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Sir George Young: All personal allowances will be kept under review in the run-up to the Budget. In general, the Government believe that it is better to help both men and women with incapacitated spouses through the social security systems rather than through tax reliefs.
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Wild Flowers
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Customs and Excise, in examining dried flowers entering Britain, differentiate those specimens collected from the wild and those originating from proven sustainable sources. [26337]
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: There are no restrictions on the importation of the dried flowers currently traded, whether wild taken or not, and customs does not, therefore, seek to make such a differentiation.
Take-home Pay
Mr. Thomason: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the level of take-home pay in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other EC countries; and if he will list the evidence on which such figures are based. [26487]
Sir George Young: Taking into account the cost of living, estimated average take-home pay for an unmarried UK production worker, under Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development definitions, is higher than in all other EU countries, except Luxembourg. Average take-home pay plus child benefit--or the equivalent in other countries--for a married couple with two children is also higher in the UK than in other EU countries except Luxembourg, Belgium and the former West Germany. These comparisons are based on figures published in "The Tax/Benefit Position of Production Workers Annual Report 1990 1993", OECD 1994, adjusted using purchasing power parity exchange rates, also published by OECD.
PRIME MINISTER
Scott Inquiry
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Prime Minister if he will undertake an investigation into the leaking of sections of the Scott inquiry report; and if he will publish the terms of reference of the investigation; how it will be conducted; and by whom. [28379]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 12 June, Official Report , column 374 .
Engagements
Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 June. [26744]
Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 June 1995. [26745]
The Prime Minister: This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.
DEFENCE
Nuclear Test Veterans
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records exist of the mortality levels and cancer incidence in British nuclear test participants present at Grapple Y. [26663]
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Mr. Soames: Personnel present during the test codenamed Grapple Y were among more than 20,000 British nuclear test veterans for whom mortality statistics were collated by the National Radiological Protection Board. The NRPB studies found no overall excess of mortality or incidence of cancer among test participants.
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the National Radiological Protection Board has undertaken a study into the incidence of cancer in the children of nuclear test participants in the 1950s and 1960s. [26667]
Mr. Soames: No such study has been undertaken. Studies by the National Radiological Protection Board have shown no overall excess of death or cancer among British test participants. There is therefore no reason to expect an excess of death or cancer among their children.
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if personnel involved in the decontamination of HMS Tracker were included in the National Radiological Protection Board studies into British nuclear test participants. [26749]
Mr. Soames: Our records indicate that some decontamination work was carried out by the crew of HMS Tracker before the ship had returned to the UK. The ship's crew were included in the National Radiological Protection Board studies. We have been unable to trace any records of decontamination work that may have been carried out following the ship's return to the UK.
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the National Radiological Protection Board study into the effects of nuclear tests upon service personnel took into account potential variations arising from (a) whether tests were of fission or fusion, (b) detonation yields, (c) location of tests, (d) duration of service in test areas and (e) the number of tests witnessed by each individual. [26665]
Mr. Soames: The studies undertaken by the National Radiological Protection Board looked at cancer among test participants for each of the operations that comprised the atmospheric test programme. This examined tests of different types, yields and locations. For no operation was there a statistically significant excess of cancer deaths. Analyses were performed of those groups with the potential for radiation exposure and of those with recorded external doses, as well as the duties undertaken by participants who subsequently developed leukaemia or multiple myeloma.
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mortality statistics are held by the National Radiological Protection Board for personnel serving on HMS Tracker during British nuclear tests. [26661]
Mr. Soames: Personnel serving on HMS Tracker during the nuclear tests for which that ship was deployed in a support role were among more than 20,000 British nuclear test veterans for whom mortality statistics were collated by the National Radiological Protection Board. The NRPB studies found no overall excess of mortality among test veterans.
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why Mr. Andrew Dickson of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, a British nuclear test participant, received two body scans from the National Radiological Protection Board. [26668]
Mr. Soames: That is a matter between Mr. Dickson and the National Radiological Protection Board.
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Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how British nuclear test participants, not issued with film badges, have been monitored for potential radioactivity. [26690]
Mr. Soames: Film badges were issued only to those personnel who were considered likely to receive a measurable dose of radiation during the tests. It was considered unnecessary to monitor those who were not issued with film badges, as they would not have been exposed to significant levels of radiation.
