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Parental Choice
Mr. Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many parents secured the primary or secondary school of their first choice for their child in each of the last three years (a) in total and (b) for each local education authority. [27183]
Mr. Robin Squire: This information is not collected centrally. The most recent evidence--from surveys commissioned by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities in 1992 and The Times in 1993--suggests that some 90 per cent. of parents gain a place at their first choice school.
Regulations
Mr. Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the circulars, orders or regulations which have not been published or made by the due date; what was the due date in each case; and when was the date of publication or making of the order or regulation. [27184]
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Mr. Boswell: It is not the general practice of the Department to indicate in advance a due date for the making of an order or regulation or the publication of a circular although, in some cases, a broad indication may be given as to when a the order or regulation might be expected to be made or when a circular might be expected to be published. A consultation draft of an order or regulation may contain a commencement date but this, like other parts of the draft, is subject to change.
Exceptionally, in the context of the Education Act 1993, the Department for education published a "timetable of DFE publications" which included dates for the coming into effect of the legislation and publication dates for relevant circulars. In relation to published circulars the cases where the timetabled date differed from the publication date are as follows:
Subject |Timetabled date|Publication --------------------------------------------------------------------------- GM Schools Acquisition, |November 1993 |December 1993 Transfer and Governance Incorporation of governing |November 1993 |December 1993 bodies and dual use Local Management of |November 1993 |December 1993 Schools GM School: supply of |March 1994 |November 1994 school places etc. Behaviour and discipline |April 1994 |May 1994 Sex education |April 1994 |May 1994 Emotional and behavioural |April 1994 |May 1994 difficulties Time limiting on |April 1994 |May 1994 exclusions procedures Exclusions |April 1994 |May 1994 Exclusions: money |April 1994 |July 1994 following the child Pupil Referral Units |April 1994 |May 1994 Sick children |April 1994 |May 1994 Children looked after by |April 1994 |May 1994 LEAs
School Closures
Mr. Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many proposals from local authorities to close or re-organise schools have been awaiting a decision from her for (a) up to three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months, (d) nine to 12 months and (e) more than 12 months. [27185]
Mr. Robin Squire: The number of proposals published under either section 12 or 13 of the Education Act 1980 which have been under consideration in the Department for the periods indicated is as follows:
less than three months: 65
three to six months: 58
six to nine months: 65
nine to 12 months: 11
more than 12 months: 12
Proposals received by the Department within the last four months may in certain cases fall to the local authority to determine.
School Meals
Mr. Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the percentage of school pupils entitled to free school meals for each year since 1979. [27186]
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Mr. Robin Squire: Information on the number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals was collected from maintained schools in England for the first time in January 1993. At this time, 20 per cent. of pupils were reported as known to be eligible for free school meals. In January 1994, the figure was 21 per cent.
National Youth Agency
Mr. Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when she plans to announce her decision on the future of the National Youth Agency. [27187]
Mr. Boswell: We expect to announce our decisions on the future of the National Youth Agency before long.
Grants for Education Support and Training
Mr. Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the national totals under each heading of the GEST programme in 1995 96. [27188]
Mr. Robin Squire: The national allocations under the grants for education support and training programme for 1995 96 are shown in the table.
