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Written Answers to Questions
Friday 29 October 1993
LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
Legal Aid
Mr. Cox : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the number of people who have received legal aid in each of the last three years.
Mr. John M. Taylor : The number of acts of assistance provided under the legal aid scheme between 1990-91 and 1992-93 was 2.6 million, 3 million and 3.3 million respectively.
Land Registry
Sir Anthony Durant : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reason survey work in Her Majesty's Land Registry's current market testing exercise has been awarded to Ordnance Survey ; and what consideration was given to private sector bids.
Mr. John M. Taylor : The Ordnance Survey bid for the whole of England and Wales represented the best value for money when compared with any other combination of bids. Her Majesty's Land Registry gave full and proper consideration to all the bids received from the private sector, and the evaluation process observed scrupulously the principles of fair trading and good management practice.
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
Predatory Birds
Sir Cranley Onslow : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications his Department has received in the past six months for licences to control the threat to fisheries from cormorants and similar predatory birds.
Mr. Soames : From 1 April to 30 September 1993, 34 such licence applications were received.
Pesticides
Mr. Dafis : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been allocated by her Department in each of the last 10 years for monitoring and inspecting levels of pesticide residue in food.
Mr. Soames : The costs of monitoring for pesticide residues carried out by the Government's working party on pesticide residues over the last 10 years are as follows :
|£ million
------------------------------
1992-93 |2.1
1991-92 |1.9
1990-91 |1.8
1989-90 |1.5
1988-89 |0.9
1987-88 |0.7
1986-87 |0.55
1985-86 |<1>0.5
1984-85 |<1>0.5
1983-84 |<1>0.5
<1> Approximately.
Mr. Dafis : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make it her policy to adopt a target for reducing pesticide use in the United Kingdom by 50 per cent. by 2,000.
Mr. Soames : No. Government policy is to ensure that pesticide use is limited to the minimum necessary for the effective control of pests compatible with the protection of human health and the environment. As I informed the hon. Member in my answer of 26 May 1993, columns 597-98, this policy is pursued through the approvals process and our research programme. The tonnage of pesticide applied in England and Wales between 1980 and 1990 fell by 21 per cent. There is also increasing evidence that users are seeking to use reduced application rates where possible, building on the results of research findings.
Sheep and Cattle Farms
Dr. Strang : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the net farm income for mainly sheep and sheep and cattle farms in severely disadvantaged areas in England and Wales, in both nominal and real terms for each year since 1978.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : The statistical information used in the autumn review of hill livestock compensatory allowances will be placed in the Library of the House when the outcome of the review is announced on 30 November.
Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
Dr. Strang : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many producers in England and Wales are entitled to hill livestock compensatory allowances ; and what proportion of those are located in (a) severely disadvantaged areas and (b) disadvantaged areas.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : Some 30,000 producers in England and Wales are currently entitled to claim hill livestock compensatory allowances ; of these about 22,000 farm either wholly or in part within the severely disadvantaged area and the remaining 8,000 farm either wholly or in part within the disadvantaged area and land outside the less-favoured area.
Dr. Strang : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers in England and Wales were in receipt of hill livestock compensatory allowances in the severely disadvantaged areas according to the most recent figures for each year since 1978.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : Precise annual figures covering this period are not available but the number of claimants paid each year under the hill livestock compensatory allowances scheme to farmers with holdings located either wholly or partially within the severely
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disadvantaged area, or the corresponding area prior to the extension of the less-favoured areas in 1985, has risen slightly from about 20,700 in 1980 to 21,300 in 1992.Ewe and Cow Premiums
Dr. Strang : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will give the figures for England and Wales relating to 1993 for the value of the ewe premium and suckler cow premium per head distinguishing the value of any supplements if applicable.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : The rate of sheep annual premium in England and Wales for the 1993 marketing year is fixed only after the end of the year. To date, Commission regulations provide for payments of two advances totalling £12.55 per eligible ewe and a supplement in less-favoured areas of £5.16 per eligible ewe. The final rate of premium and supplement due in spring 1994 will reflect the level of market prices and green rates operating in each member state throughout the marketing year.
The 1993 suckler cow premium rate per head is £65.73 in England and Wales. In addition a payment of £28.17 per head can be made if the stocking density on a holding is less than 1.4 livestock units per hectare of eligible forage area.
Aujeszky's Disease
Mr. David Porter : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement about the arrangements for the use of the surplus levy funds from the Aujeszky's disease eradication fund.
