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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 21 October 1993
LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
Legal Aid
Mrs. Angela Knight : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what effects the reduction in the number of cases coming before the criminal courts is likely to have on the level of legal aid expenditure contained in the Supply estimates.
Mr. John M. Taylor : The 1993-94 Supply estimate provision for legal aid is £1,284 million, net of receipts. Based on figures for expenditure to the end of August, we now forecast that net expenditure for legal aid in the current year is likely to be £1,254 million. At this stage in the year, however, there is inevitably still uncertainty about the eventual outturn. The reduction in the forecast is largely related to criminal legal aid. The changes in eligibility introduced in April, the effect of which was almost entirely in relation to civil legal aid and advice and assistance, appear to be having broadly the effect anticipated.
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Environment and Development Conference
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution was made by the Overseas Development Administration to the Partnerships for Change conference on environment and development held by Her Majesty's Government in Manchester on 20 to 22 September ; and if he will make a statement on the support given by his Department to the participating countries.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : The Overseas Development Administration was actively involved in preparations for the conference with the Department of Environment, which had responsibility for organising the event. The ODA was also represented at the conference.
Yugoslavia
Mr. Wareing : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what investigations are currently being made by Her Majesty's Goverment or the EC into possible widespread incidence of epidemic disease and illness in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a result of the effects of implementation of economic and diplomatic sanctions ; and if he will make a statement ; (2) when he received the report prepared for the European Community by the Belgian ambassador to Belgrade on 17 September regarding the effects on humanitarian and medical provisions in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a result of economic and diplomatic sanctions ; and if he will make a statement ;
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(3) what reports he has received into the medical and humanitarian situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a result of the implementation of economic and diplomatic sanctions ; what assessment he has made of the effect on medical and humanitarian services and facilities as a resuslt of such sanctions ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Lennox-Boyd : The incidence of epidemic disease and illness throughout the former Yugoslavia, including Serbia and Montenegro, is the subject of frequent investigation by the World Health Organisation which is responsible for co-ordinating the international relief effort. We have made a substantial contribution including a further £10 million in medical assistance announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development on 26 August. Our total contributions, directly and through the European Community, is £141 million. Although we have not received a report prepared by the Belgian ambassador, we have received a great many reports from other sources, including that prepared by the all-party parliamentary group about humanitarian aid and UN sanctions.
Sanctions applied to Serbia and Montenegro under UN Security Council resolutions Nos. 757 and 820 specifically exclude foods and medicines, subject to notification procedures in the United Nations sanctions committee. We have worked hard in this committee to ensure that genuine humanitarian shipments are expedited.
Mr. Wareing : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support moves to allow the Federal Yugoslav authorities to fly humanitarian and medical support directly into Belgrade airport ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : We recognise the importance of providing rapid humanitarian and medical support to those most in need, in the former Yugoslavia regardless of their origins.
The Belgrade authorities have made no applications to fly humanitarian supplies directly into Belgrade. The UN sanctions committee would need to decide whether this would be permitted under existing UN resolutions.
PRIME MINISTER
Community Care
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to develop an overall assessment of community care housing needs for the United Kingdom.
Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.
The assessment of housing needs associated with care in the community is for local housing authorities, in consultation with social services authorities, as they develop their housing strategy statements ; these are intended to address all housing needs in their areas.
Office Running Costs
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost of running his Office during the last 12 months ; and what was the cost at today's prices (a) five and (b) 10 years ago.
Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.
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Comparative information is available only for complete financial years. The costs, at 1993-94 prices, of running my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Office in 1983-84 and 1988-89 and the budget for 1993-94 are as follows :
|£000
------------------------------
1983-84 |5,114
1988-89 |8,558
1993-94 |<1>10,710
<1> Budget.
Notes:
1. The figures represent the
cost of 10 Downing Street and
Chequers borne on the Votes
of the Cabinet Office (OPSS)
and its predecessors. Over
the period in question the
following changes have
occurred to the basis of the
costs:
in 1983-84 the then Property
Services Agency introduced
charges for buildings and
services;
in 1984-85 charges were
introduced for the Government
Car Service and the Service
personnel at Chequers; and
in 1986-87 the cost of office
services was included for the
first time.
2. Costs are shown in the
year in which the expenditure
was made. Because of billing
delays this is not always in
the financial year in which
the goods or services were
provided.