Grants for education support and training programme,
1995-96 allocations
Grant
number |Grant title |£ million
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 |School Effectiveness |121.5
2(a) |NC Assessment-Verification |8.0
2(b) |NC Assessment-Supply Cover |15.3
3 |Primary Teachers' Subject Knowledge |16.6
4 |Training for SEN Specialisms |10.4
5 |Educational Psychologists |2.8
6 |School SEN Policies |10.2
7 |SEN Parent Partnership Scheme |4.0
8 |Articled Teachers' Bursaries |0.7
9 |Articled Teachers' Other Costs |0.3
10 |Induction of Newly Qualified Teachers |6.0
11 |Licensed and Overseas Teachers |1.9
12(a) |Vocational Qualifications-Introduction|11.6
12(b) |Vocational Qualifications-Piloting |1.3
13 |Truancy and Disaffected Pupils |15.4
14 |Youth Action Scheme |2.9
15 |Youth and Community Workers |1.2
16 |Bilingual Pupils |5.9
17 |Child Protection |3.0
18 |Training for Careers Teachers |4.1
19(a) |Drug Prevention in Schools-Formula
|Allocations |4.3
19(b) |Drug Prevention in Schools-Bids |1.6
20 |Specialists Schools (Voluntary Aided
|Technology Colleges) |2.0
|Total |251.0
Grant-maintained Schools
Mr. Congdon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how grant- maintained schools will benefit from the school improvement programme announced by her on 25 May. [28111]
Mr. Forth: As my right hon. Friend made clear in her announcement, this programme of measures is designed to promote improvement in all publicly funded schools. The aim is to secure maximum benefit from the new system of inspection and the action plans for improvement which follow. Grant-maintained schools receive special purpose grant (development) to assist in this process; this grant replicates, in the different circumstances of GM
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schools, the grants for education support and training available to LEA schools. The Funding Agency for Schools will consult GM schools on additional flexibility to enable them to focus some of their resources in the period immediately following an Ofsted inspection. GM schools will also be able to make use of the list of advisers and consultants produced by the Department to extend the range and choice of professional advice to support school improvement.ENVIRONMENT
Westminster Redevelopment
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 March, Official Report, column 534 5, if he is now in a position to ensure that the block of Georgian buildings at 20A-32 Baker street can be saved from demolition; and if he will enforce the decision made by his predecessor in 1981 to preserve the buildings. [26736]
Sir Paul Beresford: In the event of a breach of planning or listed building control responsibility for day-to-day enforcement rests with the local planning authority.
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer on 14 March, Official Report, column 534, if he has now completed his consideration of the issues raised by the chief executive of Westminster city council regarding the development of properties in Westminster; and if he will make a statement on his conclusions. [27094]
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to obtain a copy of the legal opinion of Michael Barnes QC, regarding the conduct of Councillor Andrew Greystoke and Councillor David Weeks of Westminster city council, in relation to planning applications for the buildings at 20A-32 Baker street, London; and what account he intends to take of the legal opinion in making a decision on whether he should call in the planning permission concerned. [27019]
Sir Paul Beresford: I am in receipt of a copy of the legal opinion of Michael Barnes QC. All relevant information will be taken into account in deciding whether the planning applications should be called in for the Secretary of State's determination.
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 15 March, Official Report, column 595, what assessment he has made of any material considerations which indicated that the planning permission sought for the block bounded by Baker street, Blandford street and Manchester street in Westminster should be granted contrary to the major policies contained in the local authorities' statutory plans. [27082]
Sir Paul Beresford: The Department was notified of the information on the outstanding applications and is currently considering all the relevant information.
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what account he will take of (a) the views of Westminster council officers, (b) the advice of English Heritage and (c) the previous appeal decision by his predecessor in his decision on whether
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to call in the planning application at 20A- 32 Baker street, Westminster. [27023]Sir Paul Beresford: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my previous reply.
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to investigate the conduct of Councillor Andrew Greystoke and Councillor David Weeks with regard to planning decisions made by Westminster city council in 1990; and if he will make a statement. [27020]
Sir Paul Beresford: The Secretary of State has no such plans.
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 March, Official Report , column 534 , what plans he has to investigate the events surrounding the redevelopment of the block bounded by Baker street, Blandford street, George street and Manchester street in Westminster in the light of more recent information he may have received. [27093]
Sir Paul Beresford: None at present. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my earlier reply.
Parental Leave
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what maternity and paternity entitlements are available to employees within his Department. [27289]
Sir Paul Beresford: The general provisions available to staff in DOE follow the provisions of the civil service management code, a copy of which is in the Library and are in line with current legislation. These include:
Paid time off for ante-natal care;
Up to 52 weeks maternity leave (including up to 18 weeks paid leave);
The right to return to work at the end of maternity leave; 2 days paternity leave for male staff.
Pollution
Ms Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the percentage changes in waterborne inputs of cadmium, mercury, copper, zinc and lead to the North sea and to all other coastal waters which have been achieved by the United Kingdom since 1985. [27362]
Mr. Atkins: Following are the figures set out in the progress report being considered by the North sea conference on 8 to 9 June.
T
Reduction in UK inputs 1985-1995
|All other UK sea
|North Sea: per cent.|areas: per cent.
