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Mr. Kenneth Clarke [holding answer 26 June 1995]: My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary and I are not aware of any occasions during the current Session when we have visited hon. Members' constituencies on departmental business without giving them prior warning.
ECOFIN
Mr. Matthew Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recent Council meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers of the European Union. [30935]
Mr. Kenneth Clarke: I represented the UK at the Economic and Finance Council--ECOFIN--of the European Union in Luxembourg on 19 June.
The Council agreed to a draft recommendation on the broad guidelines for the conduct of economic policy in the Community and in the member states; to the broad thrust of a report on member states' progress with employment policies by the Economic Policy Committee; to conclusions on trans-European networks; and discussed a draft presidency report on preparations for the third stage of economic and monetary union. These were submitted to the Cannes European Council. The Council reached political agreement on a draft regulation on the protection of the Community's financial interests. The Council also adopted substantive conclusions on the Commission's annual report on fraud for 1994 and work programme on fraud for 1995 96, and procedural conclusions on member states' reports on national measures to combat fraud, waste and mismanagement of Community funds. The Council agreed that all three new member states have an excessive deficit and that Germany's existing excessive deficit decisions should be abrogated. There was also broad agreement on a proposed regulation concerning harmonised indices of consumer prices across the Community.
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The Council adopted conclusions emphasising the need to respect financial perspective ceilings and calling for regular Commission updates on the situation.The Council discussed Commission proposals for a reduced VAT rate on cut flowers and for mandatory tax relief for biofuels. There was little consensus on the latter proposal and I questioned the utility of further work on the issue.
No formal votes were taken.
EU Statistics
Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each European Union member state the title and source of each state's equivalent documents to the United Kingdom (a) Budget Red Book, (b) public expenditure statistical supplement, (c) departmental expenditure reports and (d) documents showing the composition of the public sector borrowing requirement and national debt figures. [30954]
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Housing Benefit
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will announce the proposed changes to the housing benefit regulations; and if he will make a statement. [31822]
Mr. Roger Evans: The Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1995 are today being laid before the House. The changes will come into force on 2 January 1996, allowing local authorities time to make the necessary arrangements for implementation.
Mortgage Interest
Mr. Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to respond to the Social Security Advisory Committee report on his proposals for income support mortgage interest; and if he will make a statement. [31750]
Mr. Roger Evans: I am today laying regulations before the House which set out the new rules relating to the payment of income support mortgage interest and other related housing costs from 2 October 1995. I have also responded to the report by the Social Security Advisory Committee. I am grateful to the committee for its report. Although I have not been able to accept all the committee's recommendations, I have carefully considered its comments and those of the lending and insurance industries and others. I believe the package of measures I have presented today will ensure that private insurance and income support mesh together to provide more comprehensive cover for borrowers who lose their income. High-quality comprehensive insurance available to all borrowers will provide better protection than the current limited income support scheme, which stands to help only 30 per cent. of home owners who may find themselves out of work.
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These measures will stimulate insurers and lenders to continue to develop and improve on the mortgage protection cover they offer, while ensuring that benefit provision is retained for those borrowers and circumstances which the insurance industry cannot realistically cover, at this time.We have already seen some in the lending industry responding positively to these measures. Now the final details have been settled, I look forward to seeing more lenders take similar steps. Indeed, it is their own interest as well as that of their borrowers to do so.
Frozen Pensions
Mr. Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his best estimate of the cost in 1996 97 of granting Britain's expatriate pensioners whose pensions are frozen (a) the same increment as they would receive were they to be resident in Great Britain and (b) of closing the gap between the frozen pension and the full amount to which they would be entitled were they to be resident in Great Britain by 20 per cent. [31538]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The estimated cost of paying a single year's uprating is about £16 million, based on 1994 rates.
The estimated cost of paying 20 per cent. of the difference between the amount currently payable and the amount which would be payable were the pensioners resident in Great Britain is £47 million in the first year.
Motability
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will instruct independent accountants to advise him as to whether the current level of contingency reserves for car leasing held by Motability Finance Ltd. are set at too high a level; and if he will make a statement. [31488]
Mr. Hague: The level of contingency reserves held by Motability Finance Ltd. are a matter of discussion between MFL and Motability. The level required is reviewed annually by Motability and MFL. The Secretary of State has asked them to report to him when they are next reviewed.
Social Fund
Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many social fund loan applications were refused on the grounds that claimants were unable to repay (a) in total and (b) as a percentage of applications in each year since 1990 91 by (i) district and (ii) area directorate. [29330]
Mr. Roger Evans: The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available. Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 28 June 1995: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about Social Fund (SF) loan applications, for each year since 1990 91, which were refused on the grounds that customers were unable to repay.
