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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 27 June 1995
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Majority Shareholdings
Mr. Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those companies in which the holder of his office is a majority shareholder which (a) are currently in existence and (b) have been wound up in the past five years. [25716]
Mr. Goodlad [holding answer 22 May 1995]: None.
Gibraltar
Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which European directives he has requested the Government of Gibraltar to give effect to in the last 12 months; in which cases they have failed to do so; what have been the consequences of these failures and what sanctions are available to him in the case of these failures. [30457]
Mr. David Davis: As in any other part of the EU, the Government of Gibraltar must implement all applicable EU legislation. I welcome the Chief Minister of Gibraltar's recent public undertakings to implement by the end of this year the backlog of legislation which as arisen. We are providing help with that process.
European Parliament
Mr. Marlow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the costs at current prices of the European Parliament for each of the last 10 years. [30500]
Mr. David Davis: The costs at current prices of the European Parliament for each of the last 10 years were:
|Sterling |ECU |ECU
|£ million |million |Exchange rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 |515 |666 |1.2924
1993 |497 |638 |1.2845
1992 |450 |614 |1.3620
1991 |380 |545 |1.4284
1990 |358 |497 |1.4000
1989 |319 |465 |1.4886
1988 |337 |486 |1.5051
1987 |338 |449 |1.4190
1986 |296 |409 |1.4946
1985 |210 |336 |1.6981
Former Yugoslavia
Mr. Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received in respect of war crimes committed
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against the Serb population in Croatia andBosnia-Herzegovina. [31138]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: There have been allegations of war crimes committed against all sides in the conflict in former Yugoslavia. We regularly pass information on possible war crimes to the international tribunal in the Hague.
PRIME MINISTER
Engagements
Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 27 June. [29364]
Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 15 June 1995. [29366]
Mr. Newton: I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is currently in Cannes attending the European Council.
Prisoners of War
Mr. Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister what was his response to the delegation which met him on 21 June concerning former British prisoners of war held by the Japanese; and if he will make a statement. [31135]
Mr. Newton: I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister expressed his very great sympathy for all that the former prisoners had endured. While recalling the Government's view of legal position, he said that he had discussed the matter with successive Japanese Prime Ministers and would continue to pursue it. He agreed to ask his Japanese counterpart if he would meet representatives of the former prisoners when they visit Japan next month.
Northern Ireland
Mr. Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about the peace process; and if he will make a statement. [31140]
Mr. Newton: I have been asked to reply.
The Prime Minister has frequent discussions about all aspects of the situation in Northern Ireland with my right hon. and learned Friend.
Nuclear Testing
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what consideration was given during the G7 summit in Halifax, Canada to raising with the French President the matter of public concern over nuclear testing.
Mr. Newton: I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed nuclear testing with President Chirac on other occasions. It was not considered necessary to do so at Halifax.
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TRANSPORT
East London River Crossing
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he proposes to develop the options for additional Thames crossings in east London identified in the Thames gateway planning
framework. [31492]
Mr. Norris: A Consultation Document, "River Crossings to the East of Tower Bridge", was published today by the Government office for London. This seeks the widest possible views on the form and priorities for crossings, with the aim of identifying buildable schemes which have a broad degree of consensus.
I will place a copy in the Libraries of both Houses.
Transport Council
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what was the result of the Transport Council in Luxembourg on 19th and 20th June. [31493]
Dr. Mawhinney: The Transport Council met in Luxembourg on 19 and 20 June. My right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State for Wales and I represented the United Kingdom.
The Council adopted conclusions on aviation relations with the USA. At my insistence, these require the Commission to carry out a thorough analysis to show whether a better result for all member states could realistically be produced by negotiations at Community level and to define the common interest.
The Council reached a common position on guidelines on trans-European networks in transport and on a draft directive on interoperability of the high-speed train network. In the case of the guidelines on trans-European networks, a unanimous decision was required in the face of objections by the Commission.
The Council reached a common position on a regulation on implementation of the international safety management code on the safety and management of vessels. The regulation provides for early mandatory application of the code from 1 July 1996 to all roll-on roll-off passenger ferries using EU ports.
The Council adopted a directive on the collection of harmonised statistics on the carriage of passengers and goods by sea and on vessel movements.
