Written Answers of 6 June 1996

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action he intends to take to reduce the length of time prisoners are held on remand in custody awaiting trial. [30269]

  Mr. Streeter
  I have been asked to reply.

  The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Bill Michie, dated 6 June 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Question about what action has been taken to reduce the delays in arranging the trials of defendants in custody.
  In the financial year 1995/96, the Crown Court sat a record number of 88.775 days, an increase on the previous year of 648 days, and although the number of outstanding cases had fallen substantially by the end of the year, it is planned to maintain this level and to sit 88,318 days in 1996/97.
  Since January 1996, all cases committed to the Crown Court by magistrates' courts are automatically given a date for a plea and directions earing (and when the defendant is in custody, this is within four weeks of committal). This procedure ensures that all cases are subject to judicial management at an early stage. This enables the parties immediately to raise with the judge, any problems which might cause delay. At this hearing, the defendant has the opportunity to enter a plea. Defendants who pleads guilty, are sentenced immediately thus reducing the time spent on remand; if a plea of not guilty is entered, the court is required to bear in mind the statutory custody time limits which require that a date for trial he fixed within sixteen weeks of the date of committal unless the judge extends that period. The prosecution and the defence are expected to be able to tell the court what dates their witnesses are available to give evidence so that the trial can begin on the date arranged. In general, cases where the defendant is in custody have priority over cases where defendants are on bail. When a trial date cannot be arranged within sixteen weeks from committal—for example if key witnesses are not available within that time—the reasons for this are recorded and a further hearing is fixed to review progress and to fix a date for trial.
  In August 1995, a new system of collecting information n the reasons for delay in cases where the defendant is in custody was introduced in all Crown Court centres. Detailed information is reported to regional managers monthly and senior managers receive reports on individual cases that are not heard within sixteen weeks. Senior managers also discuss their courts performance in reducing delay at regular reviews with me. In addition to the administrative action to the monitors delays, senior judges in the courts and the Circuit Presiding Judges are provided with details on a monthly basis of custody cases which have not been dealt with within 16 weeks of committal.
  The combined effect of these initiatives has been to reduce waiting times for all cases, but particularly those for defendants in custody. The average waiting time for custody cases is now 11.4 weeks compared with 13.4 weeks for the financial year 1994/95 and the Court Service expects waiting times to continue to
  504
  fall In addition to maintaining the high level of sittings mentioned above, the target level for the key performance indicator of 70% of all defendants to be dealt with within 16 weeks of committal, has been increased to 75% for 1996/97.

ENVIRONMENT

  Water Supplies
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what voluntary leakage reduction target each water company has set over the next five and 10 years. [27164]

  Mr. Clappison
  Pursuant to his reply 30 April 1996, Official Report, c. 420: The leakage target shown in the table for Dwr Cymru should read: "Aim to achieve a reduction of 17 per cent. by 2000 and over a third by 2010".

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance his Department has given to the Environment Agency in respect of(a) action to deal with foul water flooding, (b) abandoned mines water discharges, (c) flood alleviation and (d) unsatisfactory storm overflows; and what is the regional distribution of (a) (b) and (d). [30001]

  Mr. Clappison
  No guidance in respect of action to deal with foul water flooding has been issued by the Department to the Environment Agency. I understand that Ofwat holds information about the distribution of foul water flooding.

  No specific guidance has been given to the Environment Agency regarding discharges from abandoned mines. The regional distribution of such discharges was described in detail in "Abandoned Mines and the Water Environment," a report issued by the National Rivers Authority in March 1994.

  My right hon. and learned Friend, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, are responsible for policy on flood alleviation. The published "Strategy for Flood and Coastal Defence in England and Wales" provides a comprehensive framework for the Environment Agency to work within.

  Guidance is being prepared to assist both dischargers and the Environment Agency in implementing the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994. It will include guidance on the limitation of pollution from storm water overflows. Information about numbers and location of unsatisfactory storm overflows will be held by the regional offices of the Environment Agency.

  Sharks
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the recent change in status of the basking shark under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources red list will affect the proposal to protect the species under section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 currently under review; and if he will make a statement. [31334]
  505
  Mr. Clappison
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 8 May 1996,Official Report, column 134.

  The Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Government's statutory conservation adviser, will take account of all relevant conservation data, including the IUCN red list where appropriate, when considering which species should be protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as part of the third quinquennial review. The committee's recommendations to the Secretary of State are due to be submitted in October 1996.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what programme of action his Department has to protect the basking shark under the EU habitats and species directive; and if he will make a statement. [31335]

  Mr. Clappison
  The basking shark is not listed in the annexes to Council directive 92/43/EEC—the habitats and species directive. Nor is it included in the list of species for which action plans will be prepared over the next three years under the United Kingdom biodiversity action plan.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what work has been undertaken by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to assess the threats to the basking shark in United Kingdom waters over the last five years. [31337]

  Mr. Clappison
  The joint nature conservation committee and the Government's statutory conservation agencies have contributed funds to a number of research projects concerned with the status of the basking shark in British waters in the last five years.

  These projects include acoustic tagging of basking sharks for tracking and monitoring, plankton and water quality sampling, and funding for a basking shark watch scheme. The JNCC has also supported several workshops which have brought together expertise and existing knowledge on basking sharks.

  Housing Points
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to modify the Housing Corporation's advice on the granting of points for a local connection in line with amendments to homeless persons legislation. [30975]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Housing Corporation will be revising its guidance to registered social landlords about access to social housing in the light of the legislative changes currently before Parliament.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the Housing Corporation ending the practice of associations awarding additional points for a local connection. [30976]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Housing Corporation has not changed its guidance on allocations. We have received no representations on this matter.

  Pennington Sewage Treatment Plant
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that the 506
  secondary biological treatment plant at Pennington is equipped with ultra-violet disinfection equipment by Southern Water Services. [31168]

  Mr. Clappison
  UV disinfection equipment is not required for secondary treatment. Secondary biological treatment when installed at Pennington will significantly improve the microbiological quality of the receiving water. Water quality in the area will be re-assessed once the new scheme comes into effect.

  Unitary Authorities
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of standard spending assessment per person for each of the new unitary authorities created on 1 April. [31169]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The standard spending assessments requested are as shown in the table.

  SSA £ per head

  Bath and north-east Somerset

  664.62

  Bristol

  699.88

  South Gloucestershire

  622.56

  North Somerset

  647.33

  Hartlepool

  815.36

  Middlesborough

  862.89

  Redcar and Cleveland

  805.25

  Stockton on Tees

  772.02

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  668.03

  Kingston upon Hull

  813.89

  North-east Lincolnshire

  760.06

  North Lincolnshire

  718.32

  York

  629.64

  Building Research Establishment
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the current key performance targets for the Building Research Establishment. [31805]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 2 April 1996 his proposals for transferring the Building Research Establishment to the private sector by February 1997. While it remains an executive agency, BRE is working to the following key targets for 1996–97:net vote cost of £545,000;
  deficit on trading account no greater than £119,000;
  gross non-Exchequer income of £3.56 million;
  an increase of less than 4 per cent. in the average unit cost of research commissions.

  Cement Kilns
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will issue the Government's response to the second report of the Environment Committee on the burning of secondary liquid fuels in cement kilns, HC497 of Session 1994–95. [32086]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government have today published their response to the Select Committee and copies have been placed in the Library.
  507

  Water (Pesticides)
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the working party on the incidence of pesticides in water will publish its report. [31804]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The working party on the incidence of pesticides in water has today published its review on the monitoring of pesticides in water in the United Kingdom. I am placing a copy in the Library. It concludes that:there is a basically sound system of monitoring and investigation that has emerged out of a long established intention to control pesticides effectively.
  However, it has identified some gaps in monitoring and it has made some recommendations for improvements.

  This report provides a comprehensive summary of the data which is available on pesticides in water. A group, led by the Environment Agency, will be formed to ensure that there is an ongoing review of monitoring requirements and that monitoring efforts are most effectively directed.

  Rack Marsh, Bagnor
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has been given in relation to the creation of a site of special scientific interest at Rack marsh, near Bagnor in Berkshire. [31362]

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 5 June 1996]: I understand that English Nature's Council has approved the notification of Kennet and Lambourn floodplain, Berkshire/Wiltshire as a site of special scientific interest. The area known as Rack marsh forms a component part of this composite site. English Nature is now notifying owners and occupies of the council's decision.

  Vertigo Moulinsiana Snail
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has been given in relation to the creation of a special area of conservation for the vertigo moulinsiana snail in the Kennet and Lambourn valleys. [31363]

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 5 June 1996]: English Nature, through the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, has formally recommended that eight separate locations in the Kennet and Lambourn valleys be considered as a possible candidate for designation in due course as a special area of conservation under the European directive 92/43/EEC—the habitats directive—following the discovery in the area of large populations of the species Vertigo moulinsiana, Desmoulin's whorl snail. All the relevant survey material has been placed in the Library. The Government have accepted this recommendation and public consultation on this proposal is now under way.

  The JNCC has also recommended that parts of the Avon valley appear to qualify for possible designation, subject to more detailed survey work to determine boundaries. If this recommendation is confirmed and accepted, public consultation on a site in this area will be undertaken in due course.
  508
  Another possible site, Chilbolton common, on which public consultation has already taken place, is, in the light of recent survey material, not now considered by the JNCC to be of sufficiently high quality to qualify for SAC status and is withdrawn from further consideration.

  The recommendation of parts of the Kennet and Lambourn floodplains and part of the Avon valley as possible SACs for this species seems to me to be consistent with the requirements of article 4 and annex III of the habitats directive and with the United Kingdom approach to selection of possible SACs for other habitat types and species. The JNCC's advice is that these two sites would complement the selection of three other sites for this species in East Anglia which have already been submitted as candidate SACS to the European Commission following consultation.

  The implications of the JNCC's advice for the Newbury bypass are explained in a separate answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Hampshire (Sir D. Mitchell) by my hon. Friend the Minister for Railways and Roads.

  I consider that, subject to the outcome of public consultation, a proposal for five high quality sites would comply with the obligations under the habitats directive to make a contribution to the Natura 2000 network in proportion to the representation within this country of the habitat of the species. The course of action announced today in respect of the safeguarding of Vertigo moulinsiana is also consistent with my general endorsement on 15 May of the biodiversity steering group's report which recommended an action plan for the species.

HEALTH

  Lariam
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on adverse drug reaction to the anti-malarial drug Lariam (Mefloquine); and if he will indicate the number and type of reactions reported. [31322]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  The Medicines Control Agency monitors adverse reactions reported with Lariam and evaluates potential safety issues in the light of any new evidence that emerges. The MCA received 956 reports of 2,678 suspected adverse reactions associated with Lariam between 1990, when the product was launched in the United Kingdom, and 1 June 1996. During this time in excess of half a million patients have received Lariam. The reports received are consistent with the known safety profile of Lariam as described in the authorised product information.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 26 March,Official Report, column 515, how much his Department estimated it would have cost to provide the information requested. [31460]
  509
  Mr. Horam
  More than £450, the current threshold above which answers are deemed to incur disproportionate cost.

  Health Authorities (Severance Costs)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to hold centrally information in respect of severance costs incurred by health authorities to achieve management cost reductions targets; and if he will make a statement. [31425]

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  Cash Limits and Running Costs
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes will be made to the cash limits and running costs limit of his Department in 1996–97. [31969]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The cash limit for class XI vote 1—hospital community health, family health and related services, England—will be reduced by £4,000,000 (from £27,686,304,000 to £27,682,304,000). This allows for a transfer to class XI, vote 2—Department of Health, administration, miscellaneous health and personal services, England—in respect of a re-apportionment between health votes.

  The cash limit for class XI, vote 2—Department of Health, administration, miscellaneous health and personal social services, England—will be increased by £35,984,000, from £1,173,472,000 to £1,209,456,000. This allows for an increase of £36,000,000; £25,000,000 for services for people seeking asylum; £7,000,000 for a grant to the Thalidomide Trust, and £4,000,000—running costs—for a transfer from class XI, vote 1 as mentioned. The overall increase is partially offset by a transfer of £16,000 to class VI, vote 2—regeneration and countryside and wildlife, England—in respect of a project requiring assistance from the European regional development fund.

  The Department's gross running costs limit will be increased by £4,002,000 from £276,202,000 to £280,204,000 reflecting the transfer. Also the original running cost limit published in the "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses", Cm 3201, table 3.8a was understated by £2,000.

  All increases will either be offset by foregoing the take-up of end year flexibility, transfer to or from other votes or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Youth Treatment Service Group
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the fourth report of the youth treatment service group; and if he will make a statement. [32062]

  Mr. Bowis
  Copies of the report have been placed in the Library today. I have accepted the recommendations in the report and charged the management of the Glenthorne youth treatment centre with its implementations. Following this report and the closure of the St. Charles YTC, the group has now completed its task.
  510
  I am grateful to Mrs. Winifred Tumim and her colleagues on the group for the valuable work they have done over the years. Mr. Tom White, who was a member of the group, has agreed to continue to make independent visits to the Glenthorne youth treatment centre.