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investigations have been conducted into the incidence of cataracts in service personnel attending British nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s. [26666]
Mr. Soames: As more radiation exposure would be required to produce an excess of cataracts in the population than to produce an excess of cancer, and as the National Radiological Protection Board studies have shown no excess of cancer among British nuclear test veterans, no specific study of cataract incidence has been undertaken for my Department. I understand, however, that the NRPB is itself conducting a small study in this area.
Anthrax
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent information he has received on the discovery of
anthrax-contaminated seed stocks in the Irish sea. [26700]
Mr. Soames: My Department is unaware of any anthrax-contaminated seed stocks being discovered in the Irish sea.
HMS Royal Arthur
Mr. Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the cost to date in (a) rent loss, (b) security patrols, (c) boarding up, (d) depreciation and (e) vandalism in respect of empty accommodation for families and single persons at HMS Royal Arthur. [26848]
Mr. Soames: HMS Royal Arthur was previously used as a training establishment for naval petty officers and the only permanent accommodation was in the wardroom. There was no family accommodation on the site. The site is at present being sold subject to contract. To date, there has been no loss of rent, and no additional costs arising from security patrols; the site has not been boarded up; no assessment has been made of depreciation; and only minimal costs have been incurred as a result of damage by vandals.
Low Flying
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 20 April, Official Report , column 856 , when the investigation into the low flying incident over Barnoldswick and Earby in January are likely to be completed. [26958]
Mr. Soames: The RAF police have now completed their investigation. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State wrote to the hon. Member on7 June 1995 setting out their conclusions. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library of the House.
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RAF Washington Flights
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost by year for the last three years for the RAF's twice-weekly VC10 service between Brize Norton and Washington, USA. [27395]
Mr. Soames: The approximate costs of operating the VC10 service between Brize Norton and Washington, Dulles airport, for the last three financial years are as follows:
|Cost
Financial year |£
---------------------------------------------
1994-95 |6,200,000
1993-94 |5,900,000
1992-93 |5,500,000
Note:
These figures reflect the cost of an average
flight extrapolated over the year.
Naval Exercises
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all naval exercises in United Kingdom waters in each of the last five years; which of these were in the Clyde or off the coast of south-west Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [27384]
Mr. Soames: Details of naval exercises in United Kingdom waters are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, during the last 12 months there have been 23 exercises in the Clyde and off the coast of south-west Scotland involving a combination of ships, submarines and aircraft taking part in continuation sea training.
Minefield Practice, Scotland
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent proposals have been considered for the use of areas in the firth of Clyde and upper Loch Fyne for minefield practice; what discussions are planned with fishing organisations on these proposals; and if he will make a statement. [27383]
Mr. Soames: Mine countermeasures actively in the Clyde area is planned to increase later this year following the move from Rosyth to Faslane of the third mine countermeasures squadron and the small ships operational training staff. A series of constructive discussions with fishing organisations on the location of this activity has been held, and further talks are due to take place later this month.
Tri-service Exercises
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all tri-service exercises in the United Kingdom mainland in each of the last five years; and which of these were located in part in south-west Scotland. [27835]
Mr. Soames: The MOD plans to conduct one major tri-service exercise each year under a series title of "Purple". The exercise may or may not be conducted wholly in the United Kingdom. Exercises follow a four-year cycle of three command post exercises or CPXs followed by a full live exercise in the fourth year. The live exercise in the period, exercise Purple Monarch,
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1992, was reduced to a command post exercise following the Gulf war and was conducted in southern England and Gibraltar.On a small scale, but also planned and conducted on a tri-service basis for specialist units, is a series of exercises termed Minibus. This series again follows a four-year cycle. The live exercise in the period was held in 1994 and the geographic area used included parts of south-west Scotland. Also planned and executed in 1994 was a bi-service amphibious exercise Royal Dawn--which included a landing phase by Royal Marines on the Isle of Lewis.
The annual tri-service Purple exercises for the five-year period were:
Year |Exercise |Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1991 |Purple Victory |CPX
1992 |Purple Monarch |Live exercise planned but CPX
| conducted
1993 |Purpose Horizon |CPX
1994 |Purple Nova |CPX
1995 |Purple Zodiac |CPX
Vehicle Movements
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the journeys that vehicle registration number 16 AY 51 has made in the last 12 months, with dates; from what location the journey started; what was the location of its destination; and what cargo it was carrying. [28246]
Mr. Soames: It is not our policy to disclose details of particular military movements.
