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Barlow Clowes

Ms Lynne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans his Department has to ensure that former small investors of the investment company run by Barlow Clowes are fully compensated for losses caused by fraudulent activity; [18324]

Mrs. Angela Knight [holding answer 5 March 1996]: On 19 December 1989, the Government announced their decision to offer substantial payments, without admission of fault or liability, to investors who suffered loss as a result of the Barlow Clowes collapse.

In determining the levels of the ex-gratia payments, the Government considered it important to maintain the principle of co-insurance. Investors must be expected to have some responsibility for their own decisions and, therefore, bear some of the loss themselves. The payments made by the Government provided for the early relief of hardship caused to large numbers of investors. It also ensured swifter relief than would have been the case had investors pursued their interests through the courts.

Customs and Excise

Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent on 21 February 1996, Official Report, column 157, if he will set out the improvements in the way the Customs and Excise handles major prosecutions arising from alleged breaches of export control regulations to which he refers. [18533]

6 Mar 1996 : Column: 236

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: The improvements referred to are encapsulated in guidelines which were first issued in July 1991 and later revised and reissued in June 1995. These guidelines cover the handling of sensitive cases, including those concerning breaches of export controls. They reinforce established procedures and introduce a system of formal reviews to ensure that the strength of the evidence and the overall progress of the case are monitored. They formalise a system of consultation and monitoring between investigators, case solicitor and the policy administrators at an early stage in an investigation.

The guidelines provide for a "case co-ordinator" who is appointed from the administrators. They also specify that responsibility for the conduct of a case falls to the Customs solicitor's office and that the case solicitor must regularly review the evidence, reporting regularly to the case co-ordinator in writing and making additional reports as circumstances and changes in the case require.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

Fishermen

Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will instruct the Director of the Marine Safety Agency (a) to meet the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and (b) to provide officials to assist the national federation's safety and training committee in respect of EEC regulations on health, hygiene, safety and medical stores. [18857]

Mr. Baldry: I met Viscount Goschen, the Department of Transport Minister responsible for the Marine Safety Agency, on 16 February, to discuss a number of issues that fishermen have raised with me. I know that he is aware of the needs of the fishing industry and we agreed to meet again soon. I also understand that the Marine Safety Agency has arranged a meeting with representatives of the fishermen's federations on 26 March to discuss the industry's concerns about a framework for future consultation.

Set-aside Land

Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what hectarage is given up to (a) set-aside land and (b) each of the 10 highest land area covering crops; and how many kilometres length of river bank runs along set-aside land in (i) the UK, (ii) each other member state of the EU and (iii) the EU in total. [18621]

Mr. Baldry: The latest figures for the area of land set-aside in the EU as of 15 January 1995 are set out in the table.

The latest complete details of the 10 highest land area covering crops are given in section 3.5.2.2. of "The Agricultural Situation in the EU 1994", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

The information about the length of river bank that runs along set-aside land in the other member states and the EU in total is not available. In the UK, this information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

6 Mar 1996 : Column: 237

Land set-aside as of 15 January 1995

CountryRotational set-aside (HA)Non-rotational set-aside (HA)
UK337,281266,579
Belgium14,1267,860
Denmark46,503200,682
France748,937977,590
Germany469,482855,228
Greece9,6778,456
Ireland19,05313,107
Italy182,65065,042
Luxembourg1,641456
Netherlands9,4062,441
Portugaln/an/a
Spain418,7671.007,202
Austria57,90265,268
Finland153,00059,000
Sweden82,855246,328
EU 152.551,2803.775,239

Fisheries Closures

Mr. Morley: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what consultations his Department has had with inshore fishermen north of Bridlington in relation to the closure of the Dover sole fishery for boats under 10 m; [19163]

Mr. Baldry: Before the closure of the North sea sole fishery to vessels 10 m and under in length from 1 January to 31 March 1996, the Ministry consulted both the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations which represents inshore fishermen in England including those north of Bridlington, and the Yorkshire and Anglia Fish Producers' Organisation based at Bridlington which also includes inshore fishermen among its members. Ministry officials also met with representatives of the NFFO and fishermen from the north-east on 5 February. At the request of the NFFO, the Ministry has agreed to consult directly with the NFFO's constituent organisations on any future proposals to effect a temporary closure of a fishery. Such consultation will not, however, extend to those fishery closures which are necessary because of the full utilisation of quota allocations.

Dredging (The Wash)

Mr. Morley: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to ensure that dredging activities in the Wash will not affect local inshore fisheries. [19165]

Mr. Baldry: MAFF will not agree to any aggregate dredging licence being issued unless it is satisfied that the interests of the marine environment and commercial fishing activities can be adequately protected. Current dredging operations near the Wash are subject to extensive conditions to minimise the effect of the operation including liaison arrangements and post-dredge surveys.

In addition, an extensive monitoring programme is being undertaken to assess the effects of the dredging.

6 Mar 1996 : Column: 238

Departmental Suppliers

Mrs. Roche: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ensure that his Department identifies the size of its suppliers by the number of their employees. [15607]

Mr. Boswell [holding answer 20 February 1996]: It is planned that the Ministry's resource management system will be able to generate the requisite information within the financial year 1996-97.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

National Lottery

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which projects in the county of Mid Glamorgan have benefited from lottery funding; and what sums they have received. [17568]

Mr. Sproat: To date, 51 awards totalling £6.7 million have been made to organisations in Mid Glamorgan. I attach a complete list for information.

