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Column 147
Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 19 February 1992
TRANSPORT
Merchant Shipping
Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the tonnage of cargo carried by merchant ships owned and registered in the United Kingdom for each year since 1979.
Mr. McLoughlin : The information available relates to imports to, and exports from, the United Kingdom.
Weight of cargo carried in United
Kingdom-registered ships
imported to, or exported from, the United
Kingdom: 1979-1990
Year |('000 tonnes)
------------------------------------------
1979 |72,870
1980 |78,534
1981 |67,943
1982 |67,842
1983 |59,306
1984 |63,038
1985 |65,796
1986 |62,655
1987 |65,547
1988 |60,693
1989 |60,338
1990 |53,982
These statistics exclude:
tonnage carried in United Kingdom owned
ships, which are not
registered in the United Kingdom, and
tonnage carried in United Kingdom
registered ships engaged in
non-United Kingdom trade.
Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of merchant ships owned and registered in the United Kingdom for each year since 1979.
Mr. McLoughlin : The information requested is given in the table :
United Kingdom owned
and registered
training vessels (
500 grt and
over): 1979-1991 (
end-December)
|Number
---------------------
1979 |1,194
1980 |1,143
1981 |994
1982 |868
1983 |769
1984 |690
1985 |627
1986 |496
1987 |462
1988 |437
1989 |407
1990 |378
1991 |370
Trunk Road Construction
Mr. Prescott : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which trunk road building schemes are planned to receive Government expenditure in the years (a) 1993-94, (b) 1994-95 and (c) 1995-96 ; and how much each scheme will cost in total.
Mr. Rifkind : Trunk road building schemes which will incur works expenditure by Government in the three years from 1993-94 to 1995-96 comprise schemes already under construction at the start of 1993-94, and new starts during each of the three years.
I shall be announcing shortly new starts for 1992-93. The composition of new starts in subsequent years will depend on progress with statutory procedures and the availability of funds in those years.
Total provision for new construction is currently £1,395 million in 1992-93, £1,477 million in 1993-94 and £1,511 million in 1994-95.
Ship Brokers
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department paid in fees or salary for each of the last three years in respect of (a) the Government freight market representative on the Baltic exchange, (b) the Government freight agent and (c) other specialist ship brokers.
Mr. McLoughlin : The Government freight market representative received no payments from the Department. Payments were made to the Government freight agent (GFA) in respect of freight forwarding and shipping services for the movement of Government cargoes by land, sea and air. These totalled £1,919,145 and £1,514,812 during the years 1988-89 and 1989-90 respectively. Since 1 January 1990, the Ministry of Defence has been responsible for the appointment of the GFA. This Department has made no payments to other specialised ship brokers.
Port Buy-out Bids
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to bids for management buy-outs in respect of the trust ports of Medway and Tilbury.
Mr. McLoughlin : It will be for Medway ports authority and the Port of London authority, once they have received the final bids for their ports, including those expected from management and employee buy-out teams, to assess them against the objectives of sale agreed for each port and to make their recommendations to my right hon. and learned Friend, who will then consider them.
Lorry and Bus Drivers
Mr. Evennett : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further steps he is taking to improve the training offered to learner lorry and bus drivers.
Mr. Chope : I am pleased to say that the Driving Standards Agency, an executive agency of the Department of Transport, today issued a consultation paper to over 100 organisations concerned with driver training and road safety on a draft syllabus for trainee lorry and bus drivers.
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The syllabus will be published later this year, along with guidance on the lorry and bus driving test, and will provide the basis for a structured programme of training. By reference to the syllabus such drivers will be able to confirm the standard of driving they are receiving and check for themselves their training programme and progress.British Rail, Scotland
Mr. Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the proposed capital expenditure plans for British Rail in Scotland for each of the next five years.
Mr. Freeman : BR keeps only limited historic information on investment on a geographic basis. There is no information on rolling stock investment, and as BR plans on a business sector basis there is no information for future years.
Aviation Services
Mr. Michael Spicer : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made by EC member states towards providing for a single market in aviation services by the end of 1992, with respect in particular to the abolition of bilateral air servicing agreements and to the permitting of cross border investment by one airline in another.
