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Mr. Bernie Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 May, Official Report , column 191 , who is responsible for assessing the police trainers in their competence to deliver race and community relations training; who trained the assessors; when they were trained; and what assessment he has made of their competence to judge race and community relations training. [28130]
Mr. Maclean: Training is provided in various ways in the police service at the central planning and training unit; the police staff college at Bramshill; local police training centres; and by forces. Assessment of trainers is a matter for line managers at each venue. Specialist training for trainers and force training managers is provided at the specialist support unit, which also provides consultancy to the colleges and training centres on the planning and assessment of community and race relations inputs.
Central records are not maintained of the number of trainers, but 15 out of the 17 directors of study at CPTU, who are responsible for assessment of trainers, have received specialist training at the SSU over the last two years. In addition, a new competency-based trainers' course is being introduced there in consultation with SSU staff.
Animal Experiments (Tobacco)
Mr. Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of animals used in experiments in the United Kingdom to investigate the effects of tobacco products in each year between 1987 and 1993; and if he will identify separately the numbers used to investigate the effects of environmental tobacco smoke. [28115]
Mr. Nicholas Baker: I refer the hon. member to the reply given to questions from the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 30 March, Official Report , column 807 .
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Statistics for the numbers of animals used to investigate the effects of environmental tobacco smoke are not separately recorded.Mr. Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under which category in Home Office statistics experiments on animals for the effects of environmental tobacco smoke are listed. [28114]
Mr. Nicholas Baker: Where the primary purpose of the procedure is to study the effects of environmental tobacco smoke on body systems, it would be included in the appropriate column of the "body systems studies" section of tables 2A and 2B, and in the corresponding section of table 25. Where the primary purpose is to evaluate the general hazards posed by environmental tobacco smoke, it would be included within the safety column of the "applied studies or purposes" section of tables 2A and 2B; and also in the corresponding sections of table 25, and in the "tobacco" columns of tables 3 and 26. All references are to the "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Liming Animals, Great Britain 1993".
The revised system for the collection of statistics, being introduced this year, will ensure that all work relating to tobacco will in future be clearly distinguished.
Child Witnesses
Mr. Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department intends to take in response to the findings of Leicester university research into the effectiveness of the special provisions for child witnesses contained in the Criminal Justice Act 1991. [27925]
Mr. Maclean: We are considering the findings of this report, and in particular whether the memorandum of good practice should be revised to take account of them.
Mr. Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to revise the memorandum of good practice in child abuse cases to clarify and refine the recommendations governing the decision to interview. [27926]
Mr. Maclean: We are considering whether to revise the memorandum of good practice to take account of this and other points raised by research and experience to date.
Aids (Prisoners)
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates in prisons in England and Wales are currently HIV positive or have AIDS. [28006]
Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Neil Gerrard, dated14 June 1995 : The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of inmates in prisons in England and Wales who are currently HIV positive or have AIDS.
At present, 51 male and 3 female inmates are reported by prison medical officers as being HIV positive. There is no one currently in the prison system in England and Wales who is reported to have AIDS.
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been infected with HIV while in prison in England and Wales. [28004]
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Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Neil Gerrard, dated14 June 1995: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about AIDS/HIV in prison.
There is only one documented case of a prisoner who clearly became infected with HIV while within the prison system in England and Wales. This infection occurred in 1993.
Prison Cells
Mr. Mike O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cells holding one prisoner in 1992 93 currently hold more than one prisoner. [28109]
Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Mike O'Brien, dated 14 June 1995: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of cells holding one prisoner in 1992 93 which currently hold more than one prisoner.
The information requested is not available centrally.
However, in 1992 93 the average total prison population in England and Wales was 43,903. The average number of prisoners sharing a cell designed for one was 7,727, 17.6% of the total population. On 26 May 1995, the total prison population in England and Wales was 50, 802. The number of prisoners sharing a cell designed for one was 8, 362, 16.5% of the total population.
Mr. Marc Rich
Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the charges relating to tax fraud faced by Mr. Marc Rich from US
authorities. [28073]
Mr. Maclean: As far as I can ascertain, no representations on this subject have been received recently. This is an operational matter which falls entirely within the responsibility of the chief constable.
Disabled Police Officers
Mr. Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers became disabled in each year since 1992 93; how many of those were found employment within the police service; and what arrangements were made for those not found such employment. [27996]
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The information is not available. However, information is available for 1992 and 1993 on the numbers of medical retirement, and is shown in the table.
