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Written Answers to Questions

Thursday 19 October 1995

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Employees' Salaries

Mr. Rooker: To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many employees of each department of the House have an annual salary greater then (a) hon. Members and (b) the lowest paid Minister of the Crown.

Mr. Beith: The numbers of staff, by department, with annual salaries greater than (a) hon. Members and (b) the lowest paid Minister of the Crown (Government Whip/Assistant Whip) are as follows:


Department                 |(a)       |(b)                  

------------------------------------------------------------

Speaker's Office           |1         |1                    

Clerk's                    |47        |36                   

Serjeant's                 |7         |5                    

Library                    |15        |8                    

Finance and Administration |8         |3                    

Official Report            |15        |4                    

Refreshment                |3         |1                    

Charity Payroll Giving

Mr. Rooker: To ask the Lord President of the Council how many right hon. and hon. Members are signed up to the charity payroll giving arrangement operated by the Fees Office.     [37398]

Mr. Newton: As at 30 September, 45 right hon. and hon. Members are signed up to the charity payroll giving arrangement operated by the Fees Office.

Members' Staff (Contracts)

Mr. Rooker: To ask the Lord President of the Council how many right hon. and hon. Members have failed to lodge contracts of employment at the Fees Office for employees paid by the Fees Office from the office costs allowance; and how many employees are affected.     [37399]

Mr. Newton: There are 24 right hon. and hon. Members who have failed to lodge contracts of employment with the Fees Office for employees paid from the office costs allowance and 59 current employees are affected.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

National Lottery

Mr. Hoon: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many grants of national lottery funding


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have been made to date to applicants from Ashfield; and how much money was awarded in each case.     [37919]

Mr. Sproat: There has been one award to date to an applicant from Ashfield. The Millennium Commission has awarded £587,500 to Brierley Forest Park, a project which covers Ashfield and Mansfield. This award is for the reclamation of 125 hectares of derelict land to create woodland, landscape and wetland areas for recreation and education.

Millennium Commission

Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what steps she, or any body accountable to her, is taking to ensure effective co-ordination of transport services within London serving permanent, or temporary, sites of millennium

significance;     [37258]

(2) what criteria in respect of the purpose, content and similarities or otherwise to its predecessors of 1851 and 1951 the Millennium Commission has been set by Her Majesty's Government or has been set for the applicants seeking to operate the site of the proposed millennium exhibition.     [37331]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley [holding answer 16 October 1995]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

PRIME MINISTER

Government Policy

Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what meetings he has had with the First Secretary of State since July to discuss the co-ordination of Government policy.     [36748]

The Prime Minister: I have had regular meetings with ministerial colleagues since July.

Engagements

Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 19 October.     [36843]

Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 19 October.     [36844]

The Prime Minister: This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

Ex-service Affairs Unit

Mr. Alfred Morris: To ask the Prime Minister what further representations he has had from the Royal British Legion in relation to its campaign for an ex-service affairs unit in Whitehall; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.     [37228]

The Prime Minister: As far as I am aware, none.


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General Pinochet

Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Prime Minister which members of Her Majesty's Government met General Pinochet during his recent visit to London; and what effort was made to condemn the regime he presided over in Chile from 1973 to 1990.     [37979]

The Prime Minister: No members of Her Majesty's Government met General Pinochet during his recent visit. Our views on the military regime of 1973 to 1990 are well known.

Conservative Party Leadership

Mr. Bayley: To ask the Prime Minister how many civil servants, including special advisers, were involved in the recent campaign in official time or in their own time for the election of the leader of the Conservative party and for which candidate; and what are the normal working hours of these civil servants.     [38000]

The Prime Minister: Special advisers taking part in political activities, such as the election for the leader of the Conservative party, are required to do so during leave or in their own time in addition to fulfilling their normal duties. In these circumstances, it is not appropriate to give details of those involved. Special advisers normally work a five-day week of 41 hours including meal breaks, which is standard for civil servants in the London area.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Guatemala

Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent actions have been taken by British representatives at the UN concerning the abuse of human rights in Guatemala.     [37974]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor: The UK, together with our EU partners, co- sponsored a resolution at the UN General Assembly on 14 September to extend the UN human rights verification mission, MINUGUA, for a further six months. The vital role being played by MINUGUA was underlined by the mission's swift production of a preliminary report into the disturbing incident on 5 October in which an army patrol opened fire on a group of returned refugees. The independent expert of the UN Commission on Human Rights was also present in the country at the time; the UK has consistently supported extension of Ms Pinto's mandate at successive sessions of the commission. The UK has consistently urged both the Guatemalan Government and the URNG guerrillas to reach a peaceful settlement to the dispute between them, which would help to bring an end to human rights abuses.

Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Government of Guatemala concerning human rights abuses, the operation of the Truth commission and legal processes against alleged perpetrators of human rights abuses.     [37982]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor: The EU issued a statement deploring the massacre by Guatemalan troops of returned refugees in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala on 5 October. We


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have demanded an immediate investigation into the massacre and the punishment of those guilty of it.

The British ambassador in Guatemala takes every appropriate opportunity, individually or through the EU, to express to the authorities the concern felt by the British Government and people about abuses of human rights.

At a British suggestion, the EU raised with the Guatemalan Foreign Minister our unhappiness at the circumstances surrounding the death of Reverend Saquic Vasquez. We shall press for a satisfactory outcome to the work of the Truth commission when it is set up on the signing of a final peace agreement.

Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have been held with human rights groups in Guatemala by the British embassy in each of the past five years; and which groups were involved.     [37973]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor: So far this year, the embassy has held meetings with eight groups concerned with human rights. In several cases, more than one meeting has taken place. The groups include UNHCR--United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees--MINUGUA--United Nations observer force--Ninos Refugiados--refugee children--Christian Aid, Peace Brigades International, Casa Alianza and the Toybox charity--street children--Centre for Human Rights Legal Action and the Central American Human Rights Committee.

In addition, the embassy has taken part in EU discussions with a number of other human rights groups. The embassy maintains regular contact with the Guatemalan procurator for human rights as a matter of course. Meetings with these human rights groups and others have taken place at various times over the last five years.

General Pinochet

Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what facilities were offered to General Pinochet of Chile during his recent visit to the United Kingdom.     [37976]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor: No special facilities were accorded General Pinochet during his recent visit other than the customary VIP courtesy facilities at the airport on arrival and departure extended to all Heads of Foreign Defence Service. Under the Chilean constitution, General Pinochet is commander in chief of the Chilean army.

ENVIRONMENT

Treasury Building

Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in which papers and which countries the Treasury building was advertised for sale;     [37121]

(2) what restrictions have been put on the use of the Treasury building if it is sold;     [37122]

(3) if he will list the expressions of interest in purchasing the Treasury building which have been received so far.     [37123]


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Sir Paul Beresford: Property Holdings advertised for a private sector partner for the refurbishment of the Treasury building internationally.

Outright sale of the freehold is not currently envisaged. It would be inappropriate to list all the expressions of interest at this time, as the selection of a short list of candidates is currently taking place.

Plant and Machinery Rating

Mr. Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of the cost implications for small businesses of the recommendations of the Wood committee report on the rating of plant and machinery.     [36946]

Sir Paul Beresford: The Wood committee estimated that its recommendations would reduce aggregate rateable value by up to 0.5 per cent. in England and Wales. Their implementation, in the 1995 non-domestic revaluation, will have tended to increase rates bills for some properties and reduce them for others, but the effects are not distinguishable from those of the revaluation as a whole.

National Exhibition Facilities

Mr. Corbett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what applications he has had for financial assistance towards the development of national exhibition facilities in London's east end from private developers.     [37579]

Sir Paul Beresford: None.

