Written Answers of 5 December 1997

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cattle Passports
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people will be involved in running his proposed computerised cattle passport scheme; and if he will publish a breakdown of the grades involved, together with their salary bandings. [18830]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  The British Cattle Movement Service will operate the Cattle Tracing System, providing a register of all cattle in Great Britain, their location and their movement history. Once it is fully operational, it will comprise an estimated 261 staff. The anticipated breakdown by grade and the salary bands are given in the following table.

  Grade

  Estimated number

  Salary band (£)

  6

  1

  32,100–51,256

  7

  1

  26,100–41,718

  SEO

  1

  20,700–32,812

  HEO

  6

  16,300–22,147

  EO

  24

  10,093–17,715

  AO

  153

  8,285–10,695

  AA

  61

  6,612–8,050

  SGB2

  14

  6,612–8,050

  Total

  261

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under his proposed computerised cattle passport scheme(a) how many passports are estimated to be issued annually and (b) how many passports he estimates will be issued in each of the scheme's first three years. [18828]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  It is estimated that between 2.5 million and 3 million passports will be issued annually.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his proposals for the cattle passport scheme. [18939]

  Mr. Rooker
  On 30 July I announced that the Government was setting up a computerised cattle tracing system (CTS) which would be fully operational in 1998. The system will be administered by a new public sector organisation, the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS), which will manage cattle movements and respond to database queries. On 7 October I also announced that the Government had decided to centralise the issue of cattle passports at the BCMS. The new scheme will give the UK one of the most advanced cattle tracing systems in Europe.

  Vitamin B6 Supplements
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of his decision to restrict the general retail sale of higher dose vitamin B6 supplements on(a) consumers, (b) manufacturers and (c) retailers. [18969]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy has advised that 1.4 mg of vitamin B6 per day is enough to meet the needs of almost all individuals, even those with high needs. The proposed maximum limit of 10 mg per daily dose on the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law is more than seven times greater than this amount. Those who need higher doses for the treatment of medical conditions will continue to be able to obtain them from pharmacies and on prescription.

  Information on the impact of the proposed controls on manufacturers and retailers has been requested from relevant trade associations. This will be included in the regulatory assessment which will accompany the draft regulations that will give effect to the controls.

  Farming
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to further regulate farming; and if he will make a statement. [19259]

  Mr. Rooker
  Farming will continue to be regulated where necessary for the implementation of national and EU policies. All regulations introduced will be carefully examined in line with the Government's policy for better regulation to ensure that they are simple, helpful and fair, taking account of the needs of businesses, the citizen and the environment.

  Food Safety
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the(a) agencies and (b) committees which report to his Department on food safety. [19358]

  Mr. Rooker
  The agencies of the Department which undertake work concerned with food safety are:

  The Pesticides Safety Directorate

  The Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  The Meat Hygiene Service

  The Central Science Laboratory Agency

  The Veterinary Laboratories Agency

  The committees that report to the Department on issues relevant to food safety are listed below. Most of these committees also report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

  Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food

  Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes

  Advisory Committee on Pesticides

  Veterinary Products Committee

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee

  Food Advisory Committee

  Consumer Panel

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  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent by his Department on food safety in the last year for which figures are available. [19354]

  Mr. Rooker
  In 1996–97 expenditure on food safety matters totalled £28.13 million. A detailed breakdown of expenditure and receipts is shown under the entries for programmes PP1:01, 1:02, 1:03, 1:07 in Chapter 3 and in Table 33 in Chapter 8, of the MAFF/IB Departmental Report 1997, a copy of which may be found in the Library of the House.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the advantages of replacing the current HLCA with an area-based instrument for farmers in less-favoured areas. [19357]

  Mr. Rooker
  Under current EC rules, compensatory allowances provided to livestock farmers in the less-favoured areas may be paid only per head of eligible livestock. The Commission's proposals in Agenda 2000 indicate that they are considering transforming compensatory allowances into a basic instrument to maintain and promote low-input farming systems. However, replacing HLCAs with an area-based instrument would not, on its own, necessarily fulfil this objective.

  The pros and cons of an area-based instrument are one of the issues being addressed in an evaluation of the HLCA scheme in England, being undertaken by Drew Associates and Exeter University on behalf of the Ministry. That report will be published shortly. Other similar studies are in hand in respect of the other constituent parts of the UK. The Government is also considering HLCAs as part of its Comprehensive Spending Review and will further consider the options in the light of the Commission's detailed proposals following Agenda 2000.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers from(a) the Czech Republic and (b) the Slovak Republic have arrived (i) in the United Kingdom and (ii) at the port of Dover in each month since 1 May. [17137]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is given in the table. Overall data for the month of November are not yet available, but provisional figures indicate that only five Czechs/Slovaks applied for asylum on arrival at Dover during November.
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  Applications1 for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding
  dependants, from nationals of the Czech Republic and Slovakia,
  May to October 1997

  Number of principal applicants

  Applications for asylum of whom:applied at

  Port

  Dover

  In-country

  Total

  Czech Republic

  May 1997

  5

  5

  *

  5

  June 1997

  15

  10

  —

  15

  July 1997

  30

  30

  5

  30

  August 1997

  25

  20

  10

  30

  September 1997

  15

  10

  *

  15

  October 1997

  85

  70

  *

  85

  Total

  170

  145

  15

  190

  Slovakia

  May 1997

  215

  15

  *

  215

  June 1997

  25

  15

  —

  25

  July 1997

  20

  15

  *

  20

  August 1997

  35

  35

  10

  50

  September 1997

  55

  55

  *

  55

  October 1997

  85

  65

  —

  85

  Total

  235

  195

  15

  255

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5 with * = 1 or 2.

  2 Revised.

  Community Safety
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contribution county-based organisations will be expected to make to district-based community safety organisations and partnerships. [18937]

  Mr. Michael
  The Crime and Disorder Bill will place a joint obligation on local authorities and the police service to develop strategies for reducing crime and disorder in each district, borough and unitary local authority area in England and Wales. Where the two tier structure of local Government still exists, county councils will have an obligation to participate in this process on an equal basis.

  The Bill will also give the Home Secretary power to designate by Order other key local agencies which must be involved. At county level or wider, these are likely to include police authorities, probation committees and health authorities.

  Nothing in the Bill will prevent the developments (or continuation) of county-based co-ordination of the district strategies if that is what the partners locally want. The legal obligation, however, will be to produce strategies based on district, borough and unitary authority areas.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what future role the Crime Prevention Panel has, with particular reference to community safety. [18938]

  Mr. Michael
  Crime Prevention Panels and their equivalent for young people, known as Youth Action Groups, have done some enormously valuable work over the years. I am determined that the knowledge and experience which they have amassed should not be lost as we move towards the creation of new statutory crime prevention partnerships. Some Crime Prevention Panels may merge into the new partnerships; that will be a matter for local decision. But where they do not, we intend to
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  require the local authorities and the police, in discharging their new obligations, to invite them—along with a wide variety of other agencies—to participate in the process.

  Children and Vulnerable Adults
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he intends to implement Part V of the Police Act 1997; [18998]

  (2) what plans he has to give voluntary organisations working with children and vulnerable adults access to the criminal records of prospective staff and volunteers. [18999]

  Mr. Michael
  We are reviewing the provisions of Part V of the Police Act 1997 in the light of our top priority in this area which is the protection of children and vulnerable adults. As we promised when the provisions of Part V of the Act were debated in the House, we will consult voluntary organisations before reaching a decision.