National Lottery awards in Mid Glamorgan

BodyAnnouncedRecipientLocationAmount
Arts24 March 1995Coliseum Operatic and Drama SocietyAberdare, Mid Glamorgan2,115.00
NLCB15 December 19958th Cynon Valley Scout GroupAberdare, Mid Glamorgan1,200.00
NLCB15 December 1995Penywaun Community CentreAberdare, Mid Glamorgan3,000.00
NLCB15 December 1995Bargoed, Aberbargoed and Gilfach Credit Union Ltd.Bargoed, Mid Glamorgan69,695.00
NLCB23 October 1995Arthritis Care--Bridgend BranchBridgend3,000.00
Sports15 December 1995Bridgend Canoe ClubBridgend7,058.00
NLCB15 December 1995Multiple Sclerosis SocietyBridgend, Mid Glamorgan1,620.00
NLCB15 December 1995West Ward Community AssociationBridgend, Mid Glamorgan40,946.00
Sports21 December 1995Port Talbot Borough CouncilCymmer436,553.00
NLCB15 December 1995Maerdy Ferndale Tenants BoardFerndale, Mid Glamorgan6,200.00
Sports15 December 1995Gilfach Goch Community AssociationGilfach Goch3,930.00
NLCB15 December 1995Antur EnfysMaesteg, Mid Glamorgan144,606.00
Sports13 October 1995Clwb Rygbi'r BalaMeirionnydd80,547.00
Sports13 October 1995Troedyrhiw Boys and Girls ClubMerthyr Tydfil25,900.00
Sports13 October 1995Penydarren Girls and Boys ClubMerthyr Tydfil112,000.00
NHMF23 November 1995Cefn Coed Viaduct RestorationMerthyr Tydfil375,000.00
NLCB15 December 1995Galon Uchaf Residents AssociationMerthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan23,152.00
NLCB15 December 1995Cefn Coed Community CentreMerthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan37,500.00
Sports7 June 1995Abercynon RFCMid Glamorgan295,908.00
NLCB15 December 1995Llwynypia Primary School Parents AssociationMid Glamorgan2,910.00
NLCB15 December 1995Mid Glamorgan Citizen AdvocacyMid Glamorgan44,895.00
NLCB23 October 1995Mid Glamorgan Referral SchemeMid Glamorgan60,000.00
Arts13 February 1996Ynyshir Welfare BandMid Glamorgan: Rhondda32,711.00
Arts13 February 1996Penyrheol Modenairs Jazz BandMid Glamorgan: Rhymney Valley2,610.00
Arts13 February 1996Taff Ely Borough CouncilMid Glamorgan: Taff Ely23,484.00
NLCB15 December 1995Caerphilly and District Victim SupportNewport, Mid Glamorgan4,700.00
Arts17 July 1995Ogmore Valley Male Voice ChoirOgmore Vale71,338.00
Sports07 June 1995Pencoed Comprehensive School/Ogwr Borough CouncilOgwr72,255.00
Sports29 June 1995Tondu Cricket ClubOgwr67,860.00
MC11 September 1995GarwOgwr1,150,000.00
MC11 September 1995Tondu Industrial EstateOgwr2,000,000.00
Sports13 October 1995Ewenny and Corntown Cricket ClubOgwr40,000.00
NLCB15 December 1995Ystrad Rhondda Boys ClubPentre, Mid Glamorgan30,000.00
Sports13 October 1995Pontyclun Rugby Football Sports ClubPontyclun295,737.00
Arts17 July 1995Menter Taf ElaiPontypridd2,100.00
NLCB15 December 1995Pontypridd GingerbreadPontypridd, Mid Glamorgan3,000.00
NLCB15 December 1995Age Concern Mid GlamorganPontypridd, Mid Glamorgan180,282.00
NLCB15 December 1995Gilfach Goch Netball ClubPorth, Mid Glamorgan22,612.00
Arts12 May 1995Rhymney Valley Recreational Activities ClubRhymney Valley14,275.00
NLCB23 October 1995Rhymney Valley MindRhymney Valley19,406.00
Arts18 December 1995Taff Ely Borough CouncilTaff Ely56,314.00
Sports03 May 1995Y Pant Comprehensive SchoolTaff-Ely4,500.00
Sports13 October 1995Llantrisant Lawn Tennis ClubTaff-Ely12,351.00
Sports13 October 1995Llantwit Fadre Cricket ClubTaff-Ely39,382.00
NLCB15 December 1995Clydach Vale Boys ClubTonypandy, Mid Glamorgan58,500.00
NLCB15 December 1995Penygraig Community ProjectTonypandy, Rhondda, Mid Glamorgan301,999.00
NLCB15 December 1995Tonyrefail Boys and Girls ClubTonyrefail, Mid Glamorgan20,000.00
NLCB15 December 1995Cwmpare Community Welfare AssociationTreorchy, Mid Glamorgan147,900.00
Sports21 July 1995Cowbridge Comprehensive SchoolVale of Glamorgan2,381.00
Sports21 July 1995Penarth Motor Boat and Sailing ClubVale of Glamorgan235,212.00
Sports26 October 1995Vale of Glamorgan Borough CouncilVale of Glamorgan28,450.00
Sports26 October 1995Llantwit Major Surf Lifesaving ClubVale of Glamorgan25,475.00
Total (51 awards) 6,717,094.00

6 Mar 1996 : Column: 240

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