  Mental Health Review Tribunal
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the waiting times by section, between applications being received by the mental health review tribunal service and the hearings taking place; and what assessment he has made of the scope for reducing the waiting times. [30444]

  Mr. Bowis
  The tables give details of the waiting times for the last quarter of 1995. The tribunal offices are currently working to an eight week deadline for non restricted cases outside the special hospitals and 20 weeks for restricted cases outside the special hospitals. Deadlines for section 2 cases are determined by legislation and are required to be heard within one week of application. Delay times are continuously being monitored and options considered to improve the overall waiting times.

  Waiting times last quarter of 1995 Non-restricted cases

  Under 8 weeks

  9–12 weeks

  Over 12 weeks

  NHS hospitals (665 cases)

  303

  293

  69

  Special hospitals (44 cases)

  0

  14

  30

  Restricted cases

  Under 20 weeks

  21–24 weeks

  Over 24 weeks

  NHS hospitals (171 cases)

  102

  29

  40

  Special hospitals (95 cases)

  6

  38

  51

  Edgware General Hospital
  Sir John Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the reappraisal he initiated six months ago of the provision of accident and emergency services at Edgware general hospital. [30583]

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future provision of accident and emergency services at Edgware general hospital. [31368]

  Mr. Dorrell
  My right hon. Friends have made sure that I am fully aware of the strong local representations on this matter. Barnet health authority is discussing future medical involvement in the casualty services at Edgware hospital with local clinicians. A working group is expected to meet in early July to consider its recommendations. I will write to my hon. Friends following that meeting.

  Elective Surgery
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the annual administrative costs of cancelling and re-scheduling elective surgery in the NHS. [31215]
  511
  Mr. Horam
  The information needed for such an estimate is not available centrally.

  NHS Waiting Lists
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the annual cost of administering waiting lists in the NHS. [31214]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  General Practitioners
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of forms completed by GPs annually. [31365]

  Mr. Malone
  The average general practitioner currently submits just over 600 claim forms per year. From 1 July 1996 approximately 30 per cent. of claim forms will be abolished and completion of the remainder may be delegated to practice staff. Doctors will also have to complete 400 fewer prescriptions per year and simplified patient registration forms mean that GPs benefit from a 34 per cent. reduction in the number of such forms to be signed.

  Referrals
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of extra-contractual referral requests for secondary referrals are refused. [31366]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  NHS Appointments
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the total number of "did not attends" for(a) out-patient appointments and (b) in-patient appointments in the NHS in the last available year. [31367]

  Mr. Horam
  The total number of "did not attends" for out-patient appointments during 1994–95 was 5,131,405. In the calendar year 1995, there were 209,082 "did not attends" for in-patient or day case admissions.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Zambia
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken following the announcement by the Zambian authorities of the disqualification of ex-President Kenneth Kaunda from the current year's elections. [31170]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have already made clear to the Government of Zambia our concern that measures to restrict eligibility of candidates for president damage Zambian democracy and risk undermining the multi-party system.
  512

  Bosnia
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what ways the British Government are working with(a) the Bosnian Government and (b) other European countries to conduct a survey of the needs and locations of amputees needing prostheses in Bosnia. [31119]

  Mr. Hanley
  We are not currently participating in any survey of the needs and locations of amputees in Bosnia. However, ODA is in close contact with the Bosnian Government on establishing its priorities for bilateral assistance in the health sector, including the needs of those disabled in the war.

  Police Training
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 May,Official Report, columns 385–87, if he will list, by name, the individual projects or schemes under the ODA's country aid programme, under which funding is given to countries to finance training of police officers (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in their home countries; and if he will list which countries have benefited from each project. [31161]

  Mr. Hanley
  The ODA does not keep centrally a record of the titles of individual projects which finance the training of police officers either in the United Kingdom or in their home countries. Police training projects are managed and recorded on a country basis only and it would involve a disproportionate cost to collate this information.

TREASURY

  Tax (Self-assessment)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his estimate of the impact on the public sector borrowing requirement for(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98 of the effect of the change in the dates on which SC60 tax refunds will be made as a result of the switch to self-assessment; and if he will make a statement; [30593]

  (2) when SC60 tax refunds relating to accounts years ending in tax years 1995–96 and 1996–97 will be made; what account will be taken of the timing of the relevant 1996–97 assessment in issuing these refunds; and if he will make a statement. [30592]

  Mr. Jack
  Refunds of deductions made from the earnings of self-employed sub-contractors in the construction industry—SC60 refunds—are made, and will continue to be made, where the sub-contractor can demonstrate that the deductions for any tax year exceeded his full liability to income tax and class IV national insurance contributions for that year. Although a sub-contractor's self-assessment for 1996–97 will not be due until 31 January 1998, this will not prevent a refund of SC60 deductions being made at an earlier date, if his liability for the year can be established. The Inland Revenue are drawing up guidelines for such claims to repayment, which will shortly be sent in draft to the representatives bodies for comment.
  513
  It is impossible to predict the effect of self assessment upon the timing of claims to repayment of SC60 deductions.

  Credit Unions
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the length of time taken currently, from the initial application, for credit unions to be registered under the Credit Unions Act 1979; and what estimate he has made of the length of time which will be taken under the Act as amended by the Deregulation (Credit Unions) Order 1996. [31056]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The time taken for a credit union to be registered depends largely on how soon its committee members undergo training and set up the systems needed to run its operations. The deregulation order will not reduce that, though it will cut down the amount of work involved in determining the existence of a common bond among the members. However, as this normally takes place concurrently with other activities, it is unlikely to reduce the overall time taken for registration.

  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria the Registry of Friendly Societies will use to assess the status of credit unions wishing to register under the Credit Union Act 1979 as amended by the Deregulation (Credit Unions) Order 1996. [31055]

  Mrs. Knight
  To be registered a credit union must satisfy the registry that its objectives are the promotion of thrift among members, and the provision of credit at a fair rate of interest; that a common bond exists between members; that it is complying with statutory provisions for rules and insurance against fraud; and that its officers have received appropriate training.

  The Deregulation (Credit Unions) Order 1996 will not change the assessment criteria used by the registry, but will allow greater flexibility in establishing a common bond. A guidance note for new credit unions is given to those seeking to start a credit union, and I have placed a copy in the Library.

  Drug Seizures
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many drug seizures were made by Customs and Excise in(a) Coventry and (b) the west midlands in each year since 1990; and if he will indicate for each year the percentage change from the last one. [31095]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The number of drug seizures made by Customs and Excise in Coventry and the west midlands, and percentage changes were as follows:

  Coventry

  West Midlands

  Number

  Per cent. change

  Number

  Per cent. change

  1990

  0

  —

  65

  —

  1991

  0

  —

  64

  -1

  1992

  15

  —

  94

  +46

  1993

  16

  +7

  87

  -7

  1994

  14

  -13

  93

  +7

  1995

  23

  +64

  120

  +29

  514

  Living Standards
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the average living standards in each Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country in 1995; and what was the gap between the United Kingdom and the OECD average. [30796]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The most commonly cited single measure of living standards for which valid international comparison can be made is gross domestic product per capita.

  The 1995 figures for GDP per capita are available for all OECD countries in the OECD publication "Main Economic Indicators", which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many registered disabled people are employed by his Department; and what percentage this is of the total figure. [30770]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  As at 1 April 1996, the Treasury employed three registered disabled people, which represents 0.27 per cent. of the Treasury staff. The Treasury also employs a number of disabled people who have chosen not to register, or who became disabled after the withdrawal of the registration scheme under the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

  Exchange Rate Mechanism
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy in respect of the pound sterling eventually re-joining a system of managed exchange rates. [30795]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Prime Minister has made clear on many occasions the Government's policy which is that the United Kingdom will not rejoin the ERM during this Parliament, and there is no question of us ever rejoining a rigid, old-style exchange rate mechanism.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to raise the limit below which delivery of an inheritance tax account is not required for administering a deceased person's estate. [32064]

  Mr. Jack
  The Inland Revenue has today laid regulations increasing the overall limit from £145,000 to £180,000, and relaxing the current rules on lifetime gifts and overseas assets. The changes will come into operation from 1 July 1996, for estates of persons dying on or after 6 April 1996. They will simplify the administration of some 7,500 estates in 1996–97.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recent Council meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers of the European Union. [32166]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I represented the United Kingdom at the Economic and Finance Council—ECOFIN—of the European Union in Luxembourg on 3 June.
  515
  At the start of the meeting we reminded the Council that the Prime Minister had made it clear that until there was agreement to lift the export ban on beef derivatives, and until a clear framework was in place leading to a lifting of the wider ban, the UK could not be expected to continue to co-operate normally on other Community business. As a result, the UK could not be expected to agree decisions requiring unanimity.

  I later made clear that the UK would not be able to agree the common position on the regulation on the protection of the Community's financial interests although the UK supported the regulation. I also put down a general reserve on a proposal for a directive for a common system of VAT on agricultural outputs.

  With the Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment, I attended a joint lunch with other EU Finance Ministers and Social Affairs Ministers at which we discussed the importance and priority of tackling unemployment.

  As preparation for the forthcoming Florence European Council, the Council considered a report on progress to date in preparing for stage 3 of economic and monetary union, an interim report on follow-up to discussion of employment at previous European Councils—a substantive report is due for the Dublin European Council—and a draft of the broad economic policy guidelines for the Community and member states.

  The Council decided to reinstate the excessive deficit decision relating to Germany and to abrogate the excessive deficit decision against Denmark. The Council did not reach agreement on a proposal to extend the European Investment bank mandate to lend to Asia and Latin America. The Council was consulted on the recommendation by the European Monetary Institute council for the appointment of a new president of the EMI and briefly considered a paper on pension reform in the EU and central and east European countries in preparation for the structured dialogue at the 8 July ECOFIN.

  Company Profits (Isle of Wight)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account was taken in the company profit component of the gross domestic product figures for the Isle of Wight of the profits of companies or holding companies whose headquarters are not based on the Isle of Wight; and how the effects of the rules relating to habitual residence were applied. [28442]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 7 May 1996]: For the compilation of regional gross domestic product, profits of multi-regional companies are allocated to the area in which they are generated, either directly where data are available or otherwise by the use of proxies such as wages and salaries of employees in the area.

  Habitual residence appears to refer to the main residence of an individual for the Inland Revenue's assessment of tax. Taxes are transfers of income not involving productive activity; habitual residence is not a term associated with gross domestic product since the latter is a measure of production.
  516

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the security of human rights in Hong Kong after 1 July 1997. [30977]

  Mr. David Davis
  The Sino-British joint declaration on the question of Hong Kong, which is a binding treaty between Britain and China, provides for continuing human rights protection in Hong Kong after the handover. Specifically, in the last paragraph of chapter XIII of annex I to the joint declaration, China pledges to ensure that the provisions of the international covenants on civil and political rights and on economic, social and cultural rights, as applied to Hong Kong, remain in force after 30 June 1997.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the interpretation by the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress on the implementation in Hong Kong of the Chinese nationality law. [32165]

  Mr. Rifkind
  The interpretation in question states that British citizenship acquired by Chinese nationals under the British nationality selection scheme will not be recognised under the Chinese nationality law. The British Government regard British citizenship obtained under the BNSS as having exactly the same validity as British citizenship acquired in any other way. We do not differentiate between British citizens who have acquired their British citizenship through the BNSS and those who have acquired it in any other way. Passports issued under the BNSS are the same as passports issued to all other British citizens and are equally valid.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong. [31241]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 4 June 1996]: There has been encouraging progress in recent months. The steering committee of the international conference on Indo-Chinese refugees, which held its final meeting on March, emphasised that those screened out as non-refugees must return to Vietnam. We have been working hard to raise the monthly number of returnees, with good co-operation from the Vietnamese Government. As a result, the rate of both voluntary and orderly repatriation has increased. It remains our objective to complete the repatriation of Vietnamese migrants by July 1997.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many registered disabled people are employed by his Department; and what percentage this is of the total figure. [30765]

  Mr. David Davis
  Based on a voluntary survey of staff, as at 1 April 1996 the Foreign and Commonwealth employed 48 registered disabled officers. This is 0.7 per cent. of the total number of staff employed.
  517

  Military Training
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what type of projects and programmes constitute the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme. [31110]

  Mr. David Davis
  The military training assistance scheme sponsors developmental and skills training in the UK. This can include training which has a main or subsidiary aim of familiarising participants with British military techniques and equipment. It also provides for in-country developmental and skills training by UK trainers on attachments overseas, the training of nationals from several countries at regional centres, and sponsorship of participants in courses operated by organisations such as the United Nations.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Governments fund the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme; and in what proportions. [31112]

  Mr. Davis
  UKMTAS is entirely funded by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many police officers from other countries have received training under the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme. [31111]

  Mr. Davis
  Full details are available only from 1990. Since then, some 179 police officers from overseas countries have attended training courses in the UK sponsored by the scheme.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost to public funds of the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme for each year since its inception. [31109]

  Mr. Davis
  The scheme has been operating in its current form since 1988. Annual financial year expenditure is:

  £ million

  1988–89

  13.2

  1989–90

  15.5

  1990–91

  18.1

  1991–92

  15.2

  1992–93

  12.5

  1993–94

  11.8

  1994–95

  12.0

  1995–96

  113.5

  1 Estimate.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries which have received training of police officers under the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme. [31113]

  Mr. Davis
  In recent years officers from the following police forces have received training sponsored by the scheme:Belize, Chile, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Fiji, Honduras, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Nepal, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Palestinian Authority, Philippines, Romania, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Tonga, Uganda and Vanuatu.
  518

  European Union Flag
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what instructions were issued to his Department's offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31505]

  Mr. David Davis
  None.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when elections are scheduled to take place in Azad Kashmir to elect a new Government; if he will arrange for United Kingdom observers to monitor those elections; and if he will make a statement. [31466]

  Mr. David Davis
  Legislative assembly elections will be held on 30 June. Staff from our High Commission in Islamabad will visit Azad Kashmir during the elections.

