Written Answers of 1 December 1997

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Indemnity Undertakings
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many indemnity undertakings were given by departments under section 16 of the National Heritage Act 1980 for the six month period ended 30 September; and what was the value of(a) any contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time under that section which remain outstanding as at 30 September, (b) non-statutory government indemnities in respect of loans handled by the Government Art Collection which remain outstanding as at 30 September and (c) non-statutory undertakings to Her Majesty in respect of loans from the Royal Collection which remain outstanding at 30 September. [18872]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The provision for the Government Indemnity Scheme is made by the National Heritage Act 1980. The scheme facilitates public access to loans of works of art and other objects for public display made to museums, galleries and other such institutions by private owners and non-national institutions. It does this by indemnifying lenders against loss or damage to their loan. Loans covered by the scheme must be for public benefit. The scheme also covers loans of such objects for study purposes within borrowing institutions where this would contribute materially to the public's understanding or appreciation of the loan. Examples of this are enhancing interpretation or explanation to the public of objects and bringing into the public domain the conclusions of any study.

  In the six month period ended 30 September 1997, the following undertakings to indemnify were given under section 16 by the relevant Departments for objects on loan to national and non-national institutions:

  Numbers

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  579

  Scottish Office Education and Industry Department

  82

  Welsh Office Education Department

  75

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland

  22

  The value of contingent liabilities in respect of undertakings given at any time under section 16 and which remained outstanding as at 30 September 1997 is:

  £

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  1,504,907,510

  Scottish Office Education and Industry Department

  123,023,100

  Welsh Office Education Department

  69,000,000

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland

  5,460,674

  2
  The value of non-statutory Government indemnities to cover loans handled by the Government Art Collection and which remained outstanding as at 30 September 1997 is £9,000,000.

  The value of non-statutory undertakings given to Her Majesty in respect of loans from the Royal Collection and which remained outstanding as at 30 September 1997 is £202,538,452.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his policy on(a) exemptions and (b) derogations from the national minimum wage for employees in (i) the tourist industry and (ii) leisure and related industries. [17614]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government's intention is to introduce a single national minimum rate. We will set the rate in the light of advice from the Independent Low Pay Commission appointed earlier this year, and taking account of prevailing economic circumstances. Many organisations representing the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors are invited to submit written evidence to the Commission.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many public appointments he has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these(a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16774]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have made 60 appointments and reappointments since 1 May. Of these 11 are remunerated (18 per cent.)

  The information about ethnic origin cannot be provided since to do so would risk identifying individuals without their consent. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has provided information for all Departments in an aggregated form.

CABINET OFFICE

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what steps he is taking to secure a lasting legacy from the Millennium Experience at Greenwich; and if he will make a statement. [18923]

  Mr. Mandelson
  When the Government announced in June its decision to go ahead with the Millennium Experience at Greenwich, it was on the basis of 5 clear commitments. One of these was that there would be a lasting legacy. The Government remains determined to secure long-term benefits for the nation from the Millennium Experience, and has sought outside advice on how to maximise these legacies. Earlier this year the Government invited Mr. Dennis Stevenson to assess the prospects. I am extremely grateful to Mr. Stevenson for the advice which he has now provided, and am pleased to place in the Library of both Houses a copy of a letter to me summarising his conclusions. His analysis, which the Government accepts, shows first that a number of valuable legacies can already be identified. Specifically,
  3
  the Millennium Experience is acting as the catalyst for English Partnerships' reclamation of derelict and polluted riverside land at Greenwich—a site of a size and potential unique in Western Europe; providing the platform for the pioneering Millennium Village launched by the Deputy Prime Minister in July; stimulating improvements in public transport, Thames river services, roads, and pedestrian walkways on the Peninsula; and using the Dome to promote national awareness and long-term taking-up of IT based learning, for example through the University for Industry and the National Grid for Learning.

  There is a range of possible long term uses for the Millennium Experience Dome itself. These include developing the Dome as: a new arena for participation and spectator sports; a TV or film production studio and visitor centre; and using the site for a large scale international convention centre. These ideas serve to illustrate the Dome's future potential, and reflect the steps which have been taken to ensure the Dome can have a long life. Commercial interest in acquiring the Dome is, however, likely to be maximised in 2000, when it can be seen successfully in operation, and when commercial and popular awareness of the site is at its height. The Government will therefore decide on the Dome's long term future at that time. Meanwhile, I invite those with serious interest in the Dome's future use to register their ideas (which should not involve additional cost to the Exchequer) and to hold exploratory discussions with us. Proposals may either be for its use at Greenwich (where in 2000 it will occupy a 40 acre site) as a complement to English Partnerships' high quality and lasting development of the Peninsula, or for its transfer to another part of the United Kingdom.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what contingency planning is being made in the event of failure of(a) Government services and (b) business arising from the year 2000 computer problem. [18025]

  Mr. David Clark
  (a) I have asked Ministerial colleagues to ensure that their Departments have contingency plans in place to cope with major systems failures, and that these are adequate to deal with any unforeseen Year 2000 processing problems.

  (b) Mr. Don Cruickshank, Chairman of Action 2000, the new Government initiative set up to help business tackle the problem, will encourage businesses to undertake their own contingency planning.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Congo
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the total level of aid paid to the Congo in the current financial year(a) directly and (b) via other agencies; what amount is planned for 1998–99; and if she will make a statement. [18072]
  4
  Clare Short
  All donors suspended development assistance to the Government of Zaire in 1992. Since then, substantial amounts of emergency and rehabilitation assistance have been provided. This year the UK has provided almost £1 million in bilateral emergency assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In addition, our contribution to the EU programmers in health and democratization is estimated at £9.6 million.

  We shall continue to provide emergency assistance in 1998–99 if it is needed. Future development assistance will depend on the strength of the development partnership which can be established with the new Government; its commitment to poverty alleviation; and our capacity to deliver an effective programme.

PRIME MINISTER

  Political Donations
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Prime Minister if he advised the Cabinet Secretary of the fact that Mr. Ecclestone was a donor to the Labour party before his meeting with Mr. Ecclestone on 16 October. [18269]

  The Prime Minister
  No. I would not expect to do so.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Prime Minister if the terms of reference of the Social Exclusion Unit will include people aged over state retirement age. [17916]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: The Social Exclusion Unit's work programme is currently being finalised and will be published very soon. A number of the issues the Unit is being asked to address will bear on the needs of people over state retirement age.

  Mr. Ecclestone
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Prime Minister when Mr. Jonathan Powell was informed of the invitation to Mr. Ecclestone to visit the Prime Minister. [18374]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Tyrie) on 20 November 1997,Official Report, column 269.

  Anglo-French Summit
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 19 November 1997,Official Report, column 270, what factors led him to determine that the total cost of furnishing and decorating the Canary Wharf venue for the Anglo-French summit was below the EU tendering threshold. [18512]

  The Prime Minister
  The threshold for European Union tendering provisions is £108,000. As the cost to the Government for the furnishing and decoration of the Canary Wharf Tower will be approximately £15,000, it falls well below the threshold figure.

TREASURY

  Inland Revenue Bailiffs (Totnes)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will advise the Inland Revenue to call off the bailiffs from Mrs. Joan Bridge-Taylor of Redhill, Jubilee Road, Totnes. [18052]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: It would not be appropriate for me to comment publicly on the tax affairs of an individual, but I shall write to the hon. Member about the matter he has raised.

  Home Insulation
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the net cost of his proposal to cut the rate of VAT on energy-saving materials used in government-funded home insulation schemes. [18391]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs' recent review estimated that the annual cost would be £7.5 million.

  National Asset Register
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to sell items on the National Asset Register. [17974]

  Mr. Darling
  It is for each individual department, as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, to review its asset holdings as set out in the National Asset Register and decide whether they still meet the department's core aim and objectives. If they do not, then each department will need to decide the most appropriate response.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what proposals he has for allowing United Kingdom citizens to pay taxes in euros before 2002; [15923]

  (2) if his proposals to allow taxes to be paid in euros before 2002 will allow such payments to be free of exchange costs. [16696]

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what will be the cost of equipping(a) the Inland Revenue and (b) Customs and Excise to collect tax payments in euros after 1999; [15966]

  (2) what will be the operation date for calculation of the exchange rate in force for payments of taxes in euros after 1999; and which government department will bear the exchange rate risk of such transactions; [15965]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the need for additional computing and information technology resources for (a) the Inland Revenue and (b) Customs and Excise arising from their acceptance of payment in euros after 1999; [16179]

  (4) what plans he has for the dissemination of information arrangements for tax payments in euros for 1999 to (a) professional tax advisers and (b) taxpayers. [16178]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise are, like other organisations, reviewing their banking requirements and their systems to take account of the likely effects of the introduction of the Euro, including 6
  an increase in the demand for payment of taxes in foreign currencies. This review is being conducted in consultation with the Business Advisory Group established by the Chancellor to look at the practical and strategic implications of EMU which is, among other things, assessing legal, accounting and reporting issues arising from EMU and what information about EMU is needed by business. A report summarising the groups conclusions and recommendations will be published early in 1998. If the reviews lead to proposals to change the way the existing arrangements operate, the information will be disseminated promptly and in the appropriate way. Costs will be addressed once the full implications have been identified.

  Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise already accept payment of tax in foreign currency, so there is no new principle involved in accepting the Euro from 1999. It is not expected that accepting payment in Euro on the same basis will require substantial additional resources.

  Where tax payments to the Inland Revenue are made in foreign currency the net amount received conversion into sterling is the amount which the taxpayer is treated as having paid. So the exchange risk of a payment in euro will be borne by the taxpayer. Customs and Excise currently meet the costs arising from currency conversion on the relatively few payments received in foreign currencies. This policy may need to be reviewed if the introduction of the Euro increases demand.

  Tax Services (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the provision of tax office services in remote rural areas. [17215]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Services may be provided from a local office or by other means such as mobile inquiry centres and, increasingly, by telephone. The Inland Revenue is reorganising its local office network but none of the plans currently approved for implementation includes closure of a remote, rural office. The best means of providing services to such areas in the future is being considered as part of the Department's Comprehensive Spending Review.

  EU Unanimity Voting
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those treaty articles which provide for unanimity of voting in respect of matters contained in Article 99 of the Treaty of Rome. [17524]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Article 99 of the Treaty of Rome relates to the Council's powers to adopt provisions for the harmonisation of legislation concerning turnover taxes, excise duties and other forms of indirect taxation to the extend that such harmonisation is necessary to ensure that the establishment and functioning of internal market. The Article provides for unanimity of voting in relation to these matters. Other articles in the Treaty which specifically refer to fiscal matters maintain the unanimity requirement. In particular, Article 100a paragraph 2 explicitly excludes fiscal provisions from the internal market implementation measures that can be decided by qualified majority voting.

  Similarly, in relation to environmental measures Article 130s paragraph 2 states that provisions primarily of a fiscal nature must be adopted on the basis of unanimity.

  Income Tax
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the revenue impact of raising the top rate of income tax to 50 per cent. on incomes over £50,000 per annum. [17039]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The estimated full year yield at 1997–98 income levels of increasing the top rate of income tax to 50 per cent. on taxable incomes above £50,000 per year is £2.7 billion. The yield includes the consequential effects on the yield of capital gains tax after allowing for likely changes in the volume of disposals. It does not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of the new rate.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many public appointments she has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these(a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16783]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Since 1 May 1997, 512 appointments have been made. Of these, 26 per cent. attract remuneration.

  The information about ethnic origin cannot be provided since to do so would risk identifying individuals without their consent. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has provided information for all Departments in an aggregated form.

  NHS Funding
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of the additional funding allocated to the National Health Service in Northern Ireland has been allocated to(a) clinical care and (b) management support; and if she will make a statement. [16933]

  Mr. Worthington
  The £5 million for Northern Ireland which was announced on 14 October was allocated in full for clinical and social care, as was the additional £7 million I announced on 21 August and the further £7.5 million I announced on 28 November. The additional £19.5 million thus provided this year shows the priority this Government attaches to the health and personal social services in Northern Ireland and in particular now it has acted decisively to tackle key pressures over the coming winter by targeting resources on patients and clients.

  Central Investment Fund for Charities
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list those organisations which belong to the Northern Ireland Central Investment Fund for Charities, the proportion of their investment in the fund and the current value of the fund's securities. [17303]

  Mr. Worthington
  The Department as trustee of the Northern Ireland Central Investment Fund for Charities considers that it has a duty of confidentiality not to reveal 8
  the identity of investors in the fund. The fund is valued monthly and at 31 October 1997 its capital value was £15.6 million.

  Civil Service
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what affirmative action measures she plans to adopt to increase the representation of Catholics and women in the(a) industrial craft and (b) higher non-industrial grades in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. [17705]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) aims to create a position where men and women, Protestants and Roman Catholics, are fairly represented at all levels in the organisation. It will continue to seek to identify lawful affirmative action measures which are effective in addressing the under-representation of women and Roman Catholics in the industrial craft and higher non-industrial grades.

  NICS policy is that employment and advancement is based on ability, qualification and aptitude for the work. Subject to that overriding principle, the Service has initiated a range of measures in the context of its Action Plan for Women, designed to help improve female representation at senior levels. These include the use of flexible working, women only training, equal opportunity awareness programmers for senior staff, training for women returning to work, and the examination of organisational barriers to the promotion of women to the senior levels including specialist areas.

  The Service also regularly reviews its promotion and recruitment practices and has taken a number of measures to promote a more balanced work force at all levels of the organisation. These include the use of positive action advertising in appropriate circumstances and the removal of various internal barriers to promotion to encourage a better flow of staff from lower to higher grades within and between Departments.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards the decentralisation of Civil Service jobs. [17707]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Some 280 posts were transferred from Belfast and Bangor to Londonderry in 1989. Subsequent options for dispersing jobs have been considered, but rejected for reasons of cost and feasibility. In view of this, a research study was commissioned to assess more accurately the costs and the social and economic benefits of dispersing Civil Service jobs from Belfast and North Down, to develop a methodology to measure costs and benefits and to inform decisions on future policy. The report of this study is under consideration.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the Sixth Report compiled by the Department of Finance and Personnel into Equal Opportunities in the Civil Service. [17706]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I was pleased to note the strong evidence contained in the Sixth Report of compositional change in the NICS work force and the fact that, at the macro level, Protestants and Roman Catholics are now fairly represented at most grade levels up to around Staff Officer and equivalent level. Service-wide female
  9
  representation has risen to 45.1 per cent. and Roman Catholic to 40.7 per cent. Overall in the Non-Industrial grades Female and Roman Catholic representation has increased in every grade level between Executive Officer level and the senior grades. However, I was naturally disappointed that the Service did not reach some of the goals and timetables previously set and, in particular, the progress made in terms of the composition of the most senior grades and the continuing under-representation of women in the Professional and Technical, and Industrial Grades. The Service has put in place a range of measures within the law to try to accelerate the rate of change whilst adhering strictly to the merit principle in both its recruitment and internal promotion practices. It will also continue to consult with the statutory agencies to examine and implement further practical affirmative action measures.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what impact the application of 'R' plates for probationary drivers in Northern Ireland has had on injury and fatality levels among and relating to newly qualified drivers. [17634]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Specific information on the direct impact of the Registered Driver Scheme on road casualties is not available. Research in 1993–94 into the overall effectiveness of the scheme was unable to demonstrate conclusively a direct correlation between it and a reduction in the level of road accidents.

  Prisoner Transfers
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 17 November 1997,Official Report, column 76, on the basis of what information she was able to indicate to the Minister of State at the Scottish Office the importance of the transfer of Jason Campbell to the wider peace process. [17460]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 24 November 1997]: I received representations from political parties and others regarding the importance of the transfer of loyalist prisoners. Throughout the current political process the Government has accepted the importance of prison issues of the participants.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Stress-related Illnesses
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many days during term time were lost through stress-related illness amongst(a) classroom teachers, (b) deputy heads and (c) heads in primary schools in each local education authority during the (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97 school years. [18550]

  Mr. Byers
  The information is not collected centrally.

  Schools (Internet)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools were connected to the Internet at the start of the current school year. [18551]
  10
  Dr. Howells
  Estimates indicate that some 6,000 schools in the UK (primary and secondary) were connected to the Internet at the beginning of the 1997–98 academic year. A further statistical survey of ICT in schools will be undertaken in 1998.

  Former Astra Staff
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he intends to take in respect of Astra pensioners. [18537]

  Dr. Howells
  Renewed investigations into the problems faced by former members of the Department over their pensions entitlements from the former Astra Training Services Ltd. following that organisation's collapse in 1993 have been going on in the Department for some time. The vast majority of Departmental staff who transferred to Astra had their previously accrued Civil Service pensions values and benefits preserved in the Principal Civil Service Pensions Scheme. Pensions values due for their time with Astra are primarily for the liquidators of the former Company to resolve. We will be pressing the liquidators and the pension fund trustees to resolve this long-outstanding issue.

  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the entitlement to interviews of ex-Astra staff. [18538]

  Dr. Howells
  Renewed investigations into the problems faced by former members of the Department who transferred to Astra Training Services Ltd. but were made redundant by the collapse of that organisation in 1993 have been going on in the Department for some time. Work continues to find ways of assisting former staff, and those currently seeking employment will be guaranteed interviews for any suitable vacancies which may arise in the Department.

  University Tuition Fees
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if his Department will take steps to secure a derogation from EU law so that students from England can be charged a higher fee for a fourth year university course in Scotland than students from elsewhere in the EU. [18514]

  Dr. Howells
  No, we see no need for such a derogation. From autumn 1998, the maximum support for fees that we are proposing to make available for full-time undergraduate students will be £1,000: this maximum will apply to students from England, Scotland, and the rest of the UK and the European Union, depending on the level of their parents', spouses' or own income. We have made it clear that top-up fees play no part in our proposals for home and EU full-time undergraduates.

  Full-time students resident in Scotland and studying in Scottish institutions on honours degree courses that are a year longer than equivalent courses elsewhere in the UK will, however, be eligible, irrespective of income, for the maximum support for fees in the final year of the course from the Scottish Student Awards Agency. The EC Treaty requires Member States not to discriminate on grounds of nationality against nationals of other Member States, on matters within the scope of the Treaty. However, EC law

  11
  does not intervene in internal matters and require each Member State to treat all its own nationals in exactly the same way.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of the costs for local authorities of administering the means-testing of university tuition fees. [18515]

  Dr. Howells
  Data on local authorities' costs of administering mandatory awards are not collected centrally. Local authorities already carry out means testing of student and parental income for awards purposes. In 1998–99, the results of this means test will be applied first to the university tuition fee and any balance to maintenance grants.

  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the annual budget of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. [18392]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The first budget of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority will be agreed in consultation with the Authority in February 1998.

  Supplementary Allowances
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if students in 1999–2000 and beyond who would be eligible for supplementary allowances under the existing system will continue to receive these allowances as grants. [17858]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer given on 18 November 1997,Official Report, column 160.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Courts
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 11 November 1997,Official Report, column 501, if he will seek agreement at the next European Council for the adoption of rules of procedure applicable to all its future meetings and for the adoption of those arrangements for other Heads of Government meetings. [17869]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The European Council is established by Article D of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), where there is no provision for rules of procedure. Other international organisations such as the G7, also operate without formal rules of procedure. It is for the Presidency, in consultation with other Member States, to structure discussions in the European Council.

  European Council and the IGC
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the dates and times of(a) the meeting of the European Council and (b) the Inter-Governmental Conference held in Amsterdam in June; and what in each case was the smallest number of (i) Ministers and (ii) officials attending a session. [17915]
  12
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The European Council met in Amsterdam from 9.30 am on 16 June until approximately 4 am on the morning of 18 June. The majority of time was spent discussing the Intergovernmental Conference, although other European Council business was also addressed. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary were present at all sessions. No UK officials attended the sessions, as is standard practice at European Councils.