Mr. McLoughlin : Good progress is being made. The third and final stage of EC air transport liberalisation measures is under negotiation in Brussels and is due to take effect by 1 Janaury 1993. Air services between and
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within EC member states will then be covered by EC rules rather than bilateral provisions. Cross-border investment between airlines is already covered by provisions relating to competition, including the EC mergers regulation which took effect in 1990.British Airways
Mr. Fearn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with British Airways following publication of "A Manifesto for Civil Aviation in the 1990s."
Mr. McLoughlin : There are continuing contacts between the Department and British Airways about matters of mutual interest. While there have been no discussions specifically about BA's manifesto, I am pleased to note that there is no difference between the Government and BA in wishing to break down barriers to competition.
Oil Standby Vessels
Mr. Doran : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of oil standby vessels in the United Kingdom continental shelf, and what is the name of each vessel, its owner, the date on which it was first registered, and the date of the most recent inspection.
Mr. McLoughlin : The number of vessels certificated for use in the United Kingdom standby industry is at present 176.
Attached is a list of these vessels which includes the name of owner, date of registration and the date of the vessel's last inspection.
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Name |Owner |Date of |Date of
|registration<1> |last inspection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdonian |Nomis Shipping Ltd. |1977 | 3 December 1991
Alexandra Tide |Tidewater Marine |January 1974 |20 December 1991
Anegada |Knight/Carvel |May 1962 |11 July 1991
Atlantic Defender |Swire Pacific |1979 | 2 December 1991
Atlantic Guardian |Swire Pacific |1980 |20 December 1991
Barnsley |Knight/Carvel |October 1960 |31 May 1991
Barra Supplier |Barra Shipping |1984 | 4 June 1991
Black Isle |Black Ice Ltd. |1973 |14 October 1991
Black Watch |Black Watch Ltd. |April 1977 | 6 January 1992
Blue Flame 1 |Putford Enterprises |October 1976 | 6 March 1991
Breydon Eider |Breydon Marine |March 1961 | 9 April 1991
Britannia Challenger |Britannia Marine |April 1964 |10 April 1991
Britannia Champion |Suffolk Marine |February 1980 |17 May 1991
Britannia Chieftain |Suffolk Marine |1973 | 9 January 1992
Britannia Cobra |Britannia Marine |April 1978 | 6 March 1991
Britannia Conquest |Suffolk Marine |February 1974 |25 April 1991
Britannia Crusader |Suffolk Marine |1976 |17 September 1991
Britannia Endeavour |Suffolk Marine |1975 |22 October 1991
Britannia Fury |Britannia Marine |October 1972 |19 March 1991
Britannia Gazelle |Britannia Marine |August 1978 |21 March 1991
Britannia Harvester |Suffolk Marine |December 1972 | 3 April 1991
Britannia Knight |Suffolk Marine |June 1976 | 9 April 1991
Britannia Monarch |Suffolk Marine |September 1973 |16 April 1991
Britannia Stallion |Britannia Marine |November 1978 |4 April 1991
Britannia Venturer |Suffolk Marine |1965 |19 September 1991
Britannia Vixen |Britannia Marine |January 1978 |19 March 1991
Britannia Warrior |Suffolk Marine |June 1973 |16 February 1991
CAM Cheetah |CAM Shipping Ltd. |November 1959 |13 December 1991
CAM Civet |CAM Shipping Ltd. |November 1960 |31 December 1991
CAM Cougar |CAM Shipping Ltd. |June 1958 |9 December 1991
CAM Defender |CAM Standby Ltd. |1983 |30 October 1991
CAM Genet |CAM Shipping Ltd. |October 1960 |6 January 1992
CAM Guardian |CAM Shipping Ltd. |October 1970 |9 December 1991
CAM Jaguar |CAM Shipping Ltd. |December 1957 |19 December 1991
CAM Lynx |CAM Shipping Ltd. |January 1960 |19 December 1991
CAM Observer |CAM Offshore Ltd. |1953 |13 December 1991
CAM Panther |CAM Shipping Ltd. |April 1958 |29 November 1991
