Written Answers of 25 October 1996

TRANSPORT

  Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to proceed with the privatisation of National Air Traffic Services. [954]

  Sir George Young
  Air traffic control services provide a vital cover for the growing air transportation industry. Their standards are, and must be, of the highest. The national air traffic services face continuing demands for additional investment in the latest and most sophisticated equipment. The Government believe that these demands can most effectively be met in the private sector, freed from the constraints of public expenditure controls.

  The Government therefore intends to bring forward legislation to privatise NATS early in a new Parliament. To this end, we will be developing proposals, taking account of work done previously, in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority and other interested parties, with a view to publishing a draft bill as soon as possible in 1997.

  Air Bags
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has undertaken into dangers to children arising from air bags fitted to cars. [22]

  Mr. Bowis
  None. This Department is already fully aware of the danger posed by air bags to children in rear-facing child seats.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles (Safety)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has carried out on products that ensure that wheels do not come off heavy goods vehicles. [60]

  Mr. Bowis
  None.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Watercourse Management Division
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in establishing the watercourse management division of the Department of Agriculture as a next steps agency. [1057]

  Mr. Ancram
  The watercourse management division of the Department of Agriculture has been established as an executive agency from 1 October 1996. It will be known as the Rivers Agency.
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  I have set a number of key performance targets for the agency to achieve in its first six months. These are as follows:

  To construct or refurbish 1.4 km of urban flood defences.

  To increase the length of designated sea defences having appropriate standards of protection to 27 per cent.

  To accommodate increased storm run-off from 448 hectares of development land.

  To replace/refurbish 38 per cent. of dangerous culverts identified at 1 October 1996.

  To complete maintenance works on 330 km of urban watercourses and 1,020 km of rural watercourses.

  To extend or provide new water recreation facilities at 17 sites throughout Northern Ireland.

  To issue substantive replies to 75 per cent. of written enquiries within 15 working days of receipt.

  To respond to 100 per cent. of schedule 6 applications within three months.

  To aim to have all navigation locks operable for at least 90 per cent. of the period.

  To maintain expenditure within allocated cash limits.

  To achieve at least 4 per cent. efficiency savings in the 1996–97 financial year.

  To commission a scoping study on the feasibility of introducing private finance in capital works.

  To implement phase 1 of the development of management information systems and databases to establish unit costs for protecting land from flooding and maintaining drainage benefit to agricultural land.

  Copies of the framework document which sets out the terms within which the agency will operate, will be placed in the Library, along with its first corporate and business plan.

WALES

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action has been taken to implement the conclusions and recommendations of the 1994 financial management and policy review report of the Cardiff Bay development corporation. [1008]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Department and the corporation have jointly considered the conclusions and recommendations of the report. Action taken in response to the report has brought about improvements in the running and administration of the corporation, clarified its accountability and improved the working relationship between the Department and the corporation.

  Copies of the formal account of the action taken in response to each conclusion and recommendation, have been placed in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Low Level Offenders
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many responses he has received commenting on the consultation paper "Alternative Penalties for Fine Defaulters and Low Level Offenders". [957]
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  Mr. Howard
  Of the 31 responses to the paper, 30 were from organisations and individuals with a direct interest in the criminal justice system.

  There was overall support for the wider use of community penalties as proposed in the consultation paper. Seventy-seven per cent. of respondents supported community service and 58 per cent. supported curfew orders for fine default. Sixty-one per cent. supported community service and 51 per cent. curfew orders for persistent low level offenders.

  I have considered the responses carefully in finalising the details of the proposals which are included in the Crime (Sentences) Bill, published today.

  "Protecting the Public"
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many responses he has received commenting on the sentencing proposals set out in the White Paper "Protecting the Public". [958]

  Mr. Howard
  We have received responses from 189 members of the public and from 90 organisations and other individuals with a direct interest in the criminal justice system. The sentencing proposals were widely welcomed by the public. Overall, 139 responses from the public, 74 per cent., expressed full support and a further 13, 7 per cent., qualified support. A range of views were expressed by those other individuals and organisations who commented on the proposals. There was support from police associations. There was criticism from the judiciary about the principle of mandatory sentences in particular, and a number of responses expressed concern about how the proposals would operate in practice.

  I have considered the responses carefully in finalising the details of the proposals which are included in the Crime (Sentences) Bill, published today.