THORP
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 16 July, Official Report, column 687, if he has yet had the opportunity to reply to the letter handed to him on 15 June by a Japanese group in respect of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant ; if he will send a copy of his reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.
My hon. Friend the Minister for Energy replied on 22 September on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.
Overseas Staff and Premises
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Prime Minister what is the cost for the current financial year of his Department having (a) premises and (b) personnel overseas ; and what were the comparable figures for (a) 12, (b) 24, (c) 36 and (d) 48 months ago.
Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.
The office of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister maintains neither premises nor staff overseas.
Engagements
Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 21 October.
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 21 October.
Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Cyprus.
United States-United Kingdom Relations
Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on present relations between the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.
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The United Kingdom and the United States have a strong and fruitful relationship at all levels.DUCHY OF LANCASTER
Mr. Patrick Doyle
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish a list of all meetings held and correspondence exchanged in the past year between his Department and Mr. Patrick Doyle, now of AST Training ; what was the nature of such meetings or correspondence ; what plans he has to meet Mr. Patrick Doyle ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Waldegrave : Since the Office of Public Service and Science was established in April 1992 I have not met Mr. Patrick Doyle and I have no plans to meet him. My Department has no record of any correspondence received from Mr. Doyle or of any meetings with him.
Technology Foresight Programme
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent contributions have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the OECD Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy's project on the responsiveness of scientific and technological institutions to environmental change.
Mr. Davis : The United Kingdom offered staffing support for this review which concluded with a report in 1991. The United Kingdom continues to support the work of the OECD Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy in its current programme of work.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
European Court (Phone Calls)
Dr. Godman : To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee, pursuant to his answer of 17 February, Official Report, column 217, what steps have been taken to ensure that hon. Members are not charged for telephone calls to the European Court of Justice ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Michael J. Martin : The European Court of Justice is now an authorised destination which hon. Members may dial direct at no cost to themselves. I have asked the Serjeant at Arms to ensure that an amended list of directly dialled numbers to European destinations is made available to Members.
NATIONAL FINANCE
VAT
Dr. Strang : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the imposition of VAT on food upon the food consumption, nutritional intake and health of low-income families.
Sir John Cope : It would not be appropriate to comment before the Budget on 30 November.
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Accountants
Mr. Darling : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will set out the criteria applied by the Government in considering whether Government Departments or public sector bodies should consider doing business with private sector accountants where there is a potential conflict of interest ;
(2) on what grounds his Departments and public sector bodies decline to do business with certain partners of accountancy firms ; what further plans he has to exclude particular accountancy firms from Government business ; and if he will make a statement.
Sir John Cope : The grounds on which Departments decide to do business with any accountancy firm will depend upon the individual circumstances of each appointment.
In general, Departments seek to ensure that there are no matters which could reduce a firm's effectiveness in performing the services for which it is to be appointed and that there are no matters which make it inappropriate for Government to have business dealings with the firm.
Mrs. Gillan : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the total number of audit appointments awarded by Government Departments to private accountancy firms ; what is the total for the period of the last 12 months ; what is the number in each Government Department ; what proportion of these audit appointments were (a) held by the six largest accountancy firms, and (b) by other accountancy firms, again divided by Department ; what proportion and total number of audit appointments carrying fees in excess of £25,000 is held by (i) the six largest accountancy firms and (ii) other accountancy firms ; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on awarding audit appointments to firms other than the six largest accountancy firms ;
(2) what is the total number of consultancy appointments awarded by Government Departments to private accountancy firms ; what is the total for the period of the last 12 months to date ; what is the number in each Government Department ; what proportion of these consultancy appointments were (a) held by the six largest accountancy firms and (b) by other accountancy firms, again divided by Department ; what proportion and total number of consultancy appointments carrying fees in excess of £25,000 is held by (i) the six largest accountancy firms and (ii) other accountancy firms ; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on awarding consultancy appointments to firms other than the six largest accountancy firms.
Sir John Cope : The information sought on such appointments awarded by Government Departments to private sector accountancy firms is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Government's policy on awarding these appointments is that firms are considered on their merits for the work involved in each appointment.