  India (Trade)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British firms have contacted diplomatic missions in(a) Bombay and (b) New Delhi concerning trade opportunities in 1997. [18310]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Precise figures relating to trade and investment inquiries from British companies are not recorded. However, from extrapolation of incoming fax inquiries during September 1997, the British Deputy High Commission in Bombay dealt with an estimated 860 written inquiries during January to October 1997 inclusive. In addition, Bombay received 272 British business visitors in the same period. The British High Commission in New Delhi received an estimated 2,000 written inquiries from British companies and briefed 304 British business visitors during the same period. Both offices also received many telephone inquiries from UK companies, but these are not automatically recorded. An even greater number of inquiries were received from Indian companies seeking trade and investment links with British companies. In addition, there were numerous contacts with members of the resident British business community.

  Britain-Russia Centre
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual reports of(a) the Britain-Russia Centre and (b) the British East-West Centre will be published. [18276]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Copies of the Centres' Annual Report for 1996–97 have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The Centres received a grant-in-aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of £237,000 to support their activities in 1996–97. In addition the Centres secured funding in 1996–97 of £237,227 for direct expenditure on projects. Their priority areas for assistance have been Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Centres continue to make a valuable contribution to the strengthening of bilateral relations. Activities have included seminars and workshops; administering the British observer mission to the Russian presidential elections; work with the media in the republics of the Caucasus and senior level visits from Georgia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

  Museum of Europe
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals are presently being considered at European Union level for the establishment of a museum of Europe; what discussions he has held with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on(a) which United Kingdom museum and (b) which United Kingdom collections will be affected; and if he will make a statement. [18155]
  13
  Mr. Fatchett
  At the Council of Culture and Audiovisual Ministers meeting held in Brussels on 30 June 1997, the Greek delegate proposed the foundation of a Museum of Europe. The proposal has not been considered since then and neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary have had discussions with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport about the matter.

  Qualified Majority Voting
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what studies he has undertaken of the effect of the increase in the use of qualified majority voting procedures under the Treaty of Amsterdam on the use by the European Parliament of its powers in these areas; and if he will make a statement. [18299]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  None. There is no direct link between the use of Qualified Majority Voting in the Council and the use by the European Parliament of its powers.

  Bombay Deputy High Commission
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to publicise the opening hours of the British Deputy High Commission in Bombay. [18312]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The opening times of our Deputy High Commission in Bombay (Mumbai) are readily available from the mission itself and from this Department. The Deputy High Commission is open from 0800 to 1300 and 1400 to 1600 local time.

  Ministerial Visits (India)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British Ministers have visited India in 1997. [18313]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Nine Ministers have visited India in 1997 including five since 1 May. The right hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Major), then Prime Minister, and Mr. Lang, then President of the Board of Trade, visited in January. The hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox), then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, visited in February. Mr. Nelson, then Minister of State for the Department of Trade and Industry visited in March. I also visited India in June. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister visited in September and November. My noble Friend, Baroness Symons, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, visited in September. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited in October. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade visited in November.

  Iraq
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Iraqi compliance with UN resolutions. [16816]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Iraq is not yet in compliance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions (SCRs). Iraq must comply with all the relevant SCRs before the process of lifting of sanctions can begin.

  Immigration (Nigeria)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the staffing establishment of the British High Commission Immigration Section in Lagos, Nigeria; and how many staff are in post. [18073]

  Mr. Fatchett
  In our High Commission in Lagos there are 68 members of staff (19 UK-based and 49 locally engaged staff) on the establishment of the Immigration Section which is currently fully staffed. The total number of staff working in the High Commission is 246 (48 UK-based and 198 locally engaged).

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the average wait for an interview for(a) visa and (b) entry clearance at Her Majesty's High Commission in Lagos for each of the last three years. [18100]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The average wait for an interview for entry clearance (or visa) at the High Commission in Lagos for each of the last three years was:

  Interview type

  Average wait

  1997

  Visit

  11 days

  Settlement

  5 months

  1996

  Visit

  6 days

  Settlement

  5 months

  1995

  Visit

  1 day

  Settlemen

  1 month

  Rockall
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British Ministers have visited Rockall in each of the last 10 years. [18076]

  Mr. Fatchett
  None.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the legal title to Rockall; and if he will make a statement. [18080]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have no doubt about our sovereignty over the Island of Rockall. This was made clear in response to recent correspondence from Greenpeace purporting to declare the independence of Rockall.

  Algeria
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press for an independent investigation of(a) massacres and (b) human rights violations in Algeria. [18536]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Without co-operation from the government in Algiers, any effort to investigate events in Algeria would be fruitless. We note that UN suggestions that the Commission on Human Rights has a role have been rebuffed by the Algerian Government. We welcome,
  15
  however, news that the Algerians have said that they will accept a visit by a UN Special Rapporteur. We encourage the Algerians to ensure this takes place soon

  Congo
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for Ministerial visits to the Congo. [18071]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There are currently no plans for Ministerial visits to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). However we are closely monitoring the situation in the DRC with our partners in the EU and at the UN.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [18074]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), gave him on 3 November 1997,Official Report, column 167. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has held no further discussions with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since then.

  Employment Pacts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the rapport d' information approved at the plenary session of the Economic and Social Committee on 29 and 30 October on territorial employment pacts; and if he will make a statement. [18154]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have placed a copy of the Economic and Social Committee's information report in the Library of the House.

  As I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston, (Mr. Hughes) of 31 July 1997, Official Report, columns 635–36, the UK nominated 10 territorial employment pacts to the Commission. The Commission agreed to support our nominations and has been discussing detailed proposals submitted by the applicants. When these are approved, the Commission will pay an initial tranche of grant to them to support the development of local action plans.

  European Coal and Steel Community
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the provisions in the annual budget of the European Coal and Steel Community for(a) workers' housing, special reserve, and (b) staff loans, pension fund, apply to. [17264]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The special reserve relating to workers' housing is used to grant loans from ECSC funds to finance subsidised housing for workers in the coal and steel industries.
  16
  The proportion assigned to the pension fund originally represented the ECSC's total pension obligations prior to 5 March 1968. Since that date, the Member States have assumed responsibility, via the general budget for the payment of staff pensions, and this fund has subsequently been available for a number of purposes, including the financing of housing loans for officials of the European Communities.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Property Portfolio
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the Commissioners' management of the property portfolio. [16833]

  Mr. Bell
  The Commissioners' property portfolio is actively managed by external firms of Chartered Surveyors, with the exception of the Octavia Hill Housing Estates which are managed by qualified Housing Managers, directly employed by the Church Commissioners. The Commissioners' own property staff are headed by the Chief Surveyor who is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The Commissioners' property portfolio has shown excellent returns in recent years, well ahead of the industry benchmark.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Poultry
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the Agenda 2000 proposals on the costs of poultry production. [18385]

  Mr. Rooker
  Agenda 2000 contains no proposals which relate directly to poultry production. Feed costs, however, form a significant proportion of total poultry production costs and Agenda 2000 contains proposals to reduce cereal support prices by 20 per cent. from current levels. To the extent that cereal market prices also fall, feed costs will be reduced.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of UK poultry meat production is sold(a) fresh in (i) oven ready and (ii) New York dressed form and (b) frozen. [18375]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many tonnes of chicken meat were produced by United Kingdom producers in 1996 from(a) broiler and (b) other systems; [18383]

  (2) how many tonnes of turkey meat were produced by UK producers in 1996 from (a) intensive, (b) semi-intensive and (c) free range systems; [18384]

  (3) what tonnage of poultry meat was produced by UK producers in 1996; and how much was imported from (a) EU countries and (b) non-EU countries. [18382]
  17
  Mr. Rooker
  In 1996, 1,450 thousand tonnes of poultry meat were produced by UK producers, 244 thousand tonnes were imported from EC countries and 18 thousand tonnes were imported from non EC countries.

  In 1996, 1,065 thousand tonnes of meat were produced from broilers and 54 thousand tonnes of meat were produced from other chickens.

  In 1996, 293 thousand tonnes of turkey meat were produced by UK producers. No information is available on the systems by which turkeys are housed.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the UK per capita consumption of(a) eggs, (b) chicken meat and (c) turkey meat in the latest year for which figures are available; and what were the equivalent figures for (i) five and (ii) 10 years previously. [18386]

  Mr. Rooker
  Per capita consumption of eggs, chicken and turkey in Great Britain as measured by purchases for consumption at home is given in the following table.

  Grams per person per week (except for eggs)

  Purchases of:

  1986

  1991

  1996

  Eggs (number)

  3.01

  2.25

  1.87

  Chicken

  174

  183

  191

  Turkey

  21

  16

  38

  Pre-cooked poultry1

  11

  14

  23

  1 Not in cans.

  These estimates exclude consumption outside of the home and consumption in the form of processed products. To help complete the picture, the following table provides details of total usage, derived as total UK production plus imports less exports and adjusted for stock changes.

  UK usage of

  1986

  1991

  1996

  Eggs (million Dozen

  869

  853

  813

  Total Poultrymeat (000 Tonnes)

  986

  1,256

  1,539

  Chicken meat (000 Tonnes)

  n/a

  n/a

  1,220

  Turkey meat (000 Tonnes)

  n/a

  n/a

  286

  n/a = not available.

  It should be stated that poultry meat figures are carcase weight equivalent, whereas the per capita consumption estimates above relate to the actual weight purchased.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy regarding the(a) disposal and (b) usage of poultry offal. [18387]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 set out the requirements for the handling of poultry offal in licensed premises. Stringent hygiene requirements apply to all fresh meat, including offal, which is destined for human consumption.

  The EC Poultrymeat Marketing Regulations (Council Regulation 1906/90 with detailed rules set out in Commission Regulation 1538/91) allow the sale of giblets in the carcase of a whole bird when sold provided that this is indicated on the label.

  Enforcement officers carry out checks in licensed and unlicensed poultry premises under this legislation and also the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 to ensure that all food produced is fit for human consumption.
  18
  The Animal By-Products Order 1992, as amended, and the Diseases of Animals (Waste Food) Order 1973, as amended, set out the requirements for the processing and disposal of offals which are not intended for human consumption. This legislation is currently under review and any proposals will be the subject of consultation in the normal way.

  Eggs
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what proportion of UK egg production is from(a) battery, (b) deep litter, (c) barn and (d) free range systems; and what were the figures 10 years ago; [18377]

  (2) how many eggs were produced by UK producers in 1996; and how many were imported from (a) other EU countries and (b) non-EU countries; [18376]

  (3) how many laying hens are currently housed in (a) battery, (b) deep litter, (c) barn and (d) free range systems. [18378]

  Mr. Rooker
  In 1996, 774 million dozen eggs were produced by UK producers for human consumption, 52 million dozen1 were imported from EC countries and 1 million dozen1 were imported from non EC countries.

  In 1996, 86 per cent. of eggs were produced by intensive systems, 11 per cent. were produced by free range systems and 3 per cent. were produced by perchery and other systems. This level of detail was not collected 10 years ago, and therefore no equivalent comparison can be made.

  No information is available on the number of hens split by production systems.

  1 Includes shell egg and shell egg equivalent of whole (dried, frozen and liquid) egg and egg yolk, but excludes albumen.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many eggs were imported from countries where mammalian meat and bone meal is incorporated in feedstuffs during 1996. [18379]

  Mr. Rooker
  During 1996, 52 million dozen1 eggs were imported from EC countries and 1 million dozen1 were imported from non-EC countries. We believe that most of these are destined for processing. We do not have detailed information on legislation on all feed controls in place elsewhere but are unaware of any measures in place in other countries, during 1996 or before, banning mammalian meat and bonemeal (MBM) from non-ruminant feed. The poultry feed may therefore have included MBM.

  1 Includes shell egg and shell egg equivalent of whole (dried, frozen and liquid) egg and egg yolk, but excludes albumen.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what proposals he intends to make to the EU Council of Ministers during the UK Presidency regarding battery systems of egg production; [18381]

  (2) what steps he is taking regarding phasing out battery systems of egg production. [18380]

  Mr. Rooker
  We aim to phase out the conventional battery cage. This needs to be achieved at the European level, by developing measures in the Council of Ministers. That is why we are pressing the Commission to submit urgently for negotiation in the Council its proposals to update the EU rules on the welfare of laying hens.
  19
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that imported eggs and poultry meat meet the hygiene requirements for United Kingdom producers. [18388]

  Mr. Rooker
  The import conditions for trade in poultrymeat and eggs within the Community, and for imports from third countries, are governed by Community legislation. The EU shell egg marketing legislation and Council Decision 94/371 both provide for and apply a maximum "best-before" limit of 28 days after lay for the marketing of shell eggs. These provisions are enforced by the relevant enforcement authorities including the Egg Marketing Inspectorate.

  Ritually Slaughtered Animals
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to ensure that all ritually slaughtered meat is clearly labelled as such. [17254]

  Mr. Rooker
  We shall cover this approach in our forthcoming discussions with the religious communities about all aspects of religious slaughter.

  Technology Foresight
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what ways his Department's research priorities have been modified in response to Technology Foresight. [17426]

  Mr. Rooker
  An analysis of the Department's research programmed has shown that some 90 per cent. of it currently aligns with the Foresight recommendations. Since the Foresight programmed started, the Department has initiated new LINK programmers on Horticulture, Aquaculture and Sustainable Livestock Production and has established a Diet and Health Funders Group, all of which reflect Foresight recommendations.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what Technology Foresight priorities are being taken into account in the forward planning of the Department's scientific research programmed. [17425]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department has played an active role in the Foresight panels dealing with Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry, Food and Drink, and the Marine. Our planned R and D already closely aligns with Foresight recommendations and we shall continue to be guided by the recommendations of panels in planning our future programmers.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what help and access he has given the United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards to ensure it can regulate organic farms effectively with particular reference to the origin of cattle bought by organic farmers; and if he will make a statement on the current constraints of commercial confidentiality affecting access to information in this area. [17748]

  Mr. Rooker
  Under the rules of the United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS) organic farmers may buy in only cattle from herds which have not 20
  had any case of BSE in the previous 6 years. It is the responsibility of the organic farmer to demonstrate compliance with this rule.

  The Government have given an undertaking to make information on the BSE history of herds available to organic purchasers of animals provided that the consent of the owner of the herd to which the information relates can be obtained. However, the legal constraints are considerable and it has taken time to make sure that the procedures we propose are legally defensible. Administrative instructions are now being finalised and the Department will write to interested parties to inform them of the new arrangements next week.

  Chocolate
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the United Kingdom Government's position will be at the meeting of the Council of Ministers when they discuss the labelling of chocolate with regard to(a) vegetable fat and (b) milk content; and if he will make a statement [17747]

  Mr. Rooker
  In the Council of Ministers, the Government will press for a new chocolate Directive which allows the full range of different European chocolate-making traditions to co-exist within a single, harmonised market and which increases consumer choice throughout the EU. It will oppose any measures which would discriminate against UK products or change the names under which those products have been sold for many years and which are familiar to UK consumers.

  BSE (Headboning Businesses)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many headboning businesses closed as a result of the tightening of BSE o controls; and what was the impact on employment. [17722]

  Mr. Rooker
  I regret that no record is held centrally of the information requested.

  Vitamin B6 Supplements
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultation he undertook with international experts on nutrition prior to making his decision to introduce restrictions on the retail sale of higher dose vitamin B6 supplements. [17819]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government's decision to restrict the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law was based in part on advice from the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT). Members of the COT include internationally recognised experts in a range of disciplines including nutrition.

  In considering the safety of vitamin B6, the COT took account of the nutritional requirements for this vitamin that had been established by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) as part of its review of food energy and nutrient requirements of groups of people in the United Kingdom. Those carrying out this review included a number of nutritionists of international standing. International experts representing the EU Scientific Committee for Food and other experts from the European Community acted as observers.

  Green Pound
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the average impact on individual producers of his Department claiming in full the compensation available from the EU resulting from each significant revaluation of the Green Pound during 1997. [18098]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: No. The compensation which HMG could pay under the EU rules to offset the income effects of green rate revaluations this year stands at around £980 million, of which up to half may be reclaimed from the EU budget. It would be for Ministers to decide the mechanisms for distributing any such aid to the four sectors eligible for assistance under the EU rules.

  Offal Rendering
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is his policy that the production of tallow and other products from the rendering of pig offal and fallen stock should be disposed of in the same way as that from bovine animals. [18067]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: The BSE (No. 2) Order 1996 requires that all mammalian protein is excluded from ruminant feed and all mammalian meat and bone meal is excluded from all farmed livestock feed. The Fertilisers (Mammalian Meat and Bone Meal) Regulations 1996 also require that mammalian meat and bone meal is not used as a fertiliser on agricultural land. The Orders do not distinguish between pig and bovine material or material from fallen stock. Under the Bovines and Bovine Products (Despatch Prohibition and Production Restriction) Regulations 1997, plants wishing to produce bovine tallow for feed use must be registered and comply with the provisions laid down in that Order.

  Hemp
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the Home Office regarding the level of fee for the licence required for growing hemp and its impact on small producers. [18063]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: The Department's officials have written to, and met with, officials in the Home Office and have relayed the concerns of the hemp industry about the proposed level of the licence fee for 1998.

DEFENCE

  Nuclear Deterrent
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the total cost of the British nuclear deterrent over the next four years. [16797]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The total procurement cost for Trident is estimated to be £12.6 billion. Average running costs have been estimated at £200 million a year over the 30 year lifetime of the system. We are examining the basis 22
  upon which cost estimates have been calculated in the light of operating experience as part of the wider Strategic Defence Review.

  Medals
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will instigate a review of the policy relating to the distribution and striking of medals and the protocols relating to their display. [16811]

  Mr. Spellar
  The present policy relating to the distribution and striking of medals and the protocols for the wearing of medals is well proven. There are no plans to change it at the present time.

  Army Officers
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance he has given to the Chief of the General Staff on the selection and commissioning of Army officers. [16812]

  Dr. Reid
  My hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Chief of the General Staff routinely discuss all major aspects of Army policy, including recruitment. They are both committed to ensuring that access to the modern British Army, and promotion thereafter, is based firmly on merit alone.

  Future Large Aircraft
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends publishing the RAF's operational requirement for the future large aircraft. [16813]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have no plans to publish the Staff Requirement (SR(A)435) for the Hercules Rolling Replacement Programmed (for which the Future Large Aircraft is a possible contender for the second tranche).

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve. [16814]

  Dr. Reid
  I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the Territorial Army, whose future role and structure are being considered in the Strategic Defence Review as part of our work on the Armed Forces as a whole. It would be premature to assess the likely outcome of the Review before the process is complete.

  Defence Medical Service
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the review of the Defence Medical Services. [16815]

  Dr. Reid
  The stewardship of the previous Administration, whatever its intentions, has left the Defence Medical Services in a parlous state. In addition to the work of the Strategic Defence Review, which will clearly encompass the Defence Medical Services (DMS), I have established a team to implement the recommendations of a recent review of the operational capability of the DMS. I have also ordered a review of the provision of secondary care in the UK by the Defence Secondary Care Agency, and called for proposals to improve morale and retention among DMS
  23
  personnel. I have directed that the work on these separate but interrelated issues be brought together in order to determine a structured way forward.

