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Written Answers to Questions
Monday 27 June 1994
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
European Court of Justice
24. Sir Teddy Taylor : To ask the Attorney-General if he will take steps to publish a record of the accumulated legal costs borne by the United Kingdom in the cases initiated against Her Majesty's Government in the European Court of Justice.
The Solicitor-General : Legal costs excluding travel and subsistence totalled approximately £90,000 in nine out of the 10 cases brought since 1 January 1986.
Prosecutors' Code
25. Mr. Jonathan Evans : To ask the Attorney-General what steps he is taking to make the revised code for prosecutors known to the public.
The Attorney-General : The revised "Code for Crown Prosecutors" was published by the Director of Public Prosecutions on 21 June 1994. It has been widely distributed to those with an interest in the criminal justice system. Copies are available from Crown Prosecution Service headquarters.
Lenient Sentences
26. Mr. Spring : To ask the Attorney-General how many cases have been referred to him in the last 12 months as being unduly lenient sentences.
The Attorney-General : One hundred and sixteen sentences have been considered and I have applied for leave to refer 46 as appearing to me to be unduly lenient.
Crown Prosecution Service
27. Mr. Brandreth : To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to make an official visit to the Crown Prosecution Service in Chester to discuss the work of the office ; and if he will make a statement.
The Solicitor-General : My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General has no plans to visit the Crown Prosecution Service in Chester, but I shall be visiting offices of the Crown Prosecution Service in the north-west area, of which Chester is a part, in the near future.
Guildford and Woolwich Bombings Inquiry
28. Mr. Mullin : To ask the Attorney-General when and in what form he expects to publish Sir John May's inquiry into the Guildford and Woolwich bombings case ; and if he will make a statement.
The Attorney-General : My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary and I expect to publish the report shortly.
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PC Guscott
Sir Richard Body : To ask the Attorney-General what change of policy will be made by the Crown Prosecution Service as a result of the case of PC Guscott at Bridgwater magistrates court.
The Attorney-General : The CPS is aware of the difficulties and dangers which police officers face in their work. This is a factor which is always taken into account in deciding whether the prosecution of a police officer is in the public interest. The public interest however also demands that officers should conduct themselves within the law. These cases are considered with great care according to their individual merits. The DPP does not consider any change of approach to be necessary.
Racial Harassment
Mr. Austin-Walker : To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to review the Crown Prosecution Service guidelines on dealing with cases of racial harassment.
The Attorney-General : The revised edition of the "Code for Crown Prosecutors" makes it clear that a prosecution is likely to be needed if, among other considerations, the offence was motivated by any form of discrimination against the victim's ethnic or national origin.
SCOTLAND
Law Officers
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will name the Lords Advocate and Solicitors-General who have held office since 1964.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The information is as follows :
{TITRE]
--------------------------------------------
Lord Advocate
George Gordon Stott QC |1964
Lord Wilson of Langside QC |1967
Norman Russell Wylie QC MP |1970
Ronald King Murray QC MP |1974
Lord Mackay of Clashfern QC |1979
Lord Cameron of Lochbroom QC |1984
Lord Fraser of Carmyllie QC |1989
Lord Rodger of Earlsferry QC |1992
Solicitor General
James Graham Leechman QC |1964
Henry Stephen Wilson QC |1965
Ewan George Francis Stewart QC |1967
David William Robert Brand QC |1970
William Ian Stewart QC |1972
Lord McCluskey of Churchhill QC |1974
Nicholas Hardwick Fairbairn QC MP |1979
Peter Lovat Fraser QC |1982
Alan Ferguson Rodger QC |1989
Thomas Cordner Dawson QC |1992
Criminal Justice
Mr. Gallie : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the review of the Scottish criminal justice system ; and what conclusions he has reached on proposals for improving the delivery of justice in Scotland.