DEFENCE

  Porton Down
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) by what methods the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is currently monitoring the health of the service volunteers who took part in studies at the establishment with the nerve agent pre-treatment sets; [31347]

  (2) when the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment carried out studies to evaluate whether nerve agent pre-treatment sets caused long-term health effects in humans; and what were the conclusions of these studies. [31346]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  These matters are for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Johm Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 6 June 1996:
  I have been asked to reply to your questions about studies into the long term health effects on humans and the monitoring of the health Service volunteers who took part in studies with the Nerve Agent Pre-treatment Sets (NAPS). I am replying to both questions in this letter as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), which now includes the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector (CBD) in its Protection and Life Sciences division (PLSD).
  There have not been any studies directly undertaken by CBD Sector, Porton Down, to assess long term health effects on humans of the administration of NAPS tablets and no monitoring of the health of volunteers who took part in studies involving the administration of NAPS is currently being conducted. The active ingredient of NAPS tablets is pyridostigmine bromide, which is licensed for use in the clinical treatment of myasthenia gravis. Adults with this complaint take dosages far in excess of that found in NAPS tablets over extended periods, in some cases for life. There are no indications that these high doses over long period of time give rise to long term health effects.
  I hope this information is helpful.
  519
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 9 May,Official Report, columns 223–24, if Porton Down has used service personnel from the service volunteers programme in work which Porton Down has carried out for civilian organisations since 1996; and what has been Porton Down's policy on involving service volunteers in work for civilian organisations. [31349]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 6 June 1996:
  I have been asked to reply to your question asking whether Service volunteers have been used in work carried out by Porton Down for civilian organisations. The Chemical Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down is now part of the Protection and Life Sciences division (PLSD) of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) for which I am responsible as Chief Executive.
  No Service volunteers have been involved in work carried out by Porton Down for civilian organisations since 1966. The purpose of the Service volunteer programme is to ensure that any protective measures proposed by CBD Sector are acceptable from a military point of view and therefore it would not be appropriate to involve Service volunteers in work which was not directly relevant to military situations. Moreover, the independent ethics Committee which reviews all protocols for work with volunteers must satisfy itself that there is a military justification for the work before it approves a protocol and no such work can be started until the ethics Committee's approval has been received.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been carried out by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment to evaluate the long-term health effects of short-term exposure to the nerve agent Soman (GD); when these studies were carried out; and what were their conclusions. [31341]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 6 June 1996:
  I have been asked to reply to you question concerning studies involving the nerve agent Soman. The Chemical Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down is now part of the Protection and Life Sciences division (PLSD) of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) for which I am responsible as Chief Executive.
  No studies have been conducted to evaluate long term health effects on volunteers exposed to Soman. The only study carried out by CBD Sector specifically to investigate the long term effects of short term exposure to Soman examined the effects on mouse diaphragm muscle. The study indicated that subtle changes were observed in tissue 3 days after exposure to Soman. However, there was no observable difference in response between exposed and unexposed tissue 28 days after exposure. The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology in 1993 (Volume 45, pages 176–181).
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 May,Official Report, column 187, what was the amount of sarin to which volunteers were exposed in the study using single fibre electromyography. [31342]
  520
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 6 June 1996:
  I have been asked to reply to your further question about the single fibre electromyography study. The Chemical Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down is now part of the Protection and Life Sciences division (PLSD) of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) for which I am responsible as Chief Executive.
  In this study Service volunteers breathed in Sarin nerve agent vapour whilst walking in an exposure chamber at Porton Down. The Sarin was present at a concentration of 0.5mg m3 and the volunteers were exposed for 30 minutes. The results of this study have now been reported in the open literature and can be found in the journal "Human and Experimental Toxicology" (1996) Volume 15, pages 369–75.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which division within the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment has had overall responsibility for running the service volunteers programme since 1966. [31343]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 6 June 1996:
  I have been asked to reply to your question about responsibility for running the Service volunteer programme at the Chemical and Biological Establishment since 1966. The Chemical Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down is now part of the Protection and Life Sciences division (PLSD) of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) for which I am responsible as Chief Executive.
  In the period from 1966 to 1995 the Medical Division of the former Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment had overall responsibility for administering the Service volunteer programme. The responsibilities included co-ordination of the requests for volunteers to participate in studies, conducting medical examinations, providing medical supervision of studies, maintaining the records of volunteer attendance and liaison with military authorities. Since the internal reorganisation that was prompted by the move of CBDE into the DERA trading fund in 1995 these duties have been discharged by the Medical Countermeasures business centre.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 9 May,Official Report, column 222, for what reasons staff at Porton Down are not allowed to test chemical agents on themselves; and how many staff have deviated from the policy on self-testing since 1966. [31344]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 6 June 1996:
  I have been asked to reply to your further question about self experimentation by staff at Porton Down. The Chemical Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down is now part of the Protection

  521
  and Life Sciences division (PLSD) of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) for which I am responsible as Chief Executive.
  Staff at Porton Down are not allowed to test chemical agents on themselves because this would not be consistent with the proper ethical control, oversight and experimental design required for work of this nature. The scientific value of such studies would be very limited. We are not aware of any formal studies since 1966 which deviated from this policy.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 9 May,Official Report, column 223, what details of experiments are given on request to the doctors of service personnel who took part in the service volunteers programme at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment in cases where the service personnel have died. [31345]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 6 June 1996:
  I have been asked to reply to your question concerning information provided to the doctors of deceased volunteers at the former Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE). The Chemical Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down is now part of the Protection and Life Sciences division (PLSD) of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) for which I am responsible as Chief Executive.
  To date we have not received any enquiries from the doctors of deceased former volunteers. If we were to be approached by a doctor acting on behalf of relatives in such circumstances we would provide them with the same information as if the patient was still living.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment carried out experiments with service volunteers involving the nerve agent GE; and what were the conclusions of this work. [31348]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 6 June 1996:
  I have been asked to reply to your question about experiments with Service volunteers involving the nerve agent GE. The Chemical Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down is now part of the Protection and Life Sciences division (PLSD) of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) for which I am responsible as Chief Executive.
  The nerve agent GE was investigated in the early years of the nerve agent programme and those studies indicated that it caused similar effects to other organophosphorus nerve agents. No work involving GE and Service volunteers has been carried out since the early 1950's.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Submarine Reactor Flasks
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the submarine reactor flasks being built by Rolls-Royce and Associates. [31327]
  522
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  A contract for the design and build of purpose-built used fuel flasks for the transportation of used submarine reactor fuel was awarded to Rolls-Royce and Associates in May 1995. Manufacture of the flasks is sub-contracted to BNFL Engineering Ltd. Delivery is currently planned for the end of 1998.

  Upholder Submarines
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what receipts from the sale of his Department's Upholder class submarines will be retained by(a) his Department and (b) the Treasury; and if he will make a statement. [31173]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I currently expect that all the receipts accruing from the sale of the Upholder class submarines will be retained by the Ministry of Defence. In the event that actual receipts exceed voted provision, Government accounting regulations stipulate that the excess goes to the Consolidated Fund.

  Married Housing Estate
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guarantees on future standards of repair and maintenance will be sought from private sector institutions which purchase leases on his Department's married housing stock. [31171]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  As I told the hon. Member for Warley, West (Mr. Spellar) on 23 April,Official Report, column 83, my Department will retain responsibility for the management and maintenance of the quarters which we lease back. This responsibility will continue to be discharged by the Defence Housing Executive after the sale.

  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who will be responsible for setting the rent levels and what account will be taken of local pay levels and circumstances after the sale of the married housing stock. [31172]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 4 June to the hon. Member for Warley, West (Mr. Spellar),Official Report, column 344.

  Army Technical Support Agency
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets he has set for the Army Technical Support Agency in 1996–97. [32148]

  Mr. Soames
  The chief executive of the Army Technical Support Agency has been set the following key targets for 1996–97:Key target 1: Influence equipment design by attaining 70 per cent. acceptance of land systems technical support recommendations.
  Key target 2: Achieve a 10 per cent. gross cost saving in advanced order recommended spares purchasing without reducing sustainability or availability of equipment.
  Key target 3: Answer 90 per cent. of ad hoc inquiries within two working days.
  Key target 4: Achieve an average response time of nine working days for demand for technical publications.
  Key target 5: Complete 90 per cent. of operational (O) projects and 65 per cent. of priority A projects before the agreed target date.

  523
  Key target 6: Reduce the administrative lead time to complete initial spares provisioning lists to 10 months.
  Key target 7: Satisfy 90 per cent. customers when undertaking technical projects.
  Key target 8: Improve efficiency by 3.6 per cent. over 1995–96.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Llywd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many registered disabled people are employed by his Department; and what percentage this is of the total figure. [30768]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  At I October 1995, the number of registered disabled people employed by the MOD and its agencies was 1,333. This represents 1.2 per cent. of the total staff.

  Disposal Sales Agency
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets he has set for the Disposal Sales Agency in 1996–97. [32147]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Since its launch in October 1994 the agency has brought in substantial revenues and has made significant efficiency savings. The key targets which have been set for the chief executive of the Disposal Sales Agency for this financial year are aimed at maintaining the momentum achieved in previous years through industrial participation and other efficiency measures.

  1. To achieve disposal sales revenue of £80 million within budgetary cost allocation;

  2. To secure efficiency savings of £4 million against the baseline of 1994–95 unit cost of generating £1 million of sales;

  3. To increase to 85 per cent. the volume of receipts (excluding Government-to-Government) achieved through contractorised arrangements;

  4. To achieve £1 million of sales on behalf of other Government departments and agencies.

  National Enterprise Board
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the National Enterprise Board. [32070]

  Mr. Lang
  On 5 June 1996 I signed an order under section 11(2) of the British Technology Group Act 1991 dissolving the National Enterprise Board with effect from 1 July 1996.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Industry Council
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Industry Council held on 20 May. [30816]

  Mr. Eggar
  The Council adopted a resolution on industrial co-operation with third countries, particularly the Mediterranean region. The Council also agreed conclusions on shipbuilding which noted the state of ratification of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development agreement.

  The Council also reached political agreement on a basis text of a Council decision implementing a third multi-annual programme for small and medium
  524
  enterprises which incorporated a United Kingdom request for additional wording highlighting value for money considerations. I placed a parliamentary reserve on the text as a whole.

  The Commission made oral presentations on its proposal for a new steel aid code to replace the current one which expires on 31 December, developments in the EU competition policy during 1995; its communications on the competitiveness of the chemical industry and on the textile and clothing subcontracting sector. The latter was referred back to COREPER for further consideration.

  Finally, under any other business, the Commission gave a brief report on last week's G7 information society conference in South Africa.

  Post Office Security Equipment
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what contributions were made by his Department for the provision of security equipment in local post offices in each of the last five years. [31138]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The provision of security equipment in sub-post offices is a matter for Post Office Counters Ltd. and sub-postmasters.

  Telecommunications (Liberalisation)
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the results of his consideration of responses to his consultation document on the liberalisation of international telecommunications services. [32167]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Government will be inviting applications from today for further licences to provide international service from the UK, on the same terms enjoyed up to now by only BT and Mercury—that is, on telecommunication facilities owned and controlled by the company providing the service. These companies will be able to offer services on any route they choose.

  This is another step in ensuring the continued competitiveness of the United Kingdom, both as a hub for telecommunications traffic worldwide, and as a place where the increasing number of companies for whom telecommunications play a major role in their business will choose to base their operations.

  I believe that this further liberalisation will benefit users by bringing down international rates more quickly, and benefit the UK economy by attracting new investment, both by telecommunications operators and user companies, to the UK.

  In parallel, we will be continuing to press for improved access for UK operators, both within the EU through strict application of new Community liberalisation rules, and in other countries through the World Trade Organisation.

  I am also pleased to announce that the UK will, on 1 July, be lifting the "equivalency" rules which at present limit international simple resale services to certain routes. We will allow the provision of telecommunications services over leased line capacity on any route. I stress, however, that while we wish to open the UK market to full competition, we will ensure that such competition is fair.
  525
  I believe that liberalisation in Europe and other major markets reduces this risk of abuse by overseas companies which enjoy a monopoly or are inadequately regulated in their home market. One-way bypass—where companies might continue to charge UK-based carriers above-cost accounting rates, while delivering their own traffic more cheaply here—is an example of such abuse. We will be taking steps to deter such behaviour in the licences we shall be issuing.