  Surface Ships
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals for the provision of new surface ships for the Royal Navy. [16817]

  Dr. Reid
  There are currently 18 surface ships either under construction or completing contractor trials. In the last 12 months two ships, the Type 23 Frigate, HMS Grafton, and the Ocean Survey Vessel, HMS Scott, have been accepted from contractors and will be entering full operational service in the next few months. The next 12 months will see the acceptance of the Type 23 Frigate HMS Sutherland, the naming and acceptance of the helicopter carrier, HMS Ocean, and the launching of the Type 23 Frigate, HMS Kent, and the Single Role Minehunters, HMS Pembroke and HMS Grimsby. A contract was placed in October 1997 for the charter of additional Ro-Ro ships which from May 1998 will increase the heavy lift capability for the Joint Rapid Deployment Force to two vessels.

  Future projects include replacing, early in the next century, the capabilities currently provided by the Type 42 Destroyers with the Horizon frigates, the Type 22 and 23 Frigates with a new class of Future Escort and a new class of Aircraft Carrier to supersede the Invincible class. In addition to these major programmers, a number of other projects including replacements for the Surveying Flotilla, Logistic Landing Ships and new Combat Stores Ship are also under consideration. These projects are, of course, being considered as part of the Strategic Defence Review.

  Headquarters Refurbishment
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the cost of refurbishing his Department's headquarters. [16818]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Costs of the refurbishment of MOD Main Building will depend on proposals from the shortlisted consortia during the next stages of the procurement programmed that I announced on 12 November 1997,Official Report, column 582. Costs will continue to be closely examined as the public private partnership programmed proceeds. Shortlisted bidders have the challenge of producing value for money solutions against the benchmark of my Department's public sector comparator.

  ASTOR Project
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated value of the ASTOR project; and when he expects to announce his decision on this project. [16819]

  Mr. Spellar
  The estimated procurement cost of the ASTOR (Airborne Stand-Off Radar) project is in the region of £750 million. Final proposals for the full Development and Production phase have now been invited from the two contractors who carried out competitive Project Definition studies. In addition, the Ministry of Defence has agreed that a co-operative development of a variant of the US Joint Surveillance 24
  Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) should also be considered for meeting the UK ASTOR requirement. We aim to announce a decision in 1998.

  Iraq
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are currently deployed overseas on duties related to the current situation in Iraq; and what plans he has to add to these numbers. [16820]

  Dr. Reid
  Some 800 UK Service personnel are deployed overseas on duties connected with the current situation in Iraq. Almost all are contributing to established land, sea and air operations (including UN operations) which predated the recent crisis caused by Saddam Hussein's decision to expel the US Unscom personnel.

  In addition, HMS Invincible and RFA Fort Victoria deployed to the Mediterranean, embarking seven RAF Harrier aircraft, as part of the UK's response to the crisis, with a combined complement of some 1,300 personnel. There are no plans at present to deploy additional personnel.

  Yorks and Lancaster Regimental Museum
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will restore the planned reduction in financial support towards the maintenance of the Yorks and Lancaster regimental museum in Rotherham. [16821]

  Mr. Spellar
  £6,000 of funding has been restored to the Museum in recognition of its valuable representative role for the Army and focus for local recruit activity. We have also offered our assistance in identifying alternative sources of income to enable the museum to cover any shortfall in funding.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the cost of the United Kingdom's contribution in the former Yugoslavia will continue to be met from the contingency reserve. [16822]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Once the costs of the Bosnia operation in the current year are clearer, we will be able to assess more precisely how much of that cost can be absorbed within the Defence budget. I will discuss the funding of anything in excess of that sum with my Cabinet colleagues.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current level of Britain's military contribution to the stabilisation force in Bosnia. [16823]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, Central (Mr. Davies), on 3 November 1997,Official Report, column 83.

  New Deal
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the armed forces participate in new deal employment initiatives. [16824]
  25
  Dr. Reid
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 14 November 1997,Official Report, column 688.

  Former Prisoners of War
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department took to ensure that his report following the review of the administration of the pay of officer prisoners of war and protected personnel in German and Italian hands during the second world war, published on 23 July, reflected the first-hand experiences of the officers involved. [16825]

  Mr. Spellar
  My decision on the Review of officer Prisoner of War and Protected Personnel pay deductions took full account of the lengthy submissions of the officers and Protected Personnel, their meetings with the previous Minister and the letters many of them wrote, all of which reflected their first hand experiences. This work also examined the considerable weight of contemporary evidence which survives.

  The main concern of the Review was to examine the pay policy which covered these servicemen, and to consider the decisions which formed it and its implementation. It is clear that those concerned with this policy had a number of sources of detailed information about the views and circumstances of those in the camps, ranging from the formal Reports of Red Cross and other visits, to communications with individuals raising questions about their own pay.

  Defence Diversification
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans for defence diversification. [16826]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Redditch (Jacqui Smith).

  Russian Defence Officials
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was discussed at his recent meeting with Russian defence officials; and if he will make a statement. [16827]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I paid a short, productive visit to Moscow on 3–4 November, where I had meetings with the Russian Defence Minister, General Sergeyev, the Secretary of the Defence Council, Dr. Kokoshin, and Foreign Minister Primakov.

  Dr. Kokoshin and I agreed to develop discussions on the democratic control of defence. Foreign Minister Primakov and I exchanged views on Iraq.

  The main purpose of my visit was to promote defence co-operation between the UK and Russia. General Sergeyev and I inaugurated a joint Russo-British Commission to oversee the management of defence co-operation between our countries. Among a range of bilateral issues discussed, we agreed that our navies should work towards closer co-operation in humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.
  26
  We agreed on the value to both countries of the series of high-level British/Russian conferences on defence matters, held at Wilton Park, Sussex.

  We also agreed to promote scientific co-operation between our Ministries of Defence, and that the Russians would send experts to a demining seminar in the UK next year. I took the opportunity to pass on an offer of assistance from The Royal British Legion to Russian veterans' organisations.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the factors underlying the delay in completing the strategic defence review. [16828]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) on 25 November 1997,Official Report, columns 499–500.

  Chatham Dockyard
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims relating to alleged ionising radiation exposure at the workplace have been received by his Department from past civilian employees at Chatham Dockyard since it became a nuclear refit facility; and how many of these claimants have received compensation other than as a result of a common law claim. [17430]

  Mr. Spellar
  Chatham Dockyard became an approved nuclear submarine refit facility in 1966.

  It is not possible to report how many claims relating to former Chatham Dockyard workers have been received by my Department since 1966 because this information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, such information has been held centrally since 23 October 1986 and my Department's records show that forty claims for compensation for illness allegedly caused by exposure to ionising radiation relating to former Ministry of Defence civilian employees who worked at Chatham Dockyard have been received.

  On 27 July 1994, the Ministry of Defence joined the British Nuclear Fuels Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases. Membership of the Scheme covers past and present radiation workers including those at the Royal Dockyards before contractorisation in 1987. Thirty-two claims have been submitted to the Scheme of which seven have been rejected as ineligible, and twenty-five are under consideration. Prior to July 1994, all claims for alleged exposure to ionising radiation from civilian employees were considered on the basis of whether or not the Department had a legal liability to pay compensation. One of the eight claims received prior to July 1994 resulted in damages being awarded by the High Court; the remaining seven claims were not pursued. Therefore, none of the claimants has to date received compensation other than as a result of a common law claim.

  Hunting Licences
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total income to his Department from the issue of licences to hunt on his Department's land in the last year for which figures are available. [17301]

  Mr. Spellar
  The income that my Department will receive from those licences issued to hunt foxes on the Defence Estate in the 1997–98 season will amount to £800. The full administrative costs associated with the preparation of such licences will also be recovered.

  HMS Vigilant
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Trident D5 Missiles were loaded on to HMS Vigilant in the United States after the completion of its most recent test firing of missiles there. [18320]

  Mr. Spellar
  Following a very successful Demonstration and Shakedown Operation, HMS Vigilant collected 14 unarmed Trident D5 missiles from the US Navy's Strategic Weapon Facility Atlantic at Kings Bay, Georgia in preparation for her entry into operational service.

  UN Special Commission, Iraq
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if members of the reserve forces can serve with the UN Special Commission in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [18873]

  Dr. Reid
  A Call-Out Order is in force which permits members of the reserve forces to be called out under Section 54 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to support operations in the former republic of Yugoslavia and also in the region of Iraq. This includes service with the UN Special Commission in Iraq. Only suitably qualified volunteers are called out.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the boundaries of the United Kingdom low-flying zones for fast jets. [16803]

  Mr. Spellar
  The UK Low Flying System is kept under continuous review to ensure that low flying is conducted as safely as possible with the minimum of disturbance to the public.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase recruitment into the armed forces. [16807]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government is committed to addressing the very serious problem of undermanning inherited from the previous Administration and has made recruitment to the Armed Forces one of the top priorities. A number of new recruiting initiatives are in place and, there are signs that these measures are beginning to have an effect.

  OCCAR Projects
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the in-service date slippage in the production of the COBRA project to date has been due to problems in partner countries; what measures he is undertaking to prevent similar problems in other OCCAR projects; and if he will make a statement. [17914]

  Mr. Spellar
  The slippage against the original in service date for the Counter Battery Radar (COBRA) system is 108 months. The principal reasons for the slippage are explained in the National Audit Office Major Project Report 1996 (HC238, session 1997–98,15 August 1997). As the report notes:

  (a) The timetable was first estimated when the Project Definition phase approved in 1986. The in-service date was reassessed at the end of that phase as a result of a better understanding of the programmed and the work involved. This gave rise to a 23 month slippage from the original estimate.

  (b) There were protracted negotiations between the three Governments, UK, France and Germany, and industry before the placement of the Development contract in 1990, which resulted in a further slippage of 36 months.

  (c) The original in-service date was based on the assumption that there would be a seamless transition from development to production. This could not be achieved because a reduction in the number of Radars required by Germany invalidated the maximum price production option and led to the need for further development work, the Cost Reduction Programmed, to reduce production costs. This programmed resulted in a further slippage of 42 months.

  There has been a further delay of seven months as the result of extended negotiations with EuroArt, the international industrial consortium, over their proposals to enter the production phase. We are currently assessing those proposals.

  There are currently no UK collaborative projects being managed by Organisme Conjoint de Cooperation en matiere d'Armament (OCCAR), although we hope progressively to integrate projects, including COBRA, into the organisation. It is a primary aim of OCCAR to improve on past performance in the management of collaborative programmers. We will actively press for the adoption of best practice procurement techniques as part of our contribution to the development of OCCAR's procedures.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Housing (Staffordshire)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much the Government spent in each of the last 10 years on(a) new social housing stock and (b) maintenance of social housing stock in (i) Staffordshire, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) England. [16871]
  29
  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 20 November 1997]: The available information on allocation or outturns for expenditure on social housing stock made by the government since 1988–89 is set out below. A revised local authority capital finance regime and housing revenue subsidy system was introduced from April 1990, and thus

  £ million

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  11997–98

  England

  Housing Corporation Approved Development Programmed (ADP) Net outturns.

  652

  810

  1,154

  1,639

  2,306

  1,795

  1,487

  1,153

  1,031

  676

  Housing Annual Capital Guidelines (ACG)/Basic Block allocations

  1,119

  874

  1,396

  1,343

  1,290

  1,378

  1,038

  994

  943

  628

  Estate Action outturns

  140

  190

  180

  268

  348

  357

  373

  316

  252

  170

  Cash Incentive Scheme allocations2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30

  —

  30

  60

  60

  60

  Estates Renewal Challenge Fund allocations

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30

  118

  Other local authority allocations3

  52

  20

  121

  187

  80

  45

  39

  30

  30

  —

  Management and maintenance (M and M) allowances for LA stock

  1,897

  2,007

  2,955

  3,070

  3,206

  3,266

  3,298

  3,332

  3,375

  3,307

  Housing Action Trusts outturns

  —

  —

  —

  10

  27

  78

  92

  93

  90

  89

  West Midlands Region

  Housing Corporation Approved Development Programmed (ADP) Gross outturns

  n/a

  n/a

  100

  112

  154

  162

  134

  100

  88

  57

  Housing Annual Capital Guidelines (ACG)/Basic Block allocations

  118

  92

  122

  120

  120

  130

  101

  102

  100

  69

  Estate Action outturns

  n/a

  n/a

  25

  35

  41

  47

  49

  41

  25

  5

  Cash Incentives Scheme allocations2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  2

  3

  4

  Estates Renewal Challenge Fund allocations

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7

  25

  Other local authority allocations3

  4

  5

  3

  5

  7

  5

  4

  3

  3

  —

  Management and maintenance (M and M) allowances for LA stock

  192

  205

  328

  342

  359

  363

  361

  366

  375

  359

  Housing Action Trusts outturns

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  6

  11

  14

  18

  Staffordshire

  Housing Corporation Approved Development Programmed (ADP) Gross outturns

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  23

  21

  19

  13

  14

  n/a

  Housing Annual Capital Guidelines (ACG)/Basic Block allocations

  17

  13

  18

  20

  20

  22

  16

  16

  15

  10

  Estate Action outturns4

  3

  6

  4

  3

  4

  3

  4

  1

  1

  —

  Cash Incentive Scheme allocations2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Estates Renewal Challenge Fund allocations

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  5

  Other local authority allocations3

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Management and maintenance (M and M) allowances for LA stock

  24

  25

  48

  50

  52

  52

  52

  54

  56

  48

  Housing Action Trusts outturns

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 All outturns for 1997–98 are latest estimates.

  2 Resources were provided for cash incentives schemes in 1990–91 and 1991–92, but within a package of measures directed at homelessness which are included in the 'other local authority' row.

  3 Covers special programmers for homelessness, rural housing, energy efficiency, New Town defective dwellings, Flats over Shops, the Housing Partnership Fund and the Private Sector Initiatives.

  4 Estate Action figures for Staffordshire 1988–89 to 1992–93 inclusive are allocations.

  Housing
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the Barclays Bank report concerning shortages of homes to buy. [17161]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Barclays Bank is one of a number of organisations reporting that there are currently more prospective buyers than there are homes for sale. Part of the reason is that confidence in the housing market has returned. Increasing numbers of first time buyers and people in rented accommodation are looking to buy but will have no home to sell. This imbalance is likely to level off as the market adjusts. The Government's planning policy guidance (PPG3: Housing) advises local planning authorities to ensure the availability of a continuous five year supply of housing land to cater for on-going housing requirements.
  30
  prior years' figures are not directly comparable. Some of the resources allocated through the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund and City Challenge are used for investment in social housing but this element is not separately identified in the allocations made, and they are therefore not included below.

  Lowell Park Mortgages
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the activities of Lowell Park Mortgages. [17529]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department can find no trace of any representations relating specifically to this company.

  M25 Widening
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 1997,Official Report, column 255, if he will now instruct the Highways Agency to send a substantive reply to Mr. Chris Fisher of FLAME consequent on the publication of the accelerated review. [17346]
  31
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In my previous answer to my hon. Friend on 3 July 1997,Official Report, column 255, I said that the Highways Agency would reply once the outcome of the accelerated review was announced. In the event, the decision was to carry out a further review of the M25 widening scheme, that work is continuing and I would not wish to prejudice the outcome. The Highways Agency will give a substantive response to FLAME once that review has been completed. In the meantime FLAME's letter did raise some factual questions and I have asked the Highways Agency to respond to these issues directly to FLAME. A copy of the letter will be placed in the House Library.

  Vessels (Port State Inspections)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many vessels were subject to a port state inspection at(a) Flotta and (b) Sullom Voe in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1 January to 31 October 1997; and in each case what percentage of the total number of vessels were inspected. [17609]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to the hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. James Wallace, dated 1 December 1997:

  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of vessels subject to port state inspection at (a) Flotta and (b) Sullom Voe in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1 January to 31 October 1997 and, in each case, what percentage of the total number of individual ships visiting the ports were inspected.

  Port state inspection was carried out in Flotta on one vessel in 1996, and on three vessels in the period 1 January to 31 October 1997. This represents, respectively, one percent, and five percent of the number of individual ships visiting the port. In Sullom Voe, twenty one vessels were inspected in 1996, and seven in the period 1 January to 31 October 1997, which represents sixteen percent and six percent, respectively, of the number of individual ships visiting during those periods.

  The selection of vessels for inspection takes account of their age, the safety record of the flag of registration, how recently the ship was inspected with Europe and the outcome, and inspection effort is directed to obtain the greatest impact.

  Water Quality (Fylde Coast)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) studies and (b) investigations the Environment Agency (i) has carried out and (ii) plans to carry out to determine the reasons for the failure of the waters off the Fylde Coast to meet the standards required under the European Community Bathing Water Directive in the last five years. [17878]

  Angela Eagle
  Additional monitoring and investigations have been undertaken by the Environment Agency since completion of the Fylde Coast bathing water improvement scheme. These include checking the performance of the scheme, the integrity of the local sewerage network and investigations into additional sources of microbiological contamination. Further information on these investigations, which are not yet concluded, is available from the Agency.
  32
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the powers available to him to tackle coastal pollution and (b) the occasions on which those powers have been used in respect of the Fylde Coast in the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [17877]

  Angela Eagle
  The Secretary of State has wide powers under the Water Resources Act 1991 relating to water pollution. In respect of bathing waters on the Fylde Coast, the effect of The Bathing Waters (Classification) Regulations 1991 (SI 1991 No. 1597) and the associated Direction and Notice is to require the Environment Agency to exercise its powers to ensure, as far as is practicable, that the Bathing Water Directive quality standards are met.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussion(a) his Department and (b) the Environment Agency have had with North West Water on the failure of the waters off the Fylde Coast to meet the requirements of the European community Bathing Waters Directive. [17879]

  Angela Eagle
  Performance of the Fylde Coast bathing waters has been the subject of considerable discussion between the Department, the Environment Agency and North West Water, and this will continue. Improving compliance with the Bathing Water Directive is a high priority for the Government.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how health and safety issues arising from the year 2000 computer problem are being addressed by his Department. [18026]

  Angela Eagle
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has commissioned research into the safety-critical aspects of date discontinuity problems associated with the year 2000 computer problem and the research will be published shortly. HSE has also established a committee within government to ensure that the results of this research and other experience can be shared with enforcing authorities and used as a basis of advice to dutyholders who may have safety-critical systems. Further guidance will be published next year. Health and Safety inspectors will remind dutyholders of their legal responsibilities to make sure that control systems are safe and will take enforcement action where the risks and circumstances justify it.

  Commuting
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what ways his Department's objective of reducing commuting is reflected in planning guidance. [18303]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Existing Planning Policy Guidance on Transport (PPG13) and Planning Policy Guidance on Town Centres and Retail Developments (PPG6) encourage local authorities to locate major generators of travel demand in existing centres which are highly accessible by means other than the private care, and to strengthen existing local centres in both urban and rural areas which offer a wide range of everyday community, shopping and employment opportunities, in order to reduce the need to travel.
  33
  The Government regards the closer integration of transport and land-use planning as an important part of its current wide-ranging review of transport policy. The White Paper on integrated transport is due in the spring.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what would have been the effect in 1997–98 on(a) the standard spending assessment and (b) the revenue support grant for (i) each class of authority and (ii) each local authority in England, had the indicator for shared and non-permanent accommodation been removed from the social index used in the calculation of SSAs, assuming that the national aggregate finance had remained at the current level. [17963]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 28 November 1997]: Figures showing the effect in 1997–98 on standard spending assessments (SSAs) of removing the shared and non-permanent accommodation indicator from the Social Index are not readily available. Figures showing the effect of the same change in 1996–97 are given for each class of authority and each local authority in England in the "Standard Spending Assessments Sub-Group Report for 1997–98", published by the Department of the Environment in 1996, a copy of which is in the Library.

