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Mr. Lennox-Boyd : My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development has this week approved a total British contribution of £19.35 million to these appeals. The contribution is made up as follows :
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Country |Food Aid (tonnes) |Non-Food (£ million) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eritrea |5,000 |(Approximately |2.0 Ethiopia |13,000 |£8.85 million)<1> |3.5 Kenya |15,000 |1.5 Sudan |- |3.5 <1> includes £0.5 million to transport and distribute food in Sudan.
This pledge is additional to the £221 million, including 310,000 tonnes of food aid and our share of EC emergency aid, which we have committed for humanitarian relief in the Horn of Africa since the present crisis began in September 1990.
Know-how Funds
Mr. Paice : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made with the know-how fund for central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union ; and if he will give details of specific projects so far approved this year for each eligible country.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : Since my last answer of 27 October 1992, at column 552 , the know-how fund has continued to do extremely well. The amount spent or committed is now at over £100 million for more than 700 projects. An updated list of activities has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
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TRANSPORT
Transport Council
Mr. Dunn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the result of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 15 March.
Mr. MacGregor : The Transport Council met in Brussels on 15 March. The Council agreed conclusions on external aviation relations, reached political agreement on air traffic control equipment and confirmed its agreement to the two-year infrastructure programme at the October 1992 Council, with a slightly increased budget. My right hon. Friend Lord Caithness and I attended on behalf of the United Kingdom.
The Council had a first discussion of the Commission's whtie paper on a common transport policy. Themes were the need to ensure effective liberalisation in the transport sector, infrastructure, cost recovery, transport safety, and the environment.
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The Commission's communication on maritime safety for which the United Kingdom pressed strongly for some time, was welcomed by the Council. The central issues of improved implementation of International Maritime Organisation standards and a stricter line on sub- standard shipping were widely supported. There was also support for action in training, environmental protection and vessel traffic service, which facilitate control of coastal traffic.The Council confirmed the text of the draft regulation on EC finance for transport infrastructure, which followed political agreement at the October 1992 Council, with an increased two-year budget of 325 mecu. The Council agreed that the presidency should now contact the European Parliament to commence the conciliation procedure requested by the Parliament.
The Council discussed the Commission's proposals for trans-European networks for combined transport, roads and inland waterways. It agreed that further work on the proposals would be undertaken by COREPER for ministerial decision at the June Council.
The Council agreed conclusions emphasising member states' continuing responsibilities for bilateral relations in aviation. It was agreed to set up a Council working group to consider the practical implications of conducting any future negotiations at Community level.
Political agreement was reached on a directive on the harmonisation of air traffic control equipment which will give the force of Community law to air traffic control equipment standards developed by Eurocontrol. Formal adoption depends on receipt of the European Parliament's opinion.
The presidency reported on the work of the working group on the Commission's proposals on airline computer reservation systems. There was majority support for building on the UK presidency's proposals last year on national road user charges on heavy lorries. The Council agreed that the signing of the transport agreement with Slovenia should take place at the same time as the signing of the trade and co-operation agreement and the financial protocol. The transport agreement will now be put to the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Council.
The Commission outlined its aim of negotiating liberal road transport agreements with third countries, bearing in mind the economic situation of the Community's transport industry. We argued that in this field as in aviation the rights of member states under existing bilaterals should not be prejudiced.
Greater Manchester Relief Road
Mr. Lewis : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to open public consultation on the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road section M62 to M66.
Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : Later in the year.
M4 Extension (Detectives)
Mr. Gapes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what procedures were followed for authorising the employment of detective agencies in surveillance of those opposed to the construction of the M4 motorway
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extension across Twyford Down ; what was the total cost involved ; and what criteria were used to select the detective agencies used.Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : Brays Detective Agency (Southampton) Ltd was appointed by the Department's south-east construction programme division on the recommendation of the engineer for the M3 Bar End to Compton scheme. The agency has been employed to serve papers on people trespassing on the Department's land at Twyford Down and to photograph trespassers. To date they have been paid approximately £7, 000.
Road Haulage (Environmental Effects)
Ms Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken, and is proposing to take, to enable an accurate assessment of the total costs of all environmental impacts associated with road haulage ; and what is his policy towards harmonising the relationship between vehicle weights and duty levels with other EC member states.
Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : As I explained in my answer to the hon. Lady on 12 March, official Report, columns 769-70, a substantial research programme is required to develop reliable monetary values for environmental impacts. As a first step, we have let a research contract to attempt to derive monetary values for traffic nuisance experienced in the home. We expect a report in autumn 1994. As results emerge from this work, we shall decide on the possibility of valuing other environmental effects on traffic. Separate research is in hand to improve our general understanding of emissions from heavy goods vehicles.