CAM Protector |CAM Standby Ltd. |1983 |20 December 1991
CAM Puma |CAM Shipping Ltd. |1966 |29 November 1991
CAM Ranger |CAM Offshore Ltd. |1983 |17 January 1992
CAM Retriever |CAM Shipping Ltd. |March 1972 |25 November 1991
CAM Scout |CAM Offshore Ltd. |1956 |31 December 1991
CAM Searcher |CAM Shipping Ltd. |April 1971 |28 November 1991
CAM Seeker |Nancy Sea |January 1968 |11 December 1991
CAM Sentinel |CAM Shipping Ltd. |1982 |16 December 1991
CAM Supporter |CAM Standby Ltd. |1983 |24 December 1991
CAM Valiant |CAM Shipping Ltd. |1939 |12 February 1992
CAM Vanguard |CAM Offshore Ltd. |June 1955 |16 December 1991
CAM Vedette |CAM Shipping Ltd. |1970 |14 January 1992
CAM Venturer |Bristow Investments |1973 |9 December 1991
CAM Viceroy |CAM Shipping Ltd. |February 1959 |8 January 1992
CAM Victor |Charford Shipping |1969 |18 December 1991
CAM Viking |Charford Shipping |1972 |28 November 1991
CAM Viscount |CAM Shipping Ltd. |1971 |29 August 1991
CAM Voyager |Karlsen Navi |1957 |23 December 1991
CAM Vulcan |Bristow Investments |1958 |14 January 1992
CAM Zebra |CAM Shipping Ltd. |November 1960 |7 January 1992
Colne Kestrel |Knight/Carvel |February 1966 |21 August 1991
Dawn Blazer |Warbler Shipping |November 1965 |3 January 1992
Dawn Gem |Warbler Shipping |July 1958 |18 April 1991
Dawn Monarch |Warbler Shipping |June 1961 |11 May 1991
Dawn Saviour |Warbler Shipping |April 1960 |10 January 1992
Dawn Sky |Warbler Shipping |March 1967 |23 May 1991
Dawn Warbler |Warbler Shipping |May 1966 |28 June 1991
Dea Supporter |Nomis Shipping Ltd. |1970 |27 December 1991
Euan |Garcia Marine |1936 |3 May 1991
Exuma |Colne Shipping Ltd. |September 1961 |26 September 1991
Far Centurion |Midhope Shipping |1983 |1 July 1991
Far Earl |Far Standby Ltd. |1986 |30 December 1991
Far Searcher |Far Standby Ltd. |1986 |10 December 1991
Far Seeker |Far Standby Ltd. |1986 |20 December 1991
Far Sovereign |Silex Ltd. |October 1982 |28 February 1991
Far Stream |Far Supply |1982 |1 April 1991
Grampian Chieftain |Craig & Sons Ltd. |December 1976 |24 May 1991
Grampian City |Craig & Sons Ltd. |September 1976 |7 May 1991
Grampian Concord |Craig & Sons Ltd. |June 1961 |2 July 1991
Grampian Dawn |Craig & Sons Ltd. |May 1962 |30 December 1991
Grampian Dee |Craig & Sons Ltd. |September 1975 |22 November 1991
Grampian Eagle |Craig & Sons Ltd. |January 1975 |27 December 1991
Grampian Endeavour |Craig & Sons Ltd. |November 1966 |12 April 1991
Grampian Explorer |Craig & Sons Ltd. |August 1965 |27 December 1991
Grampian Falcon |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1982 |1 July 1991
Grampian Forest |Craig & Sons Ltd. |October 1962 |6 December 1991
Grampian Freedom |Craig & Sons Ltd. |April 1957 |27 December 1991
Grampian Harrier |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1967 |6 June 1991
Grampian Highlander |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1976 |20 May 1991
Grampian King |Craig & Sons Ltd. |October 1959 |26 February 1991
Grampian Osprey |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1937 |12 June 1991
Grampian Otter |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1983 |27 December 1991
Grampian Petrel |Craig & Sons Ltd. |December 1959 |19 February 1991
Grampian Pioneer |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1981 |5 April 1991
Grampian Pride |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1981 |14 April 1991
Grampian Princess |Craig & Sons Ltd. |March 1960 |30 December 1991
Grampian Protector |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1983 |14 January 1992
Grampian Quest |Craig & Sons Ltd. |May 1959 |30 April 1991
Grampian Rose |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1949 |14 January 1992
Grampian Shield |Craig & Sons Ltd. |November 1974 |28 March 1991
Grampian Sprite |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1982 |18 March 1991
Grampian Star |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1971 |17 September 1991