  It is not possible to quantify the effect of the change on revenue support grant (RSG), because the total amount of RSG available depends upon, among other things, the amount of the SSA Reduction Grant payable for the relevant year. This, in turn, depends upon the decisions made on the arrangements for the payment of SSA Reduction Grant and the pattern of SSA changes in the relevant year.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what would have been the change in(a) standard spending assessment and (b) revenue support grant in 1997–98 for (i) each local authority in London and (ii) London as a whole, had the resident population been used as the client group in the `All Other Services' SSA, assuming that the national aggregate external finance had remained at the current level. [17962]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 28 November 1997]: Figures showing the effect in 1997–98 on standard spending assessments (SSAs) of using the resident population as the client group for the purpose of adjusting for extra costs due to population density, population sparsity and varying socio-economic characteristics in the `All Other Services' SSA are given for each local authority in London, and for London as a whole, in the "Standard Spending Assessments Sub-Group Report for 1998–99". A copy of this document is in the Library.

  It is not possible to quantify the effect of the change on Revenue Support Grant (RSG), because the total amount of RSG available depends upon, among other things, the amount of the SSA Reduction Grant payment for the relevant year. This, in turn, depends upon the decisions made on the arrangements for the payment of SSA Reduction Grant and the pattern of SSA changes in the relevant year.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the 34
  standard spending assessment in 1997–98, for (a) the City of Westminster, (b) the London Borough of Islington and (c) the London Borough of Southwark, indicating for each the (i) density of population, (ii) proportion of people from ethnic minorities, (iii) proportion of people living in over-crowded accommodation, (iv) proportion of people aged over 85 years and (v) proportion of elderly people living alone. [17971]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 28 November 1997]: Information for the City of Westminster, the London Borough of Islington and the London Borough of Southwark on the Standard Spending Assessments for 1997–98, the proportion of people likely to be from ethnic minorities and the proportion of people living in overcrowded accommodation is available in the "Standard Spelling Assessment Handbook 1997–98", published by the Department of the Environment. A copy of this document is in the Library.

  Information for the same three authorities on the density of population, the proportion of people aged over 85 years and the proportion of elderly people living along is also available in the Library.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes to the standard spending assessment formula methodology he is assessing for implementation in 1998–99; and if he will indicate for each option its potential financial impact on each class of local authority in England expressed(a) as the net change in its standard spending assessment and (b) as the net change in its standing spending assessment divided by (i) the aggregate number of Band D equivalent dwellings and (ii) chargeable dwellings, as used for council tax setting in 1997–98, for that class of authority. [17972]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 28 November 1997]: We shall announce shortly our proposals for changes to the Standard Spending Assessments (SSA) formula methodology for implementation in 1998–99. In reaching our decisions, we have had regard particularly to the possible changes discussed this year with the Local Government Association. A report on these discussions, including illustrations of the effect of possible changes on SSAs, is given in the "Standard Spending Assessments Sub-Group Report for 1998–99", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Figures for each class of authority in England of the aggregate number of Band D dwellings and the number of chargeable dwellings, as used for council tax-setting in 1997–98, are also available in the Library.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the submissions his Department has received on the 1998–99 local authority settlements; and if he will summarise their main recommendations and indicate the date on which they were received. [17969]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 28 November 1997]: My right hon. Friend has received a large number of submissions from the local authority associations, local authorities and others, including, for example, considerable correspondence during the SSA sub-group's consideration of SSAs for 1998–99. It would be disproportionately expensive to cover all submissions

  35
  received on this issue. We have been carefully considering all submissions as we take decisions on our proposals for local government revenue expenditure in the coming financial year. We will be announcing the provisional settlement next week and local authorities and others will have the opportunity to comment on our proposals in the consultation process that will follow.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what would have been the effect in 1997–98 on the(a) standard spending assessment and (b) revenue support grant for each (i) class of authority and (ii) local authority in England had the share of SSA for additional educational needs changed in line with changes in numbers of income support claimants, assuming the national aggregate external finance had remained at the current level. [17967]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 28 November 1997]: Figures showing the effect in 1997–98 on Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs) of changing the share of SSA for additional educational needs in line with changes in numbers of income support claimants are not readily available. Figures showing the effect of the same change in 1996–97 are given for each class of authority and each local authority in England in the "Standard Spending Assessments Sub-Group Report for 1997–98", published by the Department of the Environment in 1996. A copy of this document is in the Library.

  It is not possible to quantify the effect of the change on Revenue Support Grant (RSG), because the total amount of RSG available depends upon, among other things, the amount of the SSA Reduction Grant payable for the relevant year. This, in turn, depends upon the decisions made on the arrangements for the payment of SSA Reduction Grant and the pattern of SSA changes in the relevant year.

  London Government
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which regional chamber will cover London; and if he will set out its boundaries. [18177]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 28 November 1997]: In July we published proposals for a new elected strategic authority for London, to cover the area comprising the 32 London Boroughs and the Corporation of the City of London. Subject to a referendum on 7 May, we shall introduce substantive legislation next year to establish the new authority.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department proposes to treat the GLA as a tier of regional government. [18172]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 28 November 1997]: The GLA will be a new form of city-wide strategic local Government.

  Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reviews his 36
  Department plans of the use of bed-and-breakfast accommodation by local authorities. [18577]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We monitor the extent to which local authorities use bed-and-breakfast accommodation for homeless households through the quarterly statistics that authorities supply to us.

  Bed-and-breakfast hotels may have a role to play as very short-term accommodation, but, as my Department's Code of Guidance on the homelessness legislation states, should be used only as a last resort.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria he uses to determine which planning appeals for supermarket developments are called in for his own determination. [18199]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 28 November 1997]: In recovering planning appeals for his determination, as distinct from planning applications called in prior to decision by a local planning authority, my right hon. Friend has regard to the criteria in paragraph 36 of the Government's response to the Fifth Report from the Environment Committee, Session 1985–86 (Cmnd. paper 43).

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlie the prohibition of appeals against a planning application which is allowed by a local authority. [17242]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In recent years, the scope for third parties to participate in the planning process has been increased by requiring that development plan policies are adopted only after widespread consultation and making it a statutory requirement that all planning applications are publicised. It is the responsibility of local planning authorities to act in the general public interest when determining planning applications and we therefore have no plans to introduce a third party right of appeal against the granting of planning permission. Such a right could be used to delay or effectively veto many acceptable developments needed for the health and growth of our economy.

  Water Saving Trust
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the 'Regions if he will establish a water saving trust with a similar remit to the Energy Saving Trust. [18502]

  Angela Eagle
  We have no plans to establish such a trust. The Environment Act 1995 introduced a duty for the water companies to promote the efficient use of water, and we look to the water companies to fulfil this duty with vigour, imagination and enthusiasm.

  A49 (Shropshire)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many fatalities have occurred as a result of accidents on the A49 in Shropshire in each of the past 10 years. [18410]
  37
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is shown in the following list:

  1987: 8

  1988: 0

  1989: 5

  1990: 8

  1991: 2

  1992: 9

  1993: 5

  1994: 8

  1995: 4

  1996: 4.

  Liability Orders
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to amend legislation to allow the cancellation of liability orders where these have been made in error. [17241]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Department's recent consultation paper on council tax enforcement included a proposal to give local authorities a power to request a magistrates' court to overturn a liability order where they consider it to have been made in error. The outcome of the consultation exercise will be announced shortly.

  Factory Noise
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review permitted noise levels from urban factories. [17243]

  Angela Eagle
  It is for local authorities to deal with noise pollution from urban factories. Noise from certain factories will be considered as part of my Department's continuing consultation on the future implementation of EC Directive 96/61 "Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control".

  Waste Management (West Yorkshire)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the holders of a waste management licence in West Yorkshire. [17244]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment Agency is required to maintain a public register of current waste management licences. I have been informed by the Environment Agency that its public register records the following as holders of waste management licences in West Yorkshire:

  A. A. Bathie Ltd., T/A Viaduct Metals

  A. G. and H. G. Groundworks Ltd.

  A. & D. McGregor T/A McGregor Brothers

  A. Ross T/A A. Ross and Son Metal Merchants

  A. B. Kelly

  A. Hudson

  A. Dean

  A. B. Hall T/A A B Autos

  Abingway Properties plc

  Able Fuels

  Alan Finnemore T/A Batley Car Spares

  Albert Stanley Fenn

  Alf Ellis T/A Ellis Metals Ltd.

  Ansar Farooq Dad

  Arcon Plant Ltd.

  38

  Arthur Brook Ltd.

  Arthur Brooke Ltd.

  Autospares Bingley Ltd.

  B. C. Balmforth

  B. Simpson T/A CWRS Ltd.

  B. Stevenson T/A Aireborough Mini Skips

  B. Woodhead

  BBA Fricton Ltd.

  Bellmore Stud Ltd.

  Berry and Marshall (Bolton Woods)

  Biffa Waste Services Ltd.

  Blackleigh Limited

  Blacktop Ltd

  Bradford Waste Traders Ltd

  Bradley and Holmes Ltd

  Bradmet Asbestos Unit

  Bradmet Highways

  Bradmet Landscapes

  Brighouse Skip Hire

  Britannia Recycling Ltd

  British Gas plc, North Eastern

  British Gas plc, Trans Co

  British Waterways

  British Waterways Board

  British Waterways North Yorkshire Navigations

  Bursaul Landfill Site Services Ltd.

  C. S. Davidson T/A C. Davidson & Son

  C. Rhodes & Son Ltd

  C. F. Harris Ltd.

  C. Heath & Son

  C. G. Fell T/A Vellco Tyres Co

  C. J. McNally

  C. R. Longley Ltd

  C. W. J. Saunders

  C. F. Moon

  C. & J. Blackburn

  Caird Bardon Ltd.

  Calderdale Met Borough Council

  Cannon Hygiene Ltd.

  Car Disposals Ltd.

  Carlton Landfill Operations

  Central Drawing Off. Services

  Chancename Ltd. T/A Newmet

  Chapmans Casks and Drums Ltd

  Chemwaste Ltd

  Christopher Atkinson

  City of Bradford Metropolitan Council

  City of Bradford Bradmet Services

  Clays of Addingham Ltd

  Cleanmet Ltd

  CLM Properties Ltd

  CMS (Highways)

  Colne Valley Skip Hire

  Crossley Evans Ltd.

  Crossley and Evans Ltd

  Crossley & Craven Ltd.

  D. Greenwood

  D. A. Rathmell and Sons

  D. Firth

  D. G. Robinson T/A Ferrybridge Motor Spares

  D. Hoare

  Darrington Quarries Ltd.

  Dean Langton T/A Skelton Waste Disposal

  Demex Ltd

  Du Pont UK Ltd

  E. & J. M. Beecroft

  E. Bailey

  E. Rhodes

  E. Pease & Son Ltd

  E. Simpson

  E. Moulson

  E. Wilkinson T/A Licensed Tyre Disposals

  Earthmover Tyres Yorkshire Ltd.

  Environment Agency

  Eric France & Son (Metals) Ltd.

  Eric Winterbum T/A Viking Car Spares

  39

  F. M. Atha

  F. W. Thompson

  F. Long

  Firth Carpets Ltd.

  Fryston Recovery Ltd.

  G. Sharp T/A Autos

  G. & S. C. Hackney T/A Thorpe Autobodies

  G. W. Butler Ltd.

  G. Bennett

  G & K Pearce T/A Acorn Skip Hire

  Geoff Wormersley Jnr

  Gill Demolitions Ltd

  Glendennings (Containers) Ltd.

  Glintdale Ltd. T/A Quickskip

  Gordon Smith

  Greencroft Plastics Ltd

  Grosvenor Chemicals Ltd.

  H. M. Fitzsimmons

  H. & D. Douglas (Tyres) Ltd. T/A Stafford Tyre Co.

  H. Smith & Sons Ltd.

  H. Moore Ltd. (Metal Broker)

  Halifax Metal Processors Ltd.

  Hard York Ltd.

  Harry Can (Autowreckers) Ltd.

  Haworth Scouring Co

  Hengbays (1984) Ltd

  Henry Waddington Nelson

  Hicks Haulage

  Hickson Ltd. T/A Hickson Fine Chemicals

  Hillridge Ltd.

  Hinchliffe Brothers

  I. M. (Contractors) Ltd

  I. Paris

  Ibstock Brick (Nostell) Ltd

  IMI Yorkshire Alloys Ltd.

  Infrastructure Services Northern Track Removals

  J. Bower

  J. A. Stevenson

  J. Hudson

  J. Snee

  J. N. Hirst

  J. R. Towriss

  J. Hornby and Sons Ltd

  J. S. Miller & Co. Ltd

  J. S. Bamforth & Co. Ltd

  J. W Hinchcliffe Ltd

  J. W. Crowther & Son Ltd.

  J. A. Dickinson T/A Dickinson Autos

  J. Turkington T/A Knostrop Autowreckers

  J. W., J. H. & D. Whiting T/A Whiting Brothers

  J. Crisp T/A Dragon Bridge Dismantlers

  J. Liversidge & Son and L. Barbidge and Sons

  J. B. Garahan Ltd.

  J. M., R. A. & G. V. Beckett T/A Jim Beckett Commercial Motor Dealers Vehicles & Spares

  J. Hand

  J. E. Crowther (Holdings) plc

  J. A. Whitehead Services (Littletown) Ltd

  J. B. Hill & Sons Ltd

  J. Jagger & Sons

  J. E. Crowther Ltd.

  J. Ward T/A Phoenix Auto Dismantlers

  J. Brook

  J. T. Singleton & Son

  J. Matthews T/A J. M. Metals

  J. Brotherton

  J. Brooksbank

  Jack Stephenson & Phyllis Stephenson T/A J. & P. Stephenson

  James Rodney Hulme

  James Macnair T/A Thomes Wharf Vehicle Spares

  James Pickup

  John Alderson & Son Ltd

  John Milner & Sons Ltd

  Johnsons Wellfield Quarries

  Joseph Sykes Brothers Ltd.

  K. Armstrong

  40

  K. Briggs

  K. Appleyard T/A Thorpe Lane Commercial

  K. Durkin & N. Ramsey T/A Prestige Salvage Co

  K. Moorhouse

  K. S. Cooper

  K. Johnson

  K. A. Rothery

  K. Ibbertson

  Killgerm Chemicals Ltd

  Kirklees Metropolitan Council

  Kirklees Highways Services

  L. Junior Power

  L. Whitaker

  L. Power

  Lambson Fine Chemicals Ltd

  Leeds City Council (Asbestos Unit)

  Leeds City Council

  Linfact Installations Ltd

  Linpac Plastics Ltd

  Lloyd Loaders (M. H.) Ltd

  M. J. Procter

  M. Brook

  M. Lovatt T/A A 1 Tool and Skip Hire

  M. Andrews

  M. Hutchinson

  M. Witcombe

  M. and C. Dismantlers

  M. Greenwood

  M. B. Wood

  M. & S. Kent T/A Wetherby Skip Services

  M & B Haulage

  Mahmood Atkhar

  Marshalls Mono Ltd

  Marshalls plc

  Messrs Conroy and Booth Ltd

  Messrs K. M. & R. Humphrey T/A KMR

  Metaltreat Ltd

  Michael Willey

  Mitchell Cotts Chemicals Ltd

  Modern Car Spares Ltd.

  Mone Bros. (Civil Eng.) Ltd

  Mone Bros. (Excavations) Ltd.

  Monoplas Industries Ltd

  Morley Waste Traders Ltd

  Mr. Grabovski T/A Star Salvage

  Muktubs (UK) Ltd

  M. W. Homer

  N. and R. Contractors Ltd

  N. C. Woolford T/A Leeds Skip Services

  N. Crossley

  National Power plc

  Naylor Bros. (Clayware) Ltd

  Normanton Brick Company Ltd

  Northern Drums Ltd

  Norver Paints Ltd

  Oats Royd Mill Ltd

  Octave Four Ltd

  On-The-Dot Ltd

  Orcol Fuels Ltd

  P. H. Sanders

  P. Garnett & Son Ltd

  P. Wagstaff T/A Waggies Auto Spares

  P. Brewerton

  P. Drake

  P. Downham

  P. A. Austick T/A Stanningley Motors

  P. Metcalfe T/A Betta Skip Hire

  P. Popek

  P. & E. Murphy T/A Skiplift

  P. Singh T/A Churwell Car Spares

  P. R. Jones

  Park Pitt Landfills Ltd.

  Parkinson and Spencer Refrac Ltd

  Percy Pickard (Sales) Ltd.

  Personnel Hygiene Services Ltd

  Peter Bould T/A Boulds Bins

  41

  Pinegreen Ltd.

  Plastic Drum Reconditioning

  Pole Moor Auto Spares

  R. Spivey & Sons Ltd.

  R. Gentry T/A M. G. Skip Hire

  R. Kaye

  R. D. Skinner & A. Skinner T/A Jeff Skinner Skip Hire

  R. Crossley

  R. Askew

  R. Wisher

  R. J. Patchett Ltd.

  R. A. Taylor

  R. F. Winder Electrical Ltd.

  R. Woodhead

  Ray Allen & Sons

  Readymix (Huddersfield) Ltd

  Reflecting Roadstuds Ltd

  Rentokil Initial plc

  Reusable Building Supplies

  Rhodar Ltd

  Richard Schofield

  Richard Hall

  Ridgenorth Ltd. T/A T. Holmes and Co

  Rigby Cold Drawn

  Robinson & Birdsell Ltd

  Robinson Bros. (Airedale Demolitions) Ltd

  Robinson Group Ltd

  Ryhill Landfill Site Ltd

  S. Clark T/A Auto Salvage Autowreckers

  S. Pickard

  S. R. Parker

  S. Wagstaff

  S. J. Mitchell T/A Crest Properties

  S. Brook

  S. W. Shelton T/A Bridge Supply Company

  S. & R. M. Peel

  Safety-Kleen UK Ltd

  Sheppard Group Bradford Ltd

  Shipley Paint Ltd

  Silver Lining Industries Ltd

  SIS Chemicals Ltd

  Solvo Ltd

  South Elmsall Quarries Ltd

  Stephenson Bros. (Haulage) Ltd

  Synthomer Ltd

  T. E. Lowe

  T. Sandham T/A Aireborough Waste Traders

  T. Matthews

  T. A. Plunkett

  T. Musgrove

  T. Kelly

  T. Berryman & Sons Ltd

  T. R. & R. Bainbridge T/A L. Bainbridge & Sons

  T. H. Holroyd Ltd

  Tarmac Heavy Building Materials UK Ltd

  The Design Practice

  Thomas Arthur Brotherton

  Thornton Processing Ltd

  Tourberry Ltd

  Tyre Collection Services Ltd

  UK Waste Management Ltd

  United Leeds Teaching Hosps

  W. H. Robinson Ltd

  W. S. Crossley (Yorkstone) Ltd

  W. T. Knowles and Sons Ltd

  W. M. Beattie (Leeds) Ltd., T/A Plant Hire Co

  Wainmans

  Wakefield Demolition Co. Ltd

  Walker May (Halifax) Ltd

  Wayne Peter Simpson

  Waystone Ltd.