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Mr. Lang : I have today laid before Parliament and published a White Paper entitled "Firm and Fair" which sets out the Government's proposals for reform of the Scottish criminal justice system. The White Paper is the culmination of a wide-ranging review of the Scottish criminal justice system and criminal legal aid, in which I have sought the views of all those with a genuine interest in the delivery of justice in Scotland. The response to the four consultation papers we issued was very encouraging. We have received a large number of thoughtful comments which have been carefully considered. The White Paper contains the Government's conclusions following that consideration.
The White Paper also reports on our consideration of those recommendations of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice which were of relevance to Scotland and includes proposals on other aspects of the Scottish criminal justice system which were not part of the main review exercise.
The proposals in the White Paper seek to ensure that offenders are quickly identified, brought to account and punished and that all those who come into contact with the criminal justice system, whether as victims, witnesses or jurors, are dealt with fairly and sensitively. The proposals include action to tighten up bail procedures and to deal with people who commit offences while on bail, changes to pre-trial procedures, the operation of the jury system, the powers of the courts and appeals procedures.
On certain issues, I have concluded that there should be no change or that further work is necessary. One of the most controversial issues on which I consulted was the future of the not proven verdict. This provoked a healthy public debate. The clear weight of opinion was, however, in favour of retention and I have decided that the three verdicts, including not proven, should remain.
I also consulted on the need for change in the Appeal Court's consideration of appeals and the handling of alleged miscarriages of justice in Scotland, in the light of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice for a new independent review authority for England and Wales. The response to the consultation was inconclusive and, given the complexity and importance of these related issues, I have decided to appoint an independent committee, which will include a senior member of the judiciary, to consider both these matters in the Scottish context and to report to me. I shall announce the membership and remit of the Committee soon.
The consultation exercise has been productive and worthwhile. I believe that the proposals contained in this White Paper will command widespread support. I also believe that they will significantly improve the delivery of justice in Scotland. Where legislation is required to implement the proposals contained in the White Paper, it will be brought forward at the next available opportunity.
ENVIRONMENT
Appointments
Mr. Straw : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many and what proportion of (a) chairmen, (b) chief executives and (c) board members of (i) urban development corporations and (ii) housing action trusts are women.
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Mr. Gummer : The number and proportion of women in urban development corporations and housing action trusts are as follows :
Number of Proportion of
Women
|Women
|Per cent.|Per cent.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Urban Development Corporations
(a) Chairmen |0 |0
(b) Chief Executives |0 |0
(c) Board Members |22 |18
(ii) Housing Action Trusts
(a) Chairmen |1 |20
(b) Chief Executives |0 |0 |(16<1>)
(c) Board Members |22 |46
<1> The acting chief executive at the shadow Stonebridge housing
action trust is a woman. The parliamentary process to establish
the HAT is currently underway.
Sweetloves Reservoir, Bolton
Mr. Thurnham : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of North West Water plc's actions in respect of the preservation of the amenity values of Sweetloves reservoir, Bolton ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Atkins : I have considered carefully the concerns expressed by my hon. Friend over North West Water's proposed redevelopment of the Sweetloves reservoir, together with the information provided by the company to my Department. While I consider that it would have been better if the company had carried out consultations prior to draining the reservoir and bringing forward its redevelopment proposals, I am satisfied that failure to do so does not of itself constitute a breach of the company's statutory environmental duties under the Water Industry Act 1991. I have however written to North West Water informing it of my serious concerns over its handling of this matter.
Quarries, Doncaster
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy relating to the development of quarries within the area of Doncaster metropolitan borough council.
Mr. Baldry : Policy guidance on the provision to be made for minerals in development plans is given in minerals planning guidance notes 1 and 6. In particular MPG 6 sets out regional apportionments for meeting projected demand for aggregates to 2006. In drawing up policies and proposals in their development plans for meeting the demand for aggregates and other minerals, mineral planning authorities should have regard to the local apportionments for the supply of aggregates and the other guidance in MPG 6.
