| Home Page |
Column 719
Written Answers to Questions
Friday 26 February 1993
EMPLOYMENT
Labour Statistics
Mr. Peter Bottomley : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by how much the numbers of unemployed claimants have changed since June 1987 in (a) London constituencies and (b) constituencies where a colliery has closed in the past five years.
Mr. McLoughlin : Information on colliery closures by parliamentary constituency is available only for the financial years from 1987-88 to 1991 -92.
In the London parliamentary constituencies claimant unemployment has risen by 109,603 since June 1987. This compares with a fall of 28,134 in the parliamentary constituencies where a colliery has closed. These figures are on the unadjusted basis and are therefore affected by both seasonal influences and by changes in the coverage of the count.
Consultants
Ms. Mowlam : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the contracts awarded by her Department to (a) Coopers and Lybrand management consultants, (b) Touche Ross management consultants, (c) Price Waterhouse management consultants, (d) Ernst and Young management consultants, (e) Chrichton Roberts Ltd., (f) KPMG management consultants and (g) Leopold Joseph management consultants, with the total cost of the contracts with each contractor, for (i) the past 12 months and (ii) 1991- 92.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : Information in the precise form requested is available only at disproportionate cost. However, I am able to provide some limited information relating to contracts for 1992-93. Coopers and Lybrand Management Consultants
Two contracts for Management of Change seminars following a review of the Department's Training Enterprise and Education Directorate. Five contracts related to case studies and evaluation for learning initiatives and aspects of training.
A socio-economic overview towards a co-ordinated strategy for the Department's Office for Wales.
A review of the implications of contracting out to Careers Service providers.
Three contracts related to market testing in some branches of the Department.
Touche-Ross Management Consultants
Advice on aspects of market testing for part of the Department Two contracts related to dissemination of information for flexible and open learning.
Price Waterhouse Management Consultants
Four Contracts related to some organisational issues in the Department's Training, Enterprise and Education Directorate, the Employment Service and Training Enterprise Councils (TECs). Consultancy on tax issues arising from budget proposals
Column 720
Ernst and Young Management ConsultantsThree contracts related to strategy reviews and evaluation for information systems and TECs.
Four contracts related to market testing in some branches of the Department.
Chrichton Roberts Ltd.
None.
KPMG Management Consultants
A review of the training development arrangements in the Department's Training, Enterprise and Education Directorate. A feasibility study on output related funding for TECs. Two contracts related to market testing in two divisions of the Department.
A study of the distribution of the Health and Safety Executive publications.
A review of the roles and functions SEOs/business managers in the Department.
Two contracts for production and dissemination of extensions for manuals on key skills for the training of trainers.
Presentation of a training workshop on agencies.
Consultancy on a corporate plan for the Department's staff development branch.
Leopold Joseph Management Consultants
None.
Details of costs cannot be disclosed for reasons of commercial confidentiality.
Ms. Mowlam : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many contracts for consultancies were awarded by his Department over (a) the last 12 months and (b) 1991-92.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The information is not available except at disproportionate cost.
Restart Scheme
Mr. Steinberg : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed people have taken part in the Restart scheme in the Durham city area ; and how many went on to full-time employment.
Mr. McLoughlin : Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Gerry Steinberg, dated 26 February 1993 :
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question about Restart. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
It may help if I explain the scope and purpose of the Restart programme which was launched nationally in 1986. All people who have been unemployed for six months or more are asked to attend regular, six monthly, interviews with one of my Client Advisers. The aim of the programme is to ensure that all long-term unemployed people know about and get access to the employment and training opportunities available locally to them.
At each Restart interview the client will discuss with the adviser their individual situation and circumstances with the aim of reaching an agreement on the best way to return to work. This could be directly by submission to a job vacancy or else through a course of action which will improve their chances of finding work. For example training, a place in a Jobclub, the opportunity of self employment or a place on a Restart course which they can attend at any time. If people
Column 721
remain unemployed for two years or more and decline or fail to take up an offer of help at a Restart interview they are then required to attend a Restart Course.We collect statistics on the number of Restart interviews and the outcomes of those interviews through our Area Offices. It is not, therefore possible to provide the figures you have requested for Durham City. However, for the period between April 1992 to January 1993 we conducted 28,525 Restart interviews in the County Durham Area and as a result 1,391 people subsequently started on a Restart Course.
