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Mr. Gwilym Jones : The total cost to nurse education of the introduction in 1991 of Project 2000 is not seperately identifiable. Additional central funding of approximately £24 million was made to health authorities between
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1991-92 and 1993-94. From 1994-95 onwards this additional funding is within the authorities' allocations and is not identified separately.Council Tax
Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for the latest available date for each district council area and for Wales as a whole (a) the number of households whose appeals against council tax bandings had not been resolved, (b) the total number of such appeals made, (c) the total number of households, (d) the proportion of (a) as a percentage of (b) and (e) the proportion of (a) as a percentage of (c) .
Mr. Gwilym Jones : The position on 30 June 1994 was as follows :
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|(a) |(b) |(c) |(d) |(e)
Billing authority |Households with |Total of proposals |Total of households|(a) as percentage |(a) as percentage
|outstanding banding|made |of (b) |of (c)
|proposals
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberconwy |873 |1,227 |24,985 |71.15 |3.49
Alyn and Deeside |737 |1,197 |30,323 |61.57 |2.43
Arfon |728 |998 |24,257 |72.95 |3.00
Blaenau Gwent |306 |679 |32,466 |45.07 |0.94
Brecknock |975 |2,122 |18,402 |45.95 |5.30
Cardiff |2,398 |3,942 |120,783 |60.83 |1.99
Carmarthen |1,544 |2,384 |24,236 |64.77 |6.37
Ceredigion |2,285 |3,837 |30,247 |59.55 |7.55
Colwyn |749 |1,312 |25,487 |57.09 |2.94
Cynon Valley |514 |932 |27,914 |55.15 |1.84
Delyn |628 |1,171 |28,033 |53.63 |2.24
Dinefwr |1,243 |2,025 |17,157 |61.38 |7.24
Dwyfor |571 |792 |14,540 |72.10 |3.93
Glyndwr |746 |1,229 |18,571 |60.70 |4.02
Islwyn |400 |705 |26,846 |56.74 |1.49
Llanelli |637 |1,126 |32,350 |56.57 |1.97
Lliw Valley |578 |968 |26,849 |59.71 |2.15
Meirionnydd |452 |1,040 |17,909 |43.46 |2.52
Merthyr Tydfil |330 |672 |25,037 |49.11 |1.32
Monmouth |1,598 |2,695 |32,300 |59.29 |4.95
Montgomeryshire |685 |1,749 |23,754 |39.17 |2.88
Neath |468 |945 |27,545 |49.52 |1.70
Newport |413 |1,318 |55,602 |31.34 |0.74
Ogwr |1,097 |1,623 |54,757 |67.59 |2.00
Port Talbot |390 |678 |21,193 |57.52 |1.84
Preseli Pembs |1,566 |2,605 |31,020 |60.12 |5.05
Radnorshire |650 |1,177 |11,153 |55.23 |5.83
Rhondda |230 |691 |33,177 |33.29 |0.69
Rhuddlan |467 |817 |24,475 |57.16 |1.91
Rhymney Valley |514 |979 |41,449 |52.50 |1.24
South Pembs |859 |1,635 |19,876 |52.54 |4.32
Swansea |1,874 |3,454 |78,460 |54.26 |2.39
Taff-Ely |715 |1,334 |39,178 |53.60 |1.83
Torfaen |466 |911 |37,997 |51.15 |1.23
Vale of Glamorgan |1,314 |1,912 |47,202 |68.72 |2.78
Wrexham Maelor |974 |1,913 |48,020 |50.91 |2.03
Ynys Mon |1,069 |1,787 |31,378 |59.82 |3.41
|------- |------- |------- |------- |-------
Totals |32,043 |56,581 |1,224,928 |56.63 |2.62
School Meals
Mr. Byers : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for each year since 1987, what was the percentage of school pupils entitled to free school meals.
Sir Wyn Roberts : The percentage of school pupils entitled to free school meals in Wales is shown in the following table. Data are not available prior to 1988-89.
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As at September each year Year |Per cent. ------------------------------ 1988-89 |18.5 1989-90 |17.8 1990-91 |18.4 1991-92 |20.8 1992-93 |22.8
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Welsh Health Staff College
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he has made on the setting up of and resourcing of the Welsh Health Staff College ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Redwood : The matter is still under consideration.
Welsh Development Agency
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date he expects the publication of the accounts for 1993-94 of the Welsh Development Agency ; what special measures he proposes to make in the published accounts in relation to the independent legal advice received in relation to the ultra vires issue concerning Welsh Development Agency grant schemes ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Redwood : The accounts will be published today and will include a statement on legal powers and expenditure in relation to certain grants and loans.
Dentists
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 1 July, Official Report , column 771 , regarding registered dentists, if he will make it his policy to collect information on what proportion of registered dentists offer a full national health service dental service.