Service Accommodation
Mr. Soley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many units of accommodation have been sold by his Department since April 1993. [27559]
Mr. Soames: Between 1 April 1993 and 31 March 1995 my Department sold 2,925 dwellings.
Territorial Army Barracks, Cardiff
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of reconstructing the Park street territorial army barracks, Cardiff and the date on which construction (a) commenced and (b) was completed. [28310]
Mr. Soames: The Park street territorial army barracks in Cardiff was reconstructed between March 1993 and July 1994 at a total cost of £2,041,000.
Dartmouth Royal Regatta
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 June, Official Report , column 193 , if he will consider substituting a Royal Naval Reserve vessel as the guard ship at the Dartmouth royal regatta in place of a ship from the Royal Navy. [28458]
Mr. Soames: Following a major review of the RNR nearly two years ago, we concluded that the River class minesweepers then operated by them were no longer required, given the changed operational circumstances following the end of the cold war, and advances in mine warfare and technology. Accordingly, these vessels were withdrawn and RNR personnel now go to sea in all types
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of RN ships where they are employed alongside regular personnel in appropriate duties. The RNR no longer has any vessels of its own; therefore, it will not be possible for one to be sent to the Dartmouth royal regatta.LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
Legal Services Ombudsman
Mr. Coe: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the legal services ombudsman intends to publish his fourth annualreport. [28621]
Mr. John M. Taylor: The legal services ombudsman will tomorrow publish his fourth annual report, and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.
State Papers
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions since 1970 the Crown has claimed ownership of state papers held privately. [26969]
Mr. John M. Taylor: The Crown made a claim of ownership of such papers in legal proceedings in relation to the Churchill papers. Information is not collated or available centrally where more informal action has been taken.
Queen's Counsel
Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to allow Queen's counsel a choice between uttering an oath or making a declaration to match the procedure followed by hon. Members. [27204]
Mr. John M. Taylor: Only in Northern Ireland are newly-appointed Queen's counsel required to take an oath of allegiance. The matter is therefore one for the Supreme court authorities, in consultation with the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland, on whose advice my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland acts in these matters.
Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who has discretion to modify the requirements of the oath and declaration required of Queen's counsel. [27206]
Mr. John M. Taylor: When in November 1972 the form of the declaration made by Queen's counsel in England and Wales was last modified, Her Majesty approved the Lord Chancellor's recommendation made with the agreement of the treasures of the four inns of court and the chairman of the General Council of the Bar.
The form of the declaration made upon admission to the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland is governed by the faculty regulations. Any amendment would require the approval of the Lord President of the Court of Session.
Any modification to the oath and declaration for Queen's counsel of Northern Ireland would be made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in the exercise of the royal prerogative. He would be advised on the matter by the Supreme Court authorities after consultation with the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland.
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Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if theoath and declaration required of Queen's counsel are identical throughout the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. [27205]
Mr. John M. Taylor: In England and Wales a declaration is made by newly appointed Queen's counsel in the following terms:
"I [A.B.] do sincerely promise and declare that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second and all whom I may lawfully be called upon to serve in the office of one of Her Majesty's Counsel learned in the Law according to the best of my skill and understanding".
In Scotland, advocates make a declaration of allegiance when they are admitted to the faculty of advocates. The declaration, commonly known as the oath of allegiance, is made in the following terms: "I [A.B.] do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I shall bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors according to law".
When an advocate is granted the status of Queen's counsel in Scotland, he or she is not required to make any further declaration. The arrangements for appointment as a Queen's counsel are made through correspondence and there is no ceremony associated with appointment to this rank.
In Northern Ireland, Queen's counsel take both an oath of allegiance and make a declaration., The oath of allegiance is in the following terms:
"I, [A.B.] do swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law".