  Mentally Disordered Offenders
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many responses he has received commenting on the proposals set out in the consultation paper "Mentally Disordered Offenders: Sentencing and Discharge Arrangements". [955]

  Mr. Howard
  We have received 182 responses to the consultation paper, many of which expressed the views of organisations rather than individuals.

  One hundred and two respondents, 56 per cent., expressed support for the principle of the proposal to introduce a hospital direction disposal for mentally disordered offenders. Twenty-four of these wished the power to be available only to those diagnosed as suffering from psychopathic disorder.

  The responses revealed strong support for the proposal to extend the maximum duration of the interim hospital order. There was broad support for our proposals in relation to discharge and subsequent supervision of mentally disordered offenders.

  I have considered the responses carefully in finalising the detail of the proposals which are included in the Crime (Sentences) Bill, published today.
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  Sex Offenders
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many responses he has received commenting on the proposals in the consultation paper "Sentencing and Supervision of Sex Offenders". [956]

  Mr. Howard
  We have received 238 formal responses to the consultation paper. In general, there was strong support for all the proposals canvassed. Not all respondents commented on all five proposals outlined in the consultation paper. Of those who did, 94 per cent. were in favour of extended supervision for convicted sex offenders released from prison; 82 per cent. were in favour of DNA testing of convicted sex offenders still serving a prison sentence who have not already been DNA tested; 87 per cent. supported a requirement for convicted sex offenders to notify the police of their address and any subsequent change thereto; 87 per cent. also supported the proposal to make it an offence for convicted sex offenders who seek employment with children; and 91 per cent. supported the proposal for a supervised access regime for victim statements and photographs in sex cases.

  I have considered all these responses carefully. The Crime (Sentences) Bill, published today, contains provision for the extended supervision of sex offenders after their release from custody. I will also be bringing forward proposals to require paedophiles and other serious sex offenders to notify changes of address to the police.

  Other proposals for legislation will be brought forward when suitable opportunities arise.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects to reply to the hon. Member for Nottingham North's letter of 17 October on the sale of drugs by Nottingham bouncers. [403]

  Mr. Maclean
  A reply will be sent shortly.

DEFENCE

  Army Technical Support Agency
  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the planned collocation of the Army Technical Support Agency. [848]

  Mr. Soames
  I have decided, in the light of the Government's determination to exploit fully the potential offered by the private finance initiative, that the collocation of the Army Technical Support Agency should be taken forward as a PFI project.

  On 4 June, Official Report, column 388, I described the further work to be undertaken following the responses to the earlier consultation document. This has included a further investment appraisal—including the Andover, Ludgershall and Chilwell options—and the production of a new business case.

  The work has shown that Andover is the preferred location for ATSA because of its proximity to the agency's main customers, principally the Director General Equipment Support (Army) and his staff who are already based at Andover. I am arranging for copies of the investment appraisal and business case to be placed in the Library of the House.
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  Andover will therefore be the public comparator in the PFI exercise and the Andover north site will be available to bidders if required. Bidders will be able to put forward alternative options, including existing ATSA sites, so long as these satisfy ATSA's business needs and the PFI requirements for risk transfer and value for money. We shall shortly be seeking expressions of interest and I would expect to be in a position to decide on the preferred option by the middle of 1998, allowing collocation to be achieved around the end of 1999.

  A formal period of consultation is not required until either a PFI solution is identified or we decide to follow a conventional public sector delivery route. I should, nevertheless, be very pleased to receive any further representations from hon. Members, ATSA staff and other interested parties at this stage.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  EU Research Council
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Research Council on 7 October. [872]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Council had a first exchange of views on priorities for the fifth framework programme for research and technological development, in responses to the European Commission's initial strategy document "Inventing tomorrow". The UK stressed the need for the fifth programme to address the medium-term needs of EU industry and to support EU policies more broadly, including those designed to bring about improvements in the quality of life. It considered that the programme needed to be more sharply targeted than hitherto on clear objectives responding to user priorities and to give the users of research a stronger voice.

  The Council had a short discussion on EU-funded research into bovine spongiform encephalopathy and related diseases. It approved conclusions calling for enhanced co-operation among EU members states in research into BSE and related diseases and for strengthened support for such research in the fourth framework programme. The conclusions also invite the Commission to report again to the Council in December, following the report of the group of experts chaired by Professor Charles Weismann.