  The licences will contain many of the provisions already in public telecommunications operator licences and in those for international simple resale. In particular, we will wish to give the Director-General of Telecommunications powers to prevent one-way bypass or discriminatory practices between affiliate companies.

  Where there is no overseas competition, provisions will be applied immediately requiring "proportionate return" both for resale and international facilities-based traffic. This will avoid rapid traffic imbalances occurring as a result of one-way bypass. Operators on these routes will also have to charge the same accounting rates as each other.

  However, on the six routes which have already been found equivalent, and for EU routes, these obligations will be only reserve powers, and will not be applied unless market developments dictate. As other routes become more competitive, we will waive these last two requirements for those routes.

  The new licences will be public telecommunications operator licences, and we will undertake the usual public consultations, and address any further issues which arise in the course of these applications. I aim to be able to issue the first licences from July.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set the Patent Office executive agency for 1996–97. [32069]

  Mr. Lang
  I have set the Patent Office the targets listed for 1996–97.

  Efficiency

  To increase output in relation to total staff numbers by 2 per cent.

  To increase output in relation to total staff costs by 2 per cent.

  To increase output in relation to current expenditure by 2 per cent.

  Quality

  To issue patent search reports within 12 weeks of receipt of a request in the Patent Office.

  To issue patent examination reports within 18 months of publication.

  To confirm payment of patent renewal fees within six working days of receipt in the Patents Office.

  To issue initial search and examination reports on design applications within 12 weeks of receipt of request.

  To confirm payment of design registration renewal fees within six working days of receipt in the Patent Office.

  To issue trade mark examination reports within two months of data capture in the Patent Office.

  To advertise within seven months of examination, trade mark applications which attract no substantive objection at the examination stage.

  526

  To register within four months of advertisement, trade mark applications which are not formally opposed.

  In addition, I expect the chief executive of the Patent Office to continue to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

  Ariane 5
  Sir Michael Marshall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the implications for United Kingdom space policy of the launch failure of Ariane 5; and if he will make a statement. [31872]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The loss of the European Space Agency's first Ariane 5 launch vehicle and the four CLUSTER space science satellites is a great disappointment for everyone involved. The United Kingdom Government contributed £35 million to CLUSTER and invested £12 million in instrumentation. British scientists played a prominent role in the CLUSTER mission and the setback in the research community will be keenly felt. The agency's space science programme will, however, continue to provide important opportunities for British space scientists.

  The UK will continue to support competitive European launch capacity to meet commercial and research programme needs. The UK contribution to Ariane, announced in March of this year, totals £2.8 million up to 2000 for the follow on programme for infrastructure. The UK Government also contribute £5 million a year to the operations of the Kourau launch centre. The decision to re-enter the Ariane programme came as a result of discussions with industry about the priorities for British space policy. A further space policy seminar with industry is to be held on 25 June.

  The Government's interest in space focuses particularly on our contribution to the science programme and the increasingly important civil activities of earth observation, pollution monitoring, mineral extraction data, global navigation, telecommunications, television and weather forecasting.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 22 May,Official Report, column 265, how much Britain has gained or lost in pounds sterling as a result of changes in exchange rates in each of the last three years. [31261]

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 4 June 1996]: The structural funds regulations provide for a number of block allocations of grants for multi-annual programmes to be made to each member state. These allocations, like the whole of the EC budget, from which they are drawn, are denominated in ecu. Changes in exchange rates therefore affect the value in national currencies of the structural funds grants received by all member states. There are no losses or gains in sterling terms since the sterling equivalent of the ecu value of the allocations are known only when the programmes are completed.

  Accounts (Late Filing Penalties)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the current tariff of penalties employed at Companies House for late filing of
  527
  accounts, indicating what size businesses the penalties relate to, and including the sliding scale for the length of delay in filing. [30729]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 4 June 1996]: The registrar and chief executive of Companies House executive agency has delegated authority to deal with such matters on behalf of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The registrar has been asked to write to the hon. Lady.

  Letter from John S. Holden to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 6 June 1996:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning the current tariff of penalties employed at Companies House for late filing of accounts.
  The scale of late filing penalties, the class of company against which these are levied and the time periods involved are set out in the following table.

  Scale of Penalties

  Public companies £

  Private companies £

  Not more than 3 months late

  500

  100

  More than 3 months but not more than 6 months late

  1,000

  250

  More than 6 months but not more than 12 months late

  2,000

  500

  More than 12 months late

  5,000

  1,000

  The scale of penalties is laid down in Section 242A of the Companies Act and applies equally to all companies in each class, irrespective of their size.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Research Councils
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library the memoranda issued to(a) the chief executives of the research councils, and (b) the director generals of the research councils setting out the conditions of their appointments. [31192]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 4 June 1996]: The Director General of Research Councils is a senior civil servant serving on a limited period appointment. Apart from his performance bonus arrangements the conditions of his appointment are those of senior civil servants. The

  Retirement pension single rate £

  Retirement pension couple rate £

  Cost to national insurance fund £

  Savings in income-related benefits £

  Increase in Treasury income tax receipts £

  1995–96

  59.90

  95.75

  470 million

  130 million

  50 million

  1996–97

  62.25

  99.50

  510 million

  140 million

  50 million

  Sources:

  1. National insurance fund estimates provided by Government Actuary department.

  2. Income-related benefit effects calculated using the policy simulation model 1996–97, based on the family expenditure surveys 1991, 1992 and 1993.

  3. Income tax figures supplied by the Inland Revenue and calculated using provisional figures from a projection of the 1994 family expenditure survey.

  Notes:

  1. All costs are rounded to the nearest £10 million with the exception of income tax receipts which are rounded to the nearest £50 million.

  2. The estimate for 1996–97 is based upon uprating the 1995–96 figures shown in the table.

  3. Rates of retirement pension have been calculated on the basis of movement in the retail prices index and the average earnings, whole economy, index as produced by the Office of National Statistics as appropriate.
  528
  chief executives of the research councils are employees of the councils. I have placed in the Library of the House the statement issued to those appointed since 1 April 1994 detailing the conditions of their appointments as chief executive and as accounting officer.

  Rail Transport Research
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures are being taken to ensure that research into rail transport continues following privatisation. [32168]

  Mr. Watts
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have approved the establishment of a review to consider the best mechanism for directing and co-ordinating research and development in order to meet the needs of the new railway industry. The review will provide advice for the successor bodies, which, following privatisation, will be responsible for determining their own research requirements. It will be chaired by Professor Sir David Davies, chief scientific adviser, Ministry of Defence. Its membership comprises: Professor Brian Mellitt director, engineering and production, Railtrack plc; Mr. Gordon Pettitt, transport management consultant, formerly managing director, regional railways; Professor Tony Ridley, professor of Transport Engineering, University of London centre for transport studies; and Mr. Tony Roche, board member, engineering services and safety, British Railways Board. The review is currently in the process of collecting evidence and will present its findings and recommendations to the permanent secretary, Department of Transport, by late summer.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  State Pensions
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the state pension for(a) a single pension and (b) a couple would have been in April 1995 and April 1996 if the pension in each of these years had been uprated by the higher of the retail prices index or earnings in both of these years; and what estimate he has made of (i) the gross additional costs of such increases in pension and (ii) the net cost after savings in (1) means-tested benefits and (2) increased Treasury receipts from income tax. [30163]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table:
  529

  Reduced Earnings Allowance
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners will be affected by the reductions in the reduced earnings allowance. [30833]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. Clapham) on 25 April, column 252.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what modification will be made in the application of the good cause clause in reduced earnings allowance cases which are restricted to 12 months' retrospection; and how they will now apply. [31258]

  Mr. Evans
  No change has been made to the application of the good cause provisions for late claims to reduced earnings allowance. However, where there is good cause for a late claim or application for review of an award made on or after 24 March 1996, a maximum 12 months arrears of reduced earnings allowance is payable, in line with other, non-industrial injuries benefits.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if reduced earnings allowance will continue to be paid to a married woman who reaches 60 years of age but who has insufficient national insurance contributions to claim a retirement pension in her own right and her husband is in full-time employment and under 65 years of age. [31256]

  Mr. Evans
  Reduced earnings allowance recipients who have given up regular employment will transfer to retirement allowance after reaching state pension age.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the reasons for the 12-month restriction on back dating reduced earnings allowance in cases where the effects of a latent injury or disease have resulted in a loss of faculty which has reduced the claimant's earnings capacity; and what further retrospection will be allowed in such cases to the date of the last application for an award. [31257]

  Mr. Evans
  The introduction of a maximum 12-month period for payment of arrears of reduced earnings allowance is designed to bring the allowance into line with other, non-industrial injuries, earnings replacement benefits such as incapacity benefit or income support. Reduced earnings allowance is payable only in respect of industrial accidents occurring or prescribed diseases with a date of onset, before 1 October 1990. It is not justifiable to continue backdating payments in such claims indefinitely. Reduced earnings allowance can still be backdated for a maximum of 12 months where someone can show good cause for making a late claim.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many representations he has received regarding the reduction in reduced earnings allowance; and how many of these representations express support for the changes he has made. [31143]

  Mr. Evans
  As at 31 May, 97 right hon. Members and two organisations have written to Ministers. The letters have generally expressed concern or sought clarification.
  530

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will issue a code of practice on access to goods, facilities, services and premises under part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [32084]

  Mr. Burt
  I have today laid a draft code of practice covering rights of access to goods, facilities, services and premises before Parliament under the powers contained in sections 51 and 52 of the Act. Proposals for the code were made by the National Disability Council following a very successful public consultation exercise. Response to the NDC's draft was favourable, with particular praise for the clear drafting and use of examples to explain the concepts contained in the Act.

  In conjunction with the consultation by the NDC, the Government consulted on a number of proposals for regulations under part III of the Act. Regulations covering powers of attorney; insurance; guarantees and the exclusion of certain education-related services will be laid before Parliament in the near future.

  The draft code of practice and the regulations will come into force on 2 December 1996, subject to parliamentary approval. The code will be published as soon as possible to give service providers, those involved in the selling, letting and managing of premises and others affected time to take account of its guide.

  The Disability Discrimination Act is a huge step forward for disabled people. The code forms part of a co-ordinated framework of advice and guidance to ensure that the business community and disabled people are aware of their new duties and rights.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will issue guidance on the definition of disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [32149]

  Mr. Burt
  I have today laid draft guidance before Parliament under the powers contained in section 3 of the Act. A draft of the guidance was issued as part of the recent consultation exercise carried out by the Department for Education and Employment. Many respondents to that consultation felt that the draft could be improved in terms of its structure and should provide fuller guidance. They also felt that the guidance in the draft should be put into context with references to the relevant provisions of the Act. The draft which I have laid before Parliament reflects these views. The Act defines disability as a physical or mental impairment which has substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. People who have had a disability in the past which met this definition are also protected by the Act. The guidance explains some of the matters to be taken into account in determining whether an impairment has this effect.

  The guidance is not legally binding, but an industrial tribunal or court must take it into account where it appears to be relevant. In most cases it will be clear whether or not someone meets the definition of disability in the Act. The purpose of the guidance is to provide help where there is doubt over whether someone is disabled. It is designed primarily for courts or tribunals, but may also be of help to disabled people and businesses.
  531
  I have also laid regulations before Parliament which refine the Act's definition of disability. Proposals for the use of regulations on the definition of disability were also included in the DfEE's consultation exercise, and the regulations have been drafted to reflect views expressed. The regulations make it clear that addictions, anti-social behaviour and tattoos and body piercings will not entitle people to protection under the Act. They also make it clear that babies and young children are protected by the Act.

  The regulations and the draft guidance will commence on 30 July 1996 subject to approval by Parliament.

TRANSPORT

  MV Derbyshire
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the cost of the technical experts listed by his Department to take part in the second survey of the MV Derbyshire wreckage field. [31273]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply on 7 May,Official Report, column 52.

  Railfreight Distribution
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to privatise Railfreight Distribution; and if he will make a statement. [32067]

  Mr. Watts
  I have today announced that the Government have decided that Railfreight Distribution—British Rail's channel tunnel freight business—should be offered for sale as soon as possible. I have asked BR, in consultation with my Department, to draw up a programme for its disposal. The offer for sale will be based on the existing business.

  Railfreight Distribution is heavily loss-making. Privatisation will enable the business to be put onto a sound financial footing so that the growth potential of international freight services via the channel tunnel can be exploited on a commercial basis, thereby furthering the objective of transferring more freight from road to rail.

  Departmental Research Sites (Sale)
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the proposed sale of his Department's former research site at Crowthorne and Livingston. [32169]

  Mr. Norris
  My Department no longer needs to own the sites at Crowthorne and Livingston after the sale of the Transport Research Laboratory to the Transport Research Foundation. It has a 15-year lease at Crowthorne and a one-year tenancy at Livingston. Healey and Baker are to market the Crowthorne site and Richard Ellis the Livingston site. Applications are about to be made to the local planning authorities to confirm the existing use and planning status of each site, including the scope to rebuild on the sites. The sites will be put on the market in the near future.
  532

  British Rail Maintenance Ltd.
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when Ernst and Young's report of their emerging findings on the sale of British Rail's former heavy maintenance depots, British Rail Maintenance Ltd., will be available. [32068]

  Mr. Watts
  I have today placed a copy in the Library.