With the creation of the Benefits Agency in April 1991, offices were grouped into Districts. I have, therefore, provided at Annex A the information requested for the year 1990/91 by former Local
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Office and Region. Annexes B and C provide the information by BA District and Area Directorate for the years 1991/92 and 1992/93 respectively.The new Social Fund Computer System (SFCS) introduced from February 1993 and during the course of 1993/94, collects statistics in a different way to the old system. The information provided for 1993/94 at Annex D is a combination of the old system's data, which provided the main reason for refusal against each application, and the new system which provides a reason for refusal against each individual item refused. A customer's application will usually include a number of individual items. The figures collected for 1994/95, and provided at Annex E, are for items only and it is therefore not possible for me to provide the percentage of applications refused on the grounds of a person's inability to repay. Copies of the tables have been placed in the Library.
I hope you find this reply helpful.
NATIONAL HERITAGE
Church Repairs
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he has taken to discuss with Church authorities the need for repair grants arising from damage caused by atmospheric polluters; and if he will make a statement. [31105]
Mr. Dorrell: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has not discussed with Church authorities the specific need for repair grants arising from damage caused by atmospheric pollution. However, the position with regard to historic churches is that, provided other eligibility criteria are fulfilled, grant aid may be available from English Heritage towards repairs necessitated by atmospheric pollution.
Amsterdam Wreck
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action his Department is taking to preserve the wreck of the East Indiaman Amsterdam buried in shingle off Hastings sea front; and if he will make a statement. [31499]
Mr. Dorrell: The Amsterdam is afforded statutory protection from unauthorised interference as a designated wreck under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. I am aware of a report indicating that the timbers which are sometimes exposed are deteriorating through natural processes, but I have been advised that the wreck is under no immediate threat. My officials are currently in touch with the Dutch Government, who are the owners, about the future of the Amsterdam.
Churchill Papers
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) on what occasions his views were sought by the national heritage memorial fund on the valuation of the Churchill papers provided by Bernard Quaritch; [30599]
(2) when he was first consulted by the national heritage memorial fund about the decision to acquire the Churchill papers. [30598]
Mr. Dorrell: The national heritage memorial fund, like all distributors of lottery funding, reaches its decisions independently of Government, as is provided for in the National Lottery etc. Act 1993.
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Heritage Green Paper
Mr. Dafis: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) whether the heritage Green Paper will include proposals to reform the membership of, and guidance given by the Government to, the Millennium Commission; [29931]
(2) whether the heritage Green Paper will include proposals to reform the national lottery. [29932]
Arts Expenditure
Mr. Jim Callaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the current level of expenditure per capita on the arts. [30980]
Mr. Dorrell [holding answer 26 June 1995]: Figures for total per capita spending on the arts are not currently available; my Department is supporting a research programme designed to produce an accurate overall measure of the level of creative artistic activity. My Department's tax- funded budget for the performing and contemporary visual arts in 1995 96 is £200.6 million. With only small exceptions, this money is spent within England, giving a per capita expenditure in the current year from central Government of £4.13. My Department is also responsible for the national lottery, which expects to make available up to £200 million to the arts in England in the current year. If the Department's expenditure on museums and galleries is also included, the per capita figure is £12.75.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Violent Crime
11. Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what change has taken place in the number and type of violent crimes committed in Northern Ireland since August 1994. [29811]
Sir John Wheeler: Statistics indicate that there has been an overall decrease of more than 16 per cent. in violent crime for the period September 1994 to May 1995 when compared to the previous nine months, with all types of crime showing a decrease to some extent.
Arms Decommissioning
14. Lady Olga Maitland: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made regarding decommissioning of weapons. [29814]
28. Mr. Maginnis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on decommissioning terrorist arms and explosives. [29829]
Sir John Wheeler: I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Castle Point (Dr. Spink).
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Political Settlement
15. Mr. Jim Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress towards a political settlement in Northern Ireland. [29815]
Sir Patrick Mayhew: Our aim remains the achievement of a comprehensive and widely acceptable political settlement. Democratically mandated parties committed to peaceful methods will be its principal architects. Therefore, the Government continue to encourage in the first instance, bilateral meetings between such parties and themselves.
Education
16. Mr. Cyril D. Townsend: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the integration of schools in Northern Ireland. [29817]
Mr. Ancram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) earlier today.
Educational Exchanges
17. Mr. Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to promote educational visits and exchanges with schools and colleges in the rest of the United Kingdom. [29818]
Mr. Ancram: School and colleges are responsible for organising their own educational visits and exchanges within the United Kingdom. The introduction of local management of schools and colleges allows for greater freedom to develop links appropriate to their needs.
