Previous Section Home Page

Mr. Charles Wardle: The capacity of each of National Power's and PowerGen's coal-fired stations at privatisation is set out on pages 96 and 168 of the prospectus, published on 22 February 1991, setting out the Government's offer for sale of National Power and PowerGen shares. I am arranging for a copy of the prospectus to be made available in the Library of the House.

Taiwan

Mr. Spellar: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what efforts his Department is making to improve Britain's trade with Taiwan.

Mr. Ian Taylor: My Department attaches importance to commercial links between the United Kingdom and Taiwan. The Taiwanese market is now treated in the same way as our other target markets. Taiwan has a dedicated market team in my Department supported by export promoters seconded from industry. Their work is being supported by additional resources allocated to the British trade and cultural office in Taipei.


Column 656

Official Hospitality

Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total amount spent on official hospitality by (a) his Department and (b) his agencies for each year since 1990.

Mr. Ian Taylor: The information requested is set out in the table.


                       Financial Year                         

Area                  |1990-91|1991-92|1992-93|1993-94        

--------------------------------------------------------------

1. DTI                                                        

(excluding net                                                

controlled agencies                                           

 & trading funds)                                             

see note i)           |268,416|399,720|407,965|519,037        

                                                              

2. DTI agencies                                               

Accounts                                                      

Services Agency       |300    |300    |300    |300            

Companies House                                               

(see note ii)         |n/a    |5,600  |11,187 |11,542         

Laboratory of the                                             

Government Chemist    |10.625 |17,685 |19,519 |27,122         

National Engineering                                          

Laboratory            |49,000 |36,000 |20,000 |10,000         

National Physical                                             

Laboratory            |35,300 |45,881 |48,408 |70,221         

Patent Office         |4,000  |8,000  |13,000 |18,000         

Radiocommunications                                           

Agency                |23,900 |21,993 |27,592 |33,575         

                      |-------|-------|-------|-------        

Total Agencies        |123,125|135,459|140,006|170,760        

                      |-------|-------|-------|-------        

Total DTI             |391,541|535,179|547,971|689,797        

Notes                                                         

i) - Relevant expenditure for the Insolvency Service and      

National Weights & Measures Laboratory is included in 1       

above. They are controlled gross against the DTI's main voted 

provision.                                                    

ii) - Figures are not readily available for the six month     

period prior to attaining trading fund status in October      

1991.                                                         

Company Returns

Mr. Morgan: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answers of 20 October, Official Report, column 287, on how many occasions staff of the Registrar of Companies have notified his office in relation to companies in default on their annual returns during the past 12 months or other statistically convenient period.

Mr. Heseltine [holding answer 25 October 1994]: Records are not kept in a way which permits a definite answer, but four such cases have been identified since 1 January 1994 involving defaults on annual accounts, annual returns, or a combination of both.

Defence Exports

Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of Export Credits Guarantee Department


Column 657

credits related to defence exports in 1993 94; and what was their value.

Mr. Ian Taylor [holding answer 24 October 1994]: The ECGD supported guarantees worth £1.96 billion in 1993 94 in respect of defence contracts. This amounted to 48 per cent. of the ECGD's support for capital goods and projects in 1993 94.

Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the total Export Credits Guarantee Department credit budget was used in relation to defence contracts for (a) Bangladesh, (b) Ecuador, (c) India, (d) Indonesia, (e) Jordan, (f) Malaysia, (g) Nigeria, (h) Oman , (i) Pakistan and (j) Thailand in 1993 94; and what was (i) the value for each year and (ii) the subject matter of the contracts.

Mr. Ian Taylor [holding answer 24 October 1994]: The percentage of the ECGD's total support for capital goods and projects in 1993 94 which related to contracts in respect of defence equipment in the named markets and the respective values were as follows:


                |Percentage     |Value £ million                

----------------------------------------------------------------

Bangladesh      |-              |-                              

Ecuador         |-              |-                              

India           |-              |-                              

Indonesia       |0.15           |6.2                            

Jordan          |-              |-                              

Malaysia        |0.46           |18.7                           

Nigeria         |-              |-                              

Oman            |8.42           |343.9                          

Pakistan        |-              |-                              

Thailand        |-              |-                              

The subject matter of individual contracts is confidential to the contracting parties.

Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the total Export Credits Guarantee Department credit budget was used in relation to defence contracts for Saudi Arabia in each year since 1980; and what was (a) the value for each year and (b) the subject matter of the contracts.

Mr. Ian Taylor [holding answer 24 October 1994]: The percentage of total ECGD support for capital goods and projects since 1980 which related to defence contracts in Saudi Arabia and the related values were as follows:


                |Percentage     |Value £ Million                

----------------------------------------------------------------

1982-83         |0.28           |23.85                          

1985-86         |0.39           |5.97                           

1988-89         |21.77          |450.00                         

1992-93         |5.92           |225.00                         

1993-94         |18.36          |750.00                         

In all other years the percentage and value were zero.          

The subject matter of individual contracts is confidential to the contracting parties.

Official Receiver

Mr. Fatchett: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what legal advice he has received on the contracting out of the official receiver's work, in respect of the Insolvency Service's investigative functions; and if he will make a statement;


Column 658

(2) what legal advice he has received on the contracting out of the official receiver's work in respect of Insolvency Service practitioners and the rights of assistance; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Heseltine [holding answer 24 October 1994]: Any contracting out of functions of official receivers would be dependent on the passage of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill and on the procedures set out in it including consultation with official receivers as statutory office holders and obtaining an affirmative order of both Houses.

Mr. Fatchett: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cases were referred by Insolvency Service practitioners to the official receiver for investigation in each of the last three financial years.

Mr. Heseltine [holding answer 24 October 1994]: The number of cases so referred to official receivers in the last three financial years were: 1992 93: -- 1993 94: 36 1994 95: 42 (to date)

Mr. Fatchett: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for consultation with the users of the Insolvency Service about the future of the service, following the Stoy Hayward report.

Mr. Heseltine [holding answer 24 October 1994]: The Insolvency Service has commissioned a survey of its users which it expects to complete by the end of 1994.

WALES

A465

Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the transport directorate of the European Commission concerning the proposed addition of the A465 to the Trans- European road network.

Mr. Redwood: I have asked officials to pursue this. Revised proposals from the Commission show the A465 on the trans-European road network.

A55

Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the consultants' study into the ecological and environmental enhancement of the A55 will be completed.

Mr. Redwood: The consultants, final report on the A55 ecological and environmental study is due to be submitted to the Welsh Office at the end of January 1995.

Health Service Pay

Mr. Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give figures based on current performance for the number of health service staff he expects will see earnings (a) fall and (b) rise as a result of the introduction of relating pay to performances.

Mr. Richards: The proposals made to staff sides and the professions who represent groups covered by NHS review bodies and included in the pay offer to staff sides of non-review body groups would strengthen the links between rewards and performance of their local


Column 659

organisation. Such schemes would be locally determined and depend on the achievement of local objectives for the delivery of high quality services. I would expect average pay to continue to rise.

A470

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the statutory requirements in connection with the improvement of the A470 Dolwyddel to Blaenau Ffestiniog road will be complete; when it is expected that works will commence; if the work will be in stages; how long the whole project will take; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gwilym Jones: The programming of the major schemes for the improvement of the A470 in the Lledr valley between Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog is set out in "Roads in Wales 1994 Review". The first of these schemes, that for the section between Cancoed to Minffordd, has recently been the subject of a local public inquiry. Depending on the outcome of that inquiry, work is expected to start on the scheme in 1995, subject to the availability of finance, and will take approximately 18 months.

Housing Grants

Mr. Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to allow Housing for Wales equivalent power to implement a scheme of GRO--grants for rent and ownership--grants for individual housing projects as currently operated and administered by Scottish Homes.

Mr. Gwilym Jones: There are at present no plans to introduce GRO grants in Wales. I continue to keep under review the Scottish experience in this field.