Touche Ross
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the quality of consultancy work done for Government Departments by Touche Ross ; if he will list the major commissions
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currently being undertaken by that firm for the Government ; and what plans he has to review advice purchased from Touche Ross in the past.Sir John Cope : The information sought on consultancy work is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Prisoner Transfers
Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners from England and Wales have applied for transfer to Northern Ireland prisons in the last 12 months ; (2) how many prisoners have been transferred permanently from prisons in England and Wales to prisons in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months ;
(3) how many prisoners have been transferred temporarily from prisons in England and Wales to prisons in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months ;
(4) how many prisoners transferred on a temporary basis to Northern Ireland from England and Wales in the last 12 months have since been made permanent transferees.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : In the 12 months to 30 September 1993, 50 prisoners applied for transfer to prisons in Northern Ireland. Of these, one prisoner was transferred on a permanent basis ; four prisoners were temporarily transferred and four prisoners' requests were either refused or withdrawn. None of the prisoners temporarily transferred in this time subsequently had their transfers made permanent. However, four prisoners previously temporarily transferred were granted further temporary transfers and two prisoners previously transferred were granted permanent transfers.
Mr. A. C. S. Benton
Mr. Winnick : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in the last three years over the case of Mr. A. C. S. Benton, of Bloxwich, Walsall, when it is likely he will be able to decide on whether the conviction should be referred to the Appeal Court ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maclean : Mr. Benton has made numerous representations over the past three years. The hon. Member was advised in June 1992 that no grounds could be found for referring Mr. Benton's conviction to the Court of Appeal. Since then further representations have been received. These are the subject of current police inquiries. When the police report is to hand, my right hon. and learned Friend will consider whether there are grounds on which it would be right for him to take any action in respect of Mr. Benton's conviction.
Mr. Winnick : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to hear from the West Midlands police on the case of Mr. A. C. S. Benton of Bloxwich, Walsall.
Mr. Maclean : The inquiries which are being made by West Midlands police into Mr. Benton's case are taking longer than expected, but I understand from the chief constable that they will be completed shortly.
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Mr. Winnick : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he sent on Dr. Candy's report on the case of Mr. A. C. S. Benton of Bloxwich, Walsall to the West Midlands police ; and when he expects to have a response to the report.
Mr. Maclean : Dr. Candy's report was received in the Home Office on 11 August and sent on to West Midlands police the following day. I expect to receive a response once the West Midlands police have considered Dr. Candy's report in the light of a further expert report which they are awaiting.
Electoral Registration
Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts his Department is making to encourage voters to enrol on the electoral register ; what specific measures are planned to encourage more women to ensure they are on the register ; and if there are any plans to target lone-parent mothers.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : We have undertaken a national television advertising campaign in support of electoral registration for the first time this year at a cost of £620,000. The advertising was targeted particularly at groups of the population, such as young people and ethnic minorities, shown by research to be less likely to register to vote. We have no evidence to suggest that women or single-parent families are among these groups and we have no plans to target them.
Sheehy Inquiry
Mr. Maclennan : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to announce his decision on the implementation of the Sheehy inquiry into police responsibilities and awards.
Mr. Charles Wardle : My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to make an announcement shortly.
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in full the terms of reference of the Sheehy inquiry.
Mr. Charles Wardle : The terms of reference of the inquiry into police responsibilities and rewards were announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) on 6 July 1992, cols. 43-44.
Animal Welfare
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inspections are carried out by his Department on establishments using animals to test impact consequences on aero-engines.
Mr. Charles Wardle : None. I understand that the animals in question are humanely killed before the tests take place. Such work therefore falls outside the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which is concerned only with experiments using living animals.
Wymott Prison
Sir Ivan Lawrence : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report of the inquiry by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons into the recent disturbance of HM prison Wymott will be published.
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Mr. Howard : The report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons of his inquiry into the disturbance at Wymott prison is being published today. A copy of the report is being placed in the Library.
Victim Support
Mr. Batiste : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Government have committed to victim support in each of the last five years.
