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Ms Harman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what positions in (i) his Department and (ii) all executive agencies for which his Department is responsible are filled by employees who are employed on temporary contracts of (a) 51 weeks' or (b) less than 51 weeks' duration.
Mr. Nelson [holding answer 15 March 1995]: The information for Her Majesty's Treasury, the Central Statistical Office, the Royal Mint and the Department for National Savings is as follows:
51 weeks: |Position
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HM Treasury |Administrative assistant
|Administrative officer
|Support grade band B
|Student
|Trainee librarian
Central Statistical Office |Administrative assistant
|Administrative officer
|Executive officer
Department for National |Administrative assistant
Savings |Reprographic officer
|Graphic officer
|Senior assistant statistician
|Design studio manager
Less than 51 weeks: |Position
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
HM Treasury |Administrative assistant
|Administrative officer
|Support grade band B
|Student
Central Statistical Office |Administrative assistant
|Administrative officer
|Executive officer
|Assistant statistician
Royal Mint |Administrative assistant
|Administrative officer
|Industrial posts
Department for National |Administrative assistant
Savings |Support grade band II
|Typist
DEFENCE
Northern Ireland
Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the tasking of the two battalions being withdrawn from Northern Ireland. [15356]
Mr. Soames: My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced on 14 March 1995 that 5 Regiment Royal Artillery would be relocated from Drumadd barracks, Armagh, to Catterick. Their role remains the provision of support to the Royal Ulster Constabulary when required, and they will continue to train in this role and to be prepared to move back to the Province at short notice. This relocation has been made possible because of the reduced level of day-to- day support now required by the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and will allow the regiment to rejoin their families and to maintain their artillery skills without detriment to their continuing Northern Ireland role.
Tornado Aircraft
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft have crashed while on exercise over (a) the land area of the United Kingdom and (b) the sea. [15329]
Mr. Soames: Since the aircraft entered service in 1981, 17 Tornado aircraft have crashed over the land area of the United Kingdom and 10 have crashed at sea in UK waters while engaged in training sorties.
Corrective Training Centre
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) male and (b) female service personnel of those detained in the military corrective training centre in Colchester have been (i) retained in service and (ii) dismissed or discharged from service upon completion of sentence in each of the last 10 years; [16074] (2) how many (a) male and (b) female service personnel have been detained in the military corrective training centre in Colchester in each of the last 10 years. [16073]
Mr. Soames: The information requested is as follows:
Retained in Dismissed
service from service
|Male |Female|Male |Female
-------------------------------------------
1984 |447 |- |388 |-
1985 |415 |- |457 |-
1986 |555 |- |314 |-
1987 |738 |- |288 |-
1988 |848 |- |293 |4
1989 |713 |- |471 |2
1990 |582 |4 |384 |7
1991 |514 |33 |366 |9
1992 |605 |43 |395 |8
1993 |575 |71 |426 |7
1994<1> |355 |23 |349 |4
<1> Figures for 1994 are not yet complete.
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the proposals currently under consideration by his Department for the contractorisation of the military corrective training centre in Colchester. [16071]
Mr. Soames: A feasibility study into all aspects of the military corrective training centre functions has been completed and we are considering the recommendations. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on management consultancy fees in relation to the preparation and development of proposals for the contractorisation of the military corrective training centre in Colchester. [16072]
Mr. Soames: Approximately £63,000.
Long Marston Army Camp
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent construction and repair work has been done to Long Marston army camp; and what was the cost. [16076]
Mr. Soames: Since 1 April last year, the construction of a tactical fuel handling facility has been completed and work has commenced on repairs to the water ring main system. Property management work, including repairs to boundary roads, concrete hardstandings and underground cabling has also been undertaken. The total cost of this work has been some £1.2 million.
Nerve Agents
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of nerve agents his Department possesses; and if he will make a statement. [16080]
Mr. Soames: This matter is for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, CBDE to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Graham Pearson to Dr. David Clark, dated 24 March 1995:
1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what stocks of nerve agents his Department possesses and if he will make a statement, has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.