The declaration made is as follows:
"I, [A.B.] do declare that well and truly I will serve the Queen as one of Her Counsel learned in the Law and truly counsel the Queen in Her matters, when I shall be called upon so to do, and duly and truly minister the Queen's matters and sue the Queen's process after the course of the Law, and after my cunning. I will duly in convenient time speed such matters as I may lawfully do which any person shall have to do in the Law against the Queen. And in all other respects I will be attendant to the Queen's matters when I be called thereto".
Different procedures for the recommendation and appointment of Queen's counsel subsist throughout the Commonwealth.
Legal Aid
Mr. John Marshall: To ask the parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what is the amount of legal aid awarded to Kasim Mohamed Bacchus; and if he will make a statement about this award of legal aid; [26982]
(2) what plans he has to investigate the award of legal aid to Kasim Mohamed Bacchus. [26931]
Mr. John M. Taylor: A legal aid certificate was issued in favour of Mr. Bacchus on 13 April 1995 to cover contested matrimonial proceedings. The granting of legal aid in this case is now under investigation by the Legal Aid Board. No payments have been made from the legal aid fund to date.
If it is found that an assisted person has failed to disclose his true financial position, the legal aid certificate may be revoked. In those circumstances, the Legal Aid Board would be entitled to recover its costs in full. With regard to this particular case, I have received a full report from the chief executive of the Legal Aid Board. Because of the confidentiality provisions of the Legal Aid Act
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1988, I cannot disclose further details of the information. I am, however, satisfied that the matters which were of concern to the trial judge have been fully investigated and that appropriate action will be taken.Mr. Cousins: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what were the costs of legal aid paid to each defendant in the case of the Crown v. Abraham, Allen and Henderson; and how much was contributed by or recovered from each defendant. [27173]
Mr. John M. Taylor: Details of the legal aid payments made to lawyers acting on behalf of the three defendants, and the amounts recovered from each defendant, are as follows:
|Legal aid costs
|excluding VAT |Amount recovered
Defendant |£ |£
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Abraham |124,541 |546
Allen |122,112 |52
Henderson |232,375 |5,000
Search Warrants
Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what powers he has to monitor the issuing of search warrants by magistrates; and how many representations he has received from the public in the last year concerning the issuing of search warrants; [27168]
(2) what percentage of police applications for search warrants is refused by magistrates; and what instructions and guidance are given to magistrates on how they should exercise their powers and responsibilities when requested for search warrants. [27167]
Mr. John M. Taylor: Statistics on the number of search warrants issued or refused are not recorded centrally. Individual cases are for magistrates to decide, and it is not for the Government to seek to advise them on the exercise of their judicial discretion. Home Office circular 88/1985 contained guidance on the statutory provisions for search warrants under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and was copied to the magistrates courts. I am not aware of any representations from the public about the issue of such warrants.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Statutory Instruments
Mr. Ian Bruce: To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the statutory instrument which passed into law during 1994 which both implement EC measures and impose fines or other penalties together with the reference number of the EC measures concerned.
Mr. Newton: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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NATIONAL HERITAGE
Churchill Papers
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 24 May, Official Report , column 647 , on the value of the Churchill archive (1) if he will disclose the identity of the dealer in the field of antiquarian books who provided an independent valuation. [26977]
(2) if he will place in the Library the valuation report on the Churchill archive; [26960]
(3) what consideration the national heritage memorial fund gave to taking second and third opinions of the monetary value of the papers. [26959]
Mr. Dorrell: These are matters for the national heritage memorial fund, which is an independent body. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member and to place copies of his letter in the Library of the House.
Ealing Film Studios
Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what local and other employment opportunities he expects to be consequent upon the £2 million expenditure to save the Ealing film studios; and if he will make a statement. [27992]
Mr. Dorrell: It is too early to say precisely what employment opportunities will become available because the new owner of Ealing film studios, the National Film and Television School, is still in the process of considering how best to use the complex in future.
EMPLOYMENT
Labour Statistics
11. Mr. Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the work force in the east midlands is engaged in temporary work; and how that compares with the record of other EU countries. [26517]
Mr. Oppenheim: The latest results from the labour force survey indicate that 6 per cent. of workers in the east midlands are engaged in temporary work. The share of temporary employment in Britain is among the lowest in the EC.
Job Opportunities (Former Mining Areas)
12. Mr. William O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assistance his Department is giving to encourage job opportunities in areas run down by mine closures; and if he will make a statement. [26718]
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