Mr. Maclean : Home Office funding of the national charity, Victim Support, in the last five years is set out in the table :
Financial year |Home Office grant (£|Percentage increase
|million) |over previous year
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1989-90 |3.910 |43
1990-91 |4.735 |21
1991-92 |5.670 |20
1992-93 |7.260 |28
1993-94 |8.375 |15
Security Forces' Equipment
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what research has been carried out into the use and possible side-effects of electroshock equipment within the United Kingdom ;
(2) what official guidelines or regulations are applicable for the use of (a) electroshock equipment by the police, prison and security forces, (b) the tear gas agent oleoresin capsicum, (c) Frag 12 exploding ammunition and (d) dum dum bullets in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Charles Wardle : In 1990 the Forensic Science Service published a theoretical assessment of the effects of electric shock weapons. None of these devices or substances is used against the general public, suspects or offenders, by the police, prison services or the security forces in the United Kingdom.
Ministerial Broadcasts
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions on which he has spoken on the BBC Radio 4 programme "Today", and the topics in each case.
Mr. Howard : I receive numerous requests for interviews from the media, covering the whole range of my Department's responsibilities. I accept many of them, including requests from "Today".
NATIONAL HERITAGE
Moated Sites
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action his Department is currently taking to record and preserve moated sites of archaeological interest in England and Wales ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Brooke : English Heritage's monuments protection programme is evaluating all known archaeological remains
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in England, including moated sites, and identifying those which may be suitable for scheduling. This exercise is expected to result in a very significant increase in the number of scheduled monuments. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is responsible for the scheduling of monuments in Wales.Official Hospitality
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much was spent on official hospitality in his Department in the financial year 1992-93.
Mr. Brooke [holding answer 20 October 1993] : My Department has incurred expenditure of £40,759 on official hospitality during the financial year 1992-93. This total includes official hospitality expenditure incurred by the royal parks and the Historic Royal Palaces Agency.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Gibraltar
Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent Her Majesty's Government endorse the contents of the address given by the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to the United Nations Committee of 24 on 14 July.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory : We shall continue to fulfill our obligations to non-self-governing territories under chapter XI of the United Nations charter. The situation in Gibraltar is, however, complicated by historical realities, particularly the treaty of Utrecht. We stand by our commitment to the people of Gibraltar enshrined in the constitution.
Saudi Arabia
Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Saudi Government about the religious persecution of Florencio Madriaga and Roque Atilon.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : We are aware of these cases but have no specific information about them. We and our EC partners seek opportunities to discuss human rights, including freedom of worship, with the Saudi authorities, who can be in no doubt of the strength of our views on this issue. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs last did so during his visit to Saudi Arabia last month.
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
Rabies
Mr. Morley : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on current measures to prevent rabies from entering the United Kingdom ; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. Soames : I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) by my right hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Coastal (Mr. Gummer) on 16 June 1992, Official Report, column 455-56.
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Fish Farms
Mr. Hoon : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions her Department has had on the implications of siting fish farm enterprises close to environmentally sensitive locations ; and whether she will issue written guidance.
Mr. Jack : The siting of fish farms in inland waters is regulated by the town and country planning system, for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is responsible.
Mr. Hoon : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what business opportunities her Department's delegation that visited Turkey from 9 to 12 May identified in the fish farming sector.
Mr. Jack : During his visit to Turkey from 9 to 12 May this year my right hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer) was accompanied by a team of businessmen including a representative from the fish farming industry. I understand that a number of potential opportunities were identified including in particular joint ventures for the development of fish farms. These have been notified to the industry. The fish farming sector in Turkey is at an early stage of development and the potential for business exists in the medium and long term.
Renewable Energy
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will meet the Countryside Commission to discuss its programme of assessing the impact of renewable energy technologies on farmland and agriculture.
Mr. Jack : While I am always willing to meet the Countryside Commission to discuss matters of mutual interest, I understand that its research into the broader implications of renewable energy for the countryside has only recently been commissioned. I shall be pleased to consider the Commission's advice when that research is complete.
School Milk
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has received regarding European Commission proposals to cut the subsidy on school milk ; and what discussions have taken place on the matter in the EC Agriculture Council.
Mr. Jack : The Department received a number of representations from the dairy trade and local authorities opposing the Commission's proposal for a argued that the Commission's proposal was too drastic a measure for achieving budgetary savings and would threaten the viability of a popular scheme which had played an important role in encouraging consumption of milk and milk products. In the light of these arguments the Council agreed to limit the reduction in subsidy to 25 per cent. and to find the balance of the necessary savings by making technical adjustments aimed at improving the
cost-effectiveness of the scheme. The Government are satisfied
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