Mr. Soames : We have held discussions with the Pig Disease Eradication Fund Ltd. and have drawn up an arrangement for the use of the accrued interest on the surplus levy funds. Starting in this financial year, for three years the accrued interest will be used to offset some of the costs of the monitoring work carried out by the state veterinary service to maintain Great Britain's internationally recognised health status. The capital sum will remain untouched by this arrangement. At the end of the three years we will carry out a further review with the Pig Disease Eradication Fund, in the light of the developments regarding pig disease in the United Kingdom and EC. I am pleased that the Pig Disease Eradication Fund Ltd. accepts this arrangement.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Mr. Siemion Serafimowicz
Mr. Winnick : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries have been received from overseas Governments regarding Siemion Serafimowicz, now living in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Charles Wardle [holding answer 28 October 1993] : None.
Immigration
Mr. Parry : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it takes on average for replies to be sent to legal representatives dealing with deportation and immigration cases ; and if he will make a statement.
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Mr Charles Wardle : The information is not available.
DEFENCE
AWE, Aldermaston
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether red commissioning has commenced on the A90 complex at AWE, Aldermaston.
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all modifications made to the liquid and solid waste treatment plants at AWE, Aldermaston, following the publication of the Pochin report.
Mr. Aitken : Details of the large number of modifications carried out for liquid waste treatment are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs. However, significant modifications have been made in the following areas :
Effluent collection system
Effluent treatment
Sludge solidification
Treated effluent discharge
Change room access to plants
Solid waste is not treated on site.
Dangerous Flying
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sanctions are available to discipline pilots of military aircraft who have been guilty of dangerous flying and who have left the service before the institution of disciplinary proceedings under service regulations.
Mr. Hanley : The disciplinary codes of all three services make provision for court-martial action to be taken against former service pilots who have committed an offence, provided the trial begins within six months of their ceasing to be subject to service discipline. These provisions would cover the offences of dangerous and low flying.
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce legislation to make dangerous flying in military aircraft over the United Kingdom an offence.
Mr. Hanley : Existing legislation deals adequately with occurrences of dangerous flying. I refer the hon. Member to section 20 of the Navy Discipline Act 1957, section 49 of the Army Act 1955 and section 49 of the Air Force Act 1955.
Low Flying
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the RAF police investigation of the low-flying incident over Gullane on 16 September 1992 included (a) an interview with the rear-seat passenger in the Tornado or (b) interviews with or attempts to find witnesses on the ground apart from the original complainer.
Mr. Hanley : The RAF police investigation of the low-flying incident over Gullane on 16 September 1992 did not include an interview with the rear seat passenger of the aircraft or interviews with or attempts to find witnesses on the ground other than the original complainant.
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Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the established procedure to be followed if a Tornado navigator feels unwell during a low-level sortie.
Mr. Hanley : No specific procedures apply if a Tornado navigator feels unwell during a low level sortie. The pilot will decide appropriate action, which may range from carrying on with the original purpose of the flight in the case of a temporary incapacity to terminating the sortie, in the light of the particular circumstances.
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the regulations for low-level familiarisation flights in Tornado aircraft ; what are the criteria for weather at base and operating area, and the minimum altitude and maximum speed ; whether such flights can include low passes or simulated attacks either on planned targets or targets of opportunity ; what are the limits on bank angle and G pull on such flights ; what specific manoeuvres are prohibited in such flights ; and whether such flights are permitted in operational GRI and GRIA variants.
Mr. Hanley : The weather criteria for a low-level Tornado familiarisation sortie are visibility of 5 km and 1,500 m horizontal and 500 ft vertical separation from cloud. These are the standard criteria for military low flying. The weather at the base airfield must also meet the standard criteria for take off and landing of 800 m visibility and a minimum cloud base of 200 ft. The minimum altitude permitted during the sortie is 250 ft minimum separation distance ; and the maximum speed permitted would normally be 480 knots, although an absolute maximum speed overland of 550 knots may be permitted for very short time periods. Low passes and simulated attacks would be permitted. There are no limits placed on the angle of bank, and the maximum G would be dictated by the limits placed on the aircraft unless the passenger's medical clearance specified a lower limit. No specific manoeuvres are prohibited but the involvement of passengers in the operation of weapon release equipment or switches is not permitted. Such sorties may be flown in operational variants of the Tornado GR1 and GR1a. All such sorties must be properly authorised, and the pilot of the aircraft must meet minimum experience and qualification standards before being permitted to fly passengers.