  Criminal Injury Compensation
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the four-year limit for claiming criminal injury compensation. [19342]

  Mr. Michael
  The time limit for submitting claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which administers the new, tariff-based compensation scheme introduced on 1 April 1996, is two years. The operation of the scheme as a whole is monitored on a continuing basis, but there are no plans to make any changes until the findings of the current comprehensive spending review have been considered.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Parades and Marches
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 14 November 1997,Official Report, column 693, concerning compensation claims arising from disturbances during July, what is the time scale for the completion and payment of the outstanding (a) criminal injury and (b) criminal damage claims. [18197]

  Mr. Ingram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Compensation Agency under its chief executive, Mr. D. A. Stanley. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. D. A. Stanley to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 2 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply. on behalf of the Compensation Agency, to your recent Question regarding the timeframe for the completion and payment of compensation claims arising from disturbances during July.
  The speed with which the necessary information to support a case becomes available can influence the time taken to resolve the claims. However, the Agency has key performance targets for the average time taken to make decisions in criminal injury and criminal damage claims of 59 weeks and 19 weeks respectively. It is expected that the July claims will be processed within this time-scale.

  Down District Council (Employees)
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the perceived religious denomination of employees of Down District Council. [18711]

  Mr. Ingram
  In common with all other specified Public Authorities, Down District Council is required to monitor the religious composition of its work force on an annual basis. The latest available monitoring information is contained in the FEC's Seventh Annual Monitoring Report which was published in March 1997. That document shows that the composition in 1996 was:

  Number

  Per cent

  Protestant

  70

  28

  Roman Catholic

  180

  72

  Other

  7

  —

  Total

  257

  Mr. Andy Wood
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the financial settlement given to Mr. Andy Wood following his removal as head of the Northern Ireland Information Service. [18665]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Mr. Wood remains a Civil Servant. The financial arrangements between the Department and Mr. Wood are a private matter for them.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what duties Mr. Andy Wood, former head of the Northern Ireland Information Service, is carrying out on behalf of(a) the Northern Ireland Office; and (b) the Home Office; what is the nature of the work; and how long he is expected to be employed. [18664]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Mr. Wood is conducting a joint Home Office/Northern Ireland Office project concerning the handling of the media during major incidents. It is expected that he will conclude the project during the first half of 1998.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many(a) special advisers, (b) task force members and (c) review body members her Department employs; what is the total salary and benefits of (a) to (c); and what was the equivalent cost prior to 1 May. [19315]

  Clare Short
  My Department has employed two special advisers since 1 May 1997. Their combined annual salary totals £53,592. They have claimed no other benefits. Prior to I May, DFID was not a Cabinet Department and had no special advisers.

  No task force members or review body members have been employed since 1 May 1997, or in the period immediately before that, other than staff carrying out policy and management review functions as part of their

  365
  continuing work. Members of the business community and other figures in public life have contributed to the work of my Department without charge.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Minister in her Department is responsible for liaising with the Department for International Development on WTO matters. [18946]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer the right hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) on 27 November 1997,Official Report, columns 646–47. Responsibility for WTO matters falls to my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade.

  Ministerial Announcements
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many ministerial announcements have not been made in the first instance to the House; and of those how many were(a) speeches to outside bodies, (b) press releases, (c) press briefings and (d) made by other means, since 1 May; and if she will make a statement about her Department's policy in respect of making public ministerial announcements. [18901]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 3 December 1997]Since 1 May, my Department has made 455 announcements by press release, including a number relating to public speeches. All major announcements are made to Parliament first when it is sitting, excluding certain market-sensitive decisions. Recent announcements include the extension of the fossil fuel levy to imported electricity, the review to modernise partnership law and the Bill to introduce the National Minimum Wage. Press briefings are usually held to give further explanation to announcements, after they have been made public.

TREASURY

  Euro (Information Campaigns)
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums he is seeking from the European Union to finance information campaigns about the euro; and what plans he has for expenditure of such sums. [19205]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 4 December 1997]The Government has applied to the European Commission for financial assistance towards the cost of producing and

  Percentage of workers suffering from low literacy and low numeracy (1996 figures)

  Managerial and professional

  Skilled craft workers

  Machinery and assembly line

  Sales and service

  Low literacy

  Low numeracy

  Low literacy

  Low numeracy

  Low literacy

  Low numeracy

  Low literacy

  Low numeracy

  Britain

  6

  6

  24

  21

  22

  20

  17

  21

  Germany

  1

  2

  7

  3

  12

  11

  6

  5

  USA

  5

  4

  30

  29

  35

  30

  27

  25

  Source:

  International Adult Literacy Survey, Office for National Statistics and Statistics Canada.
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  distributing the Treasury's business guide "Practical Information for Business". The European Commission has approved the request in principle.

  The Government is currently engaged in a dialogue with the European Commission on future financial assistance to help inform business and the wider public about preparation for EMU.

  Resource Accounting
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's estimate of the number of additional(a) accountants and (b) other staff who will need to be employed by central government as a result of the switch to resource accounting and budgeting. [19157]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The move to resource accounting and budgeting will mean that there is a greater need for skills in finance and accountancy throughout government departments, and at all levels. It is for individual departments to decide on how best to meet this need, whether through development, training or recruitment. There are no central estimates of the amount of additional staff, if any, who will be employed as part of this process.

  Productivity
  Mr. Brooke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his oral statement of 25 November 1997,Official Report, column 773, what was the source document of his statement that United Kingdom's productivity today is 20 per cent. less than that of the United Kingdom's main competitors. [18543]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Chancellor's statement that UK productivity is some 20 per cent. below our main competitors was based on OECD sources. Figures on productivity levels can be found in "Labour productivity comparisons in selected OECD countries", published by the OECD, June 1996. Further information can be derived from OECD Economic Outlook, June 1997 and OECD Employment Outlook, July 1997.

  Literacy and Numeracy
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor for the Exchequer, pursuant to his pre-Budget report, paragraph 4.19, what was the percentage of(a) skilled and (b) semi-skilled manual workers suffering from (i) low literacy and (ii) low numeracy in (A) France, (B) Germany, (C) Japan and (D) the USA in 1996. [19159]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The Government is committed to raising literacy and numeracy levels to ensure that Britain has a flexible labour force capable of competing effectively in the global economy. The table compares literacy and numeracy levels in Britain, Germany and the USA. Figures for France and Japan are not available on a consistent basis.

  Airport Tax (Charities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Chernobyl Children Lifeline in respect of the waiving of airport tax for charitable purposes; and what response he has made. [18855]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government has received numerous written representations from the Chernobyl Children Lifeline requesting that the children they help be exempt from air passenger duty when they leave the United Kingdom.

  UK registered charities already benefit from a range of tax reliefs such as gift aid and the payroll scheme. These encourage charitable donation by focusing on what people give rather than what charities spend. Additionally, in his last Budget the Chancellor announced a review of the taxation of charities and invited contributions from interested parties. Although the main focus of the review will be the current VAT arrangements, all aspects of the tax system will be taken into consideration.

  Incapacity (Tax Allowances)
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many husbands currently receive a tax allowance for incapacitated wives, and a what costs; [18823]

  (2) what is his estimate of the number of women who would be entitled to a tax allowance for an incapacitated husband if the present provision for men with incapacitated wives were to be extended to women with incapacitated husbands; and what is his estimate of the cost. [18822]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is estimated that in 1997–98 around 10,000 husbands with children and a totally incapacitated wife receive the additional personal allowance. This costs about £5 million.