Public Opinion Surveys

Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list each public opinion survey commissioned by (a) his Department and (b) his agencies since 1 October 1992, showing for each, the subject, objectives, total cost, the period in which it was conducted and the organisation from which it was commissioned.

Mr. Redwood: The information requested is as follows. In addition to the items listed, the Welsh Office consults interested groups and individuals from time to time on a wide range of issues. Executive NDPBs in Wales have not been included in the data provided. The total cost of these surveys was approximately £56,000. The cost of individual contracts is confidential.

Welsh Office--

1. Research into bus-back advertising

To establish the effectiveness of bus-back advertising, both in general and in response to Drink-Drive advertising campaign. Date: February March 1994.

Conducted by: Beaufort Research Ltd, Cardiff.

2. Energy Efficiency Promotion in Wales

To evaluate the effectiveness of energy efficiency promotions in Wales during 1991 92.

Date: January November 1993.

Conducted by: William Battle and Associates, Swansea.

3. Revised Patient's Charter in Wales

To test public awareness of the Patient's Charter, and to elicit views on which standards should be included in a revised Charter. Date: February 1993.

Conducted by: Durdle Davies Business Research.


Column 660

Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments Executive Agency--

1. Visitor Survey of 10 Monuments in State Care

To provide information on visitor origins, characteristics and economic status; and to assess levels of satisfaction.

Date: 1991 94.

Conducted by: Beaufort research.

2. Visitor Survey at 10 Monuments in State Care

To provide up to date visitor profiles; to establish awareness of CADW; to monitor satisfaction levels.

Date: 1994.

Conducted by: Hall, Harrison and Cowley.

Wildlife and Countryside Act

Mr. Bennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of appeals under paragraph 4 of schedule 14 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 determined in 1992 and 1993 for which the time taken from receipt of the appeal by his Department to its determination was (a) not more than six months, (b) more than six months but not more than 12 months, (c) more than 12 months but not more than 18 months, (d) more than 18 months but not more than 24 months or (e) more than 24 months.

Mr. Gwilym Jones: Eleven appeals have been determined during the period. Details are as follows:

More than six months but not more than 12 months 2.

More than 12 months but not more than 18 months 6.

More than 18 months but not more than 24 months 3.

Training and Enterprise Councils

Mr. Ron Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the budget agreed with each TEC in Wales for every financial year since its inception; broken down by programme area.

Mr. Redwood: I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

Ms Short: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many employers in each TEC area in Wales have been given the investors in people award; how many have made a commitment to meeting the standard; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Richards: The number of businesses in each Welsh TEC area making commitments to investors in people and those which have already received the award is as follows:


                  |Commitments|Awards                 

------------------------------------------------------

Gwent             |48         |10                     

Mid Glamorgan     |63         |18                     

North East Wales  |25         |5                      

North West Wales  |33         |6                      

South Glamorgan   |47         |10                     

West Wales        |85         |17                     

Powys             |13         |3                      

                  |-------    |-------                

Wales             |314        |69                     

The Welsh Office is committed to improving the competitiveness of businesses in Wales. Training and development plays a key part in this process by ensuring the availability of the skills and expertise necessary to achieve business objectives. Investors in people aims to encourage and recognise effective training. The Welsh Office promotes the commitment to, and achievement of,


Column 661

the IIP award through the seven Welsh training and enterprise councils.

Tir Cymen Pilot Schemes

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many applicants were successful under the Tir Cymen pilot schemes in Wales in 1993 94; and how many were unsuccessful;

(2) how many entrants into the Tir Cymen pilot schemes there were in 1992 93; and how many applied unsuccessfully;

(3) what was the budget allocated for the Tir Cymen pilot schemes in 1992 93 and 1993 94; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gwilym Jones: The information is as follows:

Tir Cymen Entrants

1992 93 201 (Unsuccessful--11)

1993 94 187 (Unsuccessful--14)

Budget (Grant in Aid)

1992 93 £0.5 million

1993 94 £2.1 million.