Grampian Sword |Craig & Sons Ltd. |October 1976 |21 October 1991
Grampian Venture |Craig & Sons Ltd. |1982 |27 December 1991
Grampian Viking |Craig & Sons Ltd. |May 1961 |11 June 1991
Grampian Warrior |Grey Ward Partnership|February 1977 |14 January 1992
Hatherleigh |Putford Enterprises |May 1961 |19 June 1991
Kronbas |Kronbas |1975 |13 February 1992
Maersk Mariner |Maersk Co. |May 1986 |6 January 1992
Maersk Ranger |Lunar Finance |June 1980 |15 April 1991
Maersk Rover |Maersk Co. |June 1982 |30 December 1991
Maersk Runner |Maersk Co. |March 1980 |17 April 1991
Mary Craig |Craig & Sons Ltd. |March 1959 |27 May 1991
Normand Skipper |Solstad Shipping |1975 |30 December 1991
Oakleigh |Putford Enterprises |September 1961 |11 June 1991
Putford Achates |Putford Enterprises |June 1976 |10 April 1991
Putford Achilles |Putford Enterprises |November 1973 |3 January 1992
Putford Ajax |Putford Enterprises |September 1976 |10 January 1992
Putford Apollo |Putford Enterprises |1975 |9 January 1992
Putford Harrier |Putford Enterprises |February 1960 |2 April 1991
Putford Merlin |Putford Enterprises |April 1962 |6 March 1991
Putford Osprey |Putford Enterprises |May 1960 |3 July 1991
Putford Petrel |Putford Enterprises |March 1961 |3 January 1992
Putford Skua |Putford Enterprises |June 1967 |16 April 1991
Putford Snipe |Putford Enterprises |December 1969 |3 January 1992
Putford Teal |Putford Enterprises |March 1969 |25 June 1991
Safe Protector |Safe Truck Shipping |1974 |17 April 1991
Safe Transporter |Sunset Shipping |July 1971 |15 October 1991
Safe Truck |Safe Truck Shipping |1976 |3 April 1991
Scott Protector |Ondur Shipping |1984 |3 December 1991
Seaboard Capella |Sunset Shipping |1968 |24 May 1991
Seaboard Castor |Seaboard Offshore |1947 |23 December 1991
Seaboard Illustrious |Seaboard Offshore |September 1966 |6 March 1991
Seaboard Implacable |Seaboard Offshore |June 1964 |21 February 1991
Seaboard Integrity |Seaboard Offshore |December 1968 |16 December 1991
Seaboard Intrepid |Seaboard Offshore |April 1968 |16 December 1991
Seaboard Invincible |Seaboard Offshore |September 1970 |16 December 1991
Seaboard Sapphire |Sunset Shipping |1980 |21 March 1991
Seaboard Sceptre |Sunset Shipping |1981 |25 January 1992
Seaboard Sentry |Sunset Shipping |1979 |28 June 1991
Seaboard Skua |Sunset Shipping |1972 |24 January 1992
Seaboard Snipe |Sunset Shipping |1972 |10 July 1991
Seaboard Sovereign |Sunset Shipping |1979 |21 March 1991
Seaboard Support |Sunset Shipping |1979 |31 December 1991
Seaboard Supreme |Sunset Shipping |1981 |21 May 1991
Seaboard Swallow |Sunset Shipping |1972 |8 April 1991
Seaboard Swan |Sunset Shipping |October 1971 |30 April 1991
Seaboard Swift |Sunset Shipping |1972 |23 August 1991
Shetland Service |Offshore Marine |January 1973 |29 July 1991
St. Anne |Colen Shipping Ltd. |September 1962 |3 January 1992
St. Elizabeth |Colen Shipping Ltd. |July 1962 |3 January 1992
St. Kitts |Colne Shipping Ltd. |March 1964 |20 December 1991
St. Louis |Colne Shipping Ltd. |June 1962 |16 January 1992
St. Luke |Colne Shipping Ltd. |March 1961 |8 January 1992
St. Patrick |Colne Shipping Ltd. |October 1975 |10 January 1992
St. Paul |Colne Shipping Ltd. |November 1961 |17 January 1992
St. Phillip |Colne Shipping Ltd. |February 1975 |16 January 1992
Stirling Snipe |Stirling Shipping Co.|July 1982 |22 May 1991
Stirling Teal |Stirling Shipping Co.|May 1982 |9 May 1991
Tempest |Wijsmuller BV |March 1977 |25 July 1991
Togo |Golden Arrow Boats |October 1965 |2 May 1991
Toisa Conqueror |Toisa Marine |December 1976 |7 November 1991
Toisa Lynx |Toisa Marine |August 1983 |21 February 1991
Toisa Panther |Toisa Marine |February 1984 |19 July 1991
Toisa Petrel |Toisa Marine |1983 |28 August 1991
Toisa Puffin |Toisa Marine |1980 |17 September 1991
Toisa Teal |Screen Shipping |1981 |16 January 1992
Toisa Tiger |Toisa Marine |April 1983 |4 July 1991
Toisa Widgeon |Screen Shipping |1981 |10 December 1991