Mr. Gwilym Jones : All dentists who are on the dental lists of family health services authorities are obliged, by their terms of service, to provide the full range of national health service treatment for patients registered with them under national health service arrangements.
General dental practitioners are independent contractors and are free to decide how much of their time to devote to national health service work. The situation may vary from week to week. It would not be cost-effective to collect information centrally in the format suggested. Family health authorities have responsibility for managing general dental services in their area and are best placed to advise on the provision of national health service dental services locally.
Hospitals (Information Systems)
Mrs. Fyfe : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the pilot scheme for information systems at Glan Clwyd hospital ; and what is the number of hospitals not implementing hospital information support systems, and the cost thereof.
Mr. Gwilym Jones : An evaluation will be completed this year and a summary of a report published in July 1993 was widely circulated throughout the NHS. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Glan Clwyd has the most developed system but all major hospitals have made significant investment and information on costs is therefore not available in the form requested.
Roads
Mr. Richards : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his plans for a successor document to "Roads in Wales : Progress and Plans for the 1990s", published in 1989.
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Mr. Redwood : I have today published "Roads in Wales : 1994 Review". This sets out details of progress in improving the trunk road network since 1989 ; and establishes clear and identifiable priorities and plans for future improvements to the trunk road network. I have arranged for a copy of the report to be sent to all Welsh Members of Parliament, and for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.
Welsh Water Authority
Mr. Richards : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he is now able to dissolve the residuary Welsh Water Authority.
Mr. Gwilym Jones : My right hon. Friend has today dissolved by order the residuary Welsh Water Authority.
Further Education
Mr. Richards : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what conditions are attached to the disposal of Exchequer-funded land and buildings by institutions in the further and higher education sector.
Sir Wyn Richards : The conditions allow further and higher education institutions in Wales to retain the proceeds of sale of Exchequer-funded land and buildings, within specified limits agreed by the Secretary of State. These conditions are set out in the financial memoranda between the Welsh Office and the Welsh funding councils, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.
Cardiff Bay Barrage
Mr. Richards : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements have been made to ensure that there is sufficient flow of water for fish to pass during and after the construction of the Cardiff Bay barrage.
Mr. Gwilym Jones : Suitable measures have been agreed by the National Rivers Authority. I have arranged for details to be placed in the Library of the House and the Cardiff Bay development corporation has agreed to have copies of the information available on request.
CHURCH COMMISSIONERS
Horbury Convent, Wakefield
Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners if he will investigate the circumstances of the recent sale of the former Horbury convent, Wakefield ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Alison : The commissioners have no status in this matter. They did not own the former Horbury convent, Wakefield, nor did they have any involvement with its sale.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Bellamy's Restaurant
Mrs. Roche : To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee (1) if he will conduct a survey among hon. Members and their staff and officers and staff of the House to discover their views on the new arrangement for Bellamy's restaurant ;
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(2) how many representations he has received regarding the change of usage of parts of Bellamy's cafeteria ; from whom these representations were received ; and how many were in favour of the change.Mr. Colin Shepherd : The changes to Bellamy's were undertaken following vigorous representations from hon. Members. I have received numerous representations regarding the change of use. I understand that the Director of Catering Services intends to take account of these representations when she reviews the operation of Bellamy's clubroom after Christmas. The Catering Committee has asked to be kept informed of the results of that review and will consider appropriate consultations at that time.
Mrs. Roche : To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee (1) who was consulted by the Catering Committee before the decision was taken to restrict access to Bellamy's cafeteria in 1 Parliament street ; (2) if he will make a statement to explain the criteria used to restrict usage of Bellamy's cafeteria.
Mr. Colin Shepherd : The rules of access to Bellamy's cafeteria have been changed twice, on both occasions because of overcrowding. In endorsing the decisions of the Director of Catering Services, the Catering Committee sought to ensure that the necessary consultation had taken place. The main criterion of the Refreshment Department, and of the Catering Committee, is to ensure that users requiring main meals are served without undue delay and in reasonable comfort.
Cardiff-Wales Airport
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has to meet freight forwarders at Cardiff-Wales airport to discuss future clearance arrangements for freight containers ;
(2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that a day-night, seven-days-a- week service for deliveries from the freight transit terminal is provided at Cardiff-Wales airport ;
(3) if he will make it his policy to seek the opinions of (a) inward investing firms and (b) the Confederation of British Industry in Wales concerning proposed changes to container and other freight clearance arrangements at Cardiff-Wales airport ; (4) if he will make a statement on the use of Cardiff-Wales airport as an approved clearance point for sea freight containers ; (5) what recent assessment has been made by his Department of the impact of the proposed changes to freight clearance arrangements at Cardiff-Wales airport upon (a) future throughput of freight, (b) levels of inward investment into Wales in future and (c) freight-forwarding agents based at the airport.