Labour Statistics
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each of South Yorkshire metropolitan borough councils in rank order their full-time equivalent number of employees per thousand of population.
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Mr. Curry : The information requested is not available centrally. However, figures are available for the total number of employees per thousand of population. These are :
|Staff<1> |Population<2>|Staff per
|(thousands) |thousand
|population
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Barnsley |11,386 |225 |50.6
Doncaster |14,718 |294 |50.1
Rotherham |12,581 |255 |49.3
Sheffield |22,959 |531 |43.2
Sources:
<1> Joint Staffing Watch March 1994.
<2> OPCS mid year estimates of population 1992.
Homelessness
Mr. Gerrard : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority, housing association and voluntary sector hostel bedspaces for single homeless people there were in England on (a) 31 December 1993 and (b) 31 March 1994, or the most recent figures available.
Sir George Young : Information on short-life accommodation managed by housing associations in England, including property owned by a local authority, is published for the year ending 31 March 1993 by the Housing Corporation in table 13.1, page 47 of "Housing Associations in 1993", an analysis of the annual statistical survey, part 1, general report. No information is held centrally on short-life accommodation owned by local authorities and not managed by housing associations. A copy of the report is held in the Library.
Domestic Heating Radiators
Mr. Pike : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department has on accidents arising from surface heat of domestic heating radiators ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Atkins : The Department of the Environment does not keep statistics on this subject. In general, reducing surface heat to a level which is completely safe will also result in living space temperature falling to a level incompatible with comfort.
Mr. Pike : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations cover the surface temperature of domestic heating radiators.
Mr. Atkins : There are no regulations relating specifically to the surface temperature of domestic heating radiators. In sheltered accommodation, such as nursing homes, the relevant local authority has responsibility for setting a maximum surface temperature for radiators.
Noise Pollution
Mr. Nigel Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans she has to increase the powers of local authorities and affected persons to take action against noisy neighbours.
Mr. Atkins : Local authorities and individuals already have a range of powers to tackle neighbour noise nuisance.
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Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities can serve abatement notices to control noise from domestic and other premises which they judge to be a statutory nuisance. These powers have recently been extended by the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 to control certain types of noise in the street, including misfiring vehicle alarms. Contravention of abatement notices can lead to substantial fines.In addition, a number of local authorities have successfully confiscated equipment such as hi-fis and stereos where an abatement notice has been ignored. Individuals can also take their own action in the magistrates' court to have a noise nuisance abated or they can take civil action.
Local Government Finance
Dr. Lynne Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the current distribution of standard spending assessments in reflecting need to spend in (a) deprived local authority areas and (b) Birmingham.
Mr. Curry : The standard spending assessment formulae, which apply to authorities throughout England, contain many indicators related to the additional need to spend in deprived local authority areas. As well as the economic and social indices which reflect general needs, there are indicators such as the proportion of children in lone-parent families or in families receiving income support, homeless households, households living in non-self-contained accommodation and elderly residents with a long-term illness. These indicators have been chosen after detailed statistical analysis of the patterns of local authorities' spending.
Housing
Sir Michael Neubert : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the analysis of English housing fitness contained in the report "English Homes--A National Asset?" presented to him in March ; and what proposals he intends to make in response.
Sir George Young : The analysis of housing fitness contained in the report "English Homes--A National Asset?" is based on the 1991 English house condition survey, published by the Department in September 1993. The recommendations of the report are being considered in the context of the Department's current review of the future of private housing renewal programmes.
Stadium, Stoneham
Mr. Denham : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the report of the public inquiry into the proposed community stadium at Stoneham, Southampton.
Mr. Baldry : It is hoped to announce the decision shortly.
