Written Answers of 16 November 1995

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Terrorist Suspects (Interviews)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will amend the terms of reference for the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres to permit the deputy commissioner to be present at interviews with terrorist suspects in the police offices. [309]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Following discussions with the Royal Ulster Constabulary, I have today placed in the Library of the House revised terms of reference for the Independent commissioner for the Holding Centres to permit his deputy to be present at interviews with terrorist suspects in the police offices, subject to certain caveats agreed by both the commissioner and the RUC. The change will come into effect on 1 December 1995.

  This change in the role of the deputy commissioner will further assure the public that those persons detained in the holding centres continue to be properly treated in accordance with their legal rights and the standards required by the relevant codes of practice.

TRANSPORT

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if an addendum to the outline railway safety case for the channel tunnel rail link has been prepared for the additional provisions to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill deposited in the House last week. [4]

  Mr. Watts
  Union Railways has, in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive, prepared an addendum to the outline railway safety case for the channel tunnel rail link for the additional provisions to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill that were deposited last week. The addendum covers the additional provisions for the Barking extended tunnel; A13 services diversions; Mardyke Park realignment; and the Eurotunnel railway connection. It also covers a prospective additional provision for access arrangements between Northfleet station and the proposed station at Ebbsfleet. That additional provision may be deposited next month. I am arranging for copies of the addendum to be placed in the House Library.

  Similar documentation will also be prepared for the additional provisions that I hope will be deposited in Parliament next month. I will ensure that that material is also placed in the House Library.

HEALTH

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the outcome of the review of the Medicines Control Agency; and if will make a statement. [360]

  Mr. Sackville
  The first evaluation study of the work of the Medicines Control Agency since its establishment as an agency, and the prior options study for its future operation, have recently been completed.

  The evaluation study concludes that the MCA has been successful in safeguarding public health through the effective control of the sale and supply of pharmaceuticals in the United Kingdom. While maintaining the high level of public protection required for pharmaceuticals licensed for use in the UK, the MCA has provided a much improved service to the pharmaceutical industry and is now acknowledged as the fastest licensing authority in the world.

  The prior options study concluded that abolition, privatisation and the contracting out of the MCA's core function are neither practical nor feasible. It notes, however, that some support functions might beneficially be placed on a contractual basis. It confirms the practical and legal requirement for a UK regulatory authority and proposes that UK Ministers should remain responsible for its core work. The work and the workload of the agency are expected to change over the coming years because of the implications of the new European systems for the regulation of pharmaceuticals. Until the impact of these new systems can be properly assessed, the report confirms that the executive agency model operating as a trading fund continues to represent the best organisational framework for the MCA.

  I support the findings of the evaluation study and the prior options study, the results of which will feed into the revision of the agency's framework document which is now in hand.

  I have today placed a summary of the reviews' findings in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  Wildlife Law Enforcement
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the Government's response to the report of the enforcement working group "Wildlife Law Enforcement". [1]

  Mr. Clappison
  Following our review of secondary wildlife controls last year, the Government gave a commitment to improving the enforcement of domestic wildlife controls. The enforcement working group was set up to look at what practical steps might be taken to achieve this. I welcome the main recommendations in the enforcement working group's report.

  We are today launching the next phase of our crackdown on wildlife crime by setting up a new "Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime". The first meeting of the partnership's steering group is taking place today. The main task of this new forum will be to provide

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  a strategic overview of wildlife law enforcement activity in England and Wales, and to improve co-ordination and communication between all the organisations involved. It will be responsible for following up the recommendations in the enforcement working group report, and by providing expertise, experience and advice, should make a valuable contribution to the development of wildlife law enforcement policy.

  The police have agreed to continue to chair the group jointly with my Department. The group will also need to respond to other interests and opinions. I have therefore invited the founder members to co-opt other members, including those representing countryside and sporting interests.

  One of the main objectives of the group will be to support the network of police wildlife liaison officers, which is the cornerstone of wildlife law enforcement activity. The network has grown steadily since its inception in the early 1980s, with virtually all police forces in the UK now having one or more police wildlife liaison officers. Few of these officers are engaged full time on this work and many are volunteers performing wildlife duties in addition to their many other tasks. It is important for the network to be retained and, where necessary, strengthened.

  DNA testing and other forensic techniques have an important part to play in combating wildlife crime. There have recently been a number of successful prosecutions based on DNA blood sampling evidence, and we will continue to promote and support the use of forensic techniques in wildlife cases.