Restart Courses are not simply about applying for jobs. Research has shown that many people suffer a loss of confidence and motivation after a long spell of unemployment. The Restart Course, which normally lasts one week, aims to help such people set new and realistic goals for themselves, to feel confident about achieving them and to develop an action plan. This will help them apply for jobs or other employment or training opportunities to help them back into work. A Restart Course should be seen as a stepping stone often a very necesary one towards more help.
Restart Courses have a proven track record of helping people. During the year April 1992 to December 1992, some 78,000 people nationally completed a Restart Course and of these 70,000, 90 per cent. went on to apply for a job or were referred to another opportunity. The figures for people who attended courses in Durham City are not available. However, in the County Durham Area for the period April 1992 to January 1993 1,289 people completed a Restart Course and of these 1,211, 94 per cent. applied for a job or were referred to another opportunity.
We do not collect regular information on the numbers of people who subsequently start jobs. However, a recent national survey showed that 9.4 per cent. of the respondents were either in a job or waiting to start one. Many more had, of course, gone on to join another programme such as Jobclub or training.
I hope this is helpful.
As decided by the Administrative Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this reply in the Library of the House.
Column 722
Summerfield Ltd.
Mr. Fraser : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when Summerfield Ltd. was granted a licence as an employment agency.
Mr. McLoughlin : Summerfield Limited has not applied for a licence to operate as an employment agency under the Employment Agencies Act 1973.
LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
Divorce
Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the timetable for the implementation of the Law Commission's proposals to reform the law on divorce.
Mr. John M. Taylor : The Lord Chancellor has no immediate plans for implementation of the Law Commission's recommendations for reform of divorce law. He continues to welcome views on these recommendations and will consult further before any measures on this subject are introduced.
Legal Aid and Advice
Mr. Peter Robinson : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average payment for legal aid and advice during each of the last five years in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.
Mr. John M. Taylor : The average payment for legal aid and advice during each of the last five years was as follows :
Column 721
|1987-88|1988-89|1989-90|1990-91|1991-92
|£ |£ |£ |£ |£
------------------------------------------------------------------
England and Wales |236 |269 |299 |342 |377
Scotland |234 |210 |237 |253 |268
Northern Ireland |181 |185 |178 |223 |246
Separate figures for England and for Wales are not available.
Mr. Peter Robinson : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many
Column 722
applications for legal aid were successful in each of the last five years in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.Mr. John M. Taylor : The number of applications for legal aid granted in each of the last five years, in percentage terms, were as follows :
Column 721
|1987-88|1988-89|1989-90|1990-91|1991-92
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Civil legal aid certificates
England and Wales |67.1 |63.8 |61.7 |69.2 |75.2
Scotland |57.2 |69.1 |69.3 |76.3 |69.4
Northern Ireland |74.0 |77.0 |78.0 |76.0 |85.0
Criminal legal aid orders
England and Wales |91.6 |92.3 |92.7 |93.1 |92.8
Scotland (summary proceedings only) |86.7 |92.6 |88.7 |92.5 |91.2
|1987 |1988 |1989 |1990 |1991
Northern Ireland (grants by magistrates'
courts only) |96.7 |96.8 |97.0 |97.6 |98.1
Separate figures for England and for Wales are not available. Criminal legal aid in Scotland is granted in the first instance by the courts and in appeal cases by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. In Northern Ireland all criminal
Column 722
legal aid is granted by the courts. The information requested is held centrally in Scotland and in Northern Ireland only in respect of applications and grants of legal aid at summary level.Column 723
Mr. Peter Robinson : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average expenditure per head of the population on legal aid in each of the last five years in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.
Mr. John M. Taylor : Average expenditure per head of the population on legal aid in each of the last five years was as follows :
|1987-88|1988-89|1989-90|1990-91|1991-92
|£ |£ |£ |£ |£
------------------------------------------------------------------
England and Wales |8.85 |9.69 |11.51 |13.88 |18.50
Scotland |8.46 |10.61 |10.59 |12.59 |15.27
Northern Ireland |5.57 |7.77 |7.38 |8.24 |9.47
Separate figures for England and for Wales are not available.