Union
18. Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to further the union with Northern Ireland. [29819]
Sir Patrick Mayhew: Northern Ireland is, in fact and in law, already a fully integral part of the Union. The Government gladly uphold this constitutional position, and have no intention of changing it while it continues to accord with the democratic wish of most of the people who live there.
Framework Document
19. Mrs. Gorman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a further statement on the framework document. [29820]
Sir Patrick Mayhew: "Frameworks for the Future" were published on 22 February. The Government believe that the two framework documents cover the issues which need to be addressed as part of a comprehensive political settlement. They are not intended as a blueprint, and both Governments have made it clear that they are happy to listen to other ideas.
Royal Ulster Constabulary
20. Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to restructure the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [29821]
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Sir John Wheeler: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 May, Official Report , column 749 . We intend to publish more detailed proposals on the reform of the tripartite structure of policing later this year.
Blue Circle Dump
21. Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many objections were received by the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) regarding the proposal from Blue Circle for a super-dump in the limestone-based quarry at Magheramorne, County Antrim. [29822]
Mr. Moss: The Department has received approximately 1,500 letters making representations about the planning application for a landfill site and associated works at the former Magheramorne quarry.
Political Talks
22. Mr. Alton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made in the political talks concerning the future of Northern Ireland. [29823]
Sir Patrick Mayhew: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) earlier today.
Drug Abuse
23. Mrs. Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to combat drug abuse in Northern Ireland. [29824]
Sir John Wheeler: A wide range of activities to combat drug misuse in Northern Ireland is carried out by a variety of agencies, including those working in areas of health education, treatment and law enforcement.
In addition, the Northern Ireland Committee on Drug Misuse, which advises the Department of Health and Social Services on issues relating to drug and solvent misuse, is current preparing a draft policy statement on drug misuse in Northern Ireland.
The draft statement includes five main priority areas for action--education and prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, law enforcement, information and research and monitoring and evaluation--and has been the subject of a widespread consultation exercise, the responses to which are currently being evaluated. At the end of this process, the committee intends to submit a final draft to the Government for consideration as the basis of a policy framework for tackling drug misuse in Northern Ireland.
This will be addressed by a new top-level committee which I have established and which I will chair to ensure that individual Government Departments contribute fully towards a properly co-ordinated approach to tackling the drugs problem.
Housing Executive
24. Mr. O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the operation of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. [29825]
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Mr. Moss: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is the single regional housing authority in Northern Ireland and is responsible for the assessment of housing need and the development of programmes to meet that need.
The Department of the Environment is currently undertaking a review of housing policy in Northern Ireland and will shortly publish a consultative paper. The review is of policies and programmes and is predicated on the continued existence of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive together with an expanding voluntary sector and a growing private sector.
Water and Sewerage Privatisation
25. Mrs. Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of his proposals to privatise the water and sewerage industry in Northern Ireland. [29826]
Mr. Moss: As announced in the House on 29 June 1994, Official Report , columns 546 47 , the Department of Environment's Water Executive will be established as a next steps agency by April 1996 as an interim stage to eventual privatisation. While the Government remain committed to the privatisation of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland at the earliest practicable date, it is recognised that, for a number of technical reasons, this will not be possible in the lifetime of the present Parliament.
Sewage Treatment Plants
26. Mr. Clifford Forsythe: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sewage treatment plants in the Antrim, South constituency have not yet been upgraded under the Department's five-year programme. [29827]
Mr. Moss: Work still to be undertaken in the Department's programme of sewage treatment plants in the Antrim, South constituency consists of the diversion of sewage from existing works at Killead, Crumlin and Ballyduggenan Villas to neighbouring larger works.
Inward Investment
27. Mr. Elletson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about inward investment to the Province. [29828]
Mr. Ancram: In 1994 95, 10 new inward investment projects offering almost 2,000 jobs were negotiated by the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland and a target of 20 projects offering 4,500 jobs has been set for 1995 96.
The peace process and growing business confidence are providing new opportunities to reposition Northern Ireland as a prime investment location. The new and more positive image of Northern Ireland is enhancing the credibility of the IDB in discussions with potential investors. Resources are being increased to capitalise upon this new business opportunity, particularly in the United States.
Education Policy
29. Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Secretary of State for Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland to discuss education policy in the United Kingdom. [29830]
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Mr. Ancram: There is regular contact at ministerial level on education policy as part of the normal processes of government.
Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights
Mr. Brandreth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has received the 20th report of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights, and if he will make a statement. [32244]
Sir Patrick Mayhew: The report for the period 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995 has been published today and copies have been laid before Parliament.