  It is not possible to provide a reliable cost of extending this allowance to wives with incapacitated husbands and children.

  Windfall Tax
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the impact of the windfall tax. [18796]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Since the Budget announcement on 2 July, representations have been received from some 16 companies and organisations, 25 members of the public and from one hon. Member. The contents of these representations are treated as confidential, although it is open to those involved to make their views public.

SCOTLAND

  Publicity and Advertising
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the total expenditure on all forms of publicity and advertising by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for
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  (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95, (iii) 1995–96, (iv) 1996–97, (v) the 1997–98, year to date, (vi) the 1997–98, full year estimate and (vii) the 1988–99 planned expenditure. [15249]

  Mr. Dewar
  Expenditure on publicity and advertising for the years requested is shown in the tables:

  The Scottish Office

  £

  1993–94

  1,366,000

  1994–95

  2,256,000

  1995–96

  1,770,000

  1996–97

  3,564,000

  1997–98 (year to date)

  1,842,000

  The only figures currently available for 1997–98 are spends to date.

  Agencies

  £

  1993–94

  508,000

  1994–95

  869,000

  1995–96

  1,008,000

  1996–97

  1,026,000

  1997–98 (year to date)

  643,000

  The only figures currently available for 1997–98 are spends to date.

  Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies

  £

  1993–94

  9,433,000

  1994–95

  12,161,000

  1995–96

  13,987,000

  1996–97

  14,631,000

  Figures for 1997–98 spend to date and full year estimate are not currently available
  The greater part of the expenditure by the 38 Scottish NDPBs is incurred by the Scottish Tourist Board (promoting Scotland as a tourist destination), Scottish Enterprise (promoting economic development in Scotland and publicising Local Enterprise Companies), and Scottish Natural Heritage (promoting and raising awareness of Scotland's natural heritage). In 1996–97 spend by these organisations was £8.7 million, £2.5 million and £1 million respectively.

  Detailed budgets for 1998–99 have yet to be agreed.

  Sentence Reviews (Manslaughter)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions he has attempted to increase the length of a sentence applied for manslaughter; and in what proportion of cases he has been successful in each year since 1990. [19258]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Lord Advocate has, since 1993, had the power to appeal against sentences which appear to him to be unduly lenient, or in the case of certain disposals, inappropriate.

  He has exercised the power on three occasions in respect of sentences or other disposals imposed following convictions for culpable homicide.

  The first such appeal, taken in 1995, was refused. The second appeal, taken in 1996 was allowed by the High Court of Justiciary, as was the third, taken in 1997.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Immigration (Punjab)
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the applications for entry clearance to the UK received at the embassy in New Delhi were from people living in the Punjab in the last year for which figures are available. [18655]

  Mr. Fatchett
  It is not possible to provide an accurate figure for the percentage of entry clearance applications received in the High Commission in New Delhi from people living in the Punjab. The High Commission's computer system does not hold this information and to conduct a manual sift would incur disproportionate cost.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to ensure that any information material on Economic and Monetary Union funded by the Government will be impartial as to the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal. [19128]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has made clear, our intention is to provide information on EMU to help business and the public prepare for the single currency. We have no intention of funding propaganda on the euro's advantages or disadvantages.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government has any plans to fund information material on Economic and Monetary Union. [19131]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Yes. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has made clear, some public money will be spent on providing information to help business and the wider public prepare for the euro.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to ensure that any information campaign on Economic and Monetary Union funded by the European Commission will be impartial as to the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal. [19129]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The conditions attached to the PRINCE budget line, which includes the information programme on the euro, stipulate that the money should not be used for measures which could be regarded as propaganda.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in obtaining funding from the European Commission for information material on Economic and Monetary Union. [19133]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We have applied to the Commission for financial assistance towards the cost of producing and distributing the Treasury booklet "EMU: Practical Information for Business". The Commission has approved this request in principle. We are currently engaged in a dialogue with the Commission about future financial assistance to help inform business and the wider public about EMU.

  Northern Cyprus
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent remarks by Sir David Hannay on the Turkish population in Northern Cyprus. [19022]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Nothing in Sir David Hannay's remarks in his interview with the Greek Cypriot newspaper Phileleftheros on 14 November implied, or was intended to imply, a shift in our policy over non-recognition of the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", which remains unchanged.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what circumstances, and by whom, staff employed by the BBC World Service are subject to vetting. [18913]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 4 December 1997]A limited number of BBC World Service staff are security checked by the World Service to enable them to have limited and authorised access to some official documents and to facilitate discussion with Government Departments. Several employees at BBC Monitoring are security cleared for the same reasons.

  Kurdish Members of Parliament
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to persuade the Turkish authorities to release imprisoned Kurdish members of parliament. [18744]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We have made a number of representations to the Turkish government about the imprisonment of the four Kurdish former DEP (Democracy Party) Members of Parliament. We have repeatedly stressed that the conviction of elected politicians for the non-violent expression of their opinions can only damage Turkey's international standing.

  We have been encouraged by recent reports, from Turkey that imply that one of the MP's, Ms Leyla Zana, may soon be released on health grounds.

  Holocaust Victims (Gold)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the internal report into the theft of gold from victims of the Holocaust was first made available to ministers in his Department. [19260]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This department published two reports containing information from the British archives on Nazi gold in September 1996 and May 1997. Both reports contain details of the theft of gold by the Nazi regime from governments and individuals. Separately, a draft joint DTI/FCO report about the treatment of enemy property held in the UK during and after World War II was delivered to the office of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 1 December. It will be published as soon as possible.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Projects
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he is having with London borough councils on their role in Millennium projects. [18575]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department has established a Millennium Co-ordination Group and a number of sub-groups to ensure that interested bodies are involved at all stages of the millennium planning process. The London sub-group includes representatives from the Association of London Government, (who represent the Greater London Boroughs).

  I recently had the honour of addressing a conference organised by the Association of London Government which brought together representatives of the London Boroughs and the private and voluntary sector to discuss "London: the Millennium City".

  My Department also liaises on a regular basis with the Association of London Government Millennium Festival Steering Group, which brings together public, private and voluntary sector organisations, to discuss how best to facilitate the organisation of events.

  National Lottery
  Mrs. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment he has made of the number of applications to the National Lottery distributing bodies made to date from organisations in the Romford constituency; and if he will make a statement; [18357]

  (2) how many bodies in the Romford constituency have had applications to the National Lottery distributing bodies turned down. [18356]

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  1996–97 £

  1997–98 £

  Liverpool Everyman

  Regional Arts Board/Arts Council

  233,780

  170,000

  227,000

  250,000

  Local authority funds

  60,810

  47,158

  100,000

  82,800

  City Challenge funds

  1,350

  38,151

  —

  —

  Lottery capital

  —

  99,000

  —

  —

  Liverpool Playhouse

  Regional Arts Board/Arts Council

  430,000

  430,000

  430,000

  530,000

  Local authority funds

  270,562

  266,272

  375,000

  205,000

  Lottery capital

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Manchester Royal Exchange

  Regional Arts Board/Arts Council

  1,333,250

  1,333,250

  1,863,250

  1,333,250

  Local authority funds

  199,400

  199,400

  229,400

  199,400

  Lottery capital

  —

  —

  3,200,000

  17,110,250

  Birmingham Repertory

  Regional Arts Board/Arts Council

  796,000

  900,000

  900,000

  870,000

  Local authority funds

  887,137

  1,022,500

  982,589

  955,000

  Lottery capital

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lottery stabilisation1

  —

  —

  —

  1,500,000

  1 Birmingham Repertory Theatre have received a lottery award under the Arts Council's Stabilisation scheme of £5,700,000 spread over four years.