Umberleigh |William H. I. |July 1960 |19 July 1991
Veesea Emerald |Gem Shipping |1980 |29 April 1991
Veesea Hurricane |Storm Shipping |1975 |21 June 1991
Veesea Sapphire |Gem Shipping |1977 |16 December 1991
Veesea Storm |Storm Shipping |1975 |12 August 1991
Veesea Tempest |Storm Shipping |1974 |21 November 1991
Veesea Topaz |Gem Shipping |1978 |6 February 1992
Veesea Tornado |Storm Shipping |1974 |7 February 1992
Veesea Typhoon |Typhoon Seas Ltd. |1976 |7 February 1992
Woodleigh |Putford Enterprises |January 1960 |3 January 1992
<1>Date of registration has been compiled from the official date of build.
Forth Ports Authority
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will detail his reasons for consenting to the public flotation of the Forth ports authority.
Mr. McLoughlin : The Forth ports authority submitted proposals to my right hon. and learned Friend for the privatisation of its undertaking by means of a flotation.
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My right hon. and learned Friend was satisfied that they were in accordance with the provisions of the Ports Act 1991. On this basis he was able to give the authority his consent in principle.Column 155
Shipping Report
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to implement the recommendations in the joint Government/industry working party report on "British Shipping : Challenges and Opportunities".
Mr. McLoughlin : The joint working party made five basic recommendations, covering simplification of the procedures and regulations surrounding registration ; review of the nationality rules applying to officers on British ships ; creation of a more flexible framework for registration law ; continued pressure to secure liberalisation of cabotage, and a more competitive financial framework, in Europe ; and emphasis on raising the profile, and revising the structure, of marine training.
Under the first of these, a number of changes have already been achieved, including the introduction of simplified procedures and regulations regarding the type approval of ships' equipment, and the establishment of arrangements under which surveyors in the British dependent territories can survey vessels on behalf of the United Kingdom where this is more convenient for the owners or operators of the vessels concerned.
We are also nearing completion of a review of the nationality requirements imposed on senior British Merchant Navy officers ; and have continued to press for a more liberal competitive environment in Europe.
Changes to registration law need primary legislation, for which we are seeking an early opportunity. In the meantime, considerable preparatory work has already been undertaken.
The final recommendation, focussed on training, is primarily a matter for the shipping industry itself, although the Government are closely involved in a current review of the structure of seafarers' training and certification. The Chamber of Shipping last year produced a report setting out its wider thoughts on future training needs. It has also assured us that the industry continues to attach great importance to the subject.
Wick Airport
Mr. Maclennan : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the implications for safety and the continuing viability of Wick airport in Caithness of the proposal to withdraw Meteorological Office observers from the airport ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. McLoughlin : Operating arrangements at Wick airport are a matter for Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd., which I understand is considering whether to replace their Meteorological Office observer with an air traffic controller trained in meteorological observation, as has been done previously at some other United Kingdom airports. Whatever the outcome of these considerations, Wick airport will continue to meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority. The viability of the airport is not in question.