Police service medical retirements
Forces |1992 |1993
---------------------------------------------------
Avon and Somerset |54.00 |68.00
Bedfordshire |7.00 |9.00
Cambridgeshire |9.00 |19.00
Cheshire |34.00 |31.00
City of London |10.00 |11.00
Cleveland |52.00 |40.00
Cumbria |20.00 |26.00
Derbyshire |55.00 |54.00
Devon and Cornwall |40.00 |49.00
Dorset |12.00 |26.00
Durham |21.00 |39.00
Dyfed-Powys |22.00 |22.00
Essex |27.00 |25.00
Gloucestershire |15.00 |13.00
Greater Manchester |149.00 |162.00
Gwent |23.00 |18.00
Hampshire |32.00 |40.00
Hertfordshire |12.00 |19.00
Humberside |26.00 |40.00
Kent |57.00 |80.00
Lancashire |52.00 |86.00
Leicestershire |46.00 |60.00
Lincolnshire |24.00 |24.00
Merseyside |99.00 |132.00
Norfolk |15.00 |17.00
North Wales |35.00 |39.00
North Yorkshire |30.00 |78.00
Northamptonshire |26.00 |15.00
Northumbria |89.00 |97.00
Nottinghamshire |56.00 |59.00
South Wales |29.00 |31.00
South Yorkshire |64.00 |82.00
Staffordshire |67.00 |74.00
Suffolk |19.00 |20.00
Surrey |19.00 |16.00
Sussex |38.00 |36.00
Thames Valley |38.00 |30.00
Warwickshire |10.00 |19.00
West Mercia |28.00 |23.00
West Midlands |67.00 |71.00
West Yorkshire |228.00 |150.00
Wiltshire |8.00 |10.00
Provincial Total |1,764.00|1,960.00
Metropolitan Police |310.00 |344.00
England and Wales Total |2,074.00|2,304.00
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Scott Report
Mr. Byers: To ask the Attorney-General which Ministers, former Ministers or civil servants, in his Department have sought independent legal advice in assisting their response to draft extracts from Sir Richard Scott's report; in each case from whom the advice has been sought; and what limit has been placed on payment for such advice from public funds. [28387]
The Attorney-General: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister today.
Private Prosecutions
Mr. Mullin: To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions in the last five years the Director of Public Prosecutions has taken over a private prosecution and then dropped it; and if he will list the details. [21738]
The Attorney-General [holding answer 4 May 1995]: Crown Prosecution Service headquarters has asked senior staff who might reasonably be expected to recall private prosecutions which have been taken over by the Crown Prosecution Service and terminated to provide details of
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such cases. The table sets out the number of such cases in relation to each CPS area and CPS headquarters casework division.The numbers cited cannot be taken as definitive because the information given is based on staff memory. It relates to the period since April 1993 when the present CPS areas came into being.
Private prosecutions: prosecutions taken over and discontinued by
the CPS since April 1993
Area |Number |Reason for
|of cases |discontinuance
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anglia |0 |-
East Midlands |1 |Public interest
Humber |0 |-
London |3 |1. Public interest
|2. Public interest
|3. Evidence
Mersey/Lancashire |0 |-
Midlands |1 |Evidence
North |2 |1. Evidence
|2. Public interest
North West |0 |-
Severn/Thames |1 |Public interest
South East |2 |1. Evidence
|2. Evidence
South West |1 |Public interest
Wales |0 |-
Yorkshire |0 |-
Headquarters Casework |2 |1. Evidence
|2. Evidence
Total |13
PRIME MINISTER
Parliamentary Questions
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Prime Minister how many written parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by his Department in each of the past five years; how many of these were not answered because the information (a) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, (b) was not held centrally and (c) was not normally disclosed; how many of these could now be answered due to computerisation, more effective and efficient operational systems or more open government; and if he will list each question along with the name and constituency of the right hon. or hon. Member who originally tabled it. [28522]
The Prime Minister: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Public Appointments
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the appointments which he is specifically required and/or able to make by virtue of his office; and if he will list those appointments which arise during the next 12 months; and if he will list the name, age, expected time commitment, place of residence, current or previous occupation and salary, honorarium, allowance or payment for each post; and if he will make a statement. [28536]
The Prime Minister: A list of the appointments to public bodies which I am able to make as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury is available in the Library
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of the House. It is not possible to know all those appointments which will arise in the next 12 months. The details requested for each post are not available.Director General of Gas Supply
Dr. Spink: To ask the Prime Minister what action he intends to take to resist excessive pay demands from those who serve the public; and if he will make a statement on the recent pay claim from the Director General of Ofgas. [27322]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) on 13 June, Official Report , columns 451-52 .