  372
  Mr. Banks
  To date organisations in the Romford constituency have made 83 applications to the Lottery distributing bodies. Of these, applications 7 were successful, 75 were unsuccessful and 1 is still being considered. Details are set out in the following table. The seven successful applications have a total value of £322,032. Decisions on applications are a matter for the distributing bodies.

  Distributing body

  All applications

  Awarded

  Rejected

  In progress

  Sports Council

  3

  1

  2

  0

  Arts Council

  6

  3

  3

  0

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Millennium Commission

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Charities Board

  73

  3

  69

  1

  Totals

  83

  7

  75

  1

  Regional Theatres
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much public funding has been made available to the(a) Liverpool Everyman, (b) Liverpool Playhouse, (c) Manchester Royal Exchange, and (d) Birmingham Repertory theatres in each year since 1994–95; and from what sources; [18401]

  (2) what discussions his Department has held with the Arts Council, North West Arts and other public bodies concerning funding for (a) the Everyman and (b) the Playhouse theatres, Liverpool; and if he will make a statement. [18402]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Department's funding for the arts is channelled through the Arts Council and the Regional Arts Boards. Ministers do not intervene in the decisions they take. The following table details the information requested:

  BBC Archive Collection
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the management by the BBC of its archive collection; and if he will make a statement. [19143]

  Mr. Fisher
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received representations from the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) and from three members of the public, and as a result made inquiries of the BBC. The management and organisation of the BBC's Information and Archives Department are matters for the Corporation itself, but it is obliged under the Royal Charter and Agreement to establish and maintain archives containing material relevant to the objects of the Corporation, and to make the archives available to the public with or without charge. The BBC has assured the Department that it is continuing to meet its archival responsibilities under the Charter and Agreement.

  Libraries (Training)
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what provision has been made in the current year by library authorities for training in information and communication technology skills for serving and other librarians. [19104]

  Mr. Fisher
  Expenditure on training is not separately identified in the CIPFA Public Library Statistics, which are the main source of financial information on public libraries. However, a recent report by the Library and Information Commission indicates that the sums involved are likely to be relatively small.

  Millennium Commission
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to extend the lifespan of the Millennium Commission. [19166]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  On 1 October 1997 I announced that the Millennium Commission would receive approximately £2 billion over its lifetime, including £449 million for the Millennium Experience. This is to ensure that the Millennium Commission will have sufficient resources to meet its commitments to the New Millennium Experience Company. On current forecasts of lottery income it will be necessary to continue the funding life of the Millennium Commission until sometime in 2002 to meet this commitment.

  Radio Rights
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 19 November 1997,Official Report column 180, if he will make a statement on progress with his review of the issue of live radio rights; and if the will make a statement. [18853]

  Mr. Fisher
  On 25 November 1997,Official Report, columns 455–56, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced an advisory group to assist him in his review of the listed events under Part IV of the Broadcasting Act 1996. The group will consider questions such as the availability of rights to live radio rights to major sporting events before making its recommendations.

  Sports Coverage
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 19 November 1997,Official Report column 180, what assessment he has made of the arrangements for news access to major sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the practice of local radio stations making exclusive deals with more than one local football club in respect of (a) the public interest and (b) the coverage of simultaneous matches. [18852]

  Mr. Fisher
  The news access code was signed by a number of broadcasters in 1996. Breaches have been rare and the only difficulties of which we are aware have involved events shown on pay-per-view terms. On 25 November 1997,Official Report columns 455–56, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced an advisory group to assist him in his review of the listed events under Part IV of the Broadcasting Act 1996. If interested parties believe that the news access code is not functioning satisfactorily, they will no doubt bring this to the attention of the group.

  The advisory group will have an opportunity to consider the question of radio access to listed events before making its recommendations, but there is no statutory provision providing for restrictions on the broadcasting of events or the disposition of radio broadcasting rights beyond the normal operation of competition law.

HEALTH

  Vitamin B6 Supplements
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Minister for Public Health was involved in the recent decision to limit the general retail sale of vitamin B6 supplements; and what representations she received on this matter from representatives of Glaxo-Wellcome. [18971]

  Mr. Boateng
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health was involved in the decision to limit the general retail sale of vitamin B6 supplements after studying advice from the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) and the Food Advisory Committee (FAC); there were no representations on this matter from representatives of Glaxo-Wellcome.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those members of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment who participated in the formulation of the recent advice which he received on the safety of vitamin B6 supplements; which were specifically experienced in the field of nutrition; and if he will list in the case of each of those individuals any links which they have with the pharmaceutical industry. [18970]

  Mr. Boateng
  All members of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment participated in the formulation of the recent advice on the safety of vitamin B6 supplements. Details of the members' expertise and a list of their financial interests have been placed in the Library.

  Long-term Care Charter
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the introduction of the Government's proposed long-term care charter will be accompanied by additional resources; and what consultation about the charter the Government plans with private and voluntary sector service providers. [14299]

  Mr. Boateng
  Work on the Charter, which is at an early stage, will set out what people can expect from health, housing and social services. We intend to consult widely—including with voluntary and independent sector organisations—as it is developed. When finalised, the Charter should inform the decisions that local authorities make about the use of the resources allocated to them.

  Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the NHS Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group and prioritisation of major capital schemes. [19800]

  Mr. Milburn
  I am today announcing the establishment of the National Health Service Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group (CPAG). The Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group will assist Ministers to prioritise on a national basis all future major NHS capital projects worth over £25 million. The terms of reference and membership of the group have been placed in the Library.

  In future, major capital projects will take place where they are most needed. The development of major schemes will be determined on a national basis, in response to patients' needs, as it should be, not, as it has been, on the basis of market forces, regardless of the wider interests of patients or the NHS.

  The Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group's first exercise will be to prioritise those projects wishing to go forward in the next wave of the Private Finance Initiative, following on from the 15 major PFI hospital projects already given the go-ahead. Guidance is being issued today to the NHS Executive regional offices on this process, and all NHS regional offices will examine, with their local NHS trusts and health authorities, the major proposals in their region, to determine which meet the greatest health service need. Each regional office will then be responsible for submitting two schemes to the Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group for national prioritisation and recommendation to Ministers. I plan to announce the next wave of major PFI schemes next spring.

  The prioritisation process will be as open and fair as possible. Details of the criteria for assessing health service need that will be used by the regional offices and CPAG have been placed in the Library.

  Projects which meet a clear need but are not suitable for PFI will be considered alongside other proposals, in a separate prioritisation exercise next summer for the limited amount of public capital available.

  The establishment of the NHS Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group and the launch of the second tranche of major capital schemes clearly demonstrate our commitment to modernising the NHS, and to creating a
  376
  genuinely national heath service, with new hospitals built where they are needed most and where they will deliver the greatest benefit to patients.

  Smoking
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds his Department makes available to assist people who wish to stop smoking. [19355]

  Mr. Boateng
  In 1997–98, the Government are funding a Health Education Authority run adult smoking education campaign costing £5.5 million. As part of the campaign, £700,000 is being given to Quit to operate the Quitlinetelephone helpline—which offers smoking cessation advice, counselling and support.