Mr. John Marshall : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the cost of the legal aid granted in R. v. Ward ; and what was the value of the overseas assets shown by Mr. Ward.
Mr. John M. Taylor : The cost to legal aid of this case has yet to be determined. Information as to personal means is confidential.
County Court Judgments
Mr. Channon : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to inform hon. Members and the general public of the conclusions he reaches after his evaluation of the question of county court judgments carrying interest has been completed.
Mr. John M. Taylor : As is the usual practice of the Lord Chancellor's Department, any proposals arising out of the July 1991 initiatives to extend the provision of interest on county court judgments would be widely circulated and views sought from interested parties including the legal profession ; county court user groups ; advice agencies ; business organisations and the judiciary. Again, following our usual practice, respondents to consultation would be informed directly of the outcome of the consultation exercise before implementation and there would be widespread general publicity.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Textiles
Mrs. Ann Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what studies were carried out by his Department into the market for polyester textiles in the United Kingdom and the EC prior to authorisation of financial assistance for the Indonesian textile group Texmaco ; and what were the conclusions of these studies.
Mr. Atkins : In February 1991 and again in February/March 1992, IDB carried out specific research into the European market for micro-denier polyester fabrics. These studies established that : 1. the world textile market is expected to show consistent growth through to the year 2000 ; and
2. there was an excess of imports over exports in the European Community market for micro denier polyester fabrics, the products which the company proposes to manufacture in Northern Ireland.
Column 724
It was concluded, therefore, that with a competitive cost base in Northern Ireland the company could achieve its forcast share of the European Community market, primarily at the expense of imports.Planning Applications
Mr. Peter Robinson : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of planning applications received in the last 12 months for each district council in Northern Ireland ; how many of these were approved by the planning department ; and how many were rejected.
Mr. Atkins : The available information relates to the number of applications received and the number determined in the period in question and is as follows :
Period January 1992-December 1992
District Council |Number of |Number of |Number of
Area |applications |applications |applications
|received |approved |refused
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antrim |563 |503 |61
Ards |859 |782 |133
Armagh |818 |844 |49
Ballymena |750 |715 |53
Ballymoney |327 |336 |8
Banbridge |510 |471 |26
Belfast |1,777 |1,880 |142
Carrickfergus |284 |<1>269 |<1>38
Castlereagh |390 |342 |42
Coleraine |757 |718 |31
Cookstown |509 |437 |42
Craigavon |809 |683 |88
Derry |932 |900 |60
Down |1,054 |906 |91
Dungannon |715 |632 |47
Fermanagh |1,152 |1,027 |69
Larne |336 |305 |34
Limavady |417 |388 |26
Lisburn |1,060 |932 |171
Magherafelt |635 |578 |74
Moyle |193 |210 |10
Newry and Mourne |1,278 |1,176 |58
Newtownabbey |533 |477 |40
North Down |643 |581 |62
Omagh |749 |688 |46
Strabane |469 |442 |41
|------- |------- |-------
Total |18,519 |<1>17,222 |<1>1,542
<1>Excludes December Figures.
Mr. Peter Robinson : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many requests were received by the planning department for article 31 inquiries in the last 12 months for each district council in Northern Ireland ; and how many of their requests were accepted.
Mr. Atkins : In 1992 six requests were received from Castlereagh borough council and in one instance article 31 was applied and one was received from Belfast city council which was refused.
Mr. Peter Robinson : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many appeals were made to the planning directorate for each district council in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months ; and on how many occasions the planning directorate supported the council's view.
Mr. Atkins : The information is as follows :
Column 725
Period January 1992-December 1992
District council |Number of appeals|Number supporting
area |council view
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antrim |3 |1
Ards |6 |-
Armagh |2 |-
Ballymena |15 |-
Ballymoney |2 |-
Banbridge |1 |-
Belfast |2 |-
Carrickfergus |5 |-
Castlereagh |5 |2
Coleraine |- |-
Cookstown |1 |-
Craigavon |2 |-
Derry |2 |-
Down |- |-
Dungannon |8 |-
Fermanagh |10 |-
Larne |2 |-
Limavady |- |-
Lisburn |15 |1
Magherafelt |21 |3
Moyle |1 |-
Newry and Mourne 1 -
Newtownabbey |1 |-
North Down |7 |3
Omagh |12 |1
Strabane |3 |-
|-- |--
Total |<1>127 |11
<1> A decision has yet to be made in respect of 23 of these appeals.