The Council held an orientation debate on alternative proposals for more effective recording equipment in road vehicles, in the light of member states' commitment to improve the enforcement of legislation on drivers' hours. At the end of an inconclusive debate the presidency called for further work to be carried out to assess the relative costs and benefits of the alternatives.
The Council discussed Commission proposals to relax the constraints on the hire of road haulage vehicles for international operations. Most member states saw substantial difficulties in the proposals as they stand. The Committee of Permanent Representatives was invited to carry out further work on them in the light of the Council's discussion.
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The Transport Commissioner, Mr. Kinnock, made an interim progress report on the Commission's exploratory talks with Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria on possible road transport agreements with the Community.The Council discussed proposals by the Commission for liberalisation of ground handling services at Community airports. It agreed that the Committee of Permanent Representatives should continue work on the proposal in the light of the debate. The Council also agreed conclusions on research in the transport sector, on the mutual acceptance of aviation products and on maritime relations with third countries. A resolution was adopted calling for further work on the development of telematics and automatic tolling systems for use in road transport.
Marine Safety
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 15 June, Official Report , column 618 , what is the estimated time necessary for full evacuation in a real emergency from The Viking. [30301]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 26 June 1995]: This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 27 June 1995: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the estimated time to carry out a full evacuation in a real emergency from the roll on-roll off passenger ferry "The Viking".
The vessel, now understood to be named "Peder Olsen", is not on the United Kingdom Register; the information requested is not, therefore, available. I can confirm, however, that agreed international provisions require the evacuation of all personnel to be accomplished within 30 minutes.
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated time for evacuation from a roll-on roll-off ferry with carrying (a) 600, (b) 650 and (c) 700 passengers. [30233]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 26 June 1995]: This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 27 June 1995: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the estimated time for evacuation from a roll on-roll off ferry carrying 600, 650 and 700 passengers.
I would refer you to the answer given on 9 May in a written reply to your Question reference PQ 1649/94/95. It is a requirement that all persons onboard a vessel could be evacuated within 30 minutes.
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated time for evacuation from the CONDOR 11 catamaran when at full capacity; and what is the evacuation procedure. [30234]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 26 June 1995]: This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
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Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 27 June 1995: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about evacuation from the catamaran CONDOR 11.The CONDOR 11 is provided with marine evacuation systems. Following a decision to abandon ship, passengers will be directed to use these to enter the life-rafts. The estimated time for evacuation of all personnel is 12 minutes.
Motorway Congestion
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is his Department's policy on restricting access to any motorway during episodes of traffic congestion; to which motorways this policy has been applied in practice in the last six months; and whether it is his intention to extend such a policy to the M25; [30657] (2) what is his Department's policy on restricting access to the M5 during episodes of traffic congestion; on how many occasions restrictions have been necessary in the last six months; and if he will list the junction numbers of the entry points which have been closed on each of the last three occasions. [30658]
Mr. Watts: These are operational matters for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Michael Meacher, dated 27 June 1995:
The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking about policy on
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restricting access to motorways during episodes of traffic congestion.My Department has no general policy of restricting access to motorways during episodes of traffic congestion. The police, who are responsible for the day to day operation of motorways, may control access from time to time, particularly to enable them to deal more effectively with the aftermath of accidents and incidents.
A system of "ramp metering" as introduced on the southbound entry slip road to the M6 at junction 10 in 1986, and has since been extended to cover the northbound entry slips at junction 10, both entry slips at junction 9, and the southbound entry slips at junctions 5 and 7. Traffic signals control the rate at which traffic enters the motorway to smooth flows at peak periods.
The southbound entry slip road at junction 16 on the M5 has been closed since mid-April because of major maintenance. It is due to reopen within the next two weeks. Appropriate diversion routes are in place.