  The enforcement working group identified a number of weaknesses in the powers of the police to investigate wildlife offences, and sought tougher and more consistent penalties for wildlife crime. We will seek to identify legal remedies which will command general support within the next 12 months.

  I can also make further announcements today about practical actions which I am taking against wildlife crime.

  First, we have appointed the Laboratory of the Government Chemist to prepare practical advice for all police and other enforcement authorities about the application of DNA techniques to wildlife crime. This will include sampling kits, and we expect to issue the full package in May next year.

  Secondly, over the next three years, we shall be sponsoring further innovative research into DNA and wildlife crime. This will be aimed at projects which can establish tests for further species—such as tigers—or for different materials such as feathers and hair.

  Thirdly, my Department is making resources available immediately to finance a practitioners' guide to wildlife law. This is a key recommendation of the enforcement working group, and will be of particular use to the police and other agencies in their fight against wildlife crime.

  Those involved in wildlife crime should be in no doubt that we are determined to do everything possible to ensure that they are vigorously pursued and properly punished.
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  Coastal Policy
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to issue the proposed statement of policy guidelines for the coast. [2]

  Mr. Clappison
  Reflecting the importance of promoting effective management of the coastal zone, the Department of the Environment is today making available "Policy Guidelines for the Coast", which draws together in concise form a wider range of guidance and other information on coast-related issues in England. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House, and the guidelines will be extensively distributed to interested organisations and individuals.

  Mineral Dredging
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusions he has come to concerning the review of licensing arrangements for mineral dredging in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [3]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that we have today published our conclusions on the review. After consideration of all the representations and consultation with other Government Departments, we have decided that the way forward is to introduce statutory procedures to replace the non-statutory "Government View" procedure. The decision follows our conclusions that:a statutory system, which will draw on procedures in the town and country planning Acts, should be introduced, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales as regulatory and enforcement authorities. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will be consulted in the decision-making process and will have responsibility for overseeing the monitoring of the effects of the dredging activities;
  the costs of administering the new statutory procedures should be recovered from dredging application fees;
  in general, new dredging permissions should be valid for 15 years with substantive reviews at five-year intervals to determine renewal;
  the statutory procedures should subsume sections 18 and 34 consents under the Coast Protection Act 1949; and
  all areas of the sea bed below the low-water mark will be covered regardless of ownership.
  A summary of the responses to the consultation paper and an outline of the proposed statutory procedures have been placed in the House Library. Until we can introduce proposals for legislation to this House, we propose to introduce similar non-statutory procedures as an interim measure. A further announcement will be made about this.

  We will also be preparing and consulting on policy guidance for marine dredging which will set out the environmental criteria appropriate to the marine environment.

  Rent Officer Service
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to change the arrangements for the administration of the rent officer service in England. [971]
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  Mr. Curry
  In the light of the scrutiny report published in 1992 and the subsequent work by my Department and by consultants, I have concluded that there is a case for introducing new arrangements for the administration of the rent officer service in England based on a unified national management structure.

  Before making a decision, and following the procedure set out in "Continuity and Change", Cm 2627, I propose to undertake a prior options review, in particular to consider and make recommendations on:

  (i) whether the functions discharged by rent officers under the Rent Act 1977 and orders made under the Housing Act 1988 should continue to be performed in the public sector;

  (ii) the scope for contracting out; and

  (iii) subject to the conclusion on (i) and (ii), the strength of the case for changing to unified management structure; and

  (iv) subject to (iii), the relative merits of achieving this by establishing a next steps agency within the civil service or an independent public sector body, based either on an existing or a newly created organisation.

  The review will be undertaken by my Department in conjunction with the Treasury, the Office of Public Service and the Department of Social Security. There will be an opportunity for interested bodies to submit views.

  English Partnerships
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress made by English Partnerships in promoting inward investment and in its regeneration role more generally. [972]

  Mr. Curry
  English Partnerships has played a key role in helping to secure a succession of major inward investment projects during the last 12 months, involving Samsung, Sony, Ford-Jaguar and Siemens. These projects alone will attract over £2 billion of investment into the UK economy and create up to 7,000 jobs. In addition, English Partnerships has been instrumental in other smaller inward investment projects throughout England, which have made positive impacts on local economies and communities.

