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Groundwater Levels, London
Mr. Austin-Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what estimate he has made of the changes in groundwater levels in London; what assessment he has made of the implications for such changes for the London Underground and for buildings; and if he will make a statement; [16913]
- (2) what research his Department has commissioned into groundwater levels in London; if he will publish the results of such research; and what action he has taken as a result of such research; [16914]
(3) what assessment he has made of the NRA Thames region report on rising groundwater levels in the chalk-basal sands aquifer of the central London basin as it affects possible flooding in London; and if he will make a statement; [16962]
(4) what assessment he has made of the possible damage to buildings from rising groundwater levels in London; [16963]
(5) what representations he has received from (a) London Underground Ltd. and (b) others regarding rising groundwater levels in London; [16964]
(6) what estimate he has made of the costs of addressing rising groundwater levels in London by (a) regional control using purpose-built wells, (b) regional control using existing wells, (c) local control by building and landowners on an ad hoc basis and (d) structural modifications to prevent damage coupled with local control as in (c); and what estimate he has made of the costs of taking no such actions; [16965]
(7) what action he has taken to ensure that the design and building of new structures in London takes account of possible future groundwater levels. [16966]
Mr. Clappison
[holding answers 26 February 1996]: A report, "The engineering implications of rising groundwater levels in the deep aquifer beneath London", was published by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association in May 1989, funded in part by the Department. It reported on groundwater levels in London, rates of change of groundwater levels, locations where problems with deep structures and buildings could occur, the time scale over which problems could arise and the cost implications of a range of control procedures.
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The National Rivers Authority, at the request of the Department, has monitored groundwater levels in London since 1989, and reported annually. These reports have been distributed to many organisations including London Underground. Regular meetings are held between the National Rivers Authority, Thames Water Utilities, London Underground Ltd., the Loss Prevention Council and the Association of British Insurers and others to disseminate information. It is the responsibility of owners of existing and new structures to ensure the adequate protection of their assets.
Mr. Burden:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many water meters were installed by water authorities and companies in domestic properties in (a) 1985, (b) 1990 and (c) 1995. [17365]
Mr. Clappison
[holding answer 26 February 1996]: The number of water meters installed in domestic properties is as follows:
| Households | |
|---|---|
| 1990-91 | (11)315,000 |
| 1995-96 | (12)1,404,000 |
Source:
(11) Ofwat.
(12) Water company estimates.
Information relating to 1985 is not available.
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
Departmental Officials (Interests)
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the officials in her Department who have declared a current interest; what requirements are placed on officials to declare relevant interests; in what form records of such declarations are kept; and if she will establish a register of officials' interests. [16894]
Mr. Robin Squire: Staff of the Department must declare any conflict of interest between their work and outside interests so that senior management can determine how best to proceed. This requirement is set out in the handbooks of the former Education and Employment Departments and will be reflected in the guidance that is currently being produced for the new Department for Education and Employment.
A central register is not kept. Staff who disclose relevant interests do so on the understanding that the declaration, like all employment matters, is confidential between them and their employer.
Schools Expenditure (Durham)
Mr. Steinberg:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent in total on school education in Durham, in each year since 1979. [17210]
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Mr. Robin Squire:
The following table shows in cash and 1995 prices gross expenditure for pre-primary, primary and secondary education by Durham local education authority from 1979-80 to 1993-94, the latest year for which figures are available. These figures have not been adjusted for any changes of function.
| Cash terms | Real terms | |
|---|---|---|
| 1979-80 | 64,426 | 161.000 |
| 1980-81 | 78.888 | 166.613 |
| 1981-82 | 85.288 | 164.243 |
| 1982-83 | 89.281 | 160.502 |
| 1983-84 | 91.786 | 157.692 |
| 1984-85 | 93.842 | 153.510 |
| 1985-86 | 99.253 | 153.924 |
| 1986-87 | 107.785 | 162.261 |
| 1987-88 | 117.785 | 168.611 |
| 1988-89 | 126.568 | 169.558 |
| 1989-90 | 139.931 | 175.223 |
| 1990-91 | 151.933 | 176.132 |
| 1991-92 | 158.585 | 173.041 |
| 1992-93 | 203.717 | 213.596 |
| 1993-94 | 185,618 | 189.101 |
Staff-student Ratios (Universities)
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the average staff-student ratios in (a) the arts, (b) social science, and (d) applied science departments in British universities. [17744]
Mr. Forth:
Information for the higher education institutions formerly funded by the Universities Funding Council in Great Britain is contained in the publication "University Management Statistics and Performance Indicators in the UK" published by the Universities Statistical Record. Statistics for the higher education institutions formerly funded by the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council for England have been
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published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England in "Student Staff Ratios in polytechnics and colleges". Copies of both publications are in the House Library.
Mrs. Peacock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total amount paid by Kirklees metropolitan council on behalf of its teachers to the teachers; superannuation scheme during 1994-95. [17604]
Mr. Robin Squire:
The total amount paid in pension contributions to the teachers' superannuation scheme by Kirklees metropolitan borough council during 1994-95 was £5,566,102.
Ms Corston:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what impact the teachers' pay settlement will have on education spending in the 1996-97 settlement. [15486]
Mr. Robin Squire:
The impact on the pay award will depend on the decisions made by local authorities when they determine their budgets for services, including education, for 1996-97.
Dr. Wright:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department publish (a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests, indicating in each case if this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [16829]
Mr. Robin Squire:
The information requested is shown in the following table:
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(13) Statutory.
(14) Available for inspection at the NDPB's offices.
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