  In addition, a wide range of health professionals, notably general practitioners, routinely offer cessation advice and support. These costs cannot be separately identified.

  Electro-convulsive Therapy
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ECT treatments were carried out in England and Wales in the last year; and what proportion of these were given to people compulsorily under the Mental Health Act 1983. [19293]

  Mr. Boateng
  Reliable information on the number of people receiving Electro-convulsive Therapy (ECT) in England is not available centrally. During 1996–97 2,378 second opinions were given for ECT under Section 58 of the Mental Health Act 1983 by doctors appointed by the Mental Health Act Commission. This figure does not include patients who gave their consent for this treatment. Questions relating to Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his estimate of the expenditure by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on official hospitality for (i) 1980–81, (ii) 1987–88, (iii) 1990–91, (iv) 1991–92, (v) 1992–93, (vi) 1993–94, (vii) 1994–95, (viii) 1995–96, (ix) 1996–97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997. [15242]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Expenditure on official hospitality for the Cabinet Office (including expenditure for the Prime Minister's Office and the Office of Public Service), its agencies and non-departmental public bodies every year since 1992 is shown in the table:

  Period

  Cabinet Office £

  Agencies £

  COI £

  1997–98(1)

  18,789

  8,901

  8,168

  1996–97

  69,401

  12,248

  21,792

  1995–96

  73,250

  10,578

  15,789

  1994–95

  43,477

  16,626

  9,200

  1993–94

  49,285

  6,843

  5,905

  1992–93

  55,034

  241

  4,640

  1 Figures for 1997–98 cover the period 1 May—30 September 1997.

  377
  The request for details on expenditure on official hospitality in earlier years is unavailable.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his estimate of the expenditure by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on overseas travel for (i) 1980–81, (ii) 1987–88, (iii) 1990–91, (iv) 1991–92, (v) 1992–93, (vi) 1993–94, (vii) 1994–95, (viii) 1995–96, (ix) 1996–97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997; and if he will provide a breakdown to show (1) air fares and (2) other expenditure relating to overseas travel. [15243]

  Dr. David Clark
  Expenditure on overseas travel by Cabinet Office (including the Prime Minister's Office and the Office of Public Service), its agencies and non-departmental public bodies every year since 1992 is shown in the table:

  Period

  Cabinet Office

  Agencies

  COI

  £

  £

  £

  1997–981

  385,622

  278,440

  3,043

  1996–97

  1,500,244

  224,709

  67,213

  1995–96

  1,805,089

  424,128

  134,261

  1994–95

  1,257,026

  314,415

  65,078

  1993–94

  1,500,705

  288,976

  60,009

  1992–932

  824,204

  n/a

  n/a

  1 Figures for 1997–98 cover the period 1 May-30 September 1997.

  2 Agencies and COI figures are not available.

  The details on expenditure on overseas travel in earlier years and on the breakdown between air fares and other expenditure is unavailable.

  Publicity and Advertising
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his estimate of the total expenditure on all forms of publicity and advertising by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95, (iii) 1995–96, (iv) 1996–97, (v) the 1997–98, year to date, (vi) the 1997–98, full year estimate and (vii) the 1998–99 planned expenditure. [15245]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Expenditure on all forms of publicity and advertising by the Cabinet Office (including the Prime Minister's Office and the Office of the Public Service), its agencies and non-departmental public bodies every year since 1993 is shown in the table:

  Period

  Cabinet Office

  Agencies

  COI

  £

  £

  £

  1997–98(1)

  1,383,967

  108,000

  21,000

  1997–98(2)

  331,588

  47,313

  16,000

  1996–97

  1,404,481

  98,309

  35,000

  1995–96

  559,578

  186,843

  0

  1994–95

  596,437

  156,428

  0

  1993–94

  475,908

  23,191

  0

  1 Figures cover Full Year Estimate for 1997–98.

  2 Figures cover 1997–98, year to date.

  Planned expenditure for 1998–99 is not held at this detailed level.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Family Mediation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what funding has been made available by the Lord Chancellor's Department to family mediation services other than National Family Mediation since June 1996; and for what purpose. [18339]

  Mr. Hoon
  The UK College of Family Mediators has received £49,500 to date towards the production of a directory of mediators, judicial seminars and publicity projects. The Family Mediators Association will shortly receive £50,000 to enable it to help its members meet the Legal Aid Board's franchise specification.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what arrangements are(a) in place and (b) being arranged by the Legal Aid Board for publicising the family mediation pilot project under Part III of the Family Law Act 1996. [18340]

  Mr. Hoon
  Each pilot mediation service has been provided with initial funding for publicity. In addition, the Legal Aid Board has distributed leaflets and posters to the public and all key referral agencies in each of the pilot areas and is supporting the development of local publicity initiatives.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Legal Aid Board's publicity material for the pilot projects under Part III of the Family Law Act 1996 will be issued; and what is the budget for the provision of the publicity. [18341]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Legal Aid Board has already issued publicity material for Phase I and continues to do so. Between £50,000 and £60,000 has been spent by the Legal Aid Board on publicity to date.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the total budget for the family mediation pilot projects currently being run by the Legal Aid Board under Part III of the Family Law Act 1996; and if he will make a statement. [18345]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Legal Aid Board's expenditure on developing, administering and researching Phase I and on the development of Phase II of the family mediation pilot project is estimated to be in the region of £500,000 for 1997–98.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what funding has been made available to National Family Mediation by the Lord Chancellor's Department since June 1996; what was its purpose; and if he will make a statement. [18338]

  Mr. Hoon
  National Family Mediation has received £99,400, made available by this Department, to finance various projects aimed at the training of mediators and the development of mediation services. These contracts are managed by the Legal Aid Board.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much funding has been provided by the Lord Chancellor's Department to the UK College of Family Mediators for the production of a commercial directory of the college's membership; and if he will make a statement. [18337]
  379
  Mr. Hoon
  £10,000 was provided by this Department to enable the UK College to complete publication of the directory of mediators. This contract is managed by the Legal Aid Board.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of the budget for the family mediation pilot projects being conducted by the Legal Aid Board under Part III of the Family Law Act 1996 is being paid direct to mediation organisations and individual mediators for the provision of mediation services. [18336]

  Mr. Hoon
  On the basis of current volume estimates, approximately £2 million will be paid directly to mediation services for the provision of mediation in 1997–98.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the total cost of the Legal Aid Board's research into the family mediation pilot project under Part III of the Family Law Act 1996. [18335]

  Mr. Hoon
  The estimated cost of the family mediation pilot research project in 1997–98 is £300,000.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the publicity material issued by the Legal Aid Board in connection with the pilot projects under Part III of the Family Law Act 1996 will be available in the Welsh language. [18342]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Legal Aid Board's leaflets publicising Phase I of the family mediation pilot project are available in Welsh.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what advice his Department has sought of the Welsh Language Board as to compliance with current Welsh language legislation in preparing publicity material under Part III of the Family Law Act 1996 with particular reference to the activities of the Legal Aid Board; and if he will make a statement. [18343]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Legal Aid Board's publicity leaflet has been translated into Welsh by translators recommended by the Welsh Language Board.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Habitual Residence Test
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost of processing appeals under the habitual residence test in each year since its introduction; what is the average cost incurred in considering the case of an applicant who exhausts the appeals processing; and if he will make a statement. [14606]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Independent Tribunal Service does not routinely maintain statistics relating to categories of appeals such as habitual residence test appeals. Information regarding the total cost of processing habitual residence test appeals could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information regarding the average cost incurred in exhausting the appeals process is not available.
  380
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to change the habitual residence test in respect of British residents returning to the United Kingdom after(a) short-term and (b) long-term employment or unemployment within the European Union. [17936]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government is evaluating the operation of the habitual residence test as part of its wide-ranging review of the major components of the social security system. The impact of the test upon UK nationals returning to this country forms part of this work.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on Government policy relating to the consideration of student loans as income in assessment for benefits. [16849]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The primary source of funding for students is the student support system, not Social Security benefits. Most full-time students are not eligible for benefits.