  It is now two years since the Government launched English Partnerships as the main focus of land and building regeneration in England. In July, English Partnerships published its 1994–95 annual report, covering its first full financial year of operations. Copies of the report are available in the Library. It records that English Partnerships successfully implemented a £225 million regeneration programme, attracting some £300 million of private investment, potentially creating over 13,000 jobs and reclaiming 4,200 acres of land.

  English Partnerships' concern to secure sustainable economic regeneration has been demonstrated through its commitment to major mixed use development schemes to revitalise urban districts such as Hulme in Manchester and Barking Reach, the first major project in the Thames gateway area.

  English Partnerships has also demonstrated a strong commitment to voluntary and community organisations, recognising the importance of their contribution to local regeneration. As well as promoting community involvement in major projects, English Partnerships has established a special fund, the community investment
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  fund, to provide capital funding for smaller community-led projects. It is also continuing for a second year its partnership with the Groundwork Trust to promote smaller reclamation projects which improve the local environment.

PRIME MINISTER

  Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting held in New Zealand.

  The Prime Minister
  With my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development, I attended the meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government in New Zealand on 10 to 13 November.

  I have placed in the Library of the House the text of the Auckland Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting—CHOGM—communiqué and an action plan for the fulfilment of the Harare declaration. Statements were also issued on Nigeria and disarmament.

  Commonwealth Heads of Government warmly welcomed President Mandela, representing South Africa for the first time following the country's transition to a multi-racial democracy; and President Biya, following the recent admission of Cameroon as the 52nd member of the Commonwealth.

  The meeting rightly took issue with those members of the Commonwealth, notably Nigeria, which continue to defy the principles of democratic and accountable government agreed at the CHOGM in Harare in 1991. The Commonwealth's widespread and increasing concern about the importance of an early transition to accountable democratic government in Nigeria, and the Nigerian Government's callous execution of Mr. Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight associates, following a flawed judicial process with no formal right of appeal and no regard for the basic legal rights of defendants, gave the Commonwealth little alternative but to suspend Nigeria. This was essential if the Harare principles were to carry credibility for the future.

  How long Nigeria remains suspended depends on its own conduct. If the Nigerian Government show themselves willing to abide by the Harare principles, the Commonwealth will be very ready to support them. Conversely, the meeting agreed that if no democratic progress has been made within a time frame to be stipulated, Nigeria will be expelled from the Commonwealth.

  To monitor implementation of the Harare declaration more generally, the meeting decided to establish a standing group of eight Commonwealth Foreign Ministers, in which my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary will participate.

  The United Kingdom and other members differed over the resumption of French nuclear testing in the Pacific. I said that I recognised the strong views of countries in the region. But I also stressed my determination to defend strongly the principles and policies of deterrence which have helped to keep the UK peaceful and free for the past half century. The Commonwealth's statement on

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  disarmament was misrepresentative, and in parts clearly wrong on nuclear weapons testing. I was not therefore prepared to be associated with it. At the same time, I underlined that the UK shared with Commonwealth partners the desire for an early end to testing, in the south Pacific or elsewhere. Hence the UK's commitment to concluding a comprehensive test ban treaty and signing the protocols to the treaty of Rarotonga in the first half of next year.

  On Hong Kong, Commonwealth Heads endorsed our view that the rule of law and a high degree of autonomy are important ingredients for Hong Kong's continuing success after 1997.

  Commonwealth Heads agreed to accept Mozambique's application to join, which was championed by President Mandela and leaders of other Southern African Commonwealth states, in view of Mozambique's previous links with the Commonwealth. The meeting also agreed that an intergovernmental group should report on criteria for any future applications.

  I invited Commonwealth leaders to hold their next meeting in 1997 in Britain. This invitation was warmly accepted.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  National Food Stockpile
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made towards liquidation of the national food stockpile; and if he will make a statement. [525]

  Mrs. Browning
  The national food stockpile originally consisted of flour, biscuits, sugar, fat, yeast, sweets and emergency feeding equipment stored in buffer depots around the country, to provide a reserve to help feed survivors during a recovery period after a nuclear attack. Following a phased reduction of activities after 1991, an announcement was made in March 1993 to liquidate the stockpile. This was possible because an assessment of food supplies in the context of modern distribution and storage practices within the food industry had concluded that there would be ample stocks available to meet any conceivable attack. Remaining foodstuffs have since been disposed of and the last buffer depot has recently been closed.

  Teacher Numbers
  Teacher Numbers
  "Policy Guidelines for the Coast"
  "Policy Guidelines for the Coast"
  Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, 10– 13 November
  Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, 10– 13 November