Substance |reduction |reduction
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cadmium |70 |43
Mercury |73 |80
Copper |47 |56
Zinc |16 |23
Lead |79 |39
Ms Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the annexe 1A substances for which he expects the 50 per cent. reduction target for North sea waterborne inputs will be met by the United Kingdom. [27363]
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Mr. Atkins: There are 36 substances listed in annexe 1A of the ministerial declaration of the third North sea conference in 1990. It is anticipated that the UK will meet the target of achieving a significant reduction of 50 per cent. or more of waterborne inputs of 24 of these substances to the North sea between 1985 and 1995. Reductions will exceed 45 per cent. for three others. The 27 substances are:
Mercury
Cadmium
Copper (47 per cent.)
Lead
Arsenic
Chromium
Nickel (46 per cent.)
Drins
Hexachlorohexane (HCH) (46 per cent.)
DDT
Pentachlorophenol
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorobutadiene
Carbon tetrachloride
Tributyltin compounds
Tetrachloroethylene
Trichlorobenzene
Trichloroethane
Simazine
Atrazine
Azinophos ethyl
Azinophos-methyl
Fenthion
Malathion
Parathion
Parathion-methyl
Dichlorvos
Ms Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage changes in atmospheric and waterborne inputs taken together of mercury and cadmium to the North sea that he expects will be achieved by the United Kingdom between 1985 and 1995. [27364]
Mr. Atkins: It is anticipated that the UK will achieve reductions between 1985 and 1995 in a range of 59 per cent. to 66 per cent. for mercury and 52 per cent. to 62 per cent. for cadmium.
Birds of Prey
Mr. Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is planned by Her Majesty's Government to examine the growth in populations of birds of prey and their impact on game bird management and racing pigeons. [28067]
Mr. Atkins: On 24 April, Environment Department officials met interested parties to discuss these issues. Following broad agreement reached at that meeting, the Government propose to establish a regular forum to consider the implications of the growth in the populations of birds of prey and to set up a working group to examine the facts and identify possible action.
The working group will:
consider population status of birds of prey;
identify species alleged to be causing problems;
identify, in particular, the impact of such species on game birds and moorland management and on racing pigeons;
identify gaps in research and future needs, and identify possible sources of funding;
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consider statutory and other mechanisms for the resolution of problems; andreport back to the forum within one year.
The working group, which will be chaired jointly by officials from my Department and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, will reflect a wide range of interests. It will be set up as soon as possible.
Surplus Land
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those sales involving surplus land and property in which his Department has inserted a clause in the sale contract allowing his Department to obtain a share of any future development gain; and if he will make a statement. [26326]
Sir Paul Beresford [holding answer 6 June 1995]: My Department's policy on disposals is to obtain the best price possible. To achieve that our consultants are required to investigate all feasible uses and development potential and to obtain town planning consent where it is appropriate to do so. Clawback clauses are used only where, despite the best efforts of our consultants, it is not possible to establish a property's potential with any degree of certainty. Thus there are relatively few cases where clawback clauses have been imposed and these are as follows:
Mickle Trafford Buffer Depot, Lancashire;
Land Border Post, Rosslea, Northern Ireland;
Former Benefit Office, Drakewell, Cornwall;
Rhodes House, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich;
72 South Market Road, Great Yarmouth;
Land at Northwood Hills, Pinner;
56 60 Conduit Street, London, W1
DEFENCE
Area Flag Officers
Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of area flag officer posts. [27984]
Mr. Soames: A consultation document was issued on 2 March 1995 setting out the proposed reattribution of area flag officer tasks. Having given careful and sympathetic consideration to all the views expressed during the consultation period, I have decided to proceed to implementation of the proposals by 1 April 1996. This measure will save about £9,500,000 over the next 10 years. The posts of flag officer Plymouth and flag officer Portsmouth will be abolished and their tasks reattributed to other senior officers. Their representational tasks, which help maintain the Navy's strong links with these cities, will be undertaken by the remaining flag officers as appropriate, by the naval base commanders or by other senior officers if necessary. The post of flag officer Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland will be merged with that of Commodore, Clyde at two-star level and also become the naval base commander, Clyde, and will have a one-star deputy. There will be a small overall net reduction in posts at Plymouth and Portsmouth of 20 service and 10 civilian posts. No reductions will be required in the FOSNNI/COMCLYDE areas beyond those which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement on 16 February 1995 in his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Robertson) at column 832 .
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