Under the United Kingdom presidency last year, the EC Transport Council came close to agreeing proposals for a common structure and minimum rates of vehicle taxation for heavy goods vehicles, as part of wider package on taxing and charging such vehicles. Consideration of this package continued at the Council's meeting on 15 March. As with other taxation, the United Kingdom does not favour complete harmonisation, and it is evident from the discussions in the Council that in any case it could not be achieved in the foreseeable future.
Channel Tunnel Rail Link
Mrs. Helen Jackson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure that the northern regions of the United Kingdom have a modern link to the channel tunnel through an expanded King's Cross terminal.
Mr. Freeman : I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement to the House on 16 March, at column 194. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make a full statement very soon.
Highway Closures
Mr. Hendry : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the statutory consulation procedure between local authorities regarding the closure for repairs of principal highways connecting them.
Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : Under section 59 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, highway authorities are required to use their best endeavours to co-ordinate the
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execution of works of all kinds, including their own repair works, in roads for which they are responsible. The duty includes co-ordination with other highway authorities where works have an effect beyond the local authority boundary. There is no set procedure for co-ordination but advice is given in the code of practice on co-ordination which the Secretary of State has approved under the Act.Telephone Lines
Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the minimum height that a telecom phone line must reach when crossing a major road.
Mr. Kenneth Carlisle : The licences issued to operators of telecommunications systems under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 require lines installed above the carriageway of a maintainable highway to be placed at a height of not less than 5.5 m. In the case of a designated high load route the requirement is for a height of not less than 6.5 m or, in some cases, 6.7 m.
DUCHY OF LANCASTER
Citizens Charter
Mr. Ronnie Campbell : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the cost to his Department of the implementation of the citizens charter in each year since its inception ; and if he will give a breakdown of those costs.
Mr. Jackson : During 1991-92 the charter unit spent £1.6 million on the following :
The launch of the citizens charter, including producing, publicising and distributing the citizens charter White Paper (Cm1599) and the guide to the citzens charter--£916,000
The launch of 1992 charter mark scheme--£320,000
Staff, general administrative expenses and capital expenditure-- £346,000
The charter unit expects to spend £2.1 million in 1992-93 on the following :
Running 1992 charter mark scheme and launch of 1993 scheme--£600, 000
Charterline market research, and development work on pilot project-- £250,000
Publicising citizens charter first report and producing summary guide, ethnic minority versions and versions for the partially sighted-- £420,00
Part payment of customer survey--£30,000
Staff, general administrative expenses and capital expenditure-- £800,000
Mr. Ronnie Campbell : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will outline the main successes of the citizens charter since its introduction and list the benefits of the charter to date.
Mr. Jackson : The citizens charter first report (Cmnd 2101), published November 1992, shows considerable progress in raising the standards of public services and making them more responsive to the needs and concerns of their users. We have met, or put in hand, over 90 per cent. of the policy commitments set out in the initial citizens charter programme of action (Cmnd 1599). These include : The publication of 30 charters setting demanding, but realistic, standards for health, education, public transport and other important public services ;
The introduction of outpatient appointment times, and of a maximum 2-year waiting time for hospital admission ;
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The publication of comparative performance data on schools and local authorities ;The provision of annual written reports on each child's school performance ;
The introduction of legislation to strengthen regulators' powers ; to increase information given to parents on each child's and school's performance ; and to prepare the way for detailed reporting on local authority performance ;
The strengthening of Inspectorates of schools, the police, prisons and social services through greater independence ; lay involvement ; and openness ;
The introduction of new compensation schemes for British Rail and London Underground ; and
The introduction of the national Charter Mark awards scheme to recognise excellence in public service.
The citizens charter is a long term programme for improvement in public service. Following the ministerial seminar held on 17 February to review progress and set future agenda, we announced plans to : Extend the patients charter to primary care ;
Set a standard 18-month waiting limit for hips, knees and cataract operations ;
Publish further and higher education charters setting service standards for students ;
Publish comparative information on further education ;
Revise and update the parents charter ;
Publish a charter for the Child Support Agency to be launched in April ;
Develop the Benefits Agency one-stop shop programme ;
Appoint a new complaints adjudicator for the Inland Revenue ; Appoint new lay inspectors to the inspectorate of constabulary ; Introduce a housing corporation ombudsman to handle tenants' complaints ;
Establish the Charterline service to provide information on the charter initiative, on published charters and service standards, and on complaints systems where things go wrong ;
Include charter standards in British Rail franchises contracts ; Establish a complaints task force to look at the effectiveness of public service complaints procedures ; and
Conduct a national survey of people's priorities for future charter development.