2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to ensure that the UK Armed Forces have effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. In order to carry out this work, it is necessary to have available small quantities of materials which may be used as chemical or biological warfare agents by a potential aggressor.
3. Consequently, small quantities of nerve agent are held at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment in order to enable us to carry out our work to ensure that the protective measures for the UK Armed Forces are effective. It would not be in the national interest to disclose the precise quantities held; however, the UK holdings of nerve agents are within the aggregate amount of Schedule 1 chemical that will be permitted to be held for protective purposes under the terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if his Department is in possession of the nerve agent sarin; and if he will make a statement; [16079]
(2) if his Department has undertaken research into the effects of the nerve agent sarin. [16081]
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Mr. Soames: These matters are for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, CBDE to write to the hon. Member. Letter from Graham Pearson to Dr. David Clark, dated 24 March 1995:
1. Your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking if his Department has undertaken research into the effects of the nerve agent Sarin, if his Department is in possession of the nerve agent Sarin; and if he will make a statement, has been passed to me to answer has Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.
2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to ensure that the UK Armed Forces have effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. As part of this work, the potential hazard of possible chemical and biological warfare agents is assessed and the effectiveness of British protective measures evaluated.
3. Research on the nerve agent Sarin (GB) at CBDE Porton Down, has addressed all aspects concerned with the provision of effective protective measures against the threat that Sarin might be used by an aggressor against the UK Armed Forces. This has included hazard assessment, detection and identification, physical protection, contamination monitoring and management and the use of prophylactic and therapeutic medical countermeasures.
4. In order to carry out this work, it is necessary to have available small quantities of materials such as Sarin which may be used as chemical or biological warfare agents by a potential aggressor. However, the quantities held are within the aggregate amounts of Schedule 1 chemicals permitted to be held for protective purposes under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Chemical Weapons Convention
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the potential effectiveness of the chemical weapons convention in restricting the proliferation of chemical weapons to (a) non- signatory states and (b) terrorist organisations; and if he will make a statement. [16082]
Mr. Soames: Once fully implemented, the chemical weapons convention will make a significant contribution to international security. The convention includes extensive provisions to control trade in certain key chemicals to non-state parties. It also requires each state party to the convention to pass national legislation making it a criminal offence for persons under its jurisdiction, to undertake the development, production, acquisition, transfer or use of chemical weapons.
Apprentice Training
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals for the provision of army apprenticeship training at Princess Marina college, Arborfield, are currently being considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement; [16068] (2) what is his assessment of the consequences of proposals for the provision of army apprenticeship training at Princess Marina college, Arborfield, with regard to (a) the duration of training, (b) the staff to student ratio, (c) eligibility for Business and Technology Education Council national and City and Guilds qualifications and (d) extra-curricular activities. [16069]
Mr. Soames: My Department is considering proposals relating to the future of army apprentice training. Final decisions will, however, be made only after consultation.
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the terms of reference for the
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inspectorate general of doctrine and training study into technician and craftsmen training; and if he will make a statement. [16070]Mr. Soames: The terms of reference are being considered at present for a study of the current system of Army apprentice recruitment and training. The aim of this would be to determine the most efficient, cost- effective and affordable means of achieving the Army's continuing requirement for technically training recruits.
Trigat Programme
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on the development of the Trigat programme. [16075]
Mr. Freeman: The total amount spent by the Ministry of Defence to 28 February 1995 on the combined Trigat development programmes is £259 million at 1994 95 prices. Of this, £185 million has been spent on the long-range version and £74 million on the medium-range version.