  Newbury Bypass
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are the implications for the Newbury bypass of the discovery of the snail Vertigo moulinsiana in the area; [32065]

  (2) when the Highways Agency expects to award the main contract for the Newbury bypass; and if he will make a statement. [32066]

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) which contractor has won the main contract for the construction of the Newbury bypass; [31360]

  2. which contractor has won the contract for archaeological work on the route of the Newbury bypass; [31361]

  3. what measures he expects the Highways Agency to take to replace any snail habitat lost through the construction of the Newbury bypass. [31364]

  Mr. Watts
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment explains today in a separate answer to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Rendel) that public consultation is now under way on a formal recommendation by English Nature, made through the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, that various locations in the Kennet and Lambourn valleys be considered as a possible candidate for designation in due course as a special area of conservation under European directive 92/43/EEC—the habitats directive—following the discovery of large populations of the species Vertigo moulinsiana, Desmoulin's whorl snail, in these locations.

  One of the locations in question, Bagnor island, is due to be crossed by the Newbury bypass. Part of another area, Speen moor, will be affected by it. My right hon. Friend and I have accordingly considered JNCC's recommendation and the implications for the bypass.

  The provisions of regulations 50 to 53 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994, review of existing decisions and consents, do not apply in the case of this site which is not yet a "European site" as defined by the regulations, nor is it yet subject to the policy protection which the Government apply to candidate SACs from the time when they are proposed to the Commission. However, in the light of the acknowledged conservation value of the site, my right hon. Friend and I have considered whether the bypass can proceed in a manner which is consistent with the conservation objectives of the directive.

  The site recommended by JNCC consists of a cluster of eight separate locations, six of which are unaffected by the proposed bypass. The conservation objectives of the recommended SAC in the Kennet and Lambourn floodplain would be to seek to ensure that a large and viable overall population of the snail was maintained in the area. English Nature and the Highways Agency have

  533
  discussed measures to achieve these conservation objectives. Porous asphalt will be used to minimise spray and the discharge of run-off will be controlled to reduce pollution. A number of further measures which can be implemented by the Highways Agency have been agreed in principle with English Nature. These will reduce the extent of snail habitat which would otherwise be destroyed by the road, together with other measures to maintain the conservation status of the snail in the area. Areas of new habitat are planned which will be much greater than those lost. The main measures are detailed in paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4 (option 2A) in the report "A34 Newbury Bypass—Impact of the A34 on Vertigo Moulinsiana and Opportunities for Mitigation—May 1996", copies of which have been placed in the Library. English Nature considers that, subject to further detailed discussion, these measures, if successfully implemented, should maintain the overall snail populations within the Kennet and Lambourn floodplain, and extend the distribution of the snail within the area where these measures are to be carried out.

  My right hon. Friend and I are in any case satisfied that there are no alternative solutions and that there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest for proceeding with the proposed bypass.

  Both the need for the bypass and the choice of route were established following the statutory procedures set out in the Highways Act 1980, which included two public inquiries. In addition to these procedures, my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Transport announced his conclusion on the choice of route following a further assessment in 1995. The assessment took into account changes in appraisal techniques and local circumstances, as well as new traffic and economic data since the public inquiries and the subsequent statutory decision to go ahead with a western bypass. He considered carefully the balance between all the options and concluded that the proposed route was the most effective solution for Newbury. Having considered the new information about Vertigo moulinsiana, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I are satisfied that it does not change the balance of the weight of evidence, including environmental evidence, in favour of this particular route. As I have already explained, new measures will be adopted with the aim of reducing the effects of the road on the snail population.

  The imperative reasons for overriding public interest for proceeding with the bypass are environmental, social and economic. In particular:

  the bypass will relieve the severe environmental problems along the existing A34 in the town including noise and reduced air quality. At present, around 50,000 vehicles per day use the A34 through Newbury. This figure could increase to 78,000 by the year 2010 if the bypass is not built. In particular, the bypass will reduce heavy lorry traffic through Newbury by up to about 70 per cent.;

  it will improve road safety. Over the next 30 years, we estimate that 28 lives will be saved, and an estimated 370 serious casualties and 1420 less serious injuries will be avoided;

  it will aid the economy. The A34 is an important route nationally, linking the North and the Midlands with the ports of Southampton and
  534
  Portsmouth. But high traffic volumes are causing long tailbacks and delays and these are getting worse. At peak times queues can extend over five miles either side of the town. The bypass will relieve a serious bottleneck on this important trunk road.

  Extensive reviews of the trunk road programme in 1994 and 1995 have confirmed the need for the bypass.

  My right hon. Friend and I are satisfied that the proposed course of action is consistent with the conservation objectives of the habitats directive. We have concluded after careful consideration that the bypass should proceed without further delay, and I instructed the Highways Agency to let the main contract for its construction.

  Accordingly the main contract for the construction of the bypass has been awarded to Costain Civil Engineering Ltd. York Archaeological Trust has been awarded the contract for archaeological work along the route.

SCOTLAND

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many registered disabled people are employed by his Department; and what percentage this is of the total figure. [30779]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The number of registered disabled staff employed the Scottish Office core and its executive agencies at 1 April 1996 is shown in the table.

  Registered disabled staff in post in the Scottish Office and its executive agencies at 1 April 1996

  Total

  Per cent.

  Registered disabled staff

  58

  1.1

  All other staff

  5,180

  98.9

  Water and Sewerage Authorities
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what considerations led him to specify 6.5 per cent. as the rate of return he believes to be reasonable for the water and sewerage authorities. [30836]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The required rate of return reflects an assessment of the opportunity cost to the economy of new investment in activities such as the provision of water and sewerage services which involve low risk.

  Ms Celia Urquhart
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the positions to which Ms Celia Urquhart has been appointed by his Department. [31067]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Ms Urquhart is currently a member of(a) the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland and (b) Scottish Enterprise.
  535

  Fixed Penalties
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases which have been dealt with by way of fixed penalty by procurators fiscal in Scotland in each of the past five years have also resulted in awards being made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. [31069]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not available.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland under what provisions it is necessary to establish that a crime has been committed before an award can be made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. [31070]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The board makes ex gratia payments of compensation in respect of eligible applications received up until 31 March 1996, under the provisions of the 1990 criminal injuries compensation scheme.

  The terms of the scheme are reproduced in the board's annual reports, copies of each of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The scheme defines a criminal injury as one directly attributable to a crime of violence, including arson or poisoning, to an offence of trespass on a railway, or to activities such as attempting to apprehend an offender or prevent an offence being committed.

  It is not necessary for an offender to have been convicted of a crime, but the board will not make an award if it is not persuaded that the injury has resulted from a crime of violence and may withhold or reduce compensation if the applicant has not taken, without delay, all reasonable steps to inform the police of the circumstances of the injury and to co-operate with the police in bringing the offender to justice. It is the board's policy to ask the police to investigate compensation applications which may be fraudulent, including those where there is a suspicion that the injury did not result from a criminal act.

  Abortion
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many deaths were recorded as a result of abortion operations in Scotland in 1995; [31315]

  (2) how many abortions (a) in total and (b) per 1,000 women were carried out in Scotland in 1995. [31319]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The provisional number of abortions performed in Scotland under the Abortion Act 1967 in 1995 was 11,136; the rate per 1,000 women aged 15–44 was 10.1. None of the abortions performed in Scotland in 1995 resulted in the death of the pregnant woman.

  Fire Service
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fire fighters in the fire service in Scotland have had to retire through post-traumatic stress disorder, stress or depression arising from their job. [31350]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not held centrally.
  536

  Unitary Authorities
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the amount of standard spending assessment per person for each of the new unitary authorities. [31165]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Standard spending assessments do not apply to Scotland. The equivalent figures are for Government-supported expenditure for which the information requested is as follows:

  1 2 3GSE per person

  Aberdeen City

  1,078

  Aberdeenshire

  1,063

  Angus

  1,057

  Argyll and Bute

  1,397

  Scottish Borders

  1,223

  Clackmannanshire

  1,121

  West Dunbartonshire

  1,344

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,207

  Dundee City

  1,281

  East Ayrshire

  1,150

  East Dunbartonshire

  1,043

  East Lothian

  1,100

  East Renfrewshire

  1,026

  City of Edinburgh

  1,105

  Falkirk

  1,076

  Fife

  1,112

  City of Glasgow

  1,489

  Highland

  1,349

  Inverclyde

  1,292

  Midlothian

  1,146

  Moray

  1,146

  North Ayrshire

  1,156

  North Lanarkshire

  1,166

  Perth and Kinross

  1,066

  Renfrewshire

  1,164

  South Ayrshire

  1,123

  South Lanarkshire

  1,143

  Stirling

  1,214

  West Lothian

  1,151

  1 Population estimates for mid-1994 supplied by Registrar General for Scotland.

  2 GSE comprises grant-aided expenditure, plus allowances for: loan and leasing charges; expenditure on council tax benefit and housing benefit net of DSS subsidy; and, where applicable, expenditure on urban programme net of specific grant.

  3 The Islands Councils of Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles were unitary authorities prior to 1 April 1996.

  Nature Conservation Payments
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the payments made to landowners by Scottish National Heritage for nature conservation purposes and access to their estates in each year since 1991. [30505]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 22 May 1996]: Scottish Natural Heritage, which came into existence in 1992, makes payments to landowners in two ways, through management agreements and grants. Details of grant payments are listed in the annual reports of SNH, copies of which are in the Library of the House. A list of all management agreements was published in SNH's first annual report and new agreements are included in subsequent reports.
  537

  Cullen Inquiry
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will amend the terms of reference of the Cullen inquiry to include consideration of the depiction of murder on films, videos and television as a possible contributory cause of violent behaviour. [30510]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 4 June 1996]: The terms of reference already allow the Inquiry to consider the issues arising from the tragic events at Dunblane primary school on 13 March, as well as the circumstances leading up to and surrounding these events.

  Animal Feedstuffs
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Ministry for Agriculture Fisheries and Food(a) first evaluated and (b) first had access to a test for mammalian material in animal feedstuffs. [29913]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 17 May 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  The development of the ELISA test for bovine, ovine and porcine protein in ruminant feed has been a long-term project, based upon previous expertise in the identification of species of origin of meat. There were significant difficulties in purifying raw material to prevent interference by and cross reactions with many plant components of animal feed. Once resolved, there was a period of further validation based on the testing of feed samples collected on farm, commencing in June 1994. Additional testing of feed samples collected on farm, commencing in June 1994. Additional problems were identified, particularly relating to cross reactions with ingredients not previously tested, until the test was considered secure enough by mid-1995 to embark on surveillance at feed mills in compliance with Commission decision 95/287.

PRIME MINISTER

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 14 May,Official Report, columns 762–63, what consideration he has given to the issue addressed to him by the chairman of United Kingdom Families Flight 103, in a letter of 13 May, as to (a) whether the criminal investigation findings were reliable and complete and (b) whether there has been a fabrication of evidence to conceal certain matters therein set out. [30298]

  The Prime Minister
  My noble and learned Friend, the then Lord Advocate, concluded after the most intensive investigation in United Kingdom history that there was no evidence to support charges against the nationals of any other country. The alleged involvement of a Palestinian terrorist group was closely investigated during the early stages of the investigation, but no credible evidence emerged to substantiate its involvement in the Lockerbie crime. It is for a jury to decide how reliable the evidence is, but successive Lord Adovcates would not have brought and maintained charges if they had believed that the evidence on which they were based was unreliable, incomplete or fabricated.
  538

  Beef Ban
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations were made to the United States Government following their banning of British beef in 1989; what further negotiations have taken place since; and if he will make a statement. [31114]

  The Prime Minister
  It is not true that the United States authorities banned British beef in 1989. However, the USA has not accepted imports of bone in beef from Britain since 1989. After 1989, negotiations concentrated on securing access to US markets for boneless beef, which were successfully concluded in July 1994. Negotiations continue on securing wider access to the US markets, although in regular discussions with representatives of industry, the USA has not been identified as a priority market for the export of beef.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make representations to the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir concerning the detention in Mirpur prison of Chazanfer Ali; and if he will make a statement. [31422]

  The Prime Minister
  As Ghazanfer Ali, a Pakistani national, has now been formally charged and has made appearances in court, it is now a matter for the Azad Kashmir authorities. It would not be appropriate for us to make further representations.

  European Union Flag
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister what instructions were issued to Government offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31515]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 6 June. [30456]

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 6 June. [30457]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Security and Intelligence Services
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Prime Minister when the annual report of the commissioner appointed under the Security Service Act 1989 will be laid before the House; and if he will make a statement. [32004]

  The Prime Minister
  A copy of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's sixth annual report for 1995 has been laid before the House today in accordance with section 4(6) of the Security Service Act 1989. The confidential annex to the report has been excluded from that copy in accordance with section 4(7) of the 1989 Act. I am grateful to the commissioner for his work in providing
  539
  assistance to the tribunal as provided in that Act and for reviewing the issue of warrants under the Intelligence Services Act 1994. I note that he is satisfied that the Secretaries of State have exercised their powers in accordance with the provisions of the 1994 Act.