EDUCATION
National Curriculum
Sir Thomas Arnold : To ask the Secretary of State for Education what timetable he now envisages for the introduction of the key stage 3 English test.
Mr. Forth : The first statutory tests in English for 14-year-olds will be held on 7 and 9 June this year, as planned.
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HEALTH
Traffic Casualties
Mr. Cousins : To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been raised in each year since 1980 in current and cash terms by each district health authority and in total by charging patients when they are involved in road traffic accidents (a) for all patients and (b) for inpatients and outpatients, separately.
Mr. Sackville : The information requested could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the present rules governing the recovery of the costs of treatment for victims of road traffic accidents from their personal or car insurance ; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. Sackville : Hospitals or general medical practitioners may collect an emergency treatment fee--currently at a flat rate of £20.10 --for immediate medical examination or treatment required as a result of a road accident, and charges for subsequent in-patient or out-patient hospital treatment, up to specified ceilings. General medical practitioners may also claim a mileage allowance. The emergency treatment fee is payable by the user of the vehicle irrespective of who caused the accident and must be covered by motor insurance policies. The charges for subsequent hospital treatment are levied directly on insurance companies but only in cases where companies make third party payments.
Anti-Rheumatics
Mr. John Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a list showing the prescribed brands of topical anti- rheumatics ; and what is the price of a month's supply.
Dr. Mawhinney : The rubefacients and other topical
anti-rheumatics--British National Formulary section 10.3.2--dispensed in England in 1991 by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and personal administration are shown in the table :
Aconite, belladonna and chloroform liniment
Adrenaline and ephedrine cream
Adrenaline compound cream
Adrenaline cream 1 per cent.
Adrenaline cream 1/1000
Adrenaline cream 1/20,000
Adrenaline cream 1/5,000
Algesal cream 10 per cent.
Algipan balm
Algipan spray 120ml
Algispray spray balm
Aradolene cream
Aspellin liniment
Aspellin spray 150ml
Axsain cream 0.075 per cent.
B.N. liniment
Balmosa cream
Bayolin cream
Boots embrocation
Camphorated ice
Camphorated liniment
Camphorated spirit
Cantharone solution 0.7 per cent.
Capsicum cream 0.025 per cent.
Capsicum ointment
Capsicum ointment 0.2 per cent.
Cremalgin balm
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Cremathurm creamCupal menthol and wintergreen cream
Deep freeze cold gel
Deep freeze pain relief spray 200g
Difflam cream 3 per cent.
Dubam cream
Dubam spray 113g
Dubam spray 50g
Elliman's embrocation universal/royal
Embrocation liquid
Feldene gel
Feldene sports gel
Fiery Jack cream
Fiery Jack ointment
Finalgon ointment and applicator
Goddards embrocation
Ibugel gel 5 per cent.
Ibuleve gel 5 per cent.
Indoderm cream
Intralgin gel
Iodex and methyl salicylate ointment
Iodine and methyl salicylate ointment
Iodine ointment non-staining BPC 1968
K/L kaolin poultice BP pouches
Kaolin heavy (solid)
Kaolin poultice (solid)
Lloyds cream 10 per cent.
Lloyds heat rub
Menthol and wintergreen cream
Menthol and wintergreen embrocation
Menthol and wintergreen ointment
Mentholatum deep heat lotion
Mentholatum deep heat rub
Mentholatum deep heat rub extra stength (special)
Mentholatum deep heat spray
Methyl salicylate compound ointment
Methyl salicylate dilute ointment
Methyl salicylate liniment 25 per cent.
Methyl salicylate liquid
Methyl salicylate ointment
Methyl salicylate ointment 10 per cent.
Movelat cream
Movelat gel
Nasciodine cream
Nella red oil
Oruvail gel 2.5 per cent.
P.R. freeze spray 200g
P.R. heat spray 99g
Pain relieving balm
Proflex cream 5 per cent.
Radian-B rub
Radian-B spirit liniment
Radian-B spray 150ml
Ralgex cream
Ralgex freeze spray 125ml
Ralgex low-odour spray 125ml
Ralgex pre-sports warm up rub
Ralgex spray
Ralgex stick
Salonair spray
Samaritan menthol and wintergreen cream
Skefron skin spray 200g
Sloans liniment
Soap liniment methylated
Tiger balm liquid
Tiger balm red
Tiger balm white
Transvasin cream
Traxam gel 3 per cent.
Turpentine liniment
Voltarol emulgel aqueous gel
Warming pain relief spray 125ml
White liniment
Zam-buk ointment
Zostrix cream
The quantity required, and therefore the price, per month will vary on the clinical needs of the patient.
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