  It is a condition of the income-related benefits that a person should take up any available income, including a student loan, before having recourse to benefits. Student loan income is subject to a weekly £10 disregard. To ignore completely the availability of a student loan in calculating benefit entitlement would operate unfairly against the majority of students who are not entitled to these benefits, as well as being contrary to the general principles governing income-related benefits.

  Benefits
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the actual expenditure on(a) unemployment benefit, (b) family credit and (c) other benefits to the unemployed for financial years (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and 1997–98. [16920]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is set out in the table.

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Unemployment Benefit/Jobseeker's Allowance (contributory based)1

  1,102

  999

  619

  Family Credit

  1,441

  1,739

  2,047

  Other benefits to the unemployed

  7,541

  7,272

  6,541

  1 The figures underly and are consistent with those published for unemployed people in Table 5 of the March 1997 Departmental Report.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the predicted levels of unemployment that were used to set the budget for(a) unemployment benefit, (b) family credit and (c) other benefits to the unemployed for the financial years (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98. [16954]
  381
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The predicted levels of unemployment used to set the budget for all benefits in Great Britain averaged 2.4 million in 1995–96; 2.1 million in 1996–97 and 1.8 million in 1997–98.

  Source:

  March 1995,1996 and 1997 Departmental Reports.

  Income Statistics
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the current average net incomes for(a) two and one-parent families with dependent children,(b) childless non-pensioner couples and (c) single non-pensioners in each decile of income; and how these have changed in real terms in each five-year period over the past 30 years. [16697]

  Income before housing costs (£ per week equivalised)

  Decile group medians

  Decile 1

  Decile 2

  Decile 3

  Decile 4

  Decile 5

  Decile 6

  Decile 7

  Decile 8

  Decile 9

  Decile 10

  Total population (mean)

  Two and one parent families with dependent children 1994–95 (£ per week)

  99

  131

  157

  183

  215

  243

  275

  320

  383

  547

  267

  Change 1998–89 to 1994–95 (per cent.)

  5

  6

  5

  2

  5

  5

  6

  8

  7

  8

  6

  Change 1979 to 1988–89 (per cent.)

  0

  0

  6

  14

  19

  22

  26

  30

  37

  47

  28

  Childless non-pensioner couples 1994–95(£ per week)

  124

  188

  237

  279

  314

  352

  396

  455

  550

  780

  384

  Change 1988–89 to 1994–95 (per cent.)

  12

  7

  7

  8

  6

  6

  6

  7

  9

  15

  9

  Change 1979 to 1988–89 (per cent.)

  -4

  8

  11

  11

  16

  20

  25

  31

  39

  47

  30

  Single non-pensioners 1994–95 (£ per week)

  99

  144

  179

  214

  253

  293

  334

  384

  466

  653

  313

  Change 1988–89 to 1994–95 (per cent.)

  1

  3

  0

  -2

  1

  5

  6

  5

  8

  12

  6

  Change 1979 to 1988–89 (per cent.)

  -3

  -2

  5

  14

  16

  18

  21

  28

  32

  43

  24

  Income after housing costs (£ per week equivalised)

  Decile group medians

  Decile 1

  Decile 2

  Decile 3

  Decile 4

  Decile 5

  Decile 6

  Decile 7

  Decile 8

  Decile 9

  Decile 10

  Total population (mean)

  Two and one parent families with dependent children 1994–95 (£ per week)

  69

  97

  119

  149

  178

  206

  236

  273

  332

  481

  226

  Change 1988–89 to 1994–95 (per cent.)

  -3

  -1

  -4

  1

  4

  6

  7

  7

  8

  10

  6

  Change 1979 to 1988–89 (per cent.)

  -9

  -5

  4

  10

  14

  18

  19

  23

  26

  32

  21

  Childless non-pensioner couples 1994–95 (£ per week)

  90

  156

  206

  244

  281

  313

  350

  404

  491

  699

  340

  Change 1988–89 to 1994–95 (per cent.)

  3

  3

  5

  7

  7

  6

  6

  7

  10

  15

  9

  Change 1979 to 1988–89 (per cent.)

  -10

  8

  12

  13

  17

  19

  22

  25

  29

  33

  24

  Single non-pensioners 1994–95 (£ per week)

  52

  102

  142

  184

  222

  259

  302

  348

  421

  605

  275

  Change 1988–89 to 1994–95 (per cent.)

  -29

  -9

  -8

  -5

  0

  3

  5

  6

  9

  12

  5

  Change 1979 to 1988–89 (per cent.)

  -19

  -9

  3

  13

  14

  17

  19

  22

  24

  31

  20

  Notes:

  1. For 1988–89 the information is provided for two calendar years combined; 1994–95 represents the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96 combined.

  2. The survey does not track the same people over time; those at a particular point in the distribution in one year are not the same people as in another year.

  3. All estimates are subject to sampling error. Numbers can also be affected by the choice of equivalence scale used to adjust household incomes for household size.

  Source:

  Households Below Average Income—July 1997 prices.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security is she will assess the advantages of restoring the entitlement to state benefits to asylum seekers. [17526]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  An interdepartmental review led by the Home Office is currently considering all aspects of arrangements for asylum seekers, including the provision of accommodation and support throughout the entire asylum process. The aim is to identify more effective
  382
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Our objective is to improve living standards for the many, not just the few, and we aim to offer educational and employment opportunities for all.

  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables. These show the average net equivalised household incomes and changes over time for individuals by family type. The income distribution is disaggregated into deciles separately for each family type. Income is as defined and measured in the Department's Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series, based on household income adjusted for household size; HBAI data are not available for years before 1979 or for every year since then.

  arrangements for the handling of claims and the provision of support, consistent with the Government's commitment to ensure swift and fair decisions on asylum cases.

  Benefits Agency Medical Services
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to review the operation of the Benefits Agency Medical Services(a) generally and (b) in respect of sufferers of ME. [18315]
  383
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  A project is currently being undertaken to consider transferring the work of the Benefits Agency Medical Services to the private sector. Contractorisation could provide an opportunity to modernise working practices and provide a better value to the taxpayer and better service to people claiming benefits. This supports our commitment to modernise the delivery of Social Security to make it better, simpler and more efficient.

  We are looking at all aspects of provision for sick and disabled people as part of our comprehensive spending review. We recognise that people with fluctuating conditions, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, have particular needs and will be considering what changes are necessary to current procedures to ensure they are treated sensitively and fairly.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much extra in NICs he estimates will be raised from employers as a result of the decision not to index the earnings brackets for the three lower rates of employers' NICs. [19362]

  Mr. Denham
  No employer will pay more.