Mr. Corbett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in respect of the provision of financial assistance towards the development of national exhibition facilities in London's east end by private developers.     [57580]

Sir Paul Beresford: I am aware of only one such proposed development for a site in the London docklands which is being pursued as a private finance initiative. There will be no public subsidy for this project. It will go forward only if the market considers it a viable proposition.

Mining Accidents

Mr. Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment if he will make a statement on the accident that occurred at Thoresby colliery, Nottinghamshire on 12 October; what steps have been taken to identify the cause of the accident and lessons to be learned from it; and when the interim report of the mines inspectorate might be published.     [37690]

Sir Paul Beresford: On 12 October 1995 an incident occurred leading to the death of a mine worker at Thoresby mine, Nottinghamshire. HSE officials attended the incident immediately on notification.

The investigation into the case(s) of the incident has already began. It is being undertaken by the HSE's inspectorate of mines. Until this is complete and the findings known it would be inappropriate to speculate. Any recommendations that are made as the result of the investigation will be acted upon.


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Reports of investigations are not normally published and it is not planned to do so in this case. However, I will write to the hon. Member for Sherwood when the investigation has been completed. The coroner will, of course, be conducting an inquest into the accident and this will be open to the public.

Mr. Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the accident records for each colliery for the first and second quarters of 1995.     [37691]

Sir Paul Beresford: Information for individual mines is not produced. Statistics for the industry are produced as an aggregate figure and published in the Health and Safety Commission annual report, copies of which are placed in the House Library. Figures for the first quarter January to March 1995 have not been validated and will not be confirmed until HSC's annual report is published in November 1995 at which stage they will appear in an aggregate table for the year. Figures for the second quarter April to June 1995 will not be available until November 1996.

TREASURY

Customs and Excise

Mr. Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) public, (b) business and (c) community bodies which have been consulted regarding the strategic review of Customs and Excise offices in the north-west of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.     [37229]

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: Customs has not consulted the public, business or community bodies regarding its strategic review of offices in the north- west of Scotland. Customs staff in these offices are largely involved in intelligence gathering and the prevention of drug smuggling and it would not be in the public interest for customs to discuss its plans in detail.

There is no intention to erode the current level of trade facilitation given to business and ports in north-west Scotland. There will be consultation on this once the review has been completed.

Mr. Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the Customs and Excise offices which have closed since 1 January 1990.     [37230]

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: The offices listed were closed in the period between 1 April 1990 and 1 October 1995. Because records are kept on the basis of the financial year, data are not available for the three months from January to March 1990. The operational and administrative functions in the offices closed were relocated either to new accommodation acquired for these functions or to existing departmental accommodation.


                              |Offices                                                    

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northern Ireland                                                                          

Belfast                       |Corporation Square                                         

Aughnacloy                    |102-104 Moore Street                                       

Omagh                         |12 Holmview Terrace                                        

Kilkeel                       |Coast Preventative Office                                  

Coleraine                     |Adelaide Avenue                                            

Belleek                       |681 Loughshore Road                                        

Newtownbutler                 |Station Road                                               

Belfast                       |Waterguard Office                                          

Armagh                        |9 Monaghan Road                                            

Ballymena                     |38-54 High Street                                          

Omagh                         |Campsie Road                                               

Strabane                      |Railway Road                                               

Warrenpoint                   |Harbour Estate                                             

Belfast                       |9-15 Bedford Street                                        

Belfast                       |Head Post Office                                           

Belfast                       |185-189 Lisburn Road                                       

Portavogie                    |Harbour Masters Office                                     

Londonderry                   |Meadow Bank                                                

Belcoo                        |Main Street                                                

Breandrum                     |Belfast Road                                               

                                                                                          