The Commission has considered a range of important matters during the period under review. These include questions relating to the changing political circumstances following the ceasefire, notably the future of policing and possible changes in emergency legislation. The Commission also commented on the application of international standards for the protection of human rights.
I would also like to thank the commission for its extensive report on disability in Northern Ireland, which was brought to the attention of Parliament in the form of Command Paper 2740 in December 1994. Copies of the commission's 20th report have been placed in the Library. Copies of my response to the report will be placed in the Library in due course.
Licensed Firearms Dealers
Mr. Mallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on licensed firearms dealers in Northern Ireland. [31286]
Sir John Wheeler: The registration and control of firearms dealers is governed by articles 34 to 41 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. There are presently 154 registered firearms dealers in Northern Ireland.
The 1981 order requires the Chief Constable to maintain a register of firearms dealers, and only those persons granted a certificate of registration by the Chief Constable are permitted to trade as firearms dealers. Before issuing such a certificate, the Chief Constable must be satisfied that the person is not already prohibited from trading by order of a court in Northern Ireland or Great Britain, following the person's conviction on firearms offences or for an offence relating to the import and export of firearms or ammunition; that the person can safely trade in firearms without endangering the public or the peace; that the proposed place of business is suitable; and that there is a need at that place for such a business. The order empowers the Chief Constable to impose conditions on the certificate of registration. Failure to comply with those conditions may lead to the certificate being revoked. The Secretary of State can give directions to the Chief Constable as to the conditions to be imposed. The Chief Constable may also revoke the certificate of registration if he is satisfied that the person has ceased to trade as a firearms dealer; or has ceased to have a place of business in Northern Ireland; or cannot be permitted to continue trading as a firearms dealer without danger to the public safety or to the peace. Any firearms dealer or prospective firearms dealer aggrieved by the Chief
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Constable's decision in such matters, may appeal to the Secretary of State under article 55 of the order.The Secretary of State is satisfied that the law governing the firearms trade is sufficient and is rigorously enforced by the Chief Constable in the interests of public safety.
Sunday Observance
Mr. Mallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if articles I, II, and III, of the Act for the Better Observation of the Lord's Day, commonly called Sunday, AD 1695, are currently in force. [31285]
Sir John Wheeler: Articles I, II, and III of the Sunday Observance Act (Ireland) 1695 are still in force as set out in the latest version of the "Statutes Revised, Northern Ireland", Vol. A, pages 47 and 48.
Mr. Mallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many convictions there have been under the Act for the Better Observation of the Lord's Day, commonly called Sunday, AD 1695, for the use or exercise on the Lord's day of (a) hurling, (b) commoning, (c) football playing, (d) cudgels, (e) wrestling and (f) any other games, pastimes or sports in each of the past 15 years; [31289]
(2) how many individuals have been (a) prosecuted, (b) convicted, (c) fined, (d) subjected to the confiscation of goods or property or (e) set publicly in the stocks under any of the provisions of the Act for the Better Observation of the Lord's Day, commonly called Sunday, AD 1695, in each of the past 15 years. [31287]
Sir John Wheeler: As far as the police are concerned, there have been no criminal prosecutions recorded in the past 15 years for offences under the Act for the Better Observation of the Lord's Day. There may have been private prosecutions, but no central records of these are available.
Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency
Mr. Brandreth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what targets have been set for the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency during 1995 96. [32245]
Mr. Moss: For 1995 96 the following performance targets have been set:
|Performance targets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vehicle test appointments |28 days average waiting time
Driving test appointments |56 days average waiting time
Productivity (vehicle testing) |16.35 units per man per day
Productivity (driver testing) |7.8 units per man per day
Error Rate |Faulty inspections not to exceed
| 0.25 per cent. of tests
| conducted
Level of complaints about |Less than 1 per cent. of
booking arrangements | applications received
Level of complaints about |Less than 1 per cent. of
conduct of tests | applications received
Level of customer satisfaction |At least 85 per cent. plus
with booking arrangements | or minus 2 per cent. within the
| range of sampling error
Level of customer satisfaction |At least 90 per cent. plus or
with test procedures | minus 2 per cent. within the
| range of sampling error
Number of compensation |Less than 0.5 per cent. of
payments for cancelled tests | applications received
Composite unit cost of testing |£16.95
operations
Educational Administration
Mr. Trimble: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received on the paper "Educational Administration in Northern Ireland: Proposals for change". [29812]
Mr. Ancram: I have received some 1,300 written representations and have met a number of deputations. I will consider all these responses carefully before reaching any final decisions.
Mr. John D. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will respond to representations from the constituency of Strangford to the consultative document "Educational Administration in Northern Ireland: Proposals for Change"; and if he will make a statement. [29813]
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