  Webfell Ltd

  Webfell

  Wells and Moorhouse Ltd

  West Yorkshire Waste Management Joint Committee

  West Riding Waste Disposal

  42

  Westwood Yarns Ltd

  Wilkinson Brothers

  William Ernest Ley

  Woolcombers (Processors) Ltd

  Wright Bros. (Clayton) Ltd

  Wright Engineers (Burley) Ltd

  Y. Tweedale

  Yorkshire Electricity

  Yorkshire Metal Traders Ltd

  Yorkshire Water Services Ltd

  Yorkshire Water Enterprises

  Yorkshire Electricity Group plc

  Yorkshire Environmental Limited T/A Global EnvironmentalServices

  Zeneca

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many prosecutions were pursued, in West Yorkshire, for contraventions of waste management regulations in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [17245]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment Agency is responsible for the enforcement of waste management legislation. I have been informed by the Environment Agency that the number of waste-related prosecutions in West Yorkshire brought by the Agency, and prior to 1 April 1996 by waste regulation authorities, for the calendar years 1993–1997 is as follows:

  Number

  1993

  18

  1994

  20

  1995

  16

  1996

  20

  1997 (to date)

  25

  Hazardous Substances
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many prosecutions the Health and Safety Executive has brought against employers who have failed adequately to control exposure to substances hazardous to health under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994 since January 1995 in which the employer was charged with failing to reduce the level of exposure below the maximum exposure limit; and how many have been successful. [18414]

  Angela Eagle
  Such prosecutions can be brought only under Regulation 7(1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1994 for failure to ensure that exposure is adequately controlled. Charges cannot be laid separately under Regulation 7(6) which explains the duty with regard to substances for which a maximum exposure limit is specified. There have been five informations laid under Regulation 7(1) resulting in five convictions during 1996–97. This information is provisional. Information prior to 1996–97 is not available at this level of detail due to the coding system then used by HSE.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many prosecutions the Health and Safety Executive has brought against employers who have failed adequately to control
  43
  exposure to substances hazardous to health under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994; and how many have been successful. [18413]

  Angela Eagle
  The Health and Safety Executive has brought 28 prosecutions under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1994. Of these, 22 have resulted in convictions. The provisional figures for 1997 are 11 prosecutions resulting in 11 convictions.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures Health and Safety Executive officials are taking to ensure that levels of exposure to substances hazardous to health are reduced below the maximum exposure limit. [18415]

  Angela Eagle
  Where a maximum exposure limit (MEL) has been assigned, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1994, as amended, require employers to control exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable and in any case below that MEL.

  Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors enforce COSHH by assessing employers' arrangements for controlling health risks and, in particular, the measures they take to reduce exposures, including monitoring to test compliance with exposure limits.

  HSE also publishes considerable practical advice on controlling exposure and inspectors refer to such guidance as illustrating good practice. Publicity and enforcement campaigns are also targeted at priority classes of substances, many of which have maximum exposure limits.

  "Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas"
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department has taken in the last 12 months to assess the extent of the problem of failure to report in pursuance of the recommendation of Lord Donaldson's Report "Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas". [18187]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency, Mr. R. Bradley, to write to the hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. James Wallace, dated 1 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your Question about the steps taken to assess the extent of the problem of failure to report, pursuant to recommendation 71 of Lord Donaldson's Report, "Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas."
  44
  Since the publication of the report by Lord Donaldson the Department has implemented Council Directive 93/75/EEC. The implementing Regulations make it compulsory for masters of vessels which find themselves in circumstances which may cause pollution or damage, either to themselves or to the UK coastline, to report to the Coastguard. This significantly strengthens the position as against that prevailing at the time of the report.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations of Lord Donaldson's Inquiry Report "Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas" in a form similar to that placed in the Library on 31 October 1996. [18186]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government is currently reviewing the progress made in implementing the recommendations of Lord Donaldson's Inquiry. I will place copies of a progress report in the Library shortly.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department has taken to monitor the operation of the voluntary certification scheme issued by the Marine Safety Agency in May 1995 in pursuance of recommendation 51(c) of Lord Donaldson's Report "Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas". [18190]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency, Mr. R. Bradley, to write to the hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. James Wallace, dated 1 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your Question about what steps the Department has taken to monitor the operation of the voluntary certification scheme issued by the Marine Safety Agency in May 1995 in pursuance of recommendation 51(c) of Lord Donaldson's Report, "Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas".
  The voluntary certification scheme, published in Merchant Shipping Notice number M.1616, encouraged ship operators to gain certification to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code in advance of the mandatory compliance dates.
  Our records indicate that those passenger roll-on/roll-off ferries and their operating companies, which were required to comply with the Code under Council Regulation (EC) No 3051/95, have all achieved certification.
  In addition, good progress is being made on the certification of companies and the vessels they operate which are required to comply with the Code by 1 July 1998, by virtue of the new Chapter IX to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974 Convention. The vessel types affected in this phase of implementation are oil tankers, chemical tankers, gas carriers, bulk carriers and cargo high speed craft, all of 500 gross tonnage and over, and all passenger ships including passenger high speed craft. We are liaising closely with ship operators who have already applied under the voluntary scheme, to ensure certification is achieved as soon as possible. We have been in contact also with the few who have not yet formally applied to enquire about their progress and intentions.

  Coastguard Minute 20/96
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the text of Coastguard Minute 20/96 sent to coastguard stations in July 1996 [18191]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Coastguard agency, Mr. C. Harris, to write to the hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. James Wallace, dated 1 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Coastguard Minute 20/96.
  I enclose a copy of Coastguard Minute 20/96 "SAR situation reports (SITREPS) and morning press reports" as requested.

  HM COASTGUARD

  Coastguard Minute 20/96

  Distribution C

  Sar Situation Reports (SITREPS) And Morning Press Reports

  Ref: A. CG3 Vol. 3 Part 2 Section 7

  B. CG3 Vol. 2 Part 5 Section 1

  1. Representations have been received at CGHQ concerning the publication in Lloyd's List of information on alerts, emergencies and equipment failures, passed by the Offshore Industry and Merchant Vessels to HM Coastguard in good faith and on the understanding that there will be an embargo on further publication. However, despite the "For information not for publication" affix, these articles are being published.

  2. Staff should be well aware of the value of rapid and open reporting between Industry and ourselves and should be conscious that unnecessary media emphasis on what turns out to be a precautionary report is not conducive to maintaining the necessary rapport. We must however, also be mindful, as a government agency, of being aware of the publics' expectation for us to report emergency incidents without fear or favour.

  3. (a) Effective upon receipt of this minute, SAR situation reports are not to be transmitted to Lloyds, except where positive SAR1 action occurs.

  Reports in accordance with Ref. B (Paragraph 1.6.2) are to continue, however to clarify the situation, the term "wreck or casualty" does not include precautionary alerts or reports of vessel stoppages.

  (b) In accordance with Ref. A, SITREPS should normally only be sent when positive SAR action is taken or required; for example, precautionary alerts from an offshore installation or a report of a vessel stopped for mechanical repairs would not normally warrant a SITREP unless/until the situation deteriorated.

  5. In future, tighter control is to be maintained on the occasions when SAR SITREPs are released to external authorities. SWOs/DMTs/RDOs are to assess the requirements for SITREPs more rigorously, paying particularly attention to the SITREP address list.

  6. Morning reports to CGHQ should continue as per Ref. A. Where these are used for external distribution, they should be edited to reflect only those incidents where positive SAR action was taken.

  46

  7. This Coastguard Minute remains extant until superseded or incorporated into Coastguard Instructions.

  J ASTBURY

  Chief Coastguard

  15 July 1996

  Department of Transport—CG2 2/1/5/15

  Coastguard Minute 19/96 was circulated Distribution B;

  1 Positive SAR is where assets are mobilised and despatch to an incident.

  On-train Telephones
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that public on-train telephones are equipped with induction loops; and what steps his Department has taken in pursuing this matter with the Office of the Rail Regulator. [17931]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Regulator will be reviewing his Code of Practice for Disabled Passengers in the New Year; the revised Code will take account of the regulations made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The draft regulations include a proposal that on-train telephones are equipped with inductive couplers.

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the proposed regulations for railway rolling stock under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will ensure that public on-train telephones are equipped with induction loops. [17932]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are currently drawing up draft regulations for railway rolling stock under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. They will be issued for public consultation early in the New Year.

  The regulations cover a wide range of features to ensure that disabled people can travel on trains in safety and with reasonable comfort. The draft regulations include a proposal that public on-train telephones are equipped with inductive couplers.

  South Downs
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received about the protection of the South Downs; [17922]

  (2) when he plans to announce a decision about the future of the South Downs Conservation Board; [17923]

  (3) what representations he has received about the future of the South Downs Conservation Board. [17924]

  Angela Eagle
  Ministers have received a number of representations about the protection of the South Downs and about the future of the Sussex Downs Conservation Board. At our request, the Countryside Commission is carrying out the consultation on the long term arrangements for the South Downs. A conference was held in Brighton on 26 November to launch the consultation, at which it was announced that the consultation period has been extended to 1 February. Copies of the consultation document are available from the Countryside Commission's London office and from
  47
  libraries within the South Downs and surrounding towns. The Commission will analyse the responses and bring the results and advice to Ministers next spring.

  Port Control Inspections
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of(a) all foreign flag vessels, (b) oil tankers, (c) passenger ships and (d) bulk carriers were the subject of port state control inspections in United Kingdom ports in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996 and (iii) January to October 1997. [18189]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency, Mr. R. Bradley, to write to the hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. James Wallace, dated 1 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your Question about the inspection of foreign flag vessels
  Please find below the figures you requested. You will note that Marine Safety Agency statistics are compiled by financial year rather than by calendar year.

  Port state control inspections by ship type

  Per cent

  1995/6

  1996/7

  April-October 1997

  All foreign vessels

  30.6

  27.4

  25.9

  Oil tankers

  17.4

  15.8

  10.0

  Passenger ships

  71.8

  91.7

  85.7

  Bulk carriers

  65.3

  74.7

  74.8

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what United Kingdom port state control inspections of the vessel "Green Lily" have taken place since 1 January 1996. [18188]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency, Mr. R. Bradley, to write to the hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. James Wallace, dated 1 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your Question abut the vessel "Green Lily".
  Since 1 January 1996, "Green Lily" has been inspected once by the Marine Safety Agency. This inspection was conducted on 24 March 1997 at Hull. No deficiencies were noted.

  Alexandra Palace and Park
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the correspondence between his Department and the London Borough of Haringey since 1 January 1990 regarding Alexandra Palace and Park; and if he will make a statement. [18193]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Department has had a considerable volume of correspondence with Haringey over Alexandra Palace and Park in the last seven years. Much of its relates to a deficit of approximately £55 million which the authority has accrued in respect of the property. As such, a large part of the content of these 48
  letters is therefore commercially sensitive and is exempt from release to a third party under the Department's Code of Practice on Open Government.

  Identifying the correspondence and the information that is confidential would be time-consuming and could not be undertaken except at disproportionate cost.

  Driving Licences (Diabetics)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what medical conditions are specifically identified in legislation as preventing a person holding a licence enabling them to drive a vehicle in Groups C and D. [17392]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires the Secretary of State to refuse to grant a licence if he is satisfied that an applicant is suffering from a relevant disability. Relevant disabilities which are a bar to the holding of a Category C or D licence are:inability to read a number plate under prescribed conditions;
  eye abnormality which prevents a person from meeting prescribed visual acuity standards, or sight in one eye only;
  diabetes requiring insulin treatment;
  epileptic attack or treatment for epilepsy within the previous 10 years;
  liability to seizures other than as a result of epilepsy;
  liability to disabling giddiness or fainting, including as a result of an implanted electrical cardiac device;
  severe mental disorder;
  persistent misuse of alcohol or drugs;
  becoming a High Risk Offender as a result of disqualification for a drink/drive offence; and
  any other disability which is likely to lead to a danger to other road users.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications of the proposed restrictions on issuing driving licences to people with insulin-dependent diabetes on those whose current employment requires them to drive vehicles in Groups C and D; if he will review such restrictions to allow licences to be granted in very exceptional cases; and if he will make a statement. [17393]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Legislation has since 1991 prohibited the grant of category C and D licences—giving entitlement to lorries over 7.5 tonnes and buses with more than 16 seats—to insulin dependent diabetics. The provisions which come into force on 1 January 1998 apply only to those having entitlement to drive vehicles in category Cl (lorries up to 7.5 tonnes) and category D1 (minibuses) obtained through passing a test to drive cars. The D1 entitlement is qualified "Not for hire or reward" and holders should therefore not be employed as drivers. It is impossible to establish the number of people who are employed as drivers of Cl vehicles who are insulin-dependent. In any case a number of studies by experts in the field on the consequences of insulin treatment have shown that insulin treatment leads to a significant risk of hypoglycaemia. This can lead to loss of consciousness, as well as other effects such as diminished judgment. It is well established that hypoglycaemia can occur without
  49
  warning and a number of accidents have directly resulted from this. The Honorary Advisory Panel on Diabetes and Driving have advised that there are, in their judgment, no exceptional cases, and confirmed that granting licences to drive lorries up to 7.5 tonnes and minibuses to those who are insulin-dependent is not in the interests of road safety.

  Coastguard Reports
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions between 1 August 1996 and 31 October 1997 coastguard search-and-rescue situations reports were not released to Lloyd's List. [18192]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Social Services (Oxfordshire)
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received from Oxfordshire about the reductions in social service provision in the county. [18390]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My right hon. Friend has received a large number of representations about the funding of Oxfordshire County Council. Many of these have referred to proposals by the County Council to make reductions in its services, including social services.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Big Cats
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responsibility his Department has for monitoring sightings of big cats. [17874]

  Mr. Michael
  The Home Office has no responsibility for monitoring the sightings of big cats.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sightings of big cats have been reported to the police in Norfolk. [17875]

  Mr. Michael
  Since 1 July 1997, Norfolk Constabulary have received 54 reports of a "big cat", mostly sighted in the Norwich area.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it takes, on average, from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders, and for other young offenders. [18874]

  Mr. Straw
  Information on the time between arrest and sentence for young offenders is not available from historical records, as the previous Government did not collect data on time intervals from arrest. However, we have recently completed a survey of persistent young offenders dealt with by the youth justice system in 1996. That survey indicates that in 1996 the average time between arrest and sentence for persistent young offenders was 142 days.
  50
  An Audit Commission survey of 600 young offenders in 1996 suggests that the average time between arrest and sentence for all young offenders was 121 days1. The Time Intervals Survey, published by the Lord Chancellor's Department, indicates that in 1996 the average time from offence to completion for defendants in indictable cases dealt with by the Youth Court was 131 days. The White Paper "No More Excuses—A New Approach to Tackling Youth Crime in England and Wales" (Cm 3809) erroneously stated (paragraph 7.1) that this figure of 131 days was the average interval between arrest and sentence for a young offender.

  We are ensuring that systems are put in place to monitor the time between arrest and sentence in the future for persistent young offenders and other young offenders.

  Notes:

  1 Audit Commission, Misspent Youth: Young People and Crime, November 1996.

  2 Time Intervals for criminal proceedings in the magistrates' courts, Lord Chancellor's Department, March 1997 (Issue 1/97).

  Mukesh Gajjar
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the deportation order in the case of Mukesh Gajjar. [18316]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The decision not to revoke the deportation order against Mukesh Gajjar is currently under appeal to the Immigration Appellate Authority.

  Final Product Cosmetic Testing Ban
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of animal deaths, broken down by species, which will be averted by the voluntary ban on final product cosmetic testing on animals. [17885]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain, 1996" were laid in the House in July. Table 10 shows that 252 procedures were for the purpose of safety testing of finished cosmetic products, the category of tests covered by the voluntary ban. Table 10a shows that these involved 220 animals (34 rats, 162 guinea-pigs and 24 rabbits). Most of these animals would only have experienced low levels of suffering and would not have died as a result of the procedure.

  The ban on cosmetic product testing is an important first step. We announced on 6 November that we would also be exploring a ban on the testing of ingredients for "vanity" products and finished household products.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sri Lankan asylum seekers have been granted refugee status or leave to remain in the UK in the past 12 months(a) without the intervention of a special adjudicator and (b) following intervention by a special adjudicator. [17912]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  During the period 1 November 1996 to 31 October 1997, a total of 1,900 initial decisions, excluding dependants, were made on asylum applications
  51
  lodged by Sri Lankan nationals. Of these, 40 were to recognise the applicant as a refugee and grant asylum, 10 were to refuse asylum but grant exceptional leave (to enter/remain in the United Kingdom) and 1,850 were to refuse both asylum and exceptional leave.

  Provisional information indicates that, during the same time period, special adjudicators determined approximately 1,140 appeals lodged by Sri Lankan nationals against the refusal of asylum. Of these, an estimated 8 per cent. were allowed, 87 per cent. were dismissed and 5 per cent. were withdrawn.

  An allowed appeal does not necessarily result in an automatic grant of refugee status or a grant of exceptional, or other, leave to remain in the United Kingdom. In cases where the allowed appeal relates to an initial refusal of asylum on safe third country grounds, the Asylum Directorate will then usually consider the application substantively—any subsequent, adverse decision attracting a further right of appeal before the special adjudicator. Additionally, in cases where reasonable grounds exist, the Home Office may elect to challenge an adjudicator's determination by lodging an appeal with the Immigration Appeal Tribunal.

  I regret that a reliable breakdown of asylum decisions made following appeal determinations is not available.

  Prisons (Boards of Visitors Reports)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates of publication for each board of visitors annual report for 1996 and(a) each privately managed prison and (b) each publicly managed prison; and if he will make a statement. [18086]

  Ms Quin
  Each Board of Visitors has a statutory duty under Prison Rule 97 to report annually to the Home Secretary on the state of the prison and its administration and include advice and suggestions as they consider appropriate.

  Boards of Visitors Annual Reports are not published documents. They are made to the Secretary of State who permits the Board to publish their Annual Report, if they wish, subject to allowing a period of notice to elapse before publication and to removal of any material which is confidential.

  Fifty Boards have published their 1996 Annual Reports. The Boards and the publication dates of their Reports are as follows:

  Board

  Publication date

  Privately managed prisons

  Blakenhurst

  December 1996

  Wolds

  April 1997

  Publicly managed prisons

  Aldington

  January 1997

  Askham Grange

  February 1997

  Bedford

  May 1997

  Belmarsh

  February 1997

  Blantyre House

  February 1997

  Blundeston

  April 1997

  Bristol

  February 1997

  Brixton

  May 1997

  Bullwood Hall

  January 1997

  Channings Wood

  February 1997

  Chelmsford

  January 1997

  52

  Board

  Publication date

  Dartmoor

  January 1997

  Deerbolt

  January 1997

  Downview

  March 1997

  Drake Hall

  January 1997

  Erlestoke

  January 1997

  Exeter

  January 1997

  Feltham

  March 1997

  Ford

  February 1997

  Full Sutton

  January 1997

  Guys Marsh

  February 1997

  Haslar

  January 1997

  High Down

  February 1997

  Highpoint

  August 1997

  Hollesley Bay

  May 1997

  Holloway

  April 1997

  Hull

  January 1997

  Huntercombe

  May 1997

  Kingston

  April 1997

  Kirkham

  January 1997

  Lancaster Farms

  February 1997

  The Mount

  April 1997

  Northallerton

  January 1997

  Norwich

  April 1997

  Nottingham

  April 1997

  Pentonville

  April 1997

  Preston

  January 1997

  Send

  January 1997

  Swaleside

  March 1997

  Swansea

  May 1997

  The Verne

  April 1997

  Wandsworth

  April 1997

  Wayland

  August 1997

  Wetherby

  May 1997

  Whatton

  August 1997

  Whitemoor

  February 1997

  Winchester

  March 1997

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide details of the renewed contract between his Department and United Kingdom Detention Services Limited in respect of Her Majesty's Prison, Blakenhurst; and if he will make a statement. [18087]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend announced in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Hall) on 19 June 1997,Official Report, columns 247–49, that he would extend the contract for the management of Her Majesty's Prison, Blakenhurst by UKDS Limited for a further three years. The detailed contractual terms are being finalised and, as is usual for prison management contracts, a copy of the signed contract will be placed in the Library.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what occasions and on what basis the Prison Service Contracts and Competition Group has provided consultancy, advice and assistance to foreign governments and private contractors; what income has been received as a result on those occasions; and if he will make a statement. [18090]
  53
  Ms Quin
  Since 1995–97, members of the Prison Service Contracts and Competition Group (CCG) have met or provided information on request to officials of the following national governments:

  Australia

  Colombia

  Canada

  Fiji

  Israel

  Japan

  Trinidad and Tobago

  New Zealand

  United States of America

  Similar assistance has been provided to the following provincial or state governments or administrations:

  South Australia

  Western Australia

  Victoria

  New Brunswick

  Nova Scotia

  Ontario

  Oklahoma

  These contacts were either part of an itinerary of visits arranged by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, or, in the majority of cases, reflect the reciprocal exchange of information between the Prison Service and other prison services throughout the world.