England                                                                                   

Wolverhampton                 |Chapel Ash                                                 

Stafford                      |Eastgate Street                                            

Dudley                        |Wolverhampton Street                                       

Birmingham                    |Rednal                                                     

Dover                         |Terrapin Export Freight Shed                               

Folkestone                    |EPU                                                        

Folkstone                     |Custom House                                               

Rye                           |Custom House                                               

Ramsgate                      |Custom House                                               

Canterbury                    |50 New Dover Road                                          

Dover                         |Port Services Block                                        

Whitstable                    |1st Floor Over Public Toilets                              

Canterbury                    |Park House                                                 

Maidstone                     |Lower Stone Street                                         

Ashford                       |Tufton Street                                              

Hastings                      |Selecombe Road                                             

Rye                           |Harbour Office                                             

Dover                         |Marine Car Hall                                            

Dover                         |EPU                                                        

Dover                         |Transit Shed A                                             

Dover                         |Preventive Freight Lane                                    

Dover                         |Townwall Street                                            

Dover                         |Southern House                                             

Dover                         |Hoverport Offices                                          

Dover                         |Room 44 Control Building                                   

Burnham                       |Quayside                                                   

Colchester                    |Portal House                                               

Harwich                       |Eastern Station                                            

Harwich                       |Western Station                                            

Harwich                       |CRV                                                        

Harwich                       |Navy Yard Wharf                                            

Harwich                       |Train Ferry Terminal                                       

Chelmsford                    |11-23 Springfield Road                                     

Colchester                    |Wellington House                                           

Colchester                    |Harbourmasters Office                                      

West Mersea                   |Lookout Hut                                                

Burnham on Crouch             |Quayside                                                   

Ipswich                       |Dock Head                                                  

Brightlingsea                 |Waterside                                                  

Ipswich                       |Wherstead Road                                             

Great Yarmouth                |North Quay                                                 

Burton on Trent               |Crown House                                                

Chesterfield                  |St. Marys House                                            

Castle Donington              |Boarding Office                                            

Castle Donington              |Freight Office                                             

Sheffield                     |Church Street                                              

Sutton in Ashfield            |Freight Terminal                                           

Felixstowe                    |Tomline House                                              

Grimsby                       |Excise Garage                                              

Grimsby                       |Custom House Royal Dock                                    

Grimsby                       |Bacon Terminal                                             

Derby                         |LOE Midland Road                                           

Grimsby                       |Provincial House                                           

Worksop                       |Copthall House                                             

Sheffield                     |3-7 Charter Row                                            

Mansfield                     |Queen Street                                               

Scunthorpe                    |Oswald Road                                                

Nottingham                    |CIU Garage                                                 

Stanmore                      |Canons Park                                                

Woolwich                      |Woolwich Arsenal                                           

Southend on Sea               |Baxter Avenue                                              

Liverpool                     |Wilberforce House                                          

Bootle                        |Daniel House                                               

Bootle                        |St. Johns House                                            

Liverpool                     |Richmond House                                             

Salford                       |New Bailey Street                                          

London                        |Harmsworth House                                           

Goole                         |Stanhope Street                                            

Leeds                         |Boar Lane                                                  

Leeds                         |Park Place                                                 

Leeds                         |7 Eastgate                                                 

Liverpool                     |157 Regent Road                                            

Crewe                         |Wistaston                                                  

Liverpool                     |North Dock Island                                          

Liverpool                     |Pier Head                                                  

Blackpool                     |Terminal Building                                          

Lytham St. Annes              |St. Georges Road                                           

Bootle                        |North Quay                                                 

Runcorn                       |Docks                                                      

Lancaster                     |Mitre Yard                                                 

Chester                       |Northgate Street                                           

Hayes                         |236 Nestles Avenue                                         

Heathrow                      |Hounslow                                                   

Gatwick                       |Room 30 Concorde House                                     

Gatwick                       |Rooms 3341-3344                                            

Heathrow                      |Jubilee Way                                                

Heathrow                      |Building 139                                               

Heathrow                      |Building 581                                               

Heathrow                      |Building 520                                               

Heathrow                      |Building 501                                               

Heathrow                      |Hangar No. 3                                               