  If the earnings brackets for the three lower rates of employers' secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions were increased by £5 from April 1998, the total amount of contributions paid by employers in respect of 1998–99 would be reduced by an estimated £125 million in a full year.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

DEFENCE

  Eurofighter
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Eurofighter programme will be subject to the Strategic Defence Review. [18860]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) on 28 November 1997,Official Report, column 694.

  West Indies Guardship
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Department for International Development concerning the West Indies guardship. [19361]

  Dr. Reid
  I have nothing to add to the oral answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for International Development on 12 November 1997,Official Report, column 896.

  International Development White Paper
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Minister in his Department is responsible for liaising with the Department for International Development on the proposals affecting his Department in the White Paper "Eliminating World Poverty". [18942]
  384
  Dr. Reid
  Issues of relevance to the Ministry of Defence in the International Development White Paper do not fall solely within the responsibilities of any one Minister.

  Royal Naval College
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the(a) terms of reference and (b) objectives of the Greenwich Foundation. [19017]

  Dr. Reid
  The Greenwich Foundation is a registered charitable company limited by guarantee whose objectives are"to preserve for the benefit of the nation the Royal Naval College site, buildings and monuments as being of historical, architectural, and artistic importance (including to their immediate environment), and to educate the public thereon".

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the estimated costs of(a) repairing dilapidations and (b) the removal of Crown immunity at the Royal Naval College. [19018]

  Dr. Reid
  Detailed negotiations are continuing between the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Greenwich Foundation and Greenwich Hospital on the quantum of a dilapidation settlement. No final figure has yet been agreed.

  The detailed effect of the removal of Crown exemption and resulting costs are still being assessed.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the state of readiness of the Royal Naval College in the year 2000. [19021]

  Dr. Reid
  Defence use of the site will cease in mid-1999. Planning for the Royal Naval College thereafter will be a matter for the Greenwich Foundation, on the assumption that it has assumed responsibility for the site. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence will continue to be required to approve occupation, as required by section 30 of the Armed Forces Act 1996.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Royal Naval College. [19019]

  Dr. Reid
  The Greenwich Foundation for the Royal Naval College is working closely with Government and Greenwich Hospital to conclude arrangements which will allow it to take responsibility for the Royal Naval College as Defence use ceases. The Foundation is negotiating with the University of Greenwich and others on the future occupation of the buildings.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the new occupant for the Royal Naval College. [19020]

  Dr. Reid
  The Greenwich Foundation is in discussion with potential occupants, including the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music. Once the Foundation is satisfied that it can assume responsibility for the site and is content to sub-let to particular occupants, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence will need to approve these under the terms of section 30 of the Armed Forces Act 1996. Announcements on occupation would be likely to be made by the Foundation.
  385
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to meet the Chairman and trustees of the Greenwich Foundation for the Royal Naval College. [19016]

  Dr. Reid
  No meetings are currently scheduled. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has made it clear that he is ready to meet with representatives of the Foundation as necessary, as he and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and their respective officials have previously done on many occasions.

  Royal Yacht
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the running cost for the Royal Yacht Britannia(a) in total and (b) excluding engine maintenance costs in the last year. [18927]

  Dr. Reid
  Total outturn running costs for the Royal Yacht Britannia for the last financial year (1996–97) were £10.446 million, of which the cost excluding engine maintenance costs was £10.028 million.

  Hunting
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which hunts were issued licences to hunt on his Department's land for the(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97 hunting sessions; and if he will make a statement. [14440]

  Mr. Spellar
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 November 1997,c.329]Unfortunately, an error has been identified and the reply should be amended accordingly:

  1995–96

  Delete:

  Glyn and Celyn Hunt.

  1996–97

  Delete:

  Glyn and Celyn Hunt.

  Add:

  Essex and Suffolk Hunt.

  Taunton Vale Hunt.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the licences granted to hunt on his Department's land in the hunting sessions(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97 broken down into local authority area; and if he will make a statement. [14445]

  Mr. Spellar
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 November 1997, c. 327–28]Unfortunately, an error has been identified and the reply should be amended accordingly.

  1995–96

  Delete:

  Glyn and Celyn Hunt.

  1996–97

  Add:

  Essex and Suffolk Hunt—Colchester Borough Council.

  Taunton Vale Hunt—South Somerset District.

  Delete:

  Glyn and Celyn Hunt.

  386
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which hunts currently have a licence to hunt on his Department's land; to which areas of land licences apply; and if he will make a statement. [14441]

  Mr. Spellar
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 November 1997 c. 326]Unfortunately, an error has been identified and the reply should be amended accordingly.Avon Vale Hunt—Delete Sennybridge Training Area. Insert Salisbury Plain Training Area.
  Royal Artillery Hunt—Delete Sennybridge Training Area. Insert Salisbury Plain Training Area.
  South and West Wiltshire Hunt—Delete Sennybridge Training Area. Insert Salisbury Plain Training Area.
  Add Essex and Suffolk Hunt—Colchester Training Area.
  Add Taunton Vale Hunt-Insert Merryfield Airfield.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those areas designated as sites of special scientific interest where his Department has issued a licence to hunt; and if he will make a statement. [14443]

  Mr. Spellar
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 November 1997 c. 325–26]Unfortunately, an error has been identified and the reply should be amended accordingly.

  Delete:

  Glyn and Celyn Hunt—Blaencilieni.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Burden of Proof Directive
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations the Government has made to its European Union partners concerning the definition of subsidiarity and proportionality used in the Burden of Proof directive. [17220]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  There is no definition of subsidiarity or proportionality in the draft Directive on the Burden of Proof, although there is a reference to those principles in Recital 20. The Government believes the draft Directive complies with the principles. At the European Council in June in Amsterdam the UK stated its intention to accede to the social provisions of the new Treaty. The European Council agreed that the United Kingdom would henceforth be asked to express its viewpoint during discussions on Directives. The UK's views have accordingly been taken into account in this Directive: in particular, recital 15 was inserted to reflect legal practices in this country.

  Tourism Industry (Graduates)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what data he has collated on the number of graduates entering the tourism industry. [17168]

  Dr. Howells
  The latest available data show that, in 1996, of the 109,700 first degree graduates in the UK who obtained employment in the UK, 6,900 gained employment in the tourism industry.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many colleges of higher and further education run tourism-related courses; and how many students are involved. [17167]
  387
  Dr. Howells
  The available data for higher education establishments in the UK relate to students studying catering and institutional management which covers subjects such as cookery and baking as well as travel and tourism. The figures show that in 1996–97 17,800 students were studying hotel and institutional management in 56 higher education establishments. The available data for further education colleges cover England and use a different subject classification which specifically identifies travel, tourism and leisure. The figures show that in 1995–96 there were 50,000 students studying travel, tourism and leisure in 380 further education colleges.

  Higher National Diplomas
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students are currently studying for higher national diplomas; and what percentage of these students are receiving free tuition. [17312]

  Dr. Howells
  The latest data are given in the following table.

  Major source of tuition fees for HND students in HEIs in the UK 1996–97

  Percentages

  Major source of tuition fees

  Full-time

  Part-time

  No award or financial backing (pays own fees)

  5.0

  50.0

  LEA/SOEID/DENI award1

  90.4

  1.6

  Institutional waiver/no fees

  0.3

  3.8

  Other sources of support2

  1.6

  37.0

  Not known

  2.7

  7.7

  Total

  100.0

  100.0

  Total (numbers)

  50,346

  2,799

  1 Awards from English and Welsh local education authorities, Scottish Office Education and Industry Department, and Department of Education for Northern Ireland.