Pilot Training
Sir Robin Maxwell-Hyslop : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which pilot training organisations in the United Kingdom train pilots for flying in connection
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with agricultural operations ; and whether his Department recognises such qualifications from any United Kingdom training facilities.Mr. McLoughlin : I understand from the Civil Aviation Authority that in the United Kingdom pilots are not trained specifically in agricultural operations by pilot training organisations. Such training, which is tailored to the needs of the individual pilot, is carried out by the firms who provide aerial agricultural services, under the supervision of the CAA.
Before a pilot can carry out what are known as "aerial work" flights, such as crop spraying, he must hold a commercial pilot's licence granted by the CAA, and to use pesticides he must also hold a certificate of competence issued, in England and Wales, by the National Proficiency Test Council under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986.
Car Licences
Mr. Terry Davis : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the income from provisional car licences in 1990-91 ; and what is the estimated income for 1991-92.
Mr. Chope : The income from provisional car licences in 1990-91 was £17.18 million.
The estimated income for the same source for 1991-92 is £17.8 million.
Mr. Terry Davis : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the income from short-period licences and the renewal of licences by drivers of 70-plus years in 1991-92.
Mr. Chope : Short-period licences are issued only for medical reasons and there is no charge for their renewal either before or after aged 70. The estimated income in 1991-92 from three-yearly renewals by drivers over age 70 is £820,000.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Legal Aid
Mr. Michael Spicer : To ask the Attorney-General what information he has on the level of fees for legal aid work by solicitors, and the methods of their computation, in other EC countries.
The Attorney-General : Information on all legal aid payments to solicitors is held by the legal aid board or, in the case of Crown court work, by the Lord Chancellor's Department. Information on amounts paid can be provided by various case types. For example, the total of solicitors' costs for magistrates' court work in 1989-90 was £131 million, £300 per case, and in 1990-91 it was £152 million, £346 per case. If the hon. Member is interested in the level of a particular category of fee, the Lord Chancellor will arrange for him to be provided with the relevant information, if it is available. No detailed information is held on the computation of lawyers' fees for publicly funded work in other EC countries. I understand that expenditure on legal aid in France for last year was around 10 per cent. of expenditure in England and Wales ; and that in Belgium is less than 1 per cent. Such comparisons are, however, difficult because the legal systems in these countries are different from our own.
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Mr. Nellist : To ask the Attorney-General how much has been spent on legal aid in each of the last five years ; what was the average for civil and criminal legal aid bills in each year ; and how many cases in each year were legally aided.The Attorney-General : In each of the last five financial years, the amount spent on legal aid in England and Wales was :
£ million
|Gross|Net
--------------------------
1986-87 |458 |363
1987-88 |537 |434
1988-89 |610 |478
1989-90 |715 |569
1990-91 |852 |684
Information on average legal aid bills, covering the last five years, is set out in the table.
|1986-|1987-|1988-|1989-|1990-
|87 |88 |89 |90 |91
|£ |£ |£ |£ |£
------------------------------------------------------
Average bills (Gross)
Civil matrimonial |896 |971 |1,123|1,212|1,358
Civil non-matrimonial 1,01,200 1,399 1,594 1,784
Criminal<1> |245 |281 |309 |349 |398
Criminal<2> |360 |408 |453 |525 |599
<1> In magistrates court.
<2> In higher courts.
The number of acts of assistance paid for under the various legal aid schemes, including legal advice and assistance and the duty solicitor schemes, were as follows :
|1986-|1987-|1988-|1989-|1990-
|87 |88 |89 |90 |91
|(000)|(000)|(000)|(000)|(000)
-------------------------------------------------------
Acts of assistance |1,909|2,173|2,139|2,298|2,384
Political Asylum
Mr. Madden : To ask the Attorney-General what action he is taking to allocate more resources to enable delays in appeals against refusal to grant political asylum to be reduced ; what is the average delay in such appeals being heard at the latest available date ; and what was the average delay in such appeals at the comparable period in each of the last three years.