SCOTLAND
Zoos
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 February, Official Report , column 242 , if he will name the local authorities which own the zoos listed. [15169]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The zoos are owned by the following authorities:
Zoos |Authorities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calderglen Country Park
Children's Zoo, East Kilbride |East Kilbride district council
Camperdown Wildlife Centre,
Dundee |City of Dundee district council
Palacerigg Country Park,
Cumbernauld |Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
| district council
Pittencrieff Park Animal Centre,
Dunfermline |Dumferline district council
The Aviaries, Woodhead Park,
Kirkintilloch |Strathkelvin district council
Water Authorities
Mrs. Ray Michie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland from what date (a) the chairmen of the new water authorities in Scotland will be paid and (b) the offices for the new water authorities in Scotland will be available; and if he will make a statement. [15859]
Mr. Kynoch: The chairmen will be paid from the date of establishment of the new water authorities. In the meantime, they are being retained on a consultancy basis by the Scottish Office. Temporary accommodation will be available to the new authorities within the Scottish Office in Edinburgh. It will be for the authorities, once established, to decide on their permanent locations and also on what use to make of local authority premises transferred to them on 1 April 1996.
Mr. Welsh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money will be made available for expenses,
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incurred on water authority business, to be paid to members of the new Scottish water authorities in its first year of operation; and how much he estimates will actually be paid out. [15990]Mr. Kynoch: Provision for the three new water authorities in Scotland in 1995 96 is shown in their respective grant in aid tables at chapter 4 of the Scottish Office departmental report, Cm 2814. No specific provision has been made for members' expenses, but the following amounts have been allocated for the salaries and expenses of the members and staff of the authorities.
Authority |£ ------------------------------------------------------ North of Scotland Water Authority |800,000 East of Scotland Water Authority |800,000 West of Scotland Water Authority |900,000
No estimate has been made of the actual expenses likely to be paid to members.
Mr. Welsh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what possible performance bonuses will be made available to the chief executives of each of the new water authorities in Scotland in the first year of operation. [15901]
Mr. Kynoch: The terms of chief executive appointments have not been finalised. It is unlikely that the maximum bonus attainable in the first year will exceed 10 per cent. of basic salary.
Mr. Welsh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members he will appoint to (a) the North of Scotland water authority, (b) the East of Scotland water authority and (c) the West of Scotland water authority. [15902]
Mr. Kynoch: Schedule 7 to the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 provides that each authority shall comprise between eight and 12 members, including the chairman and chief executive.
Water and Sewerage Committees
Mr. Welsh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many councillors, by region and island authority, serve on each of the water and sewerage committees in Scotland's councils. [13904]
Mr. Kynoch: This information is not held centrally.
Local Government Reforms
Mrs. Ray Michie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to allow the shadow unitary authorities a say in the duration and value of any contracts awarded after 6 April by regional and district councils in Scotland. [15857]
Mr. Kynoch: Section 55 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 requires existing authorities from a date or dates to be specified by my right hon. Friend not to dispose of land for a consideration in excess of £250,000 or to enter into certain contracts without the consent of the relevant successor authority. Factors which will be taken into account by my right hon. Friend in determining the appropriate date or dates will be the need to ensure continuity of existing services, the legitimate interest of shadow authorities in matters which will have a possible bearing on future services, and the ability of
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the shadow authorities to respond expeditiously to issues described in section 55 on which they might be consulted.Local Enterprise Companies
Mr. Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland under what criteria three-year operators' licences are being awarded to LECs; and how many such licences have been granted. [16142]
Mr. Kynoch: Local enterprise companies contract annually with Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Neither body issues three-year operators' licences.
Speech Therapists
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish health boards alleging a shortage of speech therapists. [14538]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 21 March 1995]: None.