Mr. Kenneth Clarke : I have been asked to reply.
There are no plans for Ministers to meet freight forwarders at Cardiff- Wales airport. The head of the customs executive unit at Cardiff is responsible for approving freight clearance arrangements. It is customs policy to consult fully with trade interests. Customs place no restrictions on the times of delivery of cleared cargo. This is a matter for the approved transit shed operator at Cardiff-Wales airport.
Approval for clearance of freight is a matter for customs in consultation with commercial interests. Since 1 July
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1993, clearance of seafreight removed to Cardiff-Wales airport has ceased as examination facilities there are unsuitable for standard shipping containers.Nationally, customs are consulting trade interests through a joint consultative committee and trade associations on proposals for change to arrangements for freight clearance. No decisions have been taken in respect of Cardiff-Wales airport.
Veal
Mr. Morley : To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what was the country of origin and method of production of the veal served in House canteens in the week of 11 to 15 July.
Mr. Colin Shepherd : All veal used by the Refreshment Department is of British origin and is purchased only from suppliers who use the quantock method of rearing veal calves.
Banqueting Rooms
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what new proposals he has to publish details of the organisations that use the banqueting rooms in the Palace of Westminster in the names of hon. Members.
Upper Waiting Hall (Exhibitions)
Mr. Murphy : To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for the exhibition relating to "BTEC--A Decade of Achievement", to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
Mr. Michael J. Martin : I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 7 November to Friday 11 November.
Mr. Jamieson : To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to natural gas vehicles to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
Mr. Michael J. Martin : I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 5 December to Friday 9 December.
NATIONAL HERITAGE
Special Advisers
Mr. Milburn : To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) how many special advisers who left his Department in each of the last five years became (a) management consultants and (b) joined a firm of consultants ;
(2) if he will publish the names of the employers joined by special advisers who left his Department in each of the last five years.
Mr. Sproat : There is no requirement for special advisers to provide details of their employers after leaving Government service.
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Mr. Milburn : To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many special advisers have (a) joined and (b) left his Department in each of the last five years.
Mr. Sproat : Secretaries of State for National Heritage have appointed three special advisers since the formation of the Department. The appointment of one of these is current.
Museums and Galleries Commission
Sir Michael Neubert : To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the Museums and Galleries Commission's administration of its role in the acceptance in lieu scheme ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Sproat : Yes. There are several stages involved in considering offers of pre-eminent works of art and other heritage items, and I am satisfied that the Museums and Galleries Commission handles these effectively in dealing with individual offers. It is helpful that the Museums and Galleries Commission has asked a number of key figures in the art world to form an advisory panel. This panel's expertise in identifying those best qualified to comment on pre-eminence and valuation, and subsequently in assessing this advice, is proving effective. I am satisfied that these new procedures contribute positively to the operation of the scheme.
TRANSPORT
Motorway Use
Mr. Butcher : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has as to the effect on traffic bunching on motorways of the use of the middle and outside lanes as cruising lanes rather than as overtaking lanes.
Mr. Key : Poor lane discipline on motorways causes delay and reduces vehicle throughput, particularly at high traffic flows.
Seat Belts
Ms Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects to publish the report into seat belt safety in respect of mini buses and coaches ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Key : I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) on 19 July, Official Report , columns 81-82.
Disabled People
Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role will be played by his Department in any forthcoming consultation on disability ; and what plans he has to publish a consultation paper on countering unfair discrimination against disabled people in transport provision.
Mr. Freeman : My right hon. Friend, the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People announced the
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publication of a consultation document on 15 July. The Department of Transport contributed to its preparation. I welcome the publication of this document and would encourage everyone interested in these issues, especially disabled people themselves, to respond with their views.Mr Pike : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with (a) manufacturers and suppliers and (b) representatives of the disabled regarding the design of taxi cabs in relation to access and safety for the disabled ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Freeman : The Department has worked closely with manufacturers and suppliers of vehicles and equipment in the taxi industry and with representatives of people with disabilities over the past decade to develop features and facilities that will meet the needs of the wide range of elderly and disabled people who have mobility problems.
Driving Tests
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that driving tests should not be held during the hours of darkness in any part of the United Kingdom ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Key : Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Driving Standards Agency under its chief executive, Dr. Ford, and I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. The agency's deputy chief executive, Mr. Lobo, will answer in Dr. Ford's absence on leave.