  Sir Roger Moate
  To ask the Prime Minister when the annual report of the commissioner appointed under the Intelligence Services Act 1994 will be laid before the House; and if he will make a statement. [32005]

  The Prime Minister
  A copy of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's first annual report, for 1995, has been laid before the House today in accordance with section 8(6) of the Intelligence Services Act 1994. The confidential annex to the report has been excluded from that copy in accordance with section 8(7) of the 1994 Act. I am grateful to the Commissioner for his work in reviewing the issue of warrants and authorisations, and in providing assistance to the tribunal as provided for in the Act. I note that he is satisfied that the Secretary of State has properly exercised his powers under the two sections of the 1994 Act.

  Sir Jim Lester
  To ask the Prime Minister when the annual report of the commissioner appointed under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 will be laid before the House; and if he will make a statement. [32006]

  The Prime Minister
  A copy of Lord Nolan's annual report for 1995 has been laid before the House today in accordance with section 8(7) of the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The confidential annex to the report has been excluded from that copy in accordance with section 8(8) of the 1985 Act. I am grateful to the commissioner for his work in reviewing the issue of warrants and in providing assistance to the tribunal as provided for in the Act. I note in particular the commissioner's view that the interception of both postal and telecommunications remains both an effective and essential operation in the interests of national security and the economic well being of the United Kingdom, and the prevention and detection of serious crime.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  European History
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action she proposes to take in response to recommendation 1283 (1996) of the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe on history and the learning of history in Europe; and if she will make a statement. [31433]

  Mr. Forth
  The Government make the recommendation, much of which is reflected in the national curriculum. My officials, together with members of Ofsted and the Schools Curriculum and Assessment Authority will continue to contribute to the Council of Europe's meetings and projects on history teaching in Europe.

  School Inspections
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations have been received(a) for and (b) against a six-yearly cycle
  540
  of school inspections during the consultation on future inspection arrangements; when the results will be published; and if she will make a statement; [31017]

  (2) what criteria will be used in assessing which schools will be inspected more frequently than the proposed six-yearly cycle; what proportion of schools she estimates will be affected; and if she will make a statement. [30996]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Her Majesty's chief inspector is currently consulting educational interests on future inspection arrangements. Once I have his advice on the outcome, I will make a further statement.

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what conclusions she has reached following the recent public consultation on an employment code of practice and employment regulations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if she will make a statement. [32063]

  Mr. Paice
  Over 670 replies were received from organisations and individuals by the close of the consultation period at the end of March. This was a welcome and helpful response.

  Most respondents considered that the draft code could be improved in the way it gave guidance on the employment provisions in the Act and helped employers avoid discrimination in all areas of employment. There was also a great deal of support for the code to contain more illustrative examples. Although most respondents considered that the length of the draft was about right, the constructive comments they, and others, made could not be taken into account without substantial revision.

  We have therefore arranged to lay before Parliament today a redrafted code of practice relating to the elimination of discrimination in the field of employment against disabled people and people who have had a disability. The code includes many illustrative examples and significant additional guidance about the employment provisions of the Act, as well as information about how complaints might be made and how to seek further information, and a comprehensive index. It should now meet the needs of organisations of all sizes covered by the Act's employment provisions.

  The proposals for employment regulations were supported by a majority of those who expressed a view and only minor changes have been needed to deal with some issues which were identified during the consultation process. As a result, we have also laid before Parliament today the Disability Discrimination (Employment) Regulations 1996.

  The consultation exercise also sought views on two issues for which we made no proposals for regulations but were interested in opinions about the merit of possible change. One issue was the setting of a financial cap for making a reasonable adjustment. A clear majority of those who expressed a view were not in favour of a cap, and the Department is not proposing to introduce one when employment provisions are commenced.

  The other issue was whether the duty of reasonable adjustment should apply to aspects of physical features of buildings or extensions which meet the British standard 5810.
  541
  A clear majority of those who expressed a view considered it should apply and we do not propose to introduce regulations on this issue. Therefore no aspect of a building will be exempted from the duty of reasonable adjustment simply because it meets BS5810.

  We have decided that the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will commence on 2 December 1996. The draft code of practice and the Disability Discrimination (Employment) Regulations 1996 will also commence on that date, subject to completion of the parliamentary procedure. The code will be published as soon as possible to give employers and others affected by the employment provisions time to take account of its guidance.

  A statistical analysis of the responses to the consultation is being placed in the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Schoolteachers (Qualifications)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 1 May,Official Report, column 552, where he stated that 198 Irish schoolteachers had their qualifications recognised in Great Britain under EU rules in 1993–94, what assessment he has made of the number of recognitions cited in the European Commission's recent report on the implementation of the professional qualifications directive; and if he will make a statement. [31122]

  Mr. Ancram
  The 1,277 recognitions relate to the cumulative total for England and Wales since directive 89/48/EEC was implemented, whereas the 198 recognitions refer to 1993–94 and include Scotland.

  School Transport
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) by how much school transport costs have risen in(a) cash, (b) real price and (c) percentage terms since the Government adopted a policy of open enrolment; [31030]

  (2) what have been the percentage, cash and real terms changes in transport costs in the primary, secondary, further and special needs sectors of education since the adoption of a policy of open enrolment. [31031]

  Mr. Ancram
  Between the introduction of open enrolment policy in 1990 and March 1995–1994–95 is the latest year for which actual expenditure is available—net expenditure on school transport has risen by some 50 per cent. from £23.2 million in 1990–91 to £34.7 million. The equivalent figures in constant price terms are £26.4 million and £34.7 million respectively reflecting an increase of approximately 31 per cent. Separate costs are not readily available for primary, secondary, further and special needs sectors of education and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the principal factors underlying the change in school transport costs in the last five years. [31032]
  542
  Mr. Ancram
  The principal factors are an increase in the total school population, an increase in the proportion of pupils attending schools beyond statutory walking distance and an increase in the cost of provision of such transport.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a breakdown of current education transport costs by made of transport. [31033]

  Mr. Ancram
  The latest year for which actual expenditure is available is 1994–95 and the information is as follows:

  £ million

  Education and Library Board Vehicles

  9.2

  Public Transport

  19.9

  Taxi Services

  3.8

  Other

  1.8

  Total

  34.7

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent the rise in education transport costs is due to increases in charges by transport companies. [31034]

  Mr. Ancram
  Increases in charges by public transport providers account for approximately 21 per cent. of the total cost increases for school transport in the period 1990–91 to 1994–95.

  Education Funding
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list his allocation of resources to each of the education and library boards in the current financial year; and what percentage increase this constitutes over the 1995 allocation in constant price terms. [31035]

  Mr. Ancram
  The total allocation to the education and library boards for 1996–97 is £963.3 million, an increase of 0.6 per cent. at constant prices over the allocations initially provided for 1995–96. Individual board allocations have not yet been finalised as the 1996–97 figure includes £28.5 million which is earmarked for specific purposes, and has not yet been distributed among the five boards. I will write to the hon. Member later in the year when directly comparable allocation figures are available.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will state his allocation of resources to the schools which he directly funds; and what percentage increase this constitutes over the 1995 allocation in constant price terms. [31036]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested for the financial years 1995–96 and 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  1996–97 £

  Percentage increase (constant prices)

  Voluntary grammar schools

  113,696,000

  1.47

  Grant maintained integrated schools

  Primary

  4,366,000

  16.43

  Secondary

  7,266,000

  30.36

  543
  The 1996–97 figures for grant maintained integrated schools take account of three new secondary schools and one new primary school and increased enrolments in existing schools.

  Law Reform Advisory Committee
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when the Law Reform Advisory Committee commenced work on the subject of landlord liability for failure to repair defective premises; what tenants interest groups it has consulted; and when it will issue its report; [31123]

  (2) what factors led the Law Reform Advisory Committee to cease further work on actions arising out of insidious diseases; [31124]

  (3) if it is the policy of the Law Reform Advisory Committee to make submissions to the Law Commission on areas of work in which it is interested; [31125]

  (4) what is the policy of the Law Reform Advisory Committee in respect of when it addresses issues on which the Law Commission is working. [31128]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Law Reform Advisory Committee is an independent non-statutory body whose remit is to keep the civil law of Northern Ireland under review and make recommendations for its reform to the Secretary of State. The committee operates within terms of reference and a programme of law reform which are approved by the Secretary of State. Within these parameters, the committee has an independence in policy matters and a discretion with regard to the working practices it adopts in pursuance of its remit. Accordingly, the advice of the chairman to the committee, the right hon. Lord Justice Carswell, has been sought on those aspects of the hon. and learned Gentleman's questions which refer to the committee's policy areas and detailed working practices.

  The sub-committee dealing with the topic of landlord liability topic is at an early stage of the consultative process. It is not therefore possible to say at this stage when a report will be issued. The main committee decided to defer preparation of its report on actions arising out of insidious diseases until the Law Commission has completed discussions with the insurance industry on the remedies of plaintiffs against insurers.

  The Law Reform Advisory Committee regards it as an important part of its work to consult the Law Commission regularly. It also considers the work of the Law Commission and decides which topics merit further consideration given the particular relevances to its jurisdiction.

  Paedophiles Register
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ask the Home Secretary to include Northern Ireland from the beginning in legislation to set up a national register of convicted paedophiles. [31126]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government are considering suggestions that convicted sex offenders should be required by law to notify the police of any changes of address. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home 544
  Secretary intends to publish a consultation document shortly which will canvas views on this and other measures

  At that time I will wish to seek views on the applicability of the proposals to Northern Ireland.

  Balloo Road, Bangor
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the accident and casualty rates over the last five years on the Balloo road in Bangor; if he will give an assessment of the improvements required; and what are his Department's plans for upgrading that road. [31127]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W. J. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from W. J. McCoubrey to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 31 May 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your question about accident and casualty rates on the Balloo Road in Bangor and future improvement proposals for the road.
  The RUC, who are responsible for compiling accident statistics, have advised me that in the 5 year period 1991–1995 inclusive 39 injury accidents in which 2 people were killed and 60 injured (7 seriously) were recorded in respect of the Balloo Road in Bangor.
  Balloo Road is 2,200 metres long. The two end sections of the road, totalling some 1,400 metres have been reconstructed in the last 10 years at a cost of £1.5M. A scheme to bring the 800m central section up to a similar standard is included in the 6–15 year major roadworks programme where its priority will be assessed as part of a detailed review to be completed later this year. The work will involve reconstructing the carriageway to 9 m width with right turning lanes at 4 junctions, constructing footways on each side and installing traffic signals with a pedestrian facility at the Bloomfield Road South junction.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on nominations to the forthcoming political negotiations, and about progress in setting up the forum established by the Northern Ireland (Entry to Negotiations, etc) Act 1996. [32163]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I have issued invitations to nominate teams to participate in the negotiations, under section 2(2) of the Northern Ireland (Entry to Negotiations, etc) Act 1996, to the nominating representatives of the following parties:

  Alliance Party

  Democratic Unionist Party—DUP

  Labour

  Northern Ireland Women's Coalition

  Progressive Unionist Party (PUP)

  Social Democratic and Labour Party (SLDP)

  UK Unionist Party—Robert McCartney

  Ulster Democratic Party (UDP)

  Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)

  I am required by section 2(3) of the Act to refrain from inviting nominations in respect of any part if I consider that requirements set out in paragraphs 8 and 9 of the ground rules for substantive all-party negotiations—

  545
  published as Command Paper 3232—are not met in relation to it. Paragraph 9 of the ground rules makes clear the agreement of the British and Irish Governments that the participation of Sinn Fein in the negotiations requires the unequivocal restoration of the ceasefire of August 1994.

  After consultation with the Irish Government, both Governments are agreed that this requirement is not met and that, for so long as it is not met, no invitation can be issued in respect of Sinn Fein.

  Letters have also been sent to the nominating representatives of all parties returned at the elections, including Sinn Fein, about arrangements for the forum. With them is a draft of initial rules of procedure, on which we seek comment. The letters also deal with the location of the forum: we have now identified suitable premises for it at the Interpoint centre in Belfast. I am placing a copy of these letters in the Library of the House.

  Hydro-electricity
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make available to the representatives of Lough Neagh and Maine System Game Anglers Association details of the minutes of meetings which took place between the fisheries division of the Department of Agriculture, the energy policy division of the Department of Economic Development, the hydro-electric consultant Mr. Dougal Baillie and a turbine manufacturer based in the Province with regard to the Radalstown hydro-electric application. [31223]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 4 June 1996]: No meeting of these parties took place on this subject.

WALES

  Cattle Slaughter Scheme
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from farming organisations concerning extensions of the 25p per kilo live weight supplementary payment until the 30-months slaughter scheme is fully operational; and if he will make a statement. [30700]

  Mr. Hague
  I have received a number of representations about the national supplement of 25p per kilogrammes live weight which beef specialists can receive under the over 30-month slaughter scheme.

  The Government have extended the qualifying period for this rate until 15 June. Rates will be reviewed regularly thereafter in light of market rates for young cattle as EC regulations limit us to providing no more than the difference between 1 ecu per kilogramme and the market value.