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Scientists
Mr. Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many scientists were directly employed by the ODA in each year since 1983; [29864]
(2) how many qualified scientists there are in each grade in the Overseas Development Administration. [30217]
Mr. Baldry: The number of ODA posts, including those in the Natural Resources Institute, requiring a natural science or social science qualification, by grade, since 1983 are:
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Grade |1983 |1984 |1985 |1986 |1987 |1988 |1989 |1990 |1991 |1992 |1993 |1994 |1995
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CSO |1 |1 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
DCSO |3 |3 |3 |3 |3 |4 |4 |4 |4 |3 |3 |4 |4
SPSO |11 |11 |14 |12 |11 |14 |16 |15 |17 |20 |22 |20 |18
PSO |45 |40 |41 |41 |44 |31 |28 |31 |53 |82 |86 |87 |93
SSO |56 |59 |59 |62 |66 |53 |52 |57 |71 |81 |80 |69 |70
HSO |60 |55 |57 |50 |47 |50 |49 |53 |60 |65 |61 |53 |50
SO |40 |32 |28 |28 |26 |31 |25 |25 |38 |35 |29 |26 |27
ASO |21 |20 |19 |19 |15 |17 |10 |13 |19 |19 |22 |18 |15
G5 |7 |9 |9 |8 |9 |9 |9 |9 |9 |9 |9 |10 |8
G6 |36 |44 |41 |41 |39 |40 |42 |42 |45 |48 |45 |49 |50
G7 |35 |34 |34 |32 |32 |32 |36 |36 |36 |33 |35 |36 |32
SEO |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |1
Total |315 |308 |306 |296 |293 |282 |271 |285 |352 |395 |392 |373 |368
Note:
CSO Chief Scientific Officer (now Home Civil Service (HCS) Grade 4).
DCSO Deputy Chief Scientific Officer (now HCS Grade 5).
SPSO Senior Principal Scientific Officer (now HCS Grade 6).
PSO Principal Scientific Officer (now HCS Grade 7).
SSO Senior Scientific Officer.
HSO Higher Scientific Officer.
SO Scientific Officer.
ASO Assistant Scientific Officer.
G5 Home Civil Service Grade 5.
G6 Home Civil Service Grade 6.
G7 Home Civil Service Grade 7.
SEO Senior Executive Officer.
In addition, ODA employs other scientists on short-term contracts to work on the overseas aid programme, figures for which are not collected centrally.
TREASURY
Mortgage Tax Relief
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the value of the £30,000 mortgage tax relief if it had been increased in line with inflation from the time of its inception. [29638]
Sir George Young: As a result of lower mortgage interest rates the average mortgage holder is over £130 a month better off than five years ago. The £30,000 limit on mortgage interest relief was introduced in 1983 84. If this limit had been indexed in line with the change in the retail prices index, the limit for 1995 96 would be £53,000.
Inflation
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he has decided to drop the Government's previous commitment to aim for a long-term rate of inflation of 2 per cent. or less. [30003]
Mr. Nelson: The Government's commitment to permanently low inflation is unchanged. In his Mansion House speech on 14 June my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor laid down precise guidelines for the day to day operation of policy. Interest rates will be set consistently to achieve inflation of 2 per cent. or less, which should ensure that inflation will remain within the range 1 to 4 per cent. This would put us on course to achieve one of the best performances in Europe.
Council Tax
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what prior information he was given about the appeal by the Inland Revenue on the separate assessment for council tax purposes of annexes of houses set aside for elderly relatives; if the appeal was undertaken with his approval; what action he proposes to take as a result; and if he will make a statement. [30021]
Mr. Nelson [holding answer 22 June 1995]: Officials of the Valuation Office Agency briefed me on this issue earlier in the year. It is for the VOA and its legal advisers to consider whether to appeal to the High Court in council tax cases and the chief executive decided to do so in these cases.
The Government will study the full text of the judgment as soon as it is available, in order to decide what action may be necessary. Our current understanding is that it affects only a small number of cases where there is an unresolved dispute as to whether a property contains one dwelling or more than one dwelling for council tax purposes. The ruling, as we understand it pending full examination of the transcript, does not mean that thousands of families caring for elderly relatives are likely to face additional back-dated council tax bills. The High Court has not said that either annexes generally or the particular annexes which were the subject of these cases are liable to separate council tax. It has merely said that
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the valuation tribunals concerned took irrelevant factors into account in taking their decisions and has remitted the cases to the tribunals for reconsideration.The Government do not believe, and the judgment does not appear to suggest, that families should be penalised for sharing their home with an elderly relative or relatives.
Housing Market and Retail Sales
Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies his Department has carried out on the effect on retail sales of (a) an upturn, (b) a standstill and (c) a fall in the housing market. [30417]
Mr. Nelson: Treasury officials frequently review evidence on the relationship between consumer spending and real house prices. Most studies show a positive association, not least because factors such as actual and expected income and interest rates tend to drive both in the same direction.