Juvenile Drug Prevention

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what budget was allocated by the Welsh Office for juvenile drug prevention education in 1992 93;

(2) what is the budget allocated by the Welsh Office for juvenile drug use education in the current year.

Mr. Richards: Drug prevention work is undertaken by a number of agencies from both the statutory and voluntary sectors, which receive funds from various sources. In 1992 93 the Welsh Office made available some £200,000 to help fund activities concerned with the prevention of drug misuse. The budget for 1994 95 is over £350,000. Funding is also available to local education authorities for health education, including drugs, under the grants for education support and training programme.

Long-stay

Ms Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people with learning disabilities are resident in long-stay hospitals; and if he will list the long-stay learning disability hospitals still operating.

Mr. Richards: In June 1994 information from district health authorities indicated that around 750 persons with learning disabilities were resident in long-stay hospitals in Wales. The long-stay learning disability hospitals in Wales are listed as follows:


                                                           

-----------------------------------------------------------

Bryn-y-Neuadd            |Gwynedd                          

Brynhyfryd               |Powys                            

Llys Maldwyn             |Powys                            

Bronllys                 |Powys                            

Pater Close              |Dyfed                            

Llys Myddfai             |Dyfed                            

Llanfrechfa Grange       |Gwent                            

Ely                      |South Glamorgan                  

Hensol                   |Mid Glamorgan                    

Ystrad Mynach Bungalows  |Mid Glamorgan                    

Gorseinon Bungalows      |West Glamorgan                   

Juvenile Drug Prevention                                   

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives the Welsh Office is pursuing to combat juvenile drug abuse in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Richards: The Welsh Office was fully involved with the organisation and funding of European drug prevention week in Wales. The initiative, which lasted from 15 to 22 October, targeted young people. A variety of local events and a national sixth form conference were supported by the Welsh Office.

During the week my right hon. Friend announced the setting up of a new unit to tackle drug and alcohol misuse. The development of effective prevention programmes aimed at young people will be one of the main tasks of the unit.

Playing Fields

Mr. Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of school playing fields by local education authority for (a) 1979, (b) 1983, (c) 1987, (d) 1992 and (e) the latest available date.

Mr. Richards: The information requested is not collected centrally.

PE Teachers

Mr. Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many physical education teachers were employed by local education authorities in each year since 1979.

Mr. Richards: The information requested is available for 1984 and 1989 only. In 1984, 2,400 secondary school teachers in Wales were qualified in physical education. The corresponding figure in 1989 was 1,900.

Sheep Scab

Mr. Ron Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to control the number of sheep scab cases in Wales; and what plans he now has to make sheep scab a fully notifiable disease.

Mr. Redwood: Sheep scab is a disease which can be controlled by individual farmers, who are aware of the preventive measures and procedures needed to deal with it. The Government have no plans to re-introduce sheep scab controls.

We are aware of the concerns within the industry about the number of sheep affected by scab. A comprehensive publicity campaign is being carried out this autumn aimed at all sheep farmers, encouraging treatment where scab is suspected. It will help owners recognise the disease and emphasise to farmers their welfare responsibilities. We are also stepping up our efforts to ensure that unfit animals are not presented for sale by increasing the official veterinary presence at markets. Animals suffering from scab will be removed from sale at markets and owners will face the possibility of prosecution.

Public Appointments

Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department organises receptions for those expressing an interest in public appointments for the first


Column 663

time; how often they are held; what is the annual cost; and how many people attend.

Mr. Redwood: No.

Departmental Documents

Mr. Ron Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library copies of all documents, letters, or accounts he has signed which are written in a language he does not understand.

Mr. Redwood: I know of none which I have personally signed.

Ministerial Travel

Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions in the past year the spouse of a Minister in his Department has travelled abroad at public expense to accompany a Minister on public duties, and what has been the total cost to public funds; and on how many occasions such travel has been undertaken at own cost.

Mr. Redwood: None. There have been no official overseas visits by any wife of a Minister in the Welsh Office, either at public expense or her own expense.


Next Section

  Home Page