Laser-guided Bombs
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on his plans for procuring
precision-guided munitions to fulfil staff requirement 1242 ; and what is the timetable for this procurement ;
(2) if it is his intention to exclude non-European participation from competition for SR 1242.
Mr. Aitken : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Luff) on 4 May 1993, columns 18-19. Twelve companies in the United Kingdom, United States and Europe were invited to tender by 4 August 1993. Three companies responded--one each in the United Kingdom, United States and France. We are currently considering these in detail but I do not expect to be able to announce the results of the competition until the new year.
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Military Flights
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the southerly directional flow control was introduced for military flights over the Gullane/Aberlady area.
Mr. Hanley : The flow controls north of East Fortune airfield were introduced on 1 June 1992.
Nuclear Weapons Accidents
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the maximum area that might have to be (a) evacuated and (b) subjected to restrictions in a worst case scenario nuclear weapons transport accident ; and what are the maximum arc and distance that would be involved in the most unfavourable weather conditions ;
(2) if he will make a statement on the extent of nuclear weapon plutonium dispersion hazards.
Mr. Hanley : Because of the stringent safety precautions observed, a nuclear weapon transport accident that posed a real hazard to the public would be an extremely unlikely event. The worst scenario would involve the crash of a military aircraft transporting nuclear weapons which then subsequently produced a release of respirable particles of plutonium.
The MOD document for local authorities and emergency services, issued in December 1992, does address this scenario, and gives general guidance on the measures that should be taken promptly to protect the public. A copy of the document is already available in the Library of the House. The document makes clear that further specific advice would be given by the MOD for the particular circumstances of an accident.
Joint Direct Attack Munition
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the decision by the US Defense Department to exclude foreign participation at prime contractor level from the completion for a joint direct attack munition.
Mr. Aitken : Despite representations by the Ministry of Defence, the US Department of Defense has decided to exclude foreign participation at prime contractor level in its joint direct attack munition programme because of US national security constraints. However, foreign firms may participate as sub-contractors and United Kingdom companies will no doubt pursue any opportunities in this area.
Submarine Accidents
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maximum area and radius which would have to be (a) evacuated and (b) subjected to restrictions in the worst case scenario of a severely ruptured submarine reactor due to collision or other circumstances in the firth of Forth or the firth of Clyde ; and what contingency plans have been made.
Mr. Hanley : The overall probability of any accident resulting in even a small release is very low indeed. Nevertheless it remains prudent to develop contingency plans to respond to the possibility of an accident which
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might result in a radioactive hazard. The risk of an accident which would require the application of public protection measures such as shelter, evacuation or taking potassium iodate tablets from any accident location is no more likely than about one in 1 million in any one year, even assuming a reactor is operating continuously at that particular location.Personnel Statistics
Mr. David Shaw : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a breakdown by section, agency or function of the numbers of civil servants, civilian and non-military personnel employed by his Department.
Mr. Aitken : The information requested is published in Defence Statistics 1993 tables 2.3 and 2.27, a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library.
Pilot Training
Dr. Berry : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost of the RAF pilot training operations, Bristol university air squadron and No. 3 Air Experience Flight, at Colerne airfield, Wiltshire.
Mr. Hanley : The Bristol university air squadron and No. 3 Air Experience Flight, which commenced operations at Colerne airfield in April have budget allocations for the current financial year of £758, 000 and £329,000 respectively.
Dr. Berry : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many young people are currently being trained to fly at Colerne airfield ; and how many of these trainees are expected to join the RAF as pilots.
Mr. Hanley : Forty-three young people are currently being trained to fly at Colerne airfield with the Bristol university air squadron. From experience, we would expect about 70 per cent. to join the RAF as pilots.
Seawolf Missiles
Mr. James Hill : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about orders for vertical launch Seawolf missiles.
Mr. Aitken : I am pleased to announce that we have awarded a contract for a second production order of 450 vertical launch Seawolf missiles to British Aerospace Defence Ltd., Dynamics Division. These will provide 24-hour protection for the Royal Navy's type 23 frigates against aircraft and anti-ship missiles.
The value of the order is more than £100 million. Work will be centred at the company's Lostock and Filton sites. It will sustain some 100 jobs within the company, and many more at sub-contractors throughout the country.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Konver Programme
Mr. McCartney : To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Commission rules for funding under the Konver programme apply only to small and medium-sized enterprises ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Sainsbury : I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms Anderson) on 27 October, Official Report, column 643.