Electricity Disconnections
Mr. Mallon : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of incidents where domestic electricity supply has been disconnected in each constituency in Northern Ireland, in the last 12 months.
Mr. Atkins : Northern Ireland Electricity does not hold information on electricity supply disconnections by parliamentary constituency.
Water Disconnections
Mr. Mallon : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of incidents where domestic water supply has been disconnected in each constituency in Northern Ireland, in the last 12 months.
Mr. Atkins : The water supplied to a property which is used solely for domestic purposes is not metered and is not subject to disconnection for non-payment of an account.
The water supply to a property which has mixed domestic and other use may be metered and would be subject to disconnection where an account remains unpaid.
A number of metered supplies which include a domestic content have been disconnected during 1992. Details are shown in the table.
DOE (NI) water |Number of
executive division |disconnections
and sub-division
---------------------------------------------------------
Northern
Coleraine |4
Ballymena |6
Cookstown |1
Antrim |6
Magherafelt |1
Total |18
Southern
Armagh |7
Dungannon |11
Craigavon |2
Newry |1
Total |21
Eastern
Lisburn |7
Downpatrick |5
Total |12
Western
Enniskillen |2
Omagh |16
Total |18
|--
Grant total |69
Information on disconnections is not held by parliamentary constituency and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Money Lenders
Mr. Mallon : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to assess the extent of problems being created by the existence of illegal money lenders ; and what steps are being taken to combat these problems.
Mr. Atkins : In Northern Ireland the Department of Economic Development's trading standards branch shares enforcement responsibility for the Consumer Credit Act 1974 with the Director General of Fair Trading.
The branch actively enforces this Act throughout the Province and takes appropriate enforcement action where breaches of the legislation are detected and supporting evidence is available.
Consultants
Ms. Mowlam : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many contracts for consultancies were awarded by his Department over (a) the last 12 months and (b) 1991-92.
Mr. Mates [holding answer 24 February 1993] : A total of 852 contracts for consultancies were awarded from April 1991 to March 1992 and 491, excluding figures for the Department of Economic Development which are not yet available, from April 1992 to date.
ENVIRONMENT
Sellafield
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many incidents involving the reportable release of radiation from British Nuclear Fuels' Sellafield site have taken place since 1979 ; and what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to improve (a) safety and (b) speed of reporting of accidents at Sellafield to the appropriate authorities.
Column 727
Mr. Maclean : Current criteria for reporting incidents at nuclear sites were most recently revised by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy on 30 April 1987, Official Report, column 203.
Information about reportable incidents prior to November 1986 is not immediately available. Since then, my Department has recorded four reportable incidents involving off-site releases of radioactivity from the BNF Sellafield site. A statement of reportable incidents at nuclear sites is published quarterly by the nuclear installations inspectorate, and copies are held in the House Library.
(a) Responsibility for the safety of nuclear licensed sites is a matter for the operator. The Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate ensures compliance with nuclear site licence conditions, and has a range of measures available to rectify and failure to meet the high standards of safety it requires. (b) The Goodlad criteria, which are reviewed periodically, stipulate that incidents shall be reported within 24 hours.
Plague Pits
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of the location of plague pits for buried corpses in urban areas.
Mr. Maclean : The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England holds records on archaeological sites which include some details of burial sites of plague victims. Any such sites discovered in the course of archaeological excavations must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive.
Community Charge
Mrs. Dunwoody : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost of administration in percentage terms of the community charge to date ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Robin Squire : Charging authorities in England budgeted to collect about £23.5 billion of community charges in total for the years 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93. The estimated cost to authorities of collecting this sum is about £1.4 billion, which is 6 per cent. of the estimated yield.
Departmental Publicity
Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the actual expenditure on departmental publicity to planning matters for each year since 1979.
Sir George Young : The information in respect of publicity relating to planning matters, excluding staff costs, is as follows :
$
Year |Expenditure
|£
------------------------------------
1987-88 |118,000
1988-89 |51,000
1989-90 |104,000
1990-91 |65,000
1991-92 |122,000
1992-93 |<1>143,000
<1>Forecast.
| Next Section
| Home Page |