Heathrow                      |Queens Building                                            

Heathrow                      |Building 558                                               

Heathrow                      |Building 552                                               

Heathrow                      |South Perimeter Road                                       

Stansted                      |Old Terminal                                               

Romford                       |250 Main Road                                              

Romford                       |Normanhurst                                                

Dartford                      |Ferry Terminal                                             

Romford                       |Crown Building                                             

West Thurrock                 |Translink House                                            

Woodgrange                    |Park House                                                 

Stanford-le-hope              |Shell Haven                                                

Stratford                     |Central House                                              

Dartford                      |Dartford International                                     

Grays                         |Station Masters House                                      

Tilbury                       |East of Tidal Basin                                        

Stratford                     |LIFT                                                       

Gillingham                    |Gillingham Gate                                            

Cheadle                       |Carrs Road                                                 

Bolton                        |Bradshawgate                                               

Accrington                    |Oak Street                                                 

Blackburn                     |Ainsworth Street                                           

Manchester                    |17-21 Chorlton Street                                      

Wilmslow                      |Church Street                                              

Urmston                       |Barton Dock Road                                           

Bedford                       |Goldington Road                                            

Kettering                     |North Park                                                 

Leicester                     |31-33 Millstone Lane                                       

Peterborough                  |Fletton Avenue                                             

Northampton                   |Cliftonville Road                                          

Hartlepool                    |Avenue Road                                                

Seaham                        |Seaham House                                               

Blyth                         |Ridley Street                                              

Newcastle                     |Cale Cross House                                           

Darlington                    |Thornlea                                                   

Hartlepool                    |Bovis House                                                

Kendal                        |Highgate                                                   

Carlisle                      |London Road                                                

Plymouth                      |Millbay Road                                               

Plymouth                      |North Street                                               

Dartmouth                     |Bayards Cove                                               

Plymouth                      |Royal Parade                                               

Launceston                    |Western Road                                               

Brixham                       |Sub Centre                                                 

Yeovil                        |19 Hendford                                                

Salcombe                      |Whitestrand Quay                                           

Watchet                       |Harbour Road                                               

Southampton                   |Cougar Marine                                              

Southampton                   |206 Berry                                                  

Christchurch                  |Mudeford Quay                                              

Southampton                   |Green Lane                                                 

Southampton                   |204 Berry                                                  

Southampton                   |Depot                                                      

Newport                       |High Street                                                

Reading                       |95-107 Southampton Street                                  

Abingdon                      |Milton Trading Estate                                      

Abingdon                      |Peachcroft Shopping                                        

Balham                        |Steel House                                                

Kennington                    |Kennington Park Road                                       

Westminster                   |Tufton Street                                              

London                        |Shaftesbury Avenue                                         

Kingsway                      |Africa House                                               

Southwark                     |Keyworth House                                             

Euston                        |Woburn Place                                               

Sunderland                    |West Sunniside                                             

Birkenhead                    |Price Street                                               

Birkenhead                    |Vittoria Dock                                              

Eastham                       |QE II Dock                                                 

Fleetwood                     |Fish Market                                                

Kirkby                        |Newtown Gardens                                            

Liverpool                     |Derby Square                                               

Oldham                        |Oliver Street                                              

Preston                       |London Road                                                

Worthing                      |Teville Gate                                               

Cosham                        |High Street                                                

Brighton                      |Old Cottage                                                

Brighton                      |Preston Road                                               

Eastbourne                    |Trinity Trees                                              

Poole                         |Custom House                                               

Poole                         |CFT                                                        

Yarmouth                      |The Quay                                                   

Eastleigh                     |Airport                                                    

Redhill                       |Queensway House                                            

Redhill                       |Tower House                                                

Maidenhead                    |Marlow House                                               

Maidenhead                    |Thames House                                               

Hull                          |Alexandra Dock                                             

Hull                          |King George East Dock                                      

London                        |Clements House                                             

London                        |Tavis House                                                

London                        |Northgate House                                            

                                                                                          