  The Council considered the question of supplementary funding for the fourth framework programme. It took note of the Commission's intention to clarify the funding available within category 3 of the current financial perspectives, and agreed to return to the matter at its next meeting in December.

  Institute of Food Research
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the prior options review of the Institute of Food Research sponsored by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. [873]

  Mr. Ian Tayor
  The Government announced on 29 September 1995 that all public sector research establishments would be subject to prior options reviews.16
  I announced on 24 November 1995 reviews of BBSRC-sponsored institutes concerned with agriculture and plant sciences, and on 22 February 1996 reviews of BBSRC-sponsored institutes concerned with animal sciences.

  A review has now begun of the BBSRC's arrangements for sponsoring the Institute of Food Research. The review was advertised in the September issue of Government Opportunities. This review is taking place alongside those of establishments parented or sponsored by other Government Departments which are carrying out work in similar or related fields and will build on any relevant recent studies.

  Information Technology
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to monitor and assess the United Kingdom's progress towards the information society relative to other countries. [870]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Department of Trade and Industry commissioned Spectrum Strategy Consultants, as part of the information society initiative, to undertake a pilot exercise to determine how to measure the UK's progress towards the information society. The aims of the study were to examine a range of possible indicators, to determine their significance and provisionally to measure the performance of nine countries—UK, Germany, France, Sweden, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and Singapore. A report, "The Development of the Information Society: an International Analysis", was published on 28 August 1996 by HMSO, ISBN 0-11-515424-8. An executive summary was also produced and is available on the Internet (http//:www.isi.gov.uk/dotis/index.htm/) or by ringing the ISI info line (0345 15 2000), or by e-mail (info©isi.gov.uk).

  I have placed copies of the report and the executive summary in the Library of the House.

  EU Telecommunications Council
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Telecommunications Council on 27 September 1996. [875]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I represented the UK at the Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 27 September.

  The Council reached political agreement on a common position on a directive on licensing in telecommunications. Greece announced its intention of voting against the common position. In addition, the Council reached unanimous political agreement on a common position on a decision for EU action on the introduction of satellite personal communications services.

  Following an informal lunchtime discussion on a draft directive on postal services, it was agreed that this proposal should be referred back to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for further discussion with a view to reaching political agreement on a common position at the 28 November Telecommunications Council.
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  Following a debate on measures to combat the dissemination of paedophile images and information via networks of the Internet type, the Council agreed unanimous conclusions on the creation of a working party to present proposals to combat illegal use of the Internet or similar networks—taking account of UK measures in this area—in time for the 28 November Telecommunications Council.

  There was also a Commission presentation on a directive on the application of open network provision to voice telephony in a competitive environment.

  EU Industry Council
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU industry council on 8 October. [874]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The UK deputy permanent representative to the European Union represented the UK at the Industry Council held in Luxembourg on 8 October.

  The Council reached unanimous political agreement on a resolution on new political priorities for the information society. The Council also reached unanimous political agreement on a decision to promote linguistic diversity in the information society.

  The Commission made presentations on recent Commission communications in the information society field—"The Information Society: From Corfu to Dublin/The new emerging priorities", "The implication of the Information Society for European Union policies: Preparing the next steps", "Standardisation and the global information society: The European approach" and "Living
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  and working in the information society: People first"—and on a proposal for a directive concerning regulatory transparency in the field of information society services.

  As part of the arrangements for a structured dialogue with applicants for membership of the EU, representatives of the 10 associate member countries of central and eastern Europe were invited to participate in an exchange of views of the information society.

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the international convention on nuclear safety will enter into force. [871]

  Mr. Page
  The convention on nuclear safety entered into force yesterday, 24 October, just over two years after being opened for signature at the International Atomic Energy Agency general conference in September 1994. The principal objective of the convention is to encourage best practice in the safe regulation, design and operation of civil nuclear power plants. States party to the convention will submit national reports, for discussion at periodic review meetings, on how they meet safety obligations established in the convention.

  The United Kingdom ratified the convention on 17 January this year. Seventeen nuclear states and eight states without civil nuclear power plants have now ratified the convention. The speed of entry into force of the convention is a considerable achievement by the international community. It demonstrates the importance, underlined in the declaration of the Moscow summit in April this year, that many states attach to achieving high standards of nuclear safety worldwide.