  More extensive advice and assistance was provided this year to the Republic of South Africa in connection with its pilot programmed for the design, construction, management and financing (DCMF) by private contractors of 5,400 new prison places. The Head of CCG was an independent member of the evaluation panel that assessed application by contractors to prequalify to tender for these contracts. CCG also arranged a short briefing programmed in the United Kingdom, which included meetings with officials at the Treasury and staff of the Private Finance Panel Executive, for officials from the Republic of South Africa's ministries of Public Works, Corrections and Finance.

  There were no charges for such assistance; most of the meetings were of a short duration.

  Relations with private contractors are restricted to the administration of existing contracts and actions necessary for the procurement of future contracts.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much income the Prison Service received for staff recruitment advertisements placed in Prison Service publications by private prison and escort service operators in the last six financial years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [18091]

  Ms Quin
  Prison Service News has carried three such advertisements during the past two years, earning from them £990 in the financial year 1996–97 and £200 in the current financial year (to the end of October). There were no such advertisements placed in 1995–96, the only other year for which such detailed advertising records are available.
  54
  All income from such advertising is appropriated in aid of Prison Service expenditure through the Supply Estimates.

  Departmental Staff (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials in his Department and its agencies, in the grade of assistant secretary and above, or equivalent, took early retirement, in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; what is the estimated additional cost of those early retirements; how many in each year retired on(a) medical grounds and (b) grounds related to performance; how many were subsequently re-engaged for any period on a consultancy basis; and if he will make a statement. [18093]

  Mr. Straw
  Details of the number of officials in the grade of assistant secretary and above, or equivalent—now members of the Senior Civil Service—who retired early, including those leaving on medical grounds, are shown in the table. Information is available only for the last six years. During this period, no early retirements on grounds of performance are recorded.

  Number of officials in the Home Department (and agencies) at SCS level (previously grade 5 and above or equivalent) who have taken early retirement since 1992

  Year

  Total retiring early (number onill health grounds in brackets)

  1992

  1

  1993

  2

  1994

  6 (1)

  1995

  4

  1996

  119

  1997 (to end November)

  3 (2)

  1 Includes 18 early retirements resulting from loss of senior posts following Home Office Senior Management Review.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many public appointments he has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these(a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16780]

  Mr. Straw
  Since 1 May 1997, I have made 323 public appointments, of which 58 (18 per cent.) receive remuneration.

  The information about ethnic origin cannot be provided since to do so would risk identifying individuals without their consent. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has provided information for all Departments in an aggregated form.

  Private Prison Contracts
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will provide details of each default notice issued in the last two years for failure to comply with private prison contract conditions; and if he will make a statement; [18088]

  (2) if he will list the dates, amounts and details of the financial penalties incurred by private prison operators for contract failures; and if he will make a statement. [18089]
  55
  Ms Quin
  There have been two occasions when the contractors managing prisons were penalised financially. First, in February 1994, a payment of £41,167 (excluding value added tax) was withheld from UKDS Limited because of an incident at Her Majesty's Prison, Blakenhurst, which resulted in a temporary reduction in cell availability. Second, a deduction of £526 was made from payments due to Group 4 under the contractual performance measurement system for Her Majesty's Prison, Buckley Hall.

  Notices issued to contractors managing prisons when they fail to comply with their contract are now termed improvement notices; in the past, they have sometimes been described as cure or default notices. The number of and reasons for such notices issued to privately managed prisons since 1 November 1995 are set out in the table below.

  Prison

  Date

  Reason for notice

  Her Majesty's Prison Blakenhurst

  22 November 1995

  Failure to provide a full set of standing orders in the prison library

  3 September 1996

  Failure to maintain accurately prisoners' records

  25 March 1997

  Failure to provide meals for prisoners transferring to another prison

  Her Majesty's Prison Buckley Hall

  17 January 1996

  Failure to operate fully the personal officer scheme

  17 January 1996

  Failure to provide sufficient work opportunities

  15 August 1996

  Employment of three members of staff without security clearance

  10 April 1997

  Failure to comply with procedures laid down in the Security Manual

  6 November 1997

  Operation of prison shop by subcontractor without Her Majesty's Prison Service authorisation

  Her Majesty's Prison Doneaster

  —

  —

  Her Majesty's Prison Wolds

  —

  —

  Deaths in Custody
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the access by the family or representatives of a deceased prisoner to the Prison Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement. [18278]

  Ms Quin
  We have received one representom from the family of a prisoner who died in custody, and another from the campaigning group Inquest on behalf of the 56
  family of a prisoner who died in custody. Inquest have also raised the question of the Prison Ombudsman's remit separately with my right hon. Friend.

  The Prison Service already carries out an internal investigation into every death in custody and the Service is currently considering whether future reports should be made public. In light of the outcome of this review, we will consider whether there is a case for extending the Prison Ombudsman's remit.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths of prisoners have occurred at HMP Belmarsh, in the past year; what were the causes; and if he will make a statement. [18279]

  Ms Quin
  Four prisoners at Belmarsh prison have died in the past year. The inquest on one of these deaths was completed on 10 September 1997; the cause of death was hanging. The remaining inquests are outstanding; the cause of death in these cases has been initially classified as apparent suicide by hanging.

  Myra Hindley
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors lay behind his decision to keep Myra Hindley in prison for the rest of her life. [17720]

  Mr. Straw
  Following my reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Ms Jones) on 10 November 1997,Official Report, columns 419–20, about a revised policy on setting tariffs for mandatory life sentence prisoners, Myra Hindley's solicitors asked that I should indicate whether I proposed to stand by her present whole life tariff. I have looked at the papers considered by my predecessor, the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard), before he set her present whole life tariff. They include descriptions of the crimes for which she was convicted, the judicial comments made in her case, and her representations. I saw no reason to depart from his decision. Myra Hindley's solicitors wish to make further representations on the subject of whether her whole life tariff should be reduced by reason of "exceptional progress" by her. When I receive such representations, I shall consider them.

  Smoke Alarms
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the(a) desirability and (b) practicality of making the installation of smoke alarms in domestic dwellings mandatory; [17645]

  (2) what steps he is taking to encourage the installation of smoke alarms in domestic dwellings [17644]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government recognise the significant contribution made by smoke alarms to the protection of life and property. The installation of properly maintained smoke alarms in households has been the centrepiece of our efforts to reduce fire casulties for some time.

  Since 1992, the Building Regulations require all new dwellings in England and Wales to have a smoke alarm system installed. For existing properties, the policy has

  57
  been to ensure that people are aware of the potentially life saving benefits of smoke alarms; and to encourage them to install smoke alarms in their homes and maintain and test them regularly. These efforts, and those of brigades, increased ownership from 9 per cent. in 1987 to its present figure of 79 per cent.

  Our efforts on fire prevention certainly need to be redoubled. In this respect, I welcome the report earlier this month to my right hon. Friend from the Community Fire Safety Task Force. The Task Force considered the mandatory installation of smoke alarms, but felt this would not be practicable. However, they argued for the refocusing of the fire service towards prevention and set ambitious targets for reducing the incidence of fires, deaths and casualties in the home.

  There is clearly still more to be done to install smoke alarms in those households who are most vulnerable or at greatest risk of having a fire. The Task Force report identifies means of achieving this. We are consulting widely on their recommendations and in light of responses will decide on the way forward.

  Visitors' Visas
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish an independent appeals procedure for refusal of visitors' visas. [18317]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We are committed to providing a streamlined right of appeal for visitors denied a visa and we are examining the options for achieving this. We hope to make an announcement in due course.

  Voting Systems
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Independent Commission on the Voting System. [18561]

  Mr. Straw
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has today appointed Lord Jenkins of Hillhead to be the Chairman of the Independent Commission on the Voting System. The other members will be Lord Alexander of Weedon, Lady Gould of Potternewton, Sir John Chilcot and Mr. David Lipsey.

  The Commission's terms of reference will be:
  "The Commission shall be free to consider and recommend any appropriate system or combination of systems in recommending an alternative to the present system for Parliamentary elections to be put before the people in the Government's referendum.
  The Commission shall observe the requirement for broad proportionality, the need for stable government, an extension of voter choice and the maintenance of a link between hon. Members and geographical constituencies".

  Wholetime men as of 31 March 1997

  White

  Rank

  CFO

  ACO

  DACO

  SDO

  DO I

  DO II

  DC III

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LDG FF

  FF

  Avon

  1

  2

  0

  0

  6

  0

  9

  18

  54

  58

  78

  411

  Bedfordshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  4

  0

  4

  8

  25

  31

  42

  181

  Berkshire

  1

  3

  0

  0

  3

  6

  2

  10

  26

  54

  63

  245

  Buckinghamshire

  1

  2

  0

  2

  0

  5

  0

  10

  19

  38

  44

  177

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  2

  0

  1

  0

  6

  0

  9

  23

  28

  42

  140

  Cheshire

  1

  2

  0

  1

  3

  1

  9

  17

  47

  60

  86

  389

  Cleveland

  1

  2

  0

  4

  0

  5

  4

  12

  46

  59

  97

  392

  Cornwall

  1

  1

  0

  0

  3

  0

  4

  12

  15

  32

  22

  88

  58
  The Commission will begin its work early in the new year and has been asked to report within twelve months.

  Prisoners (Books and Magazines)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Prison Service's policy on the taking of books and magazines into prisons for inmates. [16181]

  Ms Quin
  The taking of books and magazines into prisons is covered by Prison Service policy on prisoners' property brought in on reception and visits, or sent in by post. Books or magazines of a category allowed by the local establishment may be handed in and then checked by the prison authorities before giving it to the prisoner. The Governor of each establishment has discretion to restrict the handing in of any property within the powers given by Prison Rules 41, 42 and 85 and Young Offender Institution Rules 45 and 69 (Copies available in the Library) to avoid, for example:

  (a) undermining the incentive and earned privileges scheme; or

  (b) compromising the security of establishments.

  The Governor of each establishment has complete discretion over the handing in of property. If, for security reasons, a particular prison restricts the handing in of property which prisoners may normally have in their possession, facilities will be made for prisoners to purchase these items either through the prison shop or through approved mail order arrangements by suing their private cash and/or earnings.

  It is planned to review existing policy on the handing in of prisoners' property during 1998–99.

  Fire Brigades
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a breakdown of the personnel of each fire brigade by ethnic origin, sex and grade. [17785]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: The Central Fire Brigades Advisory Councils' Joint Committee on Equal Opportunities produces an annual report which includes statistical information on fire brigade personnel. The Committee's Fourth annual report was published on 22 October 1997 and circulated to all fire authorities and brigades. I am placing a copy in the Library. The report includes data on personnel employed by fire brigades, analysed by gender and ethnic origin.

  The attached tables, based on recent statistical returns from fire brigades, provide a further breakdown, by rank, gender and ethnic origin, of uniformed personnel within the fire service for England and Wales for the year ending 31 March 1997. Copies of these have also been placed in the Library.
  59

  Wholetime men as of 31 March 1997

  White

  Rank

  CFO

  ACO

  DACO

  SDO

  DO I

  DO II

  DC III

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LDG FF

  FF

  Cumbria

  1

  1

  0

  2

  0

  3

  6

  12

  28

  30

  21

  175

  Derbyshire

  1

  2

  0

  0

  3

  1

  5

  12

  37

  49

  70

  275

  Devon

  1

  2

  0

  3

  0

  10

  0

  19

  52

  69

  53

  327

  Dorset

  1

  2

  0

  2

  0

  8

  0

  10

  21

  37

  35

  178

  Durham

  1

  2

  0

  3

  0

  5

  0

  11

  19

  49

  53

  262

  Essex

  1

  2

  0

  4

  0

  8

  0

  18

  67

  87

  136

  585

  Gloucestershire

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  4

  10

  14

  28

  23

  140

  Hampshire

  1

  2

  0

  7

  0

  15

  0

  21

  47

  96

  99

  481

  Hereford and Worcester

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  0

  5

  9

  25

  48

  44

  203

  Hertfordshire

  1

  3

  0

  0

  6

  0

  9

  9

  53

  80

  59

  357

  Humberside

  1

  3

  0

  0

  8

  0

  11

  19

  41

  71

  77

  470

  Kent

  1

  3

  0

  8

  0

  6

  7

  25

  70

  97

  143

  574

  Lancashire

  1

  1

  2

  4

  2

  12

  1

  23

  87

  110

  101

  619

  Leicestershire

  1

  2

  0

  4

  0

  6

  2

  6

  27

  36

  49

  272

  Lincoln

  1

  2

  0

  2

  0

  6

  1

  10

  23

  22

  23

  93

  Norfolk

  1

  1

  0

  0

  3

  0

  8

  13

  26

  31

  33

  171

  Northamptonshire

  1

  1

  0

  2

  0

  4

  0

  4

  24

  34

  32

  178

  Northumberland

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  4

  1

  8

  12

  27

  26

  121

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  3

  0

  2

  0

  9

  0

  12

  36

  81

  85

  356

  Oxfordshire

  1

  2

  0

  0

  3

  3

  3

  8

  29

  26

  25

  117

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  4

  Shropshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  2

  2

  0

  5

  15

  26

  32

  113

  Somerset

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  2

  4

  6

  17

  24

  18

  95

  Staffordshire

  1

  2

  0

  4

  0

  8

  0

  13

  33

  61

  75

  271

  Suffolk

  0

  3

  0

  1

  3

  2

  0

  20

  20

  31

  29

  146

  Surrey

  1

  2

  0

  3

  0

  7

  0

  19

  41

  91

  82

  470

  East Sussex

  1

  2

  0

  3

  2

  4

  0

  14

  30

  50

  68

  255

  West Sussex

  1

  2

  0

  1

  2

  2

  8

  12

  33

  42

  61

  222

  Warwickshire

  1

  2

  0

  1

  1

  1

  4

  7

  21

  30

  53

  184

  Isle of Wight

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  3

  5

  6

  6

  31

  Wiltshire

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  5

  1

  12

  19

  24

  25

  17

  North Yorkshire

  1

  2

  0

  0

  5

  2

  5

  16

  23

  36

  50

  219

  Total 1997

  38

  72

  5

  68

  66

  159

  118

  482

  1,251

  1,891

  2,160

  10,104

  Greater Manchester

  1

  5

  0

  7

  7

  5

  31

  53

  183

  210

  169

  1,487

  Merseyside

  1

  3

  0

  5

  1

  9

  9

  23

  120

  182

  166

  959

  Tyne and Wear

  1

  3

  0

  5

  0

  10

  19

  3

  112

  103

  153

  620

  West Midlands1

  1

  4

  0

  8

  5

  9

  8

  32

  211

  214

  201

  1,302

  South Yorkshire

  1

  3

  0

  4

  0

  2

  4

  16

  74

  111

  118

  548

  West Yorkshire

  1

  4

  0

  4

  0

  17

  0

  30

  143

  179

  237

  1,106

  London

  1

  7

  2

  11

  13

  51

  9

  106

  445

  489

  559

  3,951

  Total 1997

  7

  29

  2

  44

  26

  103

  80

  263

  1,288

  1,488

  1,603

  9,973

  Mid and West Wales

  1

  3

  0

  3

  3

  7

  4

  16

  52

  60

  52

  299

  North Wales1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  4

  4

  7

  9

  24

  35

  35

  160

  South Wales

  1

  3

  0

  6

  2

  10

  0

  21

  77

  113

  97

  597

  Total 1997

  3

  7

  1

  10

  9

  21

  11

  46

  153

  208

  184

  1,056

  Grand Total 1997

  48

  108

  8

  122

  101

  283

  209

  791

  2,692

  3,587

  3,947

  21,133

  1 Includes DFCO.

  From the rank of CFO to SDO there is a total of 1 from the ethnic minorities: there is 1 "Asian" SDO in the West Midlands Fire Service.

  Black

  Rank

  DO II

  DO III

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LDG FF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  3

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  3

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Devon

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  60 61

  Black

  Rank

  DO II

  DO III

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LDG FF

  FF

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  Lincoln

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  5

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  2

  3

  2

  4

  44

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  9

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  27

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  6

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  6

  London11

  0

  0

  1

  2

  5

  7

  132

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  3

  3

  6

  14

  184

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Wales1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Grand total 1997

  0

  0

  5

  6

  8

  18

  231

  1 Includes DFCO. From the rank of CFO to SDO there is a total of 1 from the ethnic minorities: There is 1 "Asian" SDO in the West Midlands Fire Service.

  Asian

  Rank

  DO II

  DO III

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LDG FF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  Devon

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  Lincoln

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  62 63

  Asian

  Rank

  DO II

  DO III

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LDG FF

  FF

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  1

  15

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  London1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  17

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  28

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Wales1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Grand total 1997

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  4

  44

  1 Includes DFCO. From the rank of CFO to SDO there is a total of one from the ethnic minorities: There is one "Asian" SDO in the West Midlands Fire Service.

  Other

  Rank

  DO II

  DO III

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LDGFF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Cleveland

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  2

  0

  2

  8

  4

  11

  41

  Lincoln

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  64 65

  Other

  Rank

  DO II

  DO III

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LDG FF

  FF

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  2

  1

  4

  9

  4

  13

  64

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  13

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  3

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  London1

  0

  0

  2

  3

  3

  4

  55

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  2

  3

  5

  4

  76

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Wales1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Grand total 1997

  2

  1

  6

  12

  9

  17

  140

  1 Includes DFCO. From the rank of CFO to SDO there is a total of 1 from the ethnic minorities: There is 1 "Asian" SDO in the West Midlands Fire Service.

  Wholetime women as of 31 March 1997

  White

  Rank

  CFO

  ACO

  DACO

  SDO

  DO I

  DO II

  DO III

  ADO

  STNO

  SUBO

  LOG FF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  7

  Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Lincoln

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  9

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  66 67

  Wholetime women as of 31 March 1997

  White

  Rank

  CFO

  ACO

  DACO

  SDO

  DO I

  DO II

  DO III

  ADO

  STN 0

  SUB 0

  LDG FF

  FF

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  119

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  0

  0

  6

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  43

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  3

  2

  59

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Grand total 1997

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  4

  5

  4

  184

  There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of firefighter.

  Black

  Rank

  LDG FF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  Devon

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  1

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertforshire

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  Lincoln

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  1

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  68

  Black

  Rank

  LDG FF

  FF

  West Midlands

  0

  1

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  London

  0

  7

  Total 1997

  0

  8

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  North Wales

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  Grand Total

  0

  9

  There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of firefighter.

  Asian

  Rank

  LDG FF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  Devon

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  Lincoln

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  69

  Asian

  Rank

  LDGFF

  FF

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  London

  0

  1

  Total 1997

  0

  1

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  North Wales

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  Grand Total 1997

  0

  1

  There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of firefighter.

  Other

  Rank

  LDG FF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  Devon

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  Lincoln

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  70

  Other

  Rank

  LDG FF

  FF

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  London

  0

  4

  Total 1997

  0

  4

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  North Wales

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  Grand Total

  0

  4

  There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of firefighter.