New Forest
Mrs. Maddock : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many responses to the Department of the Environment's consultation paper "The New Forest : The Government's Proposals", published in September
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1992, were received by the Department before the end of 1992 ; and of these responses what proportion supported the Government's proposals that (a) statutory designation should be given to the area broadly related to the heritage area proposed by the New Forest committee and that (b) a planning regime similar to that which applies in the national parks and the Broads should apply to this area.Mr. Atkins : We received 209 responses to our consultation paper on the New Forest before the end of 1992. Sixty per cent. of these responses addressed the issue of a statutory designation for an area related to the New Forest heritage area, of which 84 per cent. supported the proposal for a statutory status which would bring with it a planning regime similar to that which applies in the national parks and the Broads.
Objective 5b Grants
Mr. Morley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what steps his Department is taking to provide advice and support to local authorities in preparing bids for objective 5b grant ; (2) in which part of his Department objective 5b bids are handled.
Mr. Baldry : Applications for funding under objective 5b of the European structural funds will be handled by secretariats located at the appropriate Government office in each region.
Local authorities and other potential applicants to use objective 5b funding may obtain advice and guidance from the appropriate regional office. The European Commission is currently considering proposals for the use of the funds in each of the eligible areas, which have been prepared by the Government offices in consultation with local partnerships including the local authorities. When agreed by the European Commission, these single programming documents will provide the framework within which decisions on project applications will be made, and further guidance will be made available to interested organisations.
City Challenge
Mr. George Howarth : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards voluntary agencies funded through City Challenge which operate unsatisfactory employment practices and procedures.
Mr. Baldry : Decisions as to which agencies and projects City Challenge supports are matters for individual partnerships set up under the initiative and the appropriate local authorities. As far as possible, the partnerships should be satisfied that the agencies operate within the requirements of the law.
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
Durum Wheat, Italy
Mr. Marlow : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the discrepancy between the claimed and the satellite measured areas of durum wheat in Italy.
Mr. Jack : I understand that work on remote sensing commissioned by the European Commission in 1990
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identified some discrepancies between the actual and declared areas of durum wheat in Italy. Appropriate action was taken by the Italian authorities. Remote sensing can make a useful contribution to preventing fraud and the Commission is continuing to encourage its use in appropriate circumstances.Nutrient Intakes
Ms Corston : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the recommended 1991 daily intake, reference nutrient intake and lower reference nutrient intake, for children of different ages ; and what percentage these figures represent of the values recommended in 1979.
Mr. Sackville : I have been asked to reply.
Information concerning the reference nutrient intake--RNI--the estimated average requirement--EAR--and the lower reference nutrient intake--LRNI-- for 33 nutrients were published in the 1991 Report on Health and Social Subjects No. 41 "Dietary Reference Values (DRV) for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom", a copy of which is available in the Library.
It is not possible to establish what percentage the 1991 DRVs represent of the 1979 recommended daily amounts--RDA--because figures are not comparable in the two reports.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Benefits
Mr. Marlow : To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will set out in tabular form the non-contributory benefits and contributory benefits, where the rates of contribution are the same, available to Members of the European Parliament and hon. Members of this House on ceasing their employment, setting out the reasons for any differences ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Newton : A resettlement allowance is payable to Members of the House in accordance with the Resolution of 22 May 1991 at rates that vary between 50 and 100 per cent. of annual salary according to age and length of service. Our intention is that the same terms should be available to Members of the European Parliament. Accordingly, the Home Secretary laid an order on 24 June making certain changes to their scheme in line with improvements already made in the scheme for Members of this House.
Members of this House and Members of the European Parliament pay contributions of 6 per cent. of salary for pensions at retirement, as distinct from cessation of employment. The Home Secretary laid an order on 24 June to make certain changes to the scheme for MEPs to ensure that the benefits are the same for both schemes.
PRIME MINISTER
Broadcasting Act
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Prime Minister if he will set up a Royal Commission to investigate the workings of the Broadcasting Act ; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister : No. However we are keeping the working of the Act under review.
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Beggars
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Prime Minister what instructions are given to security staff at No. 10 Downing street for dealing with beggars in the vicinity ; and how many problems with beggars have been experienced in the last three months.