Government Property
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Prime Minister how many houses and flats are owned by Government departments; and how many of these are currently empty. [27796]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 13 June 1995]: Up-to-date information is being calculated and will be
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published by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment in due course.Scott Report
Mr. Byers: To ask the Prime Minister which Ministers, former Ministers or civil servants have sought independent legal advice in assisting their response to draft extracts from Sir Richard Scott's report; in each case from whom the advice has been sought; and what limit has been placed on payment for such advice from public funds. [28386]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 13 June 1995]: Sir Richard Scott has requested that all those in receipt of extracts from his draft report should hold this material in confidence. The Government are not aware of the identity of all the recipients and, in accordance with the vice-chancellor's request, would not consider it right to disclose the identity of those recipients of whom it is aware.
Apart from legal advice from departmental lawyers, legal services have been provided to witnesses to the inquiry by the Treasury Solicitor's department and by external lawyers. In each case their costs are subject to the approval of the legal advisers to the Departments who are responsible for payment.
Column 529
TRANSPORT
Railway Restructuring
Mr. Matthew Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision he is making for the additional costs being incurred by the English passenger transport authorities and their executives as a result of the restructuring of the railways. [29266]
Mr. Watts: A special grant report has been laid before the house today for the payment of metropolitan railway grant in 1995 96 to English passenger transport authorities. The broad aim of MRG is to provide support to those PTAs for the additional costs failing to be met by the PTAs in the financial year 1995 96 for the railway passenger services provided by British Rail to those authorities' passenger transport executives, arising from the restructuring of railways in Great Britain in accordance with the Railways Act 1995.
Airline Pilots
Sir Peter Emery: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list his Department's individual replies to the specific objections in respect of the Civil Aviation Authority proposals made by the British Airline Pilots Association on (a) flight and duty times, (b) split duty, (c) time zone crossing, (d) rest requirement, (e) augment crew and (f) standby. [27330]
Mr. Norris: The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for flight and duty time limitation schemes, including technical assessment of the joint aviation authorities' proposals. The Department has not responded in detail to the British Airline Pilots Association's specific objections as these are a matter for the authority. However, the authority has assured my noble Friend the Minister for Aviation that the JAA proposals, if introduced, would provide an equivalent level of protection against the onset of fatigue to the current United Kingdom requirements.
Road Registration Act 1984
Mr. Bennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the orders made under section 20 of the Road Regulation Act 1984 or its predecessor sections since 1965. [28220]
Mr. Norris: No such orders have been made.
Railways (Staffing)
Ms Bridget Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many stations within (a) the Tilbury and Southend region, (b) the south -eastern operating region, (c) the Gatwick express region, (d) the Network South Central region, (e) the south west train operating region, (f) the Thameslink operating region, (g) the Anglia operating region, (h) the Great Eastern operating region, (i) the West Anglia and Great Northern operating region and (j) the North London Railways operating region are unstaffed after 6 pm and at weekends; and if he will provide equivalent figures for 1979; [28011]
(2) how many stations within the Thames train operating region unstaffed after 6 pm and at weekends; and if he will provide equivalent figures for 1979. [28016]
Column 532
Mr. Watts: The information requested is a matter for British Rail. I understand that it does not hold this information centrally. It is therefore not readily available.
Yachtsmen
Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department has commissioned in the last three years into the effect on the behaviour of yachtsmen of (a) seasickness remedies, (b) alcohol, (c) wave motion. [27536]
Intoxicated Helmsmen
Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest estimate of the total number of (a) registered and (b) unregistered boats and small craft in the United Kingdom; and what percentage of them have been found to be under the command of an intoxicated helmsman in each of the last three years. [27535]
Mr. Norris: There are approximately 75,000 yachts and small craft on the United Kingdom shipping register; statistics are not held on the number of unregistered vessels. No records are kept on the percentage of these vessels that have been found under the command of intoxicated helmsmen.
Flight Data Recorders
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation as a matter of urgency to ensure that all aircraft equipped to carry fare paying passengers are fitted with flight data recorders irrespective of the number of fare-paying passengers; and if he will make a statement. [27401]
Mr. Norris: The joint aviation authorities are responsible for setting the criteria for the fitting of flight data recorders. The joint aviation requirement on commercial air transportation adopted on 1 April specifies that all new aircraft with more than nine passenger seats be equipped with flight data recorders. This is in line with existing United Kingdom legislation.
The Civil Aviation Authority does not believe that the fitting of flight data recorders to smaller aircraft would increase aviation safety in the UK.
Waste, Ports
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the waste reception facilities available at each United Kingdom port and the amount of waste collected by each port for the last five years. [26111]
Mr. Norris: The Marine Safety Agency has recently conducted a questionnaire survey of the provision of waste reception facilities. Copies have been placed in the House Library. Information on the amount of waste collected by ports for the last five years is not available.