The Attorney-General : The Lord Chancellor's Department plans to increase by 10 per cent. the staffing resources available to the immigration appellate authorities (IAA) and to provide additional resources to improve existing accommodation and increase accommodation for the future. These measures will help the IAA to process more effectively all categories of immigration appeals including political asylum claims.
The IAA keep statistics for immigration cases generally, but do not record separate statistics for asylum cases. However, because of their importance, the IAA aim to give priority to asylum cases whenever possible. It is expected that the multi-terminal case-tracking system recently installed at Thanet house will enable the IAA to produce more detailed information.
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HOME DEPARTMENT
Prison Officers Association (Break-ins)
Mr. Sheerman : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what progress has been made in the police inquiries into four break-ins into the headquarters of the Prison Officers Association ;
(2) whether he will set up an inquiry into the recent burglaries of the headquarters of the Prison Officers Association.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : No. I will not set up an inquiry. The investigation of criminal offences is an operational matter for chief officers of police and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this investigation while it was continuing.
Car Boot Sales
Mr. Steinberg : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the use of car boot sales as a means of disposing of stolen goods ; and if he will bring forward proposals to deal with this.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : There is no evidence that the majority of traders at car boot sales are anything other than law-abiding citizens. Adequate provision already exists in law to deal with those who use the sales as a means of disposing of stolen goods. It is an offence under section 22 of the Theft Act 1968 for a person to handle stolen goods if he knows or believes them to be so. This offence carries a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine. I therefore have no intention of bringing forward proposals to deal specifically with this type of crime.
Community Service
Mr. Steinberg : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of offenders re-offended (a) while doing community service or (b) after community service in the latest year for which figures are available.
Mr. John Patten : The available information is published in Home Office statistical bulletins issue 18/83 "Reconvictions of those given Community Service Orders" (HSOB 34/86 "Reconvictions of those given Probation Orders" also refers to it) Copies of these publications are in the Library.
Of the 2,486 persons given CSOs 1278 (51 per cent.) were reconvicted within two years of the start of the order. Of these, 18 per cent. of the total were reconvicted during their CSO, 15 per cent. coincidental with the termination of their order and 18 per cent. after termination.
The reconviction rate rises to 59 per cent. after three years.
Mr. Steinberg : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) community service sentences, (b) fines and (c) custodial sentences have been imposed by magistrates in the latest year for which figures are available.
Mr. John Patten : Information for 1990, which is provisional, is given in the table.
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Number of offenders sentenced at magistrates
courts for all offences
by disposal 1990<1>
England and Wales (thousands)
|<1>1990
------------------------------------------------
Total sentenced |1,423.6
Community based: |83.4
Community service order |27.1
Fully suspended sentence |13.3
Probation order |36.7
Supervision order |6.3
Fine |1,184.5
Custodial sentences: |19.7
Partly suspended imprisonment |0.2
Unsuspended imprisonment |13.0
Young offender institution |6.5
Other |136.0
<1> Provisional
Drug Seizures, Durham
Mr. Steinberg : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug seizures and prosecutions have taken place in the Durham constabulary area in the last year for which figures are available ; and if he will list the type of drugs involved.
Mr. John Patten : Information on seizures of drug type made by the Durham constabulary is given in table A1.3 of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Statistics of the misuse of drugs : seizures and offenders dealt with, United Kingdom, 1990" (area table), a copy of which is in the Library.
The information regarding prosecutions and drugs involved is given in the table.
Persons dealt with at court for
drugs offences by type of drug,
1990:
Durham Constabulary
Durham |Number of
|persons
----------------------------------
Total persons |<1>62
Cannabis |43
LSD |9
Heroin |4
Amphetamine |4
Cocaine |1
Other drugs |2
<1> Of which 61 found guilty.
Rows do not add to total because
a person can be dealt with for
offences involving more than one
drug type.
Foundation for Business Responsibilities
Mr. Fraser : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement about the enquiries by the Charity Commissioners into the activities of the Foundation for Business Responsibilities.
Mr. John Patten : Following allegations made in an article in The Observer on 17 November 1991, the trustees of the Foundation for Business Responsibilities have supplied the Charity Commissioners with information about the activities of the charity and its expenditure and receipts. The commissioners have met the chairman of the trustees and have also been in touch with the charity's auditors and inspected the charity's records.