  If animals over 30 months of age on 20 March cannot be slaughtered before 15 June they will remain eligible for the top-up payments of 25p.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to introduce a system for consigning animals due to enter the cull scheme to specific collecting centres; and what proposals he has for making arrangements for the relevant interim payments. [30702]
  546
  Mr. Hague
  The over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. Arrangements for consigning cattle to collection centres are matters for those taking part in the scheme, who are best placed to consider their own needs and local circumstances.

  I understand the producers will be asked to notify the board of all the animals on which they wish to claim interim payments before the end of June and that payments will be made in the first half of July.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current backlog of(a) steers and heifers over 30 months and (b) cull cows awaiting slaughter in each county in Wales. [30697]

  Mr. Hague
  Precise figures are not available. The total number of clean beef cattle and of cull cows aged over 30 months awaiting slaughter in Wales is estimated at between 15,000 and 20,000.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the date on which producers will receive their interim payment on(a) steers and heifers and (b) cull cows awaiting slaughter. [30701]

  Mr. Hague
  The over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. I understand that producers will be asked to notify the board of all the animals on which they wish to claim interim payments before the end of June and that payments will be made in the first half of July.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from Welsh farming organisations concerning the introduction into Wales of the Scottish random selection system for allocation of animals to collection centres and for subsequent disposal; and if he will make a statement. [30703]

  Mr. Hague
  I have had a number of representations regarding the Scottish arrangements for allocation of cattle to selection centres. I understand that this has been organised by those taking part in the over 30-month scheme, who are best placed to consider local circumstances, and to decide priorities.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for the introduction of a cataloguing system for farmers with steers and heifers in the pipeline for the slaughter under the 30 months and over slaughter scheme, to assist in the identification of eligible animals. [30699]

  Mr. Hague
  The over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. Arrangements for consigning cattle to collection centres or abattoirs are matters for those taking part in the scheme, who are best placed to consider their own needs and local circumstances.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what further initiatives he will take to ensure the efficient processing of cattle destined for slaughter under the 30-month BSE regulations; and if he will make a statement. [31134]
  547
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. Arrangements for consigning cattle to collection centres or abattoirs are matters for those taking part in the scheme, who are best placed to consider their own needs and local circumstances.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to increase rendering capacity in Wales. [30998]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Rendering capacity in Great Britain is being made available to all slaughterhouses operating as part of the 30-month slaughter scheme. We are actively considering a variety of options for increasing throughput of cattle under the scheme.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to increase the number of abattoirs in Wales. [30999]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Investment in abattoir facilities remains essentially a matter for the commercial judgment of individual operators.

  Care and Repair Schemes
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from Care and Repair Cymru; and if he will make a statement. [30751]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Representations have been received from Care and Repair Cymru in response to the consultation paper, "The Welsh Office and Local Government: Redefining the Relationship". The issue was also discussed at a recent meeting between my officials and the organisation's director.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations his Department has received concerning changes in its support for local care and repair schemes; and if he will make a statement. [30759]

  Mr. Jones
  The Welsh Office has received representations from Care and Repair Cymru, voluntary organisations including individual care and repair schemes, local authorities, housing associations and private individuals. These representations are being considered.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dentists have left NHS service during the last year in(a) Torfaen, (b) Gwent and (c) Wales. [30980]

  Mr. Hague
  Information on the number of dentists who stop treating NHS patients is not available centrally. However, the number of dentists treating NHS patients in Gwent and Wales is shown in the following table. Separate information for Torfaen is not available centrally.

  Number of dentists treating at least some NHS patients

  Gwent

  Wales

  At 31 December 1994

  140

  850

  At 31 December 1995

  141

  856

  548

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the extra annual administrative costs of the general practitioner fundholding system in Wales. [31000]

  Mr. Hague
  Reimbursement to general practitioner fundholders in respect of expenses covered by management allowances since the inception of the scheme is as follows:

  1990–91: £0.112 million

  1991–92: £0.518 million

  1992–93: £1.677 million

  1993–94: £3.055 million

  1994–95: £3.795 million

  Expenditure figures for 1995–96 are not yet available, but provisional accounts suggest that the total sum amounted to some £6.7 million.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to ensure that the general practitioner fundholding system relates to health authority plans for local people. [31002]

  Mr. Hague
  Guidance on ensuring the accountability of GP fundholding practices was issued by the Welsh Office on 27 September 1995.

  The guidance emphasised the need for GP fundholders and health authorities to develop partnerships to meet agreed national and local health priorities and to set out the main action required in the performance agreements between individual practices and authorities.

  I have arranged for copies of the guidance to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many registered disabled people are employed by his Department; and what percentage this is of the total. [30777]

  Mr. Hague
  The number of registered disabled staff employed by my Department is 33. This represents 1.4 per cent. of the total staff employed.

  A further five registered disabled staff are employed in my Department under the sheltered placement scheme.

  Pontypool Bypass
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on delays to work on the Pontypool bypass, A4042; and what penalties will be levied on the contractor. [30978]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The contractor, Shephard Hill Civil Engineering Ltd., has experienced three days' delay as a result of adverse weather.

  Liquidated damages would be applied to the contract in the normal way for late completion.

  Direct Grant Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many primary and secondary schools(a) are direct grant and (b) are seeking direct grant status; and if he will make a statement. [31132]
  549
  Mr. Hague
  There are no longer any direct grant schools in Wales and, currently, no plans to seek applications.

  School Health (Children)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set up a study of the condition of the teeth of primary and secondary school children in Wales with particular reference to the effects of the level of calcium in their diets. [31148]

  Mr. Hague
  I have no plans to do so.

  Beef Farmers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he will assist beef farmers in respect of cattle under 30 months old; and if he will make a statement. [31140]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The beef special premium and suckler cow premium schemes are available to assist beef producers. I have arranged for payments of subsidies to Welsh beef producer to be accelerated and over £66 million—representing 90 per cent. of livestock payments—was paid during April 1996. In addition, the Commission is recommending supplementary payments under these schemes which the Agriculture Council is considering this week.

  Free School Milk
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the proportion of primary schools which are participating in the discretionary scheme for supplying school children under the age of five years with free school milk in each county or old county. [31155]

  Mr. Hague
  The EU school milk subsidy scheme is administered by the intervention board executive agency. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. G. Trevelyan, to reply direct to the hon. Member on this matter and will arrange for a copy to his reply to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Farm Visits
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many farms and in what locations he has visited in 1996. [31133]

  Mr. Hague
  None. I visited a number of farms in 1995 and intend to do so again later this year.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on(a) the operation of the Government's measures in Wales to deal with the BSE crisis; and what assessment he has made of their effectiveness. [31081]

  Mr. Hague
  The Government have introduced a number of measures to assist those involved in the beef industry. These include direct support to renderers and abattoirs and schemes to remove older beef from the food chain and to help beef producers until the market recovers. It is too early to assess the effectiveness of these measures on the overall state of the industry.
  550

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many CTC colleges he proposes for Wales; and if he will make a statement. [31131]

  Mr. Hague
  I should be glad to consider an application to establish a CTC from any potential sponsor.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what restrictions European law places on the advertising of contracts for the supply of goods or services by local authorities though the medium of the Welsh language. [31145]

  Mr. Hague
  There are no restrictions on the advertising of contracts for the supply of goods or services by local authorities through the medium of Welsh. However, advertisements that are required to be placed in the Official Journal of the European Communities must be in one of the Community's official languages.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the number of young people currently on youth training in each training and enterprise council area; and what were the equivalent figures in the last three years. [31358]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The figures requested are contained in the following table:

  Numbers in training on youth training/youth credits/modern apprenticeships1 at the end of March

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Gwent

  2,429

  2,861

  2,449

  2,418

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,503

  3,420

  3,192

  3,522

  North-east Wales

  1,526

  1,679

  1,928

  1,491

  North-west Wales

  2,166

  2,053

  1,946

  1,928

  Powys

  672

  653

  694

  639

  South Glamorgan

  1,721

  1,622

  1,754

  1,880

  West Wales

  4,102

  3,857

  3,697

  4,303

  Wales total

  15,119

  16,145

  15,660

  16,181

  1 Includes accelerated and modern engineering apprenticeships.

  European Union Flag
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what instructions were issued to his Department's offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31514]

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  Unitary Authorities
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the amount of standard spending assessment per person for each of the new unitary authorities. [31166]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information for the 1996–97 settlement is given in the following table. This information is also available in the "Local Government Finance Report (Wales) 1996–97," a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
  551

  Unitary

  Standard spending assessment per head of population (£)1

  Blaenau Gwent

  880

  Bridgend

  822

  Caerphilly

  844

  Cardiff

  799

  Carmarthenshire

  878

  Ceredigion

  860

  Conwy

  814

  Denbighshire

  860

  Flinshire

  775

  Gwynedd

  910

  Isle of Anglesey

  889

  Merthyr Tydfil

  939

  Monmouthshire

  761

  Neath Port Talbot

  860

  Newport

  855

  Pembrokeshire

  880

  Powys

  950

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  866

  Swansea

  838

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  796

  Torfaen

  859

  Wrexham

  798

  Wales

  846

  1 The usually resident population at 30 June 1994 as estimated by the Registrar General.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Wasted Costs orders
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Attorney-General how many wasted costs orders have been made by courts against the Crown Prosecution Service in the last accounting year, with the breakdown of each Crown Prosecution Service area and the total sums for such areas and further broken down by the Crown courts and the magistrates courts. [28306]

  The Attorney-General
  [pursuant to his answer, 14 May 1996, c. 384–285.]: Information is now available about the number of costs awards against CPS central casework One such order was made in the magistrates courts and four in the Crown court. That answer also overstated the number of costs awards in the magistrates courts for the CPS Yorkshire area, by including some awards in favour of the CPS. The actual number of awards against the CPS was 11. An amended table is set out.

  Costs awarded against CPS 1995–96

  Number of cost awards against CPS

  Area

  Crown courts

  Magistrate's courts

  Amount paid £

  North

  2

  19

  3,102

  Yorkshire

  11

  11

  8,215

  Mersey/Lancashire

  11

  6

  3,259

  Humber

  9

  6

  22,827

  North-west

  5

  14

  9,363

  East midlands

  20

  39

  18,347

  Wales

  10

  4

  5,108

  Midlands

  9

  7

  7,503

  Anglia

  6

  16

  12,637

  Severn/Thames

  16

  16

  16,798

  South-west

  4

  4

  2,227

  552

  Costs awarded against CPS 1995–96

  Number of cost awards against CPS

  Area

  Crown courts

  Magistrate's courts

  Amount paid £

  London

  111

  95

  63,804

  South-east

  13

  26

  19,528

  Central casework

  4

  1

  52,003

  Total

  231

  264

  244,721

  1 Information is not available to establish the enactment under which the orders were made and awards of costs made otherwise than in accordance with the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 may be included.

  2 The information in relation to the number of awards is limited to Crown courts and magistrates court cases. It does not include cost awards made in the higher court.

  3 The number of awards relates to all cases dealt with by the CPS areas, but does not include any orders made in respect of the specialised work handled by central casework.

  4 Information about the amounts actually paid includes payments in respect of orders made in the higher courts and those in respect of the specialised work handled by central casework, but the amounts paid cannot be broken down by type of court.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Eastwood Park Prison
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received about Eastwood Park prison. [30276]

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I have received a number of letters from hon. Members and from members of the public about Eastwood Park and these were mainly about cell size.

  Assaults on Prison Officers
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officer hours were lost during the financial year 1995–96 due to injuries sustained as a result of assaults by prisoners; and what was the estimated cost to the Prison Service. [30277]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Absence by prison officers due to assaults on duty is recorded in terms of days rather than hours lost. The total number of days lost for this reason was 11,788 in 1995–96. The cost to the Prison Service is £543,150.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a nationwide identity card scheme. [30280]

  Mr. Sackville
  We will announce our final decision on identity cards as soon as possible based on the options set out in the Green Paper published last year.
  553

  Ministerial Visits (Prisons)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ministerial visits have been made to prisons int he last 12 months. [30282]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Since 6 June 1995, Home Office Minsters have visited Prison Service establishments on 75 occasions.

  Fake Guns
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on fake guns. [30283]

  Mr. Maclean
  There are strict law against the misuse of imitation firearms and the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1994 further strengthened the law. The Government's evidence to Lord Cullen's inquiry into the events at Dunblane discusses controls on imitation firearms and we shall take account of any comments Lord Cullen makes.

  Firearms
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review his Department's policy in respect of the issue of(a) shotgun and (b) other firearm licences to those aged under 18 years. [30286]

  Mr. Maclean
  Lord Cullen's inquiry into the circumstances of the tragedy at Dunblane will also examine wider issues including the controls on firearms. On 21 March the Government announced a review of firearms controls in Great Britain. As part of that review, the Government have provided detailed evidence to Lord Cullen's inquiry. Any changes to the firearms controls must await the outcome of that inquiry.

  Asylum and Immigration Bill
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact on employment of the Asylum and Immigration Bill. [30287]

  Miss Widdecombe
  We believe that the Asylum and Immigration Bill will improve employment opportunities for people lawfully resident in the United Kingdom and entitled to work here.