Letter from G. A. Lobo to Mr. Brian Wilson, dated 18 July 1994. The Secretary of State has asked the Chief Executive to reply to the question you have raised about holding driving tests during the hours of darkness. I am replying since Dr. Ford is on annual leave. The Driving Standards Agency is considering whether it would be sensible to conduct fewer driving tests per day during the winter, when the daylight hours are shorter, subject to extra tests being added to the summer programme. This could have the advantage of switching staff resources to be more in line with the seasonal pattern of demand.
Motorway Accidents
Mr. Pike : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department has regarding the percentage of drivers involved in accidents on motorways who have passed their driving test (i) less than three months previously, (ii) less than six months previously and (iii) less than 12 months previously.
Mr. Key : A recently completed research study of 29,500 learner and novice drivers revealed that, of the 7,079 drivers who answered questions on their accident experience 14--0.2 per cent. had had an accident on a motorway in the first three months ; 23--0.32--in the first six months and 40--0.57 per cent. in the first year of driving. The accidents mainly involved damage to vehicles ; only three were reported to have involved injury.
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Traffic Speeds
Mr. Day : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce national and local targets to be achieved for reducing speeds driven for traffic on different types of road, including urban roads.
Mr. Key : Our target is to reduce road casualties. Reducing vehicle speeds can make a major contribution to this and is a key element in our road safety strategy. However, it is only one of many road safety measures and the speed distribution on different roads varies so widely that there would be little benefit in establishing secondary targets for reducing speeds.
Consultants
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what part Sir Christopher Foster played in the Coopers and Lybrand bid for the consultancy contracts to establish a charging regime for track users during the time he acted as his special adviser.
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 25 November, Official Report, column 102, what assessment he has now made of whether Sir Christopher Foster avoided any conflict of interest during his role as his special adviser.
Mr. Freeman : My right hon. Friend is satisfied that there was no conflict of interest.
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether Sir Christopher Foster's advice to him on rail privatisation included advice on the track access charging regime during the period that Coopers and Lybrand was bidding for or undertaking consultancy contracts on the charging regime.
Mr. Freeman : Sir Christopher Foster provided advice on railway restructuring and privatisation generally. He played no part directly or indirectly in the letting or management of any consultancy contracts.
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the achievements of Sir Christopher Foster as his special adviser on rail privatisation.
Mr. Freeman : Sir Christopher fulfilled his remit to provide my right hon. Friend with expert advice on rail privatisation matters.
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the final sum paid to Coopers and Lybrand in connection with its work on advising about a track access charging system.
Mr. Freeman : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 14 July, Official Report, columns 724-27.
Railtrack
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the powers under which salary and expenses are paid to members of the Railtrack board ; and if he will place a copy in the Library.
Mr. Freeman : Remuneration and expenses are paid to members of the Railtrack board as company directors in
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accordance with articles 87 and 88 of the articles of association of Railtrack Group plc. Remuneration is determined by the company by shareholders' decisions in accordance with article 87 and, as the company is wholly owned by the Government, such decisions are given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Transport. I am arranging for a copy of these articles to be placed in the Library.Transport Research Laboratory
Mr. Donohoe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safeguards he will be implementing to ensure the long-term research functions of the Transport Research Laboratory when it is privatised.
Mr. Key : The privatisation of the Transport Research Laboratory will have full regard to the need to satisfy the Government's continuing requirement for research, whether long-term or otherwise.
Mr. Donohoe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what stage his Department has reached in privatising the Transport Research Laboratory ; and when he expects this process to be completed.
Mr. Key : My Department has recently appointed Price Waterhouse as financial advisers on the privatisation of the Transport Research Laboratory, which we hope can be achieved during 1995-96. We expect to appoint legal advisers shortly to assist with the sale of TRL.
Mr. Donohoe : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contacts his Department has had with possible bidders for the Transport Research Laboratory.
Mr. Key : Various bodies have approached the Department in confidence to express an interest in bidding for the Transport Research Laboratory.
European Passenger Services
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it a condition of the transfer of European Passenger Services to the private sector that the channel tunnel link will be built.
Mr. Freeman : It will be a condition of the development agreement with the consortium selected to construct the Link that EPS will be returned to Government ownership if the link is not completed.
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who will be responsible for the outstanding debt on trains built for European Passenger Services after they have been transferred to private ownership.
Mr. Freeman : It is intended to transfer European Passenger services to the private sector free of debt as part of the Government's contribution to the project to construct the new channel tunnel rail link. Any liabilities that arise after privatisation and particularly payments on trains that have been leased will be the responsibility of the new owner.
Mr. Wilson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the means by which the Exchequer's interest in connection with the proposed privatisation of European Passenger Services can be safeguarded ; and if he will make a statement.
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Mr. Freeman : The Government intend to transfer European Passenger Services to the winner of the competition to select the consortium to construct the new channel tunnel rail link and expect to receive full value for the company in the bids of those tendering for the project.
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