The Prime Minister : None, in both cases.
British Pension Rights
Mr. Churchill : To ask the Prime Minister how many representations he has received since 1 January 1993 calling for the unfreezing of British state retirement pensions in those countries where British pensioners are denied annual upratings.
The Prime Minister : I have received numerous representations.
Press Releases (Recycled Paper)
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the Government Departments which issue press releases on recycled paper ; and what percentage of press releases from each department are on recycled paper.
Mr. Gummer : I have been asked to reply.
The use of recycled and environmentally friendly paper for the issue of press releases is a matter for individual Departments. However, the Government's policy, as set out in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance", is to use its influence as a major consumer. It discriminates positively in favour of recycled and
environmentally-friendly products and will use recycled or environmentally friendly paper wherever this is available, of adequate quality and represents value-for-money.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Konver Programme
Mr. Burns : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the extension of the Konver programme.
Mr. Sainsbury : The European Commission announced a second Konver initiative for the period 1994-97, to assist the regeneration or areas affected by job losses due to defence changes. It is one of 13 community initiatives to be financed from the European structural funds.
These funds will contribute £380 million to Konver II ; the allocation for the United Kingdom, and Gibraltar, will be known in July. The eligible areas should be determined in September ; they will, as before, include areas other than those designated for objectives 1, 2 and 5 (b) of the funds. A general programme describing the intended application of Konver II in the United Kingdom, and Gibraltar, is due to be prepared by October, and then needs to be agreed by the Commission. It is therefore unlikely that individual applications for grant can be considered before the new year.
Insolvency Service
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade at what stage of preparation are draft contracts for the contracting out of the Insolvency Service's mechanical processing work.
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Mr. Neil Hamilton : No decision has yet been taken on whether to contract out this work. Drafting of any contracts has not, therefore, begun.
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to increase the prosecution rate for inadequate accounting records by the Insolvency Service.
Mr. Neil Hamilton : Stoy Hayward Consulting was invited to bid for the second phase of the work in a single tender action.
United Kingdom Manufacturers (Investment)
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has that United Kingdom manufacturers are investing in increased capacity to increase exports and displace imports ; and if he will publish a list of the industries in which such investment is taking place.
Mr. Sainsbury : Information on the reasons for investment by a sample of United Kingdom manufacturing industry is contained in the CBI "Industrial Trends Survey", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
European Regional Funds
Mr. Morley : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his Department has allocated a budget to make matching grants available to objective 5b bids in line with EU rules.
Mr. Sainsbury : No ; there is no such rule.
Structural funds projects are funded jointly by the Community and the member state. My Department, and others, make public expenditure provision for the forecast value of the Community contributions. The remainder of the cost of each project is the responsibility of the beneficiary of the Community grant.
Electrical Engineers
Mr. Pawsey : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans his Department has to use the Institution of Electrical Engineers INSPEC database and information service.
Mr. Eggar : The DTI information and library services use those sources of information most appropriate to each individual inquiry they receive. The ILS has accessed the INSPEC databases regularly over the last 10 years or so, using a variety of hosts. In addition, the ILS subscribes to a number of IEE publications.
British Coal
Mr. Hardy : To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many employees of British Coal have been removed from their posts on the grounds of conflict of interest where they have been interested in participation in a management buy-out of their colliery ; and if those in senior positions within British Coal are deemed to be affected by the same conflict of interest.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 24 June 1994] : This is a matter for British Coal, which has put in place detailed internal guidelines designed to avoid any potential
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conflicts of interest. These procedures require any manager wishing to participate in a management buy-out to obtain the consent of the chairman of the corporation to do so. I understand that in each case potential conflicts of interest are assessed and appropriate measures put in place.Electricity Order
Mr. John Marshall : To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects amendments to the Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirement for a Licence) Order 1990 to be made ; and if he will make a statement.
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