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Methane
Sir Cranley Onslow : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the potential contribution of coal-bed methane to United Kingdom energy resources ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Eggar : Coalbed methane is still in the exploration phase in the United Kingdom, determining if production is viable. No estimate has therefore been made.
Although the coal fields are well defined, it is necessary to find out the parameters that will govern the rate and extent of release of methane from United Kingdom coals and to adapt the production technique for United Kingdom conditions.
Iron and Steel Readaptation Benefit
Mr. Jenkin : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future of the iron and steel readaptation benefits scheme.
Mr. Sainsbury : The scheme was set up in 1974 since when many improvements have been made to the arrangements for helping unemployed people. ISERBS is not very effective in assisting redundant steel workers to re-enter the labour market and has not proved good value for money. Further large-scale restructuring in the United Kingdom steel industry is no longer anticipated. Redundant steel workers should henceforth be treated in the same way as most other redundant workers. ISERBS will therefore be terminated. The termination will apply in respect of closures, capacity cuts or changes in activities at steel companies which take place from today. However, it is important that appropriate transitional arrangements are put in place which are as fair as possible. Accordingly I am today also issuing a consulation paper and inviting comments by 10 December 1993 on those arrangements in respect of such events which I am satisfied are imminent.
Eco-management and Audit Regulation
Mr. David Porter : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the result of the consultation exercise in relation to the accreditation arrangements relating to the EC Eco-management and audit regulation and British Standard BS 7750.
Mr. McLoughlin : The consultation exercise showed clear support for the appointment of the National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies as accreditation body for both the EC regulation and BS7750. NACCB is being asked to start work immediately so that it has the maximum possible time to develop accreditation arrangements which will include the necessary environmental dimension and to streamline procedures so that both regulation and standard may be as accessible as possible, to small firms in particular. We are actively considering the formal separation of NACCB from BSI and a further announcement will be made in due course. A further announcement will also be made in due course on the appointment of a competent body under the terms of the regulation.
Accounts Services Agency
Mr. Heald : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the review of options for the future of DTI's Accounts Services Agency.
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Mr. Eggar : The Department has received a proposal for a management led employee buy out from members of the agency's management. I very much welcome this initiative.
In view of this proposal and of the very good progress the Accounts Services Agency has made in developing a more commercial approach since it became an agency in October 1991, I have decided to commission a review to consider the options for the future of the agency.
PA Consulting Group has been appointed to assess the commercial position and prospects of the agency ; to assess the current and potential developments in the markets in financial and management accounts services, and the opportunities and threats these may present to the agency ; and to consider alternative possible forms of ownership and management. The consultants will assess the advantages and disadvantages to the Department, the agency, its customers and staff of all options.
In assessing the options the consultants will need to take account of the requirement to ensure that the Department continues to receive essential accounting services. The Department is reviewing its requirements for these services, and the scope for them to be met from the private sector, in parallel with the review by consultants. In undertaking their review the consultants will take account of the proposal for a management-led employee buy-out.
EC Trade Mark Office
Mr. Mills : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received about the economic and employment effect of locating the proposed European Community trade mark office in London ; and if he will make a statement.
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Mr. McLoughlin [holding answer 28 October 1993] : The Government have received two letters about the proposed Community trade mark office since January this year.
The location of CTMO has been linked to the question of the seats of other Community bodies. The Government's priority has always been to get the best deal for the United Kingdom. Our bid for the CTMO remains on the table.
Press Advertising
Sir Michael Grylls : To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much Companies House has spent on press advertising in the years 1991-92, 1992-93 and so far in 1993-94.
Mr. Neil Hamilton [holding answer 27 October 1993] : Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the chief executive of Companies House Executive Agency for which my Department is responsible. I have therefore asked Mr. David Durham to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from David Durham to Sir Michael Grylls, dated 29 October 1993 :
On 21 October you tabled the following Parliamentary Question :-- To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how much Companies House has spent on Press advertising in the years 1991-92, 1992-93 and so far in 1993-94.
Following the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade, I am replying as Chief Executive of Companies House.
In 1991-92 Companies House spent £106,399 on display advertising in national and regional newspapers, trade and professional press. In 1992-93 the figure was £232,744 and in the current financial year Companies House has spent £39,178 with a further £47,476 committed. These figures exclude VAT. They cover advertising paid for directly by Companies House as well as advertising funded by the Department of Trade and Industry.
I hope this information is helpful to you.
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