  Retained women as of 31 March 1997

  White

  Rank

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LDG FF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  14

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  12

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  71

  Retained women as of 31 March 1997

  White

  Rank

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LDG FF

  FF

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  0

  6

  169

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Mersey side1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  London1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  0

  0

  16

  Grand total

  0

  0

  0

  7

  188

  1 No retained service. There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of firefighter.

  Black

  Rank

  Number

  Avon

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  Berkshire

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  Devon

  1

  Dorset

  0

  Durham

  0

  Essex

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  Humberside

  0

  Kent

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  Somerset

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  Surrey

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  72

  Black

  Rank

  Number

  Isle of Wight

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  Total 1997

  1

  Greater Manchester

  0

  Merseyside1

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  London1

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  Mid and West Wales

  1

  North Wales

  0

  South Wales

  0

  Total 1997

  1

  Grand total 1997

  2

  1 No retained service. There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of firefighter.

  Asian

  Rank

  Number

  Avon

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  Berkshire

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  Devon

  0

  Dorset

  0

  Durham

  0

  Essex

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  Humberside

  0

  Kent

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  Somerset

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  Surrey

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  73

  Asian

  Rank

  Number

  Greater Manchester

  0

  Merseyside1

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  London1

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  North Wales

  0

  South Wales

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  Grand total 1997

  0

  1 No retained service. There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of firefighter.

  Other

  Rank

  Number

  Avon

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  Berkshire

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  Devon

  0

  Dorset

  0

  Durham

  0

  Essex

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  Humberside

  0

  Kent

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  Somerset

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  Surrey

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  Greater Manchester

  0

  Merseyside1

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  74

  Other

  Rank

  Number

  West Yorkshire

  0

  London1

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  North Wales

  0

  South Wales

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  Grand total 1997

  0

  1 No retained service. There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of firefighter.

  Retained men as of 31 March 1997

  White

  Rank

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LOG FF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  8

  14

  32

  157

  Bedfordshire

  0

  8

  8

  16

  101

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  13

  28

  119

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  1

  13

  36

  149

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  31

  75

  228

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  9

  34

  142

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  6

  12

  66

  Cornwall

  0

  24

  31

  47

  313

  Cumbria

  0

  7

  43

  72

  429

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  27

  64

  293

  Devon

  0

  14

  68

  111

  470

  Dorset

  0

  9

  24

  67

  236

  Durham

  0

  2

  14

  30

  108

  Essex

  0

  10

  33

  73

  342

  Gloucestershire

  0

  7

  25

  48

  195

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  49

  112

  537

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  25

  55

  250

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  22

  42

  189

  Humberside

  0

  0

  21

  49

  221

  Kent

  0

  0

  42

  105

  584

  Lancashire

  0

  6

  32

  57

  285

  Leicestershire

  0

  3

  16

  35

  152

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  34

  80

  314

  Norfolk

  0

  6

  38

  84

  299

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  17

  34

  135

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  13

  28

  132

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  21

  60

  232

  Oxfordshire

  0

  4

  23

  51

  182

  Isles of Scilly

  1

  1

  1

  6

  25

  Shropshire

  0

  5

  22

  50

  194

  Somerset

  0

  20

  15

  46

  293

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  17

  61

  260

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  36

  79

  303

  Surrey

  0

  3

  9

  18

  103

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  13

  44

  182

  West Sussex

  0

  15

  19

  75

  238

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  13

  34

  146

  Isle of Wight

  0

  9

  13

  25

  114

  Wiltshire

  0

  4

  19

  60

  229

  North Yorkshire

  0

  4

  26

  66

  271

  Sub total

  1

  170

  915

  2,101

  9,218

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  4

  8

  42

  Merseyside1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  2

  4

  16

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  1

  2

  9

  South Yorkshire

  0

  2

  5

  9

  51

  West Yorkshire

  0

  4

  11

  26

  137

  London11

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sub total

  0

  6

  23

  49

  255

  75

  Retained men as of 31 March 1997

  White

  Rank

  ADO

  STN O

  SUB O

  LDG FF

  FF

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  5

  51

  98

  484

  North Wales

  0

  21

  44

  90

  392

  South Wales

  0

  3

  29

  70

  292

  Sub total

  0

  29

  124

  258

  1,168

  Grand total 1997

  1

  205

  1,062

  2,408

  10,641

  1 No retained service. From the rank of ADO to Sub O there are a total of two from ethnic minorities: There is one "black" Stn O in the Dorset Fire Service. There is one "other" SubO in the Northamptonshire Fire Service.

  Black

  Rank

  LDG FF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  Berkshire

  1

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  Devon

  0

  1

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  1

  Hertfordshire

  0

  1

  Humberside

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  1

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  2

  Oxfordshire

  0

  1

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  3

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  1

  Warwickshire

  0

  2

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  2

  North Yorkshire

  0

  1

  Sub total

  1

  17

  Greater Manchester

  0

  1

  Merseyside1

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  London1

  0

  0

  Sub total

  0

  1

  76

  Black

  Rank

  LDG FF

  FF

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  North Wales

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  Sub total

  0

  0

  Grand total 1997

  1

  18

  1 No Retained Service. From the rank of ADO to Sub O there are a total of two from ethnic minorities: There is one "Black" Stn O in the Dorset Fire Service. There is one "Other" Sub O in the Northamptonshire Fire Service.

  Asian

  Rank

  LDG FF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  1

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  Devon

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  1

  Essex

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  1

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  1

  Lancashire

  0

  3

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  1

  Norfolk

  0

  1

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  1

  Staffordshire

  0

  1

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  1

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  Sub total

  0

  12

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  Merseyside1

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  London1

  0

  0

  Sub total

  0

  0

  77

  Asian

  Rank

  LDG FF

  FF

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  North Wales

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  1

  Sub total

  0

  1

  Grand total 1997

  0

  13

  1 No Retained Service. From the rank of ADO to Sub O there are a total of two from ethnic minorities: There is one "Black" Stn O in the Dorset Fire Service. There is one "Other" Sub O in the Northamptonshire Fire Service.

  Other

  Rank

  LDGFF

  FF

  Avon

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  1

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  1

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  Devon

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  2

  Durham

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  1

  19

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  1

  Northamptonshire

  3

  27

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  8

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  2

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  Sub total

  4

  61

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  Merseyside1

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  London1

  0

  0

  Sub total

  0

  0

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  78

  Other

  Rank

  LDGFF

  FF

  North Wales

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  Sub total

  0

  0

  Grand total 1997

  4

  61

  1 No Retained Service. From the rank of ADO to Sub O there are a total two from ethnic minorities. There is one "Black" Stn O in the Dorset Fire Service. There is one "Other" Sub O in the Northamptonshire Fire Service.

  Control room women as of 31 March 1997

  White

  Rank

  PFCO

  GFCO

  FCO

  SFCOp

  LFCOp

  FCOp

  Avon

  0

  0

  2

  0

  5

  8

  Bedfordshire

  1

  1

  0

  4

  3

  8

  Berkshire

  0

  1

  0

  0

  3

  9

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  3

  4

  10

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  1

  0

  4

  4

  13

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  2

  1

  1

  13

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  1

  3

  6

  13

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  7

  Derbyshire

  0

  1

  4

  2

  1

  9

  Devon

  0

  0

  4

  1

  4

  11

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  10

  Durham

  0

  0

  1

  5

  4

  16

  Essex

  1

  1

  4

  6

  8

  36

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  1

  2

  4

  9

  Hampshire

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  12

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  1

  4

  3

  12

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  14

  Humberside

  0

  0

  2

  3

  2

  12

  Kent

  0

  1

  4

  5

  8

  20

  Lancashire

  1

  0

  4

  4

  7

  23

  Leicestershire

  0

  1

  2

  1

  3

  8

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  1

  5

  4

  11

  Norfolk

  1

  0

  2

  2

  3

  8

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  7

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  1

  4

  4

  8

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  1

  3

  4

  3

  9

  Oxfordshire

  0

  1

  0

  3

  2

  9

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  4

  4

  8

  Staffordshire

  1

  0

  4

  3

  8

  10

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  1

  3

  3

  11

  Surrey

  0

  1

  4

  4

  4

  13

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  9

  West Sussex

  1

  0

  1

  3

  8

  10

  Warkwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  4

  3

  6

  Isle of Wight.

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  7

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  1

  4

  3

  11

  Total 1997

  6

  11

  52

  102

  134

  417

  Greater Manchester

  1

  6

  4

  8

  5

  44

  Merseyside

  1

  1

  5

  10

  10

  30

  Tyne and Wear

  1

  0

  4

  3

  5

  16

  West Midlands

  1

  2

  7

  8

  14

  31

  South Yorkshire

  1

  0

  4

  3

  3

  12

  West Yorkshire

  0

  2

  0

  1

  4

  21

  London

  0

  0

  0

  2

  7

  61

  Total 1997

  5

  11

  24

  35

  48

  215

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  1

  2

  6

  9

  13

  79

  Control room women as of 31 March 1997

  White

  Rank

  PFCO

  GFCO

  FCO

  SFCOp

  LFCOp

  FCOp

  North Wales

  0

  0

  2

  4

  8

  23

  South Wales

  0

  1

  5

  14

  13

  25

  Total 1997

  0

  2

  9

  24

  30

  61

  Grand total 1997

  11

  24

  85

  161

  212

  693

  No control room staff in the Isles of Scilly Fire Brigade. There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of LFCOp.

  Black

  Rank

  LFCOp

  FCOp

  Avon

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  1

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  Devon

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  1

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  2

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  2

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  London

  0

  2

  Total 1997

  0

  4

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  80

  Black

  Rank

  LFCOp

  FCOp

  North Wales

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  Grand total 1997

  0

  6

  No control room staff in the Isles of Scilly Fire Brigade. There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of LFCOp

  Asian

  Rank

  LFCOp

  FCOp

  Avon

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  1

  1

  Devon

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  1

  1

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  London

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  81

  Asian

  Rank

  LFCOp

  FCOp

  North Wales

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  Grand total 1997

  1

  1

  No control room staff in the Isles of Scilly Fire Brigade. There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of LFCOp.

  Other

  Rank

  LFCOp

  FCOp

  Avon

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  Devon

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  Humberside

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  1

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  1

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  London

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  North Wales

  0

  0

  South Wales

  0

  0

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  Grand total 1997

  0

  1

  No control room staff in the Isles of Scilly Fire Brigade. There are no women from ethnic minorities above the rank of LFCOp.
  82

  Control room men as of 31 March 1997

  White

  Rank

  PFCO

  GFCO

  FCO

  SECOp

  LECOp

  FCOp

  Avon

  0

  1

  2

  5

  3

  4

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  Berkshire

  0

  0

  1

  4

  4

  3

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  2

  3

  3

  4

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  1

  4

  5

  2

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  1

  3

  2

  1

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  1

  2

  2

  2

  Devon

  0

  1

  1

  3

  0

  2

  Dorset

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  Hampshire

  1

  0

  3

  6

  0

  7

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Hertfordshire

  0

  1

  3

  3

  0

  1

  Humberside

  0

  1

  2

  1

  2

  5

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  3

  2

  1

  1

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  2

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Oxfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  1

  5

  3

  4

  Somerset

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  1

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  1

  2

  3

  6

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  2

  4

  1

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  1

  2

  2

  1

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Total 1997

  1

  5

  33

  73

  47

  68

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  1

  0

  1

  3

  4

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  3

  1

  4

  West Yorkshire

  1

  0

  4

  3

  5

  10

  London

  0

  1

  4

  9

  11

  13

  Total 1997

  1

  2

  8

  16

  21

  38

  Mid and West Wales

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  10

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Total 1997

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  14

  Grand total 1997

  2

  7

  42

  92

  69

  120

  No control room staff in the Isles of Scilly Fire Brigade. From the rank of PFCO to FCOp there are a total of 2 from ethnic minorities: There is 1 "Black" FCOp in the London Fire Brigade. There is 1 "Other" FCOp in the Hertfordshire Fire Service.

  "Corpus Juris"
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 28 October 1997,Official Report, column 778, concerning the document "Corpus Juris", under what authority and terms of reference and for what reason this paper was produced; and by what Ministerial Council of the Community and under which article or treaty any formal proposal would be made. [17319]
  83
  Mr. Michael
  I have no information about the provenance of the document beyond the fact, which is stated in the introduction to the document and was referred to by my hon. Friend in his earlier question, that the work was done by researchers at the request of the Director General for Financial Control of the European Commission.

  As has been made clear, the paper has no status beyond that of a possible discussion document, for the commissioning of which no formal Treaty base is required. None of the recommendations has been formally proposed in the Council, nor has the paper itself been formally presented to or discussed in any European Union forum. If the Commission were formally to table proposals arising from the text, it would be for it alone to decide where, and on which Treaty base, to introduce them; that would clearly depend on the content of such proposals. In some areas to which the text refers, e.g. police and judicial co-operation, the Commission

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom from nationals of Nigeria, excluding dependants, initial decisions1,2,3, and
  removals/voluntary departures, for the years 1987 to 1996 and 1997 (January to October)

  Number of principal applicants

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  41997

  Asylum applications1

  10

  10

  20

  135

  335

  615

  1,665

  4,340

  5,825

  2,900

  1,290

  Decisions1,2,3

  10

  10

  5

  15

  25

  210

  360

  1,495

  2,630

  5,145

  3,855

  Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  *

  *

  15

  40

  Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave to remain

  5

  5

  *

  —

  —

  *

  10

  5

  5

  10

  30

  Refused asylum and exceptional leave to remain

  5

  5

  5

  15

  25

  210

  350

  1,485

  2,625

  5,120

  3,785

  Applications outstanding (at end of year)

  n/a

  n/a

  40

  160

  450

  870

  2,455

  5,100

  7,940

  5,225

  52,680

  Removal6

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  65

  105

  190

  285

  395

  430

  Port7

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  50

  75

  125

  190

  215

  185

  Third country

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  15

  30

  40

  35

  30

  Substantive

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  60

  90

  150

  185

  155

  In country8

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  15

  30

  70

  95

  180

  245

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5 with "*"= 1 or 2 and "n/a"= not available.

  2 Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications made in same year.

  3 Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

  4 Provisional. January to October.

  5 Relates to position at end of September 1997.

  6 Refused asylum seekers removed from the United Kingdom-includes persons removed to countries other than those of their nationality.

  7 Includes any voluntary departure up to and including notification of the decision on the asylum application but excludes any subsequent departure.

  8 Includes removals under enforcement powers and those departing voluntarily following enforcement action but excludes all other voluntary departures.

  Campsfield Detention Centre
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been charged following incidents in Campsfield Detention Centre last August; and if he will make a statement. [18079]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Following the disturbances at Campsfield House detention centre on 20 August, a thorough investigation of the events was conducted by Thames Valley Police. Thirteen detainees were charged initially with violent disorder. Twelve were remanded in prison custody and one was granted bail. On 12 November, charges against four of the detainees were dropped and they were returned to immigration detention.
  84
  does not have any formal right of initiative. Any proposal in these areas would therefore need to be presented by a member state.

  Since the document covers issues which span the First and Third Pillars of the Treaty on European Union. I do not think I can usefully speculate about which article might be used if a formal proposal were made or which Ministerial Council might be involved.

  Asylum Seekers (Nigeria)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants for asylum from Nigeria have(a) been granted refugee status, (b) been given exceptional leave to remain, (c) not yet had their application determined and (d) been removed to Nigeria for each of the last 10 years and for 1997 to the latest available date. [18101]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is given in the table.

  The remainder have now been charged with riot. They appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court on 28 November and were remanded to reappear in January 1998.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of damage to Campsfield Detention Centre following incidents in August. [18077]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The insurance assessors have estimated the total cost of the damage to Campsfield House to be £175,000.

  Immigration (English Channel)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department has issued to(a) ferry and (b) Channel Tunnel Operators concerning the stamping of passports of passengers; and if he will make a statement. [18075]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No official written guidance has been provided by the United Kingdom Passport Agency on the practice of stamping passengers' passports. I fully support the ferry and Channel Tunnel operators in their efforts to deal effectively with the unacceptable behaviour of certain passengers but the private stamping of passports by the ferry companies is an unorthodox approach which we have not sanctioned.

  Immigration Detention
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is offered to security companies undertaking administration of immigration detention on behalf of the Immigration Service. [18099]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  All Group 4 Total Security Ltd. and Wackenhut (United Kingdom) Ltd. staff employed under contract to provide detention management services are required to undergo a comprehensive training programmed. This programme includes an immigration induction course; race awareness; self injury and suicide prevention; health and safety; control and restraint; first aid; domestic management; the welfare of and duty of care towards immigration detainees. Refresher training is provided after one year's service and at yearly intervals thereafter.

  Protection from Harassment
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the rules of court to be completed for section 3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997; and if he will make a statement. [17738]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have been asked to reply.

  Section 3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 introduces, amongst other things, the power for a civil court to grant relief to a victim of harassment by way of an injunction and whereby the breach of an injunction granted by that civil court may be dealt with as a criminal offence. Subsections 3(1) and 3(2) are in force, and breach of an injunction made under those subsections may at present be punished as a contempt of court by up to two years' imprisonment. Rules and forms for subsections 3(3)-3(9) have been drafted for use by the High Court, county courts, the Crown Court and magistrates' courts to ensure that the process of treating a breach as a criminal offence works effectively. Consultation on these is under way and, as soon as it is complete, the outstanding subsections will be commenced.

WALES

  Capital Expenditure (Cardiff)
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the level of publicly 86
  funded capital expenditure in the Cardiff County Council area in (a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97; and what's the planned expenditure for 1997–98. [17575]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  These figures are not held centrally but the principal sums made available or committed over the past three years, totalling £376.4 million, include the following:

  £ million

  CBDC

  232.0

  ERDF

  9.5

  WDA

  2.5

  Transport grant

  10.3

  Millennium Commission

  73.0

  SportsLot

  13.9

  Welsh Arts Lottery Fund

  17.3

  SDS/Welsh Capital Challenge

  9.4

  Wales Tourist Board

  0.7

  CADW

  0.3

  Heritage Lottery

  0.4

  Top Slice housing SCA

  7.1

  These figures exclude sums made available through basic credit approvals, expenditure on further and higher education and more general housing provision.

HEALTH

  Appointments
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) all those people he has appointed since taking office, (b) the offices to which he has appointed them, (c) the period of office for which they have each been appointed and (d) the political party allegiance or membership of each of their appointees and the date of appointment where this is known. [18556]

  Mr. Milburn
  Most of the information requested by the hon. Member is collected by the Department but it will take a little time to assemble. I will write to him immediately it is available. However, we will be unable to provide information on the political allegiance or party membership of candidates for National Health Service appointments as this is not collected by the Department. We will be able to provide information on the political activity of candidates, as defined by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Commissioner's guidance requires candidates for appointment to NHS boards to make a declaration about any significant political activity in the last 5 years. Significant political activity is defined as activities that are a matter of public record such as office holding in, public speaking in support of, or candidature on behalf of a political party (or affiliated body) which fields candidates at local or national elections.

  Child Labour
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce ILO conventions into British law in respect of child labour. [18070]
  87
  Mr. Boateng
  The Government fully support the efforts of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in tackling the problem of child labour. The United Kingdom is party to a number of ILO Conventions which deal with the minimum age for admission to employment and has launched an urgent review of what is involved in order to ratify the core Convention (No. 138) in this area. The UK welcomes the discussions planned for next year's ILO Conference aimed at drawing up a new Convention specifically designed to tackle the most abhorrent forms of child labour.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning child labour legislation from local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [18078]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have received few representations from local authorities about the law on children's employment. We intend to announce our plans shortly.