Scotland                                                                                  

Edinburgh                     |9 St. Andrew Square                                        

Kirkcaldy                     |High Street                                                

Edinburgh                     |Waterguard Office                                          

Stirling                      |Corn Exchange Road                                         

Dundee                        |Dock Street                                                

Perth                         |Jeanfield House                                            

Broxburn                      |East Mains Industrial Estate                               

Elgin                         |Gordan Street                                              

Methill                       |Dockhead                                                   

Dundee                        |49 North Lindsay Street                                    

Elgin                         |15 High Street                                             

Dundee                        |Victoria Road                                              

Grangemouth                   |Grange Dock                                                

Keith                         |Mid Street                                                 

Hamilton                      |Barrack Street                                             

Inverness                     |Academy Street                                             

Campbeltown                   |Lochead Street                                             

Greenock                      |Princes Pier                                               

Coatbridge                    |Whifflet                                                   

Dumbarton                     |High Street                                                

Dumfries                      |147 High Street                                            

Glasgow                       |Parcel Office                                              

Rothes                        |Breich Street                                              

Fraserburgh                   |Office                                                     

Grangedock                    |Portakabin                                                 

Alloa                         |Drysdale Street                                            

Buckie                        |Queen Street                                               

Aberlour                      |Elchies Road                                               

Aberdeen                      |Sinclair Road                                              

Blair Atholl                  |Distillery                                                 

Cameron Bridge                |Distillery                                                 

Glenlossie                    |Distillery                                                 

Miltonduff                    |Distillery                                                 

Glenlivet                     |Distillery                                                 

                                                                                          

Wales                                                                                     

Holyhead                      |Vehicle Compound                                           

Holyhead                      |Custom House                                               

Caernarfon                    |North Penrallt                                             

Swansea                       |Waterguard Office                                          

Pembroke Dock                 |Ferry Terminal                                             

Barry                         |Barry Dock                                                 

Cardiff                       |Roath Basin                                                

Bridgend                      |Angel Street                                               

Wrexham                       |Rhosddu Road                                               

Mostyn                        |Dock Office                                                

Taxation Immunity

Mr. Rooker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors are taken into account when granting foreign nationals residing in the United Kingdom immunity from United Kingdom taxes.     [37070]

Mr. Jack: Immunity from direct taxation is accorded to income and gains beneficially owned by foreign Heads of State and their Governments. This treatment has its origins in a principle of international law, which has been recognised by successive Governments in this country.

There is no immunity from Customs and Excise duties and taxes.

ECOFIN

Mr. Matthew Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the informal Council meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers and central bank governors of the European Union held in Valencia on 30 September.     [37741]

Mr. Kenneth Clarke: The Governor of the Bank of England and I represented the UK at an informal meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers and central bank governors of the European Union held in Valencia 30 September.

The meeting was devoted almost exclusively to discussion of economic and monetary union and, in particular, to various issues that the Council was asked to consider by the Cannes European Council, including the reference scenario for the transition to a single currency. It was agreed that further work would be needed in the run-up to the Madrid European Council.

The Council also considered the terms of European investment bank lending to Palestine.


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The Council discussed the US proposal to establish a middle east development bank and decided that it required more work.

Mr. Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Council meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers of the European Union held in Brussels on 18

September.     [37742]

Mr. Clarke: I represented the United Kingdom at the Economic and Finance Council of the European Union in Brussels on 18 September. The Council considered Sweden's convergence programme under article 103/3. It discussed the format of the report on employment to be submitted to the Madrid European Council.

The Council had a preparatory discussion about its meeting with Finance Ministers of the central and east European countries on 23 October, which will consider the financial services in those countries and the need for further report.

The Council considered the constraints imposed on Community lending to third countries by the loan guarantee fund. The guarantee fund covers the European investment bank, Euratom and macro-economic lending. I argued that there should be no relaxation of the budgetary discipline imposed by the mechanism. No decisions were made and the Council will return to this issue at a later date.