DEFENCE
Joint Headquarters, Northwood
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the (a) role, (b) establishment and (c) cost of set-up of the new joint military operations headquarters at Northwood; and if he will make a statement. [27394]
Column 533
Mr. Soames: The establishment of the new permanent joint headquarters will significantly enhance the United Kingdom's ability to plan and conduct joint operations. Its role will be to draw together contingency planning, co-ordinate joint operational activities, joint training and exercises, and act as a focus for joint doctrine. In so doing, it will eradicate the disadvantages inherent in the current system of creating an ad hoc JHQ. Detailed work on the establishment continues, but it is expected to be around 330 permanent staff, including watchkeepers to allow the HQ to function on a 24-hour basis. The initial costs of setting up the JHQ are estimated at some £12,000,000, and the running costs, including manpower, at some £15,000,000 per annum. Annual running costs are expected to be offset by compensating reductions in manpower and other costs elsewhere in the Department.
Military Base Inspections
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many inspections of military bases in the United Kingdom were made under the terms of the intermediate nuclear forces treaty in (a) 1994 and (b) 1995 to -date; and what was the result of each inspection. [28271]
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many inspections of overseas United Kingdom forces' military bases under the terms of the intermediate nuclear forces treaty were made in (a) 1994 and (b) 1995 to date; and what was the result of each inspection. [28270]
Mr. Soames: None. The United Kingdom is not a state party to the intermediate range nuclear forces treaty and therefore our military bases are not subject to inspection under the treaty.
Nuclear Weapons
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information Her Majesty's Government possess on the number of nuclear weapons currently deployed in non-nuclear weapons states by each of the five countries defined as nuclear weapons powers by the non-proliferation treaty. [27650]
Mr. Soames: Under NATO nuclear burden sharing arrangements, US and United Kingdom nuclear weapons may be deployed in some other alliance countries. We do not comment on the details of current weapon deployments within the alliance. Russia still has nuclear weapons on the territories of Ukraine and Belarus.
Nimrod
Mr. Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and where the last major servicing of the recently crashed Nimrod was carried out; and if this was the responsibility of a civilian contractor. [27909]
Mr. Soames: The Nimrod which ditched into the Moray firth on 16 May was on a routine test flight having just completed a major servicing at RAF Kinloss. As I made clear in my answer of 25 May to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark), Official Report , column 659 , the servicing was carried out by RAF personnel.
Column 534
Defence Animal Centre
Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Animal Centre in 1995 96. [29065]
Mr. Soames: The key targets for the Defence Animal Centre in 1995 96 are as follows.
1. Review and where necessary establish service level agreements (SLA), or the appropriate equivalent, with customers.
2. Meet at least 95 per cent. of SLA targets.
3. Implement an interim output costing system.
4. Reduce the net full cost, as shown in the accruals account, by 2.5 per cent.
6. Through the MOD competing for quality programme, identify and realise the full value for money potential in the DAC.
Defence Postal and Courier Agency
Mr. Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the key targets for the Defence Postal and Courier Agency for 1995 96. [29265]
Mr. Soames: The chief executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency has been set the following key targets for 1995 96: 1. Achieve BS EN 9002 for BFPO London.
2. Increase efficiency by 0.5 per cent. against the 1994 95 target by input or output means.
3. Both postal and courier Services to maintain present levels of service whilst implementing Defence Costs Study No 10
recommendations.
Queen Victoria School
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Queen Victoria school in 1995 96. [29241]
Mr. Soames: The key targets for the Queen Victoria school in 1995 96 are as follows:
Academic Curriculum
To achieve at least three standard grade passes at credit and general levels for 90 per cent. of S4 pupils. To achieve at least five standard grades--1 to 3--for 60 per cent. of S4 pupils. To achieve three higher passes at A to C grades for 60 per cent. of S5/S6 leavers. To achieve 90 per cent. successful completion of SCOTVEC modules started on or before 9 January 1996. To continue with the phased implementation of 5 to 14 national programme, in line with SOED recommendations; initially in English language, maths and environmental studies. Included in this will be the corresponding recording, reporting and assessment procedures in these areas. In addition, to trial team teaching of science in P7 using senior and junior school staff. To review and where appropriate update curricular guidance for S4/S5 as detailed by the Scottish Consultative Council on Curriculum January 1990.
Pastoral
To continue to monitor the effectiveness of the school pastoral policy and organisation document and, specifically, to produce a school policy on anti -bullying by 31 March 1996. To introduce improved career guidance provision.
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