  Read Codes
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the figures for the last five financial years on capital expenditure and revenue in respect of(a) version 2 and (b) version 3 of the Read Codes. [18533]

  Mr. Milburn
  Version 3 of the Read Codes was developed by the Clinical Terms Projects. The relevant costs are as follows:

  £million

  Revenue

  Capital

  1992–93

  1.1

  Nil

  1993–94

  2.1

  Nil

  1994–95

  0.5

  Nil

  Total

  3.7

  Nil

  Although the Clinical Terms Projects ended in 1995, during 1994–95 and 1995–96 significant numbers of new Read Codes were added to version 3 as part of routine maintenance. The costs were as follows:

  £ million

  Revenue

  Capital

  1994–95

  0.7

  Nil

  1995–96

  0.7

  Nil

  Total

  1.4

  Nil

  Since 1996 maintenance of new Read Codes version 3 has stabilised. Maintenance of all versions is now part of the baseline activity of the NHS Centre for Coding and Classification. It is not possible retrospectively to break down its baseline budgets into separate capital and revenue figures for the maintenance of each version of the Read Codes.

  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total licence income from all NHS sources to Computer Aided Medical Systems Ltd. in each financial year since 1991–92; and what proportion of this income was derived from Read Codes version 3. [18534]
  88
  Mr. Milburn
  The revenues for National Health Service licences paid to Computer Aided Medical Systems Ltd. up to 1995–96 are as follows:

  £

  April 1991 to September 1992 (18 months)

  1,530,900

  October 1992 to September 1993

  1,286,912

  October 1993 to September 1994

  1,572,877

  October 1994 to September 1995

  1,684,016

  October 1995 to September 1996

  1,615,189

  The relevant accounts for the year 1996–97 are not yet available.

  The National Health Service Read Code licence covers the use of all versions of the Read Codes and it is not possible to estimate what proportion of the above income was derived from Read Codes version 3.

  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from NHS clinicians in relation to Read Codes version 3; and what assessment he has made of the degree of clinician support for the viability of that version. [18535]

  Mr. Milburn
  In 1994 the clinical professional bodies wrote formally to the National Health Service Executive supporting the use of the Read Coded Clinical terms as recommended clinical dictionary to underpin all clinical information systems and communication in the NHS.

  A review of the Information Management and Technology Strategy for the NHS is currently in progress and this will include a proposal for the future role of version 3 of the Read Codes.

  Bereavement Services
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those NHS trust hospitals which employ a(a) full-time or (b) part-time bereavement officer or counsellor. [18295]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not held centrally. Bereavement counselling is undertaken by a variety of different people, depending on who within the hospital is trained to undertake the work. This may be a psychologist, a nurse trained in bereavement counselling or a counsellor called in from the community.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list(a) those hospitals which have contracted out their bereavement services to the private sector and (b) the names of the trading companies and their parent companies which have been awarded the bereavement services contracts; [18296]

  (2) if he will list (a) those NHS hospitals whose bereavement officers are employees of funeral director companies and (b) trading companies and the parent companies involved. [18297]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Health Service Executive market testing database has a record of one NHS trust, the Central Middlesex Hospital, which has contracted out its bereavement and mortuary services (but not its bereavement counselling). This contract was awarded to
  89
  Associated Funeral Directors whose parent company is Service Corporation International plc. The bereavement officer is an employee of Associated Funeral Directors.

  Mentally Ill People
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the £300 million extra funds for the National Health Service this winter will be spent on provision for the mentally ill. [18373]

  Mr. Milburn
  Details of the purposes to which the extra funds are to be put are contained in the Executive Letter EL(97)64, copies of which are available in the Library. Details of the amounts allocated to specific service areas are not held centrally.

  Social Services (Oxfordshire)
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received from Oxfordshire about reductions in social services provision in the county. [18389]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Director of Social Services for Oxfordshire wrote on behalf of the Social Services Committee to express concern about budget reductions on the provision of Social Services on Oxfordshire. Ministers will be responding shortly.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Wealth Warnings (Consultation)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the consultation paper on wealth warnings will be issued. [14436]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]: I will publish a consultation paper on simplification and clarification of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 shortly. This will include a proposal on wealth warnings.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of how many computer systems will be made redundant by the century date change; if she has had discussions and issued guidelines on arrangements for their disposal or redeployment; and if she will make a statement. [17427]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have made no assessment and issued no guidelines. I understand that relatively few systems will be made redundant. Most affected systems can be upgraded, some by reworking existing software or electronic components and others by replacing inadequate software or components.

  Action 2000, the new initiative set up by this Government and chaired by Don Cruickshank, Director General of OFTEL, will be signposting business to information to help them address such issues.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mrs. May
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with relevant representative 90
  bodies on the reporting requirements for companies during the transition phase of economic and monetary union. [17141]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The question of the currency in which company accounts may be drawn up, whether or not the United Kingdom were to participate in European Monetary Union, has been discussed during the course of meetings between my officials and a range of representative bodies. The question was also touched upon by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his speech to the CBI on 10 November 1997.

  Funerals
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people have brought pre-paid funerals in the last two years. [17940]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  On the basis of information obtained during consultation it is estimated that to date up to 200,000 pre-paid funerals have been sold in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 19 November 1997,Official Report, column 191, if she will list the undertakings given by (a) the Co-operative Wholesale Society and (b) Service Corporation International to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, together with the dates by which (i) each undertaking was to be carried out and (ii) each undertaking was carried out. [18036]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: On 7 December 1987 the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry accepted undertakings from the Co-operative Wholesale Society Limited (CWS) that it would before 21 October 1988 (or such later date as the Secretary of State might agree) sell either all the funeral businesses acquired from House of Fraser plc, or alternatively the businesses in those areas affected by the merger, as going concerns to a person other than a CWS subsidiary or certain retail societies. CWS also undertook to keep the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) informed as to its progress in divesting itself of the businesses. The four businesses situated in the areas most affected by the merger (Aberdeen, Falkirk and Perth) were sold by CWS on 22 April 1988.

  CWS also undertook to notify the DGFT before it acquires any enterprise carrying on the business of a funeral undertaker in Scotland; and that it will not refuse to supply coffins on normal commercial terms to any funeral undertaker in Scotland. These undertakings are on-going.

  On 18 December 1996, the then Minister for Corporate and Consumer Affairs accepted undertakings given by Service Corporation International (SCI). SCI undertook, within six months of the date of the undertaking:
  (a) to reduce its market share to no more than 25 per cent. by selling funeral directors' businesses in Brighton and Hove, Camberwell, Chiswick, Eastbourne and Sidcup (in relation to Chiswick, the sale of either of two specified SCI branches in that locality would be deemed to comply with this undertaking);

  91
  (b) where it had a market share of more than 25 per cent. before the merger, to sell the funeral directors' businesses it acquired from Plantsbrook Group plc in Battersea, Bromley, Crawley, Fulham and Putney;

  The divestment required under (a) and (b) took place on 4 April 1997.

  SCI further undertook:
  (c) not to acquire any further funeral directing businesses within the ten localities without the DGFT's prior approval;
  (d) to disclose its ownership of funeral directing businesses prominently at the premises, in documentation given to customers, and in all advertisements or other promotional material used in connection with those businesses (for those SCI funeral businesses situated in the area examined by the MMC);
  (e) to display prominently details of competing crematoria at every SCI funeral directing branch in the area of an SCI crematorium;
  (f) not to discriminate in the prices charged for crematorium services between its own and other funeral directing businesses; and?
  (g) to provide customers with a list of prices of competing crematoria where, in the area examined by the MMC, an SCI funeral directing business is situated within 20 miles of an SCI crematorium.

  Undertakings (c) to (g) are on-going.

  On 3 November 1997 I accepted a variation to the undertakings given by SCI to allow it to acquire Birkbeck Securities Ltd. (Birkbeck) on condition that SCI disposed of the funeral directing business of Birbeck's subsidiary, H. Copeland & Son Ltd., within six months. That business has now been sold by SCI.

  I have placed copies of the relevant press notices with undertakings attached in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 1997,Official Report, column 192, if she will list the representations she has received relating to the marketing and selling of pre-paid funeral plans and place copies in the Library. [18043]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: I have received representation on the marketing and selling of pre-paid funerals from:
  Scottish Consumer Council;Service Corporation International;Federation of Small Businesses;Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors;National Association for Pre-Paid Funeral Plans.
  I am still receiving representations. When the process is complete, I will publish a list of these in the Library.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will(a) establish a funeral services ombudsman, (b) establish a single code of practice for the supply of funeral services and (c) introduce statutory regulation of pre-paid funeral plans. [18049]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: 1 refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hove (Mr. Caplin) today. I am considering a number of possible options for the regulation of pre-paid funerals as a priority. I shall consider options for improved consumer protection more generally.
  92
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 1997,Official Report, column 192, (1) if she will list the trading companies that are subsidiaries of registered charities and the registered charities concerned about which she has received representations; [18046]

  (2) if she will list the representations she has received relating to links between providers of funeral services and subsidiaries of registered charities and place copies of these representations in the Library. [18044]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: I have received one representation on this. However, since the representation was made on the understanding that it would be treated in confidence, the name of the complainant is not being made public.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 19 November 1997,Official Report, column 191, if she will list the individual funeral directors' businesses that the Monopolies and Mergers Commission recommended Service Corporation International divest, and the dates on which divestment took place in each case. [18037]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: The MMC did not specify all the individual funeral directors' businesses that Service Corporation International (SCI) should be required to divest.

  Divestment in accordance with the undertakings given by SCI took place on 4 April 1997.

  The individual funeral directing businesses sold were:

  Francis Chappell and E. L. Wickes (Camberwell);

  Ashtons (Brighton and Hove);

  Frederick W. Paine (Chiswick);

  Adela (Eastbourne);

  Mannerings (Sidcup);

  W. H. Wigley (Battersea);

  W. S. Bond (Fulham);

  Ashton and Matthias (Putney);

  Mannerings (Bromley);

  Peter A. Martin (Crawley);

  Colin Bennett Funeral Services (Woodingdean); and

  E. Carter and Sons (Rottingdean).

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cases for unfair dismissal(a) have been brought by employees of funeral director firms over the past five years and (b) are currently pending; if she will list the names of the parties to the actions; and if she will indicate the names of the employers' ultimate parent companies [18298]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have consulted the Chief Executive of the Employment Tribunals Service on this matter, and he informs me that no information is held on an employee's occupation or on the category of business the employee was working in. Details of tribunal applications, the tribunal's decision and the names of respondents in particular cases can be found on the Public Register at Bury St. Edmunds, unless the case involves an allegation of a sexual offence.

  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will set up an independent ombudsman to oversee the funeral industry. [16863]
  93
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  There are a number of schemes for consumer redress in the funeral industry. A substantial minority of funeral directors recognise the present Funeral Ombudsman Scheme. The largest trade association, the National Association of Funerals Directors operates a separate scheme. I would welcome the emergence of a single independent scheme to protect consumers.

  Turkey (Military Equipment)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what export credits have been made to Turkey in each of the last three years for the sale of military equipment to Turkey; and if she will make a statement. [17859]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 26 November 1997]: From data readily available, the information that my hon. Friend requests is as follows:

  £ million

  1994–95

  90

  1995–96

  268

  1996–97

  none

  1997–98 (to October 1997)

  none

  These figures include all ECGD supported business with defence buyers in Turkey, including sales of non-lethal equipment.

  Post Office Closures
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the policy of her Department in respect of the closure of(a) main and (b) sub-post offices. [18163]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices. We cannot guarantee that no post office will ever close or relocate for operational or other reasons, as over 95 per cent. of the network is made up of small businesses. At my request, the Post Office, in May, suspended its programme of converting Crown post offices to agency status until the review of the Post Office is complete and we are in a position to make informed decisions.

  Employment Appeal Tribunal
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many appeals there have been to the Employment Appeal Tribunal where the applicant did not have two years' continuous employment prior to dismissal; how many of these cases have been (i) stayed and (ii) struck out by industrial tribunals subsequent to the case of Seymour-Smith and Perez; and for (i) and (ii) what are the figures by industrial tribunal region. [18327]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Since the decision in the case of R v. Secretary of State for Employment ex parte 94
  Seymour-Smith and Perez was referred to the European Court of Justice, 182 cases have been stayed at the Employment Appeal Tribunal. The Chief Executive of the Employment Tribunals Service informs me that the industrial tribunal offices do not record separately cases that have been struck out or stayed because the applicant could not demonstrate two years' continuous service.

  Duty Free Trade
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with Treasury ministers in respect of obtaining from the European Union a material damage derogation to permit the cross-Channel duty-free trade to continue in perpetuity. [18060]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: None. The decision to allow intra-EU duty free sales to continue until 30 June 1999 was taken by the Council of Finance Ministers in 1991 so as to allow the economic sectors concerned time in which to adapt gradually to the new situation.

  Coal
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will require coal to be the main fuel for base load generating stations. [16438]

  Mr. Battle
  The choice of baseload generation should be determined on the basis of cost as assessed in a market which is fair. In the review of the Electricity Trading Arrangements (including the Pool), which I announced on 23 October 1997, the Government will examine whether the market is tilted against coal, and, if so, what changes are needed to level the playing field.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 11 July 1997,Official Report, column 646, how many (a) customers and (b) others were sent the letter regarding the Export Credits Guarantee Department's policy on disclosure of business information; what were the results of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's consultation exercise; and if the Export Credits Guarantee Department has drawn up new guidelines on the disclosure of information. [15621]

  Mrs. Roche
  ECGD's letter was sent to 11 exporters, 11 banks and five trade associations. A number of other Government Departments were also consulted. It emerged that while some customers were generally content with ECGD's guideline proposals, there was still a serious concern that the confidential nature of their business relationship with ECGD should be maintained. No new guidelines have since been drawn up by ECGD and it would be premature for work on this to be completed in advance of the publication of the Government's White Paper on freedom of information. ECGD is currently abiding by the spirit of the Open Government Code of Practise on Access to Government Information which encourages information to be disclosed unless it is judged that, on a case by case basis, such disclosure would be
  95
  harmful either to the competitive position of a company or the work of ECGD as insurer.

  Departmental Information
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will place in the Library a copy of the internal departmental guidance on the dissemination of information; and if she will make a statement. [16310]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  My Department provides a considerable amount of internal guidance to staff on administering the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. This includes guidance on the proactive dissemination of information as required by the Code. I will be placing copies of my Department's general internal guidance on the Code of Practice in the Library of the House.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Office
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make available the study of the impact on traffic of moving a large part of the Scottish Office from New St. Andrew's House to Victoria Quay. [17626]

  Mr. Dewar
  Research was conducted prior to the move of Scottish Office staff to Victoria Quay into the travel to work intentions of these staff. A summary of the research report "Future Travel to Work Patterns of Scottish Office Staff-Relocation to Victoria Quay", drawn up in 1995, has been placed in the Library of the House. A copy of the full report is available on loan from my Department's library at Victoria Quay.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to move Ministers' offices from St. Andrew's House to the Scottish Office building at Victoria Quay. [17627]

  Mr. McLeish
  The issue of future accommodation arrangements for Scottish Office Ministers will be addressed when a decision on the site of the Scottish Parliament building has been taken. Ministers regularly use accommodation at Victoria Quay at present.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those organisations which have expressed to the Scottish Office their views on where the Scottish Parliament should be sited, indicating which support(a) Leith, (b) Calton Hill, (c) Haymarket and (d) a city centre site. [17628]

  Mr. McLeish
  We have received letters from the following:

  (a) List of organisations in favour of Leith

  Forth Ports Plc

  Dunfermline Forum on Disability

  Leith Chamber of Commerce

  James Clydesdale and Associates

  The High Constabulary of the Port of Leith

  96

  (b) List of organisations in favour of Calton Hill/Regent Road

  Edinburgh Development and investment

  Old Town Renewal Trust

  Princes Street Association

  Celtic League

  The St. Andrew Society

  The City of Edinburgh Labour Party

  Simpson and Brown

  Musselburgh Labour Party

  Althelstane Developments Ltd.

  Cin La Salle Investment Management

  Capital Rail Group

  Wilkies

  Jenners

  Old Waverley Hotel

  Drummond Civic Association

  Regent Royal and Calton Terraces Association

  Campaign for a Scottish Parliament

  A. C. Wolfe and Partners

  Boots the Chemist

  Edinburgh Central Liberal Democrats

  Edinburgh New Town Conservation Committee

  Dunard Fund

  The Lord Provost's Commission on Sustainable Development for the City of Edinburgh

  (c) List of organisations in favour of Haymarket

  Kantel Macdonald Orr

  (d) List of organisations in favour of a city centre location

  Joint Landlords of Waverley Shopping Centre

  Waverley Tenants Association

  John Lewis Plc

  The Royal Town Planning Institute in Scotland

  Clydesdale Constituency Labour Party

  D. M. Hall Chartered Surveyors

  Sheeps Clothing for Ewe

  George Street Association of Edinburgh

  Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Transport Group

  100 Burghs Group

  Tollcross Traders' Association

  Edinburgh and Lothian Tourist Board

  James Gray and Sons

  The Project Management Partnership

  Phyllis International

  IFP Consulting Engineers

  William Wilson Ltd.

  The City of Edinburgh Council

  Hurd Rolland Partnership

  Department of Architecture, University of Edinburgh

  Railtrack Property

  Euroscope

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many individual representations the Scottish Office has received,(a) from residents in Edinburgh and (b) from those living elsewhere in Scotland, on the proposed site

  97
  for the Scottish Parliament; and how many have supported (i) each of the three specific sites and (ii) a city centre site. [17629]

  Mr. McLeish
  A total of 150 representations have been received, of which 91 have come from people living in Edinburgh and 59 from people who live elsewhere in Scotland. 44 of these representations were in support of a city centre location but did not mention any preferred site. The remainder supported the following:

  Number

  Calton Hill/Regent Road

  89

  Leith

  11

  Haymarket

  6

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Sensory Impairments
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that people with sensory impairments are not disproportionately affected by the proposed changes to the backdating of benefits. [16124]
  98
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The proposed rules will provide for up to one month's automatic backdating for non-income-related benefits and up to one month's backdating of claims for income-related benefits in specified situations. This will include circumstances where the person is deaf and/or blind and has no relative, friend or adviser to assist them in making a claim.

  Students (Benefits)
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the cost of allowing students to claim(a) income support during the summer months and (b) housing benefit; what plans she has to introduce income support and housing benefit for students; and if she will make a statement. [18549]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information required on which to base a reliable estimate of the cost is not available.

  The primary source of financial support for full-time students is the student support system, which is specifically designed to meet their needs. Social Security is not. Certain students in prescribed vulnerable groups (including lone parents and students with disabilities) are entitled to benefits in recognition of the additional difficulties they may face in continuing with their studies. The majority of full-time students are not entitled to benefits and we have no plans to alter those arrangements.

  Scotland: Inward Investment
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  UN Special Commission (UNSCOM)
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  No Fly Zones, Iraq
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  Iraq Sanctions: US Policy
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  Northern Iraq: Turkish Military Action
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  UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
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  Afghanistan: Arms Embargo
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  General Affairs Council, 24–25 November
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  Railway Ownership
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  Damage to Countryside by Four-wheel Drive Vehicles
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  Protease Inhibitors and the Honey Bee
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  Equine Sales in the EU: VAT
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  The Horse: EU Classification
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  Independent Commission on the Voting System
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  Young Offenders: Interval between Arrest and Sentence
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  Firearms Act 1968
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  Eliminating World Poverty: Discussions
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  MGN plc: Flotation
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