  Euro 96
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional resources are being made available to the Metropolitan police in respect of crowd control during Euro 96. [30288]

  Mr. Maclean
  Policing outside football grounds is part of normal police duties, and costs are met from existing resources. The cost of policing inside the stadia will be met by the Football Association.

  Police tactics for Euro 96 include the use of modern technology to transmit quickly to the regional centres photographic images of those involved in any disorder. The Football Trust is meeting the cost of this equipment, which is being made available close to the grounds hosting matches, in New Scotland Yard and in the national criminal intelligence service football unit.
  554

  Youth Justice System
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will bring forward plans to reform the youth justice system. [30289]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government's priority is to ensure the effective implementation of the range of positive initiatives and changes that are already in hand to help tackle juvenile crime.

  Life Sentences
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are at present imprisoned for life; and what were the comparable totals 10 and 20 years ago. [30268]

  Mr. Howard
  On 30 April, there were 3,436 life sentence prisoners in prison in England and Wales. The corresponding figures for mid-1976 and 1986 were 1,181 and 2,194 respectively.

  Betting and Gambling
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place the green seal service on a statutory basis. [30829]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  No.The Sporting Life green seal service is a useful independent arbitrator on disputed bets. We consider that these should continue to be dealt with by voluntary regulation.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the regulatory framework for gambling. [30279]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The present framework has kept gambling well-ordered and crime free but we believe there is scope to reduce unnecessary regulation. We have proposed changes for casinos, bingo clubs and advertising of commercial gambling; and we are considering the position of the pools.

  Secure Units
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to speed up the provision of secure units for young offenders. [30278]

  Mr. Maclean
  We are pressing ahead with the provision of secure training centres and the first of the extra 170 additional places being financed by the Department of Health came on stream in December. Around 103 more will be provided during this year.

  Scott Report
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's conclusions in respect of Sir Richard's Scotts' recommendations on prosecution procedures. [32164]

  Mr. Maclean
  Sir Richard made eight recommendations concerning prosecution procedures. In essence, the recommendations are intended to ensure that in future the prosecution ascertains whether there are any documents held by other Government Departments and agencies which may be not only relevant to the way it proposes to put its case, but which may also be relevant
  555
  to the way in which the defence proposes to put the case for the accused, so far as it is known or can be inferred. They also seek to ensure that satisfactory arrangements are in place for recording what is done by the prosecution in this regard—and the responses to their requests of other departments and agencies—and reporting all of this to the defence.

  The recommendations are based on the existing law on disclosure but, as Sir Richard recognised, they need to be considered against the provisions in the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Bill, which is awaiting Report stage. The Government believe that the more focused and clearer duties established by the provisions in the Bill and the code of practice, to be promulgated under part II of the Bill, will address Sir Richard's concerns. To the extent that Sir Richard's recommendations are not already met by the provisions in the Bill, the Government have sought to identify what further action may be necessary.

  Part II of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Bill provides that the Secretary of State shall prepare a code of practice for the police designed to secure that information obtained in the course of a criminal investigation and which may be relevant to it is recorded, retained and revealed to the prosecutor for a decision on disclosure. Investigators other than the police will have to comply with any provisions of the code that are relevant to them. The Government have concluded that the draft code of practice should be amended to emphasise the duty on the investigator to explore all reasonable lines of inquiry, including those which might point away from the suspect.

  The Government are preparing guidance booklets on disclosure for Government Departments and Crown servants. The purpose of these booklets is to give guidance on the procedures that should be followed concerning information which may be relevant to the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offence, and advice on the proper response to requests from investigators, prosecutors or the defence. This guidance will, of course, take account of Sir Richard's recommendations, as well as the provisions in the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Bill.

  Finally, the Director of Public Prosecutions is reviewing the guidance that she gives to the Crown Prosecution Service on the proper application of the code of crown prosecutors, to ensure that the guidance emphasises the importance of the prosecutor considering whether there are any further reasonable lines of inquiry which in his view should be pursued. Similarly, other departmental prosecuting authorities will review and, where necessary, prepare equivalent guidance for other Government prosecutors.

  We have placed a paper in the Library, giving a more detailed account of the Government's response to Sir Richard Scott's recommendations on prosecution procedures.

  Prisoners (HIV/AIDS)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners have been infected with HIV while in prison in England and Wales; [30231]
  556
  (2) how many inmates currently are HIV positive or have AIDS in prisons in England and Wales; [30232]

  (3) how many cases of HIV and AIDS have been reported in United Kingdom prisons for each year since 1991. [30233]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Robert Key, dated 6 June 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions about prisoners who are HIV positive or have AIDS.
  There has been only one recorded case of a prisoner being infected with HIV while in prison in England and Wales.
  On 21 May 1996, 80 prison inmates were known to be HIV positive or to have AIDS in prisons in England and Wales.
  The following table lists cases of HIV and AIDS reported in prisons in England and Wales since 1991. Figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland can be requested from the Secretaries of State for those Departments.

  Year

  New cases

  1991

  26

  1992

  40

  1993

  20

  1994

  23

  1995

  33

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cattle Incineration
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle were slaughtered and destroyed by incineration on their farms during each week of the last foot and mouth disease outbreak in 1967–68. [30023]

  Mrs. Browning
  This information cannot be supplied in the form requested without incurring disproportionate costs. However, I can confirm that 211,825 cattle were slaughtered during the eight months of the 1967–68 foot and mouth disease epidemic. The normal practice in such cases is for the carcases to be buried or incinerated on farm to minimise the possibility of spreading the virus.

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many registered disabled people are employed by his Department; and what percentage this is of the total figure. [30775]

  Mr. Boswell
  At 1 April 1996 the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, including its agencies, employed 145 members of staff who had declared that they were registered disabled. This equates to 1.4 per cent. of the total staff employed.

  Pennington Sewage Treatment Plant
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to
  557
  Southern Water Services in relation to the discharges from Pennington sewage treatment plant and its impact on local shellfish. [31167]

  Mr. Boswell
  In 1994 the Department responded to statutory consultations by the National Rivers Authority relating to discharges from Pennington sewage treatment plant.

  The Department has made no representations on this subject to Southern Water Services.

  Livestock Collection Centres
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which EU-approved markets and collection centres he had notified on or before 1 May to(a) the European Commission and (b) the central authorities of other EU member states as required by European Council directive 64/432/EEC. [30718]

  Mrs. Browning
  In addition to the collection centres listed in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell) on 20 December 1995,Official Report, column 1165, the following collection centres in Great Britain had been notified to the European Commission and central authorities of other EU member states on or before 1 May 1996:
  Norton and Brooksbank sale centre, Sleastonhowe, Kirkby Thore, Penrith, Cumbria
  Oliver and Son Ltd., New Market road, Edinburgh.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many checks were carried out by his staff on holdings, as defined in European directive 90/425/EEC(a) during 1995 and (b) between January and April 1996; [30715]

  (2) if he will list the holdings in Great Britain that have been checked by MAFF in accordance with the requirements of European directive 90/425/EEC. [30714]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 4 June 1996]: Ministry personnel carry out many different types of checks at establishments which fall within the definition of a holding laid down in directive 90/425. Records of visits made are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Sharks
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on what available data the EC quota of 100 tonnes of basking shark liver oil is based; what assessment he has made of whether the level of exploitation is sustainable; and if he will make a statement; [31330]

  (2) if he will list the fisheries for basking sharks in United Kingdom waters. [31336]

  Mr. Baldry
  There is no EU quota for basking sharks. However, as part of the EU-Norway agreement Norwegian fishermen have a quota of 100 tonnes of basking shark liver in United Kingdom waters. The quota figure is based on historic catch levels. It has been reducing over the years from 800 tonnes in 1977 to 400 tonnes in 1988 and to the present 100 tonnes in 1991.

  The very limited Norwegian uptake presents no threat to basking sharks in UK waters.
  558
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the yearly catch for basking sharks under the EC-Norwegian agreement for each of the last five years. [31331]

  Mr. Baldry
  European Commission data indicate that Norwegian fishermen caught 5.8 tonnes of basking shark liver in 1993 against their annual quota of 100 tonnes under the EU-Norway agreement. No catches were recorded in the years 1991, 1992, 1994 or 1995.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what data are collated by his Department on the landings in the United Kingdom of individual shark species; and what assessment his Department has made of the advantages of introducing a quota management system to log landings for shark species to support the convention on international trade in endangered species resolution 9.17. [31333]

  Mr. Baldry
  The Ministry records landings into the United Kingdom of a large number of commercially important fish species as well as of a number of species of shark and shark-like species not considered to be commercially important. The species of the latter which are currently recorded are angel shark, kitefin shark, leafscale gulper shark, great lantern shark, greater spotted dogfish, lesser spotted dogfish, spurdog, birdbeak dogfish, Portuguese dogfish, longnose velvet dogfish and knifetooth dogfish. Other shark and shark-like species are recorded under more general headings.

  Sharks are not included in the convention on international trade in endangered species. However, in response to evidence of increased trade in sharks CITES resolution 9.17 commissioned research on the impact of trade on shark populations. The UK has complied with the obligations of resolution 9.17 by providing the CITES animals committee with information on trade in sharks and the biological status of sharks in UK waters. Additionally, the Department of the Environment has contributed funding of £15,000 towards the cost of research by the shark specialist group of the world conservation union.

  Because shark catches in UK waters are low there is not sufficient justification for the establishment of a quota management system.

  Fisheries
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC-Norwegian agreement in relation to the exchange opportunities for fisheries. [31332]

  Mr. Baldry
  As I said following the December 1995 Fisheries Council, the United Kingdom has large quotas at north Norway and we secured them for 1996 at the same level as in 1995.

  Gelatine
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the food products which contain gelatine of beef origin. [24953]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 17 April 1996]: This information is not centrally recorded and cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.
  559

  Beef Ban
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those countries which banned the import of British beef prior to the EU ban and the date the ban came into force in each case. [26021]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 23 April 1996]: In the week prior to the adoption of Commission decision 96/239/EC on 27 March the following EU countries imposed unilateral bans or restrictions on imports of British beef: Belgium, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and Italy.

  With regard to non-EU countries, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) on 16 May, Official Report columns 579–80.

  Cattle Records
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he last met representatives of National Milk Records to discuss investment in a computerised record system tracing cattle by genetic imprint; [30711]

  (2) what proposals there are for more investment in the National Milk Records cattle-tracing system; and if he will make a statement. [30712]
  560
  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 4 June 1996]: MAFF officials are in touch with National Milk Records about the future development of the NMR cattle recording system. I understand that an NMR working group is preparing proposals for extending the existing NMR database and I look forward to receiving these later this year.

  Export Certificates
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if export certificate EC400 has been issued by his Department since October 1980 for calves destined for France, in excess of 15 days of age. [30727]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 4 June 1996]: Yes; certificate EC400 was used to certify calves under the age of 42 days.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when divisional veterinary managers were notified that export certificate EC4000 is no longer to be issued; and what reasons were given. [30726]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer on 4 June 1996]: The Ministry does not have an export certificate EC4000. An instruction to divisional veterinary managers to withdraw all export health certificates in respect of live cattle, including EC400, was issued on 27 March 1996. This was in response to ratification by the European Commission of Commission decision 96/239/EC on emergency measures to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

  Hong Kong: BNSS Citizenship
  Hong Kong: BNSS Citizenship
  Israel: Nuclear Status
  Israel: Nuclear Status
  Europe: Human Rights Policies
  Europe: Human Rights Policies
  Vietnam: Buddhist Prisoners
  Vietnam: Buddhist Prisoners
  Gulf War: Chemical Weapons
  Gulf War: Chemical Weapons
  Academic and Vocational Qualification Equivalences
  Academic and Vocational Qualification Equivalences
  Foundation Learning: National Targets
  Foundation Learning: National Targets
  Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty's Government:
  Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty's Government:
  Disabled People: Employment Code of Practice and Regulations
  Disabled People: Employment Code of Practice and Regulations
  Breathalysers: Manufacturers
  Breathalysers: Manufacturers
  Prosecution Procedures: Scott Recommendations
  Prosecution Procedures: Scott Recommendations
  Intelligence Services: Commissioner's Report
  Intelligence Services: Commissioner's Report
  Security Service: Commissioner's Report
  Security Service: Commissioner's Report
  Interception of Communications Act 1985: Commissioner's Report
  Interception of Communications Act 1985: Commissioner's Report
  Smarden Poisoning Incident
  Smarden Poisoning Incident
  Antibiotics in Animal Feed: Monitoring
  Antibiotics in Animal Feed: Monitoring
  Pesticides in Water: Report
  Pesticides in Water: Report
  Secondary Liquid Fuel Burning in Cement Kilns: Response to Report
  Secondary Liquid Fuel Burning in Cement Kilns: Response to Report
  Development Plan System: Review
  Development Plan System: Review
  Channel Tunnel Rail Link/West Coast Main Line Connection
  Channel Tunnel Rail Link/West Coast Main Line Connection
  Railfreight Distribution: Privatisation
  Railfreight Distribution: Privatisation