Gilt-edged Stock
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider extending the consultation period for the recent proposals to change the taxation of gilt-edged stock. [31248]
Sir George Young: We considered the timetable for consultation very carefully before announcing the proposals in the Revenue's consultative document, as my foreword makes clear. We concluded that the period proposed struck the best available balance between the need to allow scope for consultation and to minimise uncertainly. That remains our view.
Mr. Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to bring proposals to the House in relation to the reform of taxation of gilt-edged stock. [31247]
Sir George Young: My hon. Friend the Minister of State announced the publication of an Inland Revenue consultative document in reply to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) on 25 May 1995 Official Report , column 712 . Copies were placed in the Library of the House. We will announce our decision whether to proceed shortly after the period for consultation closes at the end of this month. Any consequent legislative proposals will come before the House in the normal way.
Mr. Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he will take to protect personal investors in gilt-edged stocks from the retrospective tax consequences of the recent proposals to reform the taxation of gilt-edged stock; and if he will make a statement. [31249]
Sir George Young: The proposals would not have retrospective effect: they would apply only to gains or losses building up in the future.
The consultative document on the possible reform of the taxation of gilts and bonds suggests that there should be a sizeable threshold for private investors below which only interest would be taxable. It seeks views on the size and form of this threshold. The Government envisage that the threshold would be set at a level high enough to ensure that the overwhelming majority of personal investors were below it.
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Most current personal holders of gilts would, if anything, be likely to benefit from the reform: the accrued income scheme which taxes accrued interest on disposals of gilts, would be abolished; and in addition, for those above the threshold, losses on disposals of gilts would attract tax relief. We will, though, be carefully considering representations on how the transition to the new regime might best be handled if the reform goes ahead.DUCHY OF LANCASTER
Civil Service Pension Fund
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if the proposed privatisation of the administration of the civil service pension fund will require secondary legislation. [31265]
Mr. Horam: The Government propose, following an efficiency scrutiny of administration of the PCSPS, to permit Departments to market test administration of the scheme. Parliamentary approval for this intended course of action will be sought. I expect shortly to make a statement on the matter. Occupational pension arrangements for civil servants will continue to be provided through the PCSPS.
Civil Service College
Mr. Congdon: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what key targets have been set for the Civil Service College for the current year. [31155]
Mr. Horam: I have set the following targets for the Civil Service College in 1995 96:
1. to break even in accrual accounting terms without a central payment from Cabinet Office (OPSS);
2. to earn £700,000 from consultancy;
3. to attract 8,000 students at grade 7 and above;
4. to attract 1,000 students from the private sector;
5. to earn 80 per cent. of course evaluations in the two highest of six categories.
EMPLOYMENT
Consultants
Mr. Ian McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much money has been spent by the Health and Safety Executive in employing private sector consultants in support of its market testing and contracting out programme; and for what purposes. [29214]
Mr. Oppenheim: In the period from 1992 to 1993, the Health and Safety Executive has spent a total of £386,759 on private sector consultancy in support of its market testing and contracting out programme.
These consultants have been used to support in-house teams in constructing their bids, and to advise the HSE on the various aspects of particular procurements.
To date, the gross saving for market testing and contracting out is £2.68 million.
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Safety Regulations
Mr. Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions for infringement of safety regulations have been brought before the courts over the last five years in each region. [29358]
Mr. Oppenheim: The number of prosecutions--measured by the number of informations laid--by the Health and Safety Executive's field operations division for infringement of safety regulations in each of the last five years in each HSE region is shown in the following table:
Proceedings instituted by HSE's Field Operations Division
Inspectorates for breaches of health and safety legislation
Informations laid
HSE Region |1989-90 |1990-91 |1991-92 |1992-93 |1993-94
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wales and
South West |266 |214 |193 |157 |113
Home Counties |315 |216 |265 |257 |223
London and
South East |305 |256 |278 |235 |179
Midlands |571 |552 |635 |626 |531
Yorkshire and
North East |458 |486 |526 |383 |326
North West |272 |301 |319 |234 |240
Scotland |360 |253 |191 |226 |158
Total |2,547 |2,278 |2,407 |2,118 |1,770
A breakdown by region is not available in respect of other HSE inspectorates or local authorities.
Food Industry
Mr. Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions for infringement of health and safety regulations related to the food manufacturing industry have taken place in each region in each of the last five years. [29918]
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