(e) |Books, newspapers and magazines|0.3 |1.1
The estimates make no allowance for the behavioural responses to applying VAT to these categories, so that actual yield would probably be less than suggested.
Mrs. Roche : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the level of sales of local newspapers of the imposition of a standard rate of VAT on newspapers.
Sir John Cope : The Institute for Fiscal Studies has estimated an own price elasticity of 0.657 for all leisure goods, which include newspapers. This elasticity suggests that a 17 per cent. increase in price would reduce demand, in volume terms, by around 10 per cent.
Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many farmers and other eligible producers have registered for the VAT flat-rate scheme for farmers.
Sir John Cope : The flat rate scheme for farmers started on 1 January. Up to 17 February, 85 certificates had been issued to persons opting to join the scheme.
Trade Union Subscriptions
Mr. Peter Bottomley : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the administrative savings and the tax expenditure if trade union subscriptions were paid net of tax with block credit of tax directly to trade unions ;
(2) if he will estimate how many trades union members (a) obtain and (b) are eligible for tax relief on their subscriptions.
Mr. Dorrell : It is estimated that 63,000 people are receiving relief through their PAYE code numbers for that part of a subscription to a trade union which is attributable to the provision of superannuation, life insurance or funeral benefits. The information required to estimate the number of union members eligible for the relief and the potential tax cost of moving to a relief by deduction system is not available. The cost of setting up and operating a scheme of relief by deduction cannot be estimated with sufficient certainty to establish whether net administrative savings would result.
Bank Auditors
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will propose legislation under which the auditors of all banks regulated under the Banking Act 1987 would be appointed by the regulatory body.
Mr. Nelson : I have no plans to do so.
Green Pound
Ms. Harman : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of the departure of sterling from the exchange rate mechanism on the value of the green pound ; and if he will make a statement.
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Mr. Portillo : Since sterling left the exchange rate mechanism, the green pound has devalued by 17.86 per cent. against the green ecu.
Tax Income
Mr. Michael : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the Government's tax income currently goes on (a) servicing debt, (b) unemployment benefit and its administration and (c) other transfer payments.
Mr. Portillo : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the breakdown of general Government receipts shown in table 3.10 of the 1992 "Autumn Statement", Cm. 2096 ; to the breakdown of general Government expenditure shown in tables 2.5 and 2.6 of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1992 Autumn Statement", Cm. 2219 ; and to the figures for unemployment benefit administration in figure 27 of the "Social Security Departmental Report", Cm. 2213.
Revenue Expenditure
Mr. Michael : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the Government's current revenue expenditure goes on (a) servicing debt, (b) unemployment benefit and its administration and (c) other transfer payments.
Mr. Portillo : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the breakdown of general Government expenditure shown in tables 2.5 and 2.6 of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1992 Autumn Statement", Cm. 2219 ; and to the figures for unemployment benefit administration in figure 27 of the "Social Security Departmental Report", Cm. 2213.
Personal Sector Debt
Mr. Milburn : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) of 10 February, Official Report, column 632, if he will give a regional breakdown of the levels of personal sector debt per £100 of disposable income for each year since 1979.
Mr. Nelson : Regional figures for the level of personal sector debt outstanding are not available.
Royal Family
Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, for the latest available year, was the cost to his Department of expenditure in support of the royal family in respect of the central chancery of the orders of knighthood.
Mr. Lamont [holding answer 19 February 1993] : Assuming that the right hon. Member wishes to update information contained in the 1990 report of the royal trustees--HC 629, October 1990--the comparable outturn for staff costs for 1991-92 was £201,000. In addition, the Treasury paid £364,000 mostly for the costs of the insignia themselves.
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HOUSE OF COMMONS
Prayers
38. Mr. Skinner : To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he will bring forward proposals to arrange for Prayers to be moved from the Floor of the House to the Crypt and for questions to begin at half-past two o'clock.
Annual Parliamentary Calendar
39. Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Lord President of the Council when he will be in a position to announce an annual parliamentary calendar.
Mr. Newton : I have already made progress towards giving the House greater notice of recess dates, having announced Easter recess dates on 26 November and the Whit recess dates on 4 February. How far it will prove possible to build further on this is of course linked with the discussions on the Jopling report to which I referred in an earlier reply today.
European Communities (Amendment) Bill
40. Mr. Winnick : To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hours have now been spent on the Committee stage of the European Communities (Amendment) Bill.
Mr. Newton : Before today's proceedings, the House has spent 75 hours and 14 minutes on 11 days in Committee on the European Communities (Amendment) Bill.
Annie's Bar
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what is his policy on the continued existence of Annie's Bar.
Mr. Colin Shepherd : The Committee is at present undertaking an inquiry into refreshment services for the House of Commons. The functions of the various Refreshment Department facilities, including Annie's Bar, are being considered during that inquiry together with the possible provision of new services. The Committee hopes to report later this year.
Visitors (Refreshment Facilities)
Mr. Enright : To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what financial provision will be made for basic refreshment facilities for visitors.
Mr. Colin Shepherd : The Committee is including consideration of the possible provision of refreshment facilities for line of route visitors in its current inquiry into refreshment services for the House of Commons. It is, therefore, too early to establish what financial provision might need to be made.
Smoking
Mr. Faulds : To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what plans he has to review the policy regarding smoking in eating areas in the House.
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Mr. Colin Shepherd : The policy regarding smoking in the various Refreshment Department outlets is kept under consideration in the light of customer demand.
Hair Dryers and Showers
Mr. Steen : To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee (1) how many (a) hair dryers and (b) showers are planned to be installed in the Palace of Westminster and outbuildings occupied by House of Commons staff ;
(2) at whose request, and on whose authority, a hair dryer was installed in the ladies' wash room in 3 Dean's Yard ; what was the cost of installing it ; and under what budget the cost will fall.
Mr. Ray Powell : These are matters for the Director of Works.
Wheelchair Members
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what arrangements are being made to help hon. Members confined to wheelchairs to work in the Chamber and offices in the House.
Mr. Ray Powell : This matter is currently under consideration by the Accommodation and Works Committee in the context of a comprehensive survey on access for the disabled commissioned by its predecessor Committee.
Blood Donors
Mr. Luff : To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what plans he has to facilitate the giving of blood by all those who work in the Palace of Westminster.
Mr. Michael J. Martin : The north London centre of the blood transfusion service operates a two-day clinic in the Treasury once every six months when Members, their staff and staff of the House may give blood. The next planned visit is between 29 and 30 March. Arrangements for it may be made through the nursing sister.
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