Health Care International
Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received the National Audit Office's report on its investigation into the public funding arrangements for Health Care International at Clydebank; if he will arrange for its publication; and if he will make a statement. [14704]
Mr. Lang [holding answer 21 March 1995]: I understand that the Comptroller and Auditor General, head of the National Audit Office, has not yet finalised his report on this subject. My Department and others will be consulted about the report, and I understand that the accounting officers involved have been invited to give evidence to the Public Accounts Committee at a hearing scheduled for 3 May 1995. Any publication will be a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Dental Services
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what circumstances patients can be de-registered by their dentist; what procedure governs this process; and for what reasons a patient would cease to be registered with a dentist. [15530]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 23 March 1995]: General dental practitioners are independent contractors who are free to choose whether to provide NHS treatment to individual patients. Dentists may decide to de-register patients for a variety of reasons, including debts owed by the patient, when the dentist leaves the practice, or when a dentist chooses to stop offering NHS treatment. Regulations lay down that a dentist who wishes to end a patient's registration prematurely without the patient's agreement must give three months' written notice and complete any outstanding treatment before the patient may be de-registered. A dentist may end a registration at less than three months' notice only with the agreement of the health board. A patient's registration lapses automatically if they do not visit their dentist within a set period of the previous visit--two years for adults and between one and two years for children.
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Prisoners
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were detained in (a) Her Majesty's prison, Greenock, (b) Cornton Vale prison and (c) other prisons in each of the past 10 years.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 23 March 1995]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.
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Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 24 March 1995:Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question relating to the number of persons detained in HM Prison, Greenock, HM Prison Cornton Vale and other prisons in each of the past ten years.
Information on the total number of persons received to each of the establishments is not available over this period because information on first receptions (those people with no existing custodial sentence) was collected only from 1991. In addition, those people received on remand and as sentenced prisoners cannot be added together to produce a total number of "persons detained" because of the considerable overlap between these two categories. The table below therefore gives the average daily prison population.
Average daily prison population 1984-1993
|1985 |1986 |1987 |1988 |1989 |1990 |1991 |1992 |1993 |<2>1994
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cornton Vale |172 |189 |183 |168 |144 |133 |138 |155 |167 |173
Greenock<1> |- |147 |178 |167 |158 |167 |189 |218 |246 |239
Other prisons |5,101 |5,252 |5,085 |4,894 |4,684 |4,424 |4,512 |4,884 |5,224 |5,173
Total |5,273 |5,588 |5,446 |5,229 |4,986 |4,724 |4,839 |5,257 |5,637 |5,585
<1> Greenock was a female establishment until 1975. From 1976 it was not in use until March 1986 when
it reopened as a male establishment.
<2> Provisional.
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for reducing suicides and attempted suicides amongst prisoners and those held on remand in prison; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 23 March 1995]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 24 March 1995:
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question about reducing suicides and attempted suicides by prisoners.
The Scottish Prison Service has commissioned Dr. Kevin Power and Dr. Joseph McIlroy of the Department of Psychology at the University of Stirling to undertake a comprehensive evaluation (currently in progress) of the operation of the SPS suicide prevention strategy. In addition, I have asked Professor John Gunn, Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, to consider the appropriateness of the current strategy against developments in the care of `at risk' people in other jurisdictions. Professor Gunn is an internationally renowned figure in the care of the mentally disturbed offender in prison.
A new design of supervision cell was introduced at HMP Aberdeen last year and is being progressively introduced throughout
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the prison estate. Additionally, new forms of clothing and bedding for `at risk' prisoners are in use and a rolling programme of training in dealing with such prisoners is underway for prison nursing staff.Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what study is made of the findings of fatal accident inquiries into self-inflicted deaths of prisoners and those held on remand in prisons; and if he will make a statement. [15667]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 23 March 1995]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from D. A. Stewart to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 24 March 1995:
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to reply to your Question about what study is made of the findings of fatal accident inquiries into self-inflicted deaths of prisoners and those held on remand in prisons. I am replying in his absence.
The Executive Steering Group, comprising senior prison management and representatives of psychiatric and psychological services, has responsibility for continuing oversight of the implementation of the Scottish Prison Service suicide prevention strategy. The Group considers all fatal accident findings on suicides in prisons with a view to determining whether any changes to the strategy are required and how best they may be implemented within operational constraints.
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