The Charity Commissioners' inquiries have not yet been concluded.
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Immigration
Mr. Pawsey : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigrants have entered the United Kingdom each year since 1979 ; and if he will state in each year the countries from which most originated.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Information on persons accepted for settlement in the United Kingdom in the years 1979-90, by nationality, is given in tables 22 and 14, respectively, of the 1987 and 1990 volumes of the annual Home Office Command Paper "Control of Immigration : Statistics United Kingdom" (Cm 415 and Cm 1571). These figures are of persons subject to immigration control who are granted indefinite leave to remain here.
Information on a different basis is produced by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys from the international passenger survey. This defines a migrant to the United Kingdom as a person who has been resident abroad for more than a year, and who on entry states the intention of residing here for a year or more. This information includes British citizens. The appropriate estimates for 1979-90 are given in the 1988 and 1990 issues of the OPCS publication "International Migration" (series MN, Nos. 15 and 17 respectively) in tables 2.1 and 2.5. These figures exclude migration between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Copies of the above publications are in the Library. Information for 1991 is not yet available.
Prisoners
Mrs. Wise : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what research he has done on the effects of mixing unconvicted and convicted prisoners ; and what information he has on the practice of other countries on this matter ;
(2) what representations he has had objecting to the proposed mixing of unconvicted and convicted prisoners in Preston and other prisons ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Rumbold : My hon. Friend the Member for South Ribble (Mr. Atkins) has drawn to my attention the views expressed by the secretary of the Preston branch of the Prison Officers Association. These views have also been expressed by the branch at their meetings with management to discuss plans to increase the use of accommodation in the prison.
The prison rules 1964 provide that unconvicted prisoners should be kept out of contact with convicted prisoners as far as this can reasonably be done, and provided that the policy should not require a prisoner to be deprived unduly of the society of other prisoners. Most local prisons in England and Wales sensibly operate a degree of mixing to enable them to accommodate the inmates remanded or committed to custody by the courts in their catchment areas. This makes obvious sense, particularly where it avoids the need to hold prisoners in police cells, which are entirely unsuitable for the purpose. In some local prisons the regime for those on remand is improved by mixing with those who are convicted.
As regards practice in other countries, I understand that in a large number the separation of the convicted from the unconvicted is not regarded as obligatory.
Column 161
Bail Offenders
Mr. Thurnham : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the results of his survey of research on reoffending while on bail ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John Patten : I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Mr. Alexander) on 6 February 1992.
Poll Tax
Mr. Enright : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have had legal proceedings arising from poll tax legislation commenced against them.
Mr. John Patten : This information is not available from magistrates courts records in the form sought. About 11 million summonses have been issued alleging non-payment of community charge during the period 1 April 1990 to 31 December 1991, but some will have involved the same persons in respect of separate financial years.
Skateboarding Byelaws
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the local authorities who have now adopted the model byelaw relating to the use of skateboards on pavements, roads and footpaths ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Since 1978, the Home Office has offered local authorities a model byelaw which prohibits the use of skateboards and roller skates on footways and carriageways to the danger of other persons lawfully using the footway or carriageway. In 1990, the model byelaw was modified to make it an offence for a person using a skateboard or roller skates to cause not only danger but also nuisance or reasonable grounds for annoyance to other persons using the footway or carriageway.
Our records indicate that 66 local authorities have adopted the 1978 model byelaws, and that to date one local authority has adopted the 1990 model wording. The local authorities are :
(a) Authorities which have adopted the 1978 model byelaws : Adure district council
Arun district council
Babergh district council
Beverley district council
Birmingham district council
Bracknell district council
Broxbourne borough council
Bury borough council
Calderdale borough council
Caradon district council
Chelmsford borough council
Chichester district council
Colchester borough council
Congleton borough council
Dover district council
Fareham borough council
Gosport borough council
Gravesham borough council
Great Yarmouth borough council
Guildford borough council
Hart district council
Hastings borough council
Horsham district council
Isles of Scilly council
Kettering borough council
Leeds city council
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