The Council adopted, by qualified majority voting, the cross-border payments directive, which seeks to improve the transparency and efficiency of payments made between member states. I made it clear that, although we support the principle of the directive, the UK opposed the proposed limits to the scope of the directive and the proposed separate limits on the level of payments which would extract the money-back guarantee in the event of loss. I noted that this weakened the protection which the directive would give to small businesses and private individuals when making cross-border payments. The UK accordingly abstained in the vote.

Over lunch with the Finance Ministers of the EFTA nations we discussed unemployment and in particular approaches to tackling youth unemployment.

North Sea Revenue

Mr. Grocott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of revenue to the Exchequer from north sea oil and gas since 1979.     [37912]

Mr. Jack: Total revenues to the Exchequer from north sea oil and gas production from 1979 80 to 1995 96 are expected to be £77 billion.

Privatisation Proceeds

Mr. Grocott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum received to date from the sale of privatised

industries.     [37913]

Mr. Jack: Between 1979 80 and 1994 95 privatisation proceeds totalled some £61.6 billion.


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TRADE AND INDUSTRY

ROPA Scheme

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the realising our potential

award--ROPA--scheme.     [38689]

Mr. Ian Taylor: I am pleased to announce that I have today placed in the Library of the House a copy of a report on the first two years' operation of the ROPA scheme.

It is clear from the report that the ROPA scheme is fully living up to expectations. It encourages academic researchers to collaborate with industry on strategic research, and it provides responsive-mode funding for them to carry out undirected, curiosity-driven research of their own choosing.

Over the two years, there has been an excellent demand for ROPA awards with a total of 1,521 applications, resulting in 719 awards having been made, worth a total of some £71.1 million over the lifetime of the projects.

ROPA scheme applicants have stated that they are involved in basic or strategic research projects funded by industry or commerce to the value of about £260 million. This in itself is a tribute to the excellence and relevance of much of the science and engineering based and industry's appreciation of it.

The Government are committed to the need to ensure excellence in research. ROPA awards have gone to some first-rate scientists and departments to fund some innovative research projects. An analysis in the report shows that across all research councils, of those ROPAs which went to university departments within the scope of the 1992 research assessment exercise, 67 per cent. went to departments rated 4 or 5--the top two ratings--compared to 65 per cent. for councils' other grants. It also shows that the success rates of applicants to ROPA was about 47 per cent. overall, which is consistent with the range of success rates for councils other schemes--some 20 to 60 per cent.

The scheme has been widely welcomed both by industry and by academics. The evaluation contained in the report shows that the scheme has been successful and has justified its introduction.

National Exhibition Facilities

Mr. Corbett: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what applications he has had for financial assistance towards the development of national exhibition facilities in London's east end from private developers.     [37581]

Mr. Eggar: None.

Mr. Corbett: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy in respect of the provision of financial assistance towards the development of national exhibition facilities in London's east end by private developers.     [37582]

Mr. Eggar: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment today.


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DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Civil Servants (Salaries)

Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many (a) civil servants and (b) other public sector employees now have gross salaries of £50,000 or more per annum.     [37883]

Mr. Horam: The information available centrally covers 96 per cent. of the home civil service. Of these, on 1 April 1995 some 1,800 staff or 0.4 per cent. were in receipt of a full-time equivalent gross salary in excess of £50,000 per annum. Information for other public sector employees is not available centrally.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Community Psychiatric Nurses

Dr. Hendron: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many community psychiatric nurses were working in north and west Belfast in each of the last five years.     [37554]

Mr. Moss: The information requested is as follows:


                    |Community                              

Year ended 31 March |psychiatric nurses                     

------------------------------------------------------------

1991                |18                                     

1992                |21                                     

1993                |21                                     

1994                |20                                     

1995                |20                                     

Dr. Hendron: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many community psychiatric nurses have been employed on temporary contracts in north and west Belfast in each of the past five years;      [37555]

(2) how many community psychiatric nurses are currently employed on temporary contracts within north and west Belfast.     [37556]

Mr. Moss: The information requested is as follows:


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