  2 Including Research Councils, other government departments, overseas sources, UK industry and commerce, and students' employers.

  Training Providers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that training providers are properly supervised. [17454]

  Dr. Howells
  The supervision of training providers is carried out by TECs/CCTEs in line with their contactual obligations to the Government Office. These include standards for TECs to follow in their negotiations and contracting with training providers. The providers are in turn required to comply to rigorous standards set and monitored by the TEC covering financial controls, health and safety, quality assurance and management information.

  We have also recently announced the establishment of the Training Standards Council, which will oversee the inspection of Government funded training from next April. This will involve external inspection of the quality of training delivered by training providers, and will provide further public assurances in this area of public funding.

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence to involve the Army Cadets, Sea Cadets and Air Cadets in the welfare to work New Deal proposals; [17139]

  (2) if he will list the youth organisations he has consulted in respect of the Welfare to Work New Deal proposals. [17411]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Bob Russell, dated 5 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the New Deal in respect of discussions with the Ministry of Defence about the Cadet Forces, and your request for a list of youth organisations that have been consulted. There are areas that fall within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  I am pleased to say that the Employment Service has forged close links with the Ministry of Defence and other Government Departments in the run up to the roll out to the New Deal. Contact have been at both national and local level.
  The Ministry of Defence are keen to be involved in the New Deal and, whilst thus far it has largely been in the context of mainstream forces recruitment, other local initiatives are being developed. The Ministry of Defence see New Deal as a useful stepping stone for young people who want to join the forces, but may not be able to meet pre-entry requirements without further support. Discussions have not specifically covered the Cadet forces but we would be very open to any proposals as to how they could be involved.
  You also asked for a list of youth organisations consulted on the New Deal proposals. As you will be aware, we have consulted widely at national, regional and local level. While we have not kept centrally a list of all the organisations that have taken part in the consultation process, they have included many with a particular interest in young people. At the national conferences, for example, there were representatives from the Prince's Youth Business Trust, the Prince Youth Volunteers, the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services, the National Youth Association and the YMCA. Many other organisations will have taken part in consultations at regional and district level.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he will take to ensure that black and Asian young people benefit from the Government's welfare to work proposals. [18718]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government is committed to ensuring that the New Deal with actively promote equality of opportunity and outcome for young people of all ethic and racial groups. Delivery arrangements for each element of the programme—the Gateway, the four options and follow through support—will promote racial equality and are based on detailed consideration of how best to deliver provision for young people from ethnic minorities.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his policy in respect of the faxing of press releases on the day of release to Opposition party spokesmen; what changes have been introduced since 1 May and if he will make a statement. [16297]
  389
  Dr. Howells
  It is the policy of my right hon. Friend to provide press releases of major significance to Opposition party spokesmen on the day of release. Delivery can be by fax or hard copy, depending on which method is most suitable. Copies of all press notices are placed in the House of Commons library on the day of publication and are available on the Department's Web site the following day. There has been no change of policy since 1 May.

  Local Education Authorities
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the education budget set by each local education authority in England for each of the last three years for which information is available; [17894]

  (2) what percentage of the potential schools budget for each local education authority in England was delegated to schools in the last three years for which information is available; [17906]

  (3) what was the potential schools budget for each local education authority in England and for the last three years for which information is available; [17908]

  (4) what was the general schools budget for each LEA in England for the last three years for which information is available; [17909]

  (5) what was the level of funding for Service, Strategy and Regulatory activities in each English LEA budget for each of the last three years for which information is available. [17910]

  Mr. Byers
  The information, contained in a number of tables, sets out, for each local education authority in England, its education budget, General Schools Budget, Potential Schools Budget and the proportion of the PSB delegated to schools, for the years 1995–96 to 1997–98. Data on services strategy and regulation are available only from outturn returns; 1995–96 is the latest year for which figures are available.

  A copy of the tables has been placed in the Library.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what extra training has been given to Employment Service staff involved in the delivery of the New Deal programme for under-25s at the Gateway stage. [17299]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Stephen Hesford, dated 5 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the training of Employment Service staff delivering the New Deal for under 25s at the Gateway stage. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Extra training will be given to all Employment Service staff involved in the delivery of the New Deal. The main training priority will be Personal Advisers who will be fully involved in the Gateway and staff involved in marketing and taking vacancies. Team Leaders and other front line Jobcentre staff who are involved in the New Deal process will also receive training.
  390
  All of our training events and materials contain important information about the changes which we are making to the way we work in order to deliver the New Deal to the required standard. Specifically, they build on the principles of working in partnership, improving customer service and making quality a fundamental part of New Deal.
  In addition to this, training has already been delivered to District managers which focuses on working in partnership, contracting for the New Deal, and partnership presentational skills.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 4 November 1997,Official Report, column 160, (1) what are the staffing levels in each Portsmouth jobcentre; [18159]

  (2) what proportion of the unemployed served by the jobcentres are aged 16 to 24 years. [18161]

  Mr Alan Howarth
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewes to Mr. Michael Hancock, dated 5 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions (Official Report, column 160 in which you asked for information about the proportion of unemployed people, served by the Jobcentres in Portsmouth, who are aged 16 to 24 years and the levels of staffing in each of those Jobcentres. These are issues that fall within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The proportion of clients aged 16 to 24 years who were claiming Jobseeker's Allowance up to the end of October 1997 at Portsmouth North Jobcentre was 27 per cent., or 401 actual clients, and at Portsmouth Central Jobcentre the proportion was 25 per cent., or 704 actual clients.
  The Portsmouth North Jobcentre currently employs the equivalent of 28.5 staff and Portsmouth Central Jobcentre employs the equivalent of 39.4 staff.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 4 November 1997,Official Report, column 160, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Employment Service's use of the preferred supplier system; and what indicators were used to measure its performance. [18160]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Michael Hancock, dated 5 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your further question (Official Report column 160) relating to the assessment of the effectiveness of the Employment Service's use of the preferred supplier system, and the indicators used to measure its performance. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  It might assist you if I explain in more detail how the preferred supplier system works. It is a form of pre-selection, whereby organisations who wish to be considered for inclusion on an Invitation to Tender list are invited to complete a questionnaire seeking information about such matters as their financial standing, their track record, their quality systems and their health and safety policies. The Employment Service Region then evaluates this information and makes a selection of organisations to be on its list

  391
  of preferred suppliers for programme services in that Region. When contracts fall due to be retendered, tenders are invited from among those organisations on that list. The preferred suppliers exercise is repeated at regular intervals to keep it up to date and to provide opportunities for new entrants to the market. The alternative would be to undertake considerably larger competitions, which would be more costly both for the taxpayer and for the competing bidders.
  As I said in my previous reply, I am satisfied that the system is effective in helping both the Employment Service and potential contractors to make the best use of their resources. The preferred suppliers technique, which is followed by many public sector organisations and is fully in line with Government procurement practice, is an established way of minimising the expense of competitive tendering for all concerned while achieving good value for money for the taxpayer. I have, however, asked my head of procurement to undertake an assessment of the system, including an assessment of whether it would be possible to devise indicators to measure its performance.
  If, in the meantime, there are particular issues relating to the operation of this approach about which you have concerns, I would of course be very willing to look into them.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schoolchildren were designated as having special educational needs in each of the last 10 years; if he will provide a breakdown as to their acuteness; and what proportion of those children have been educated at exclusively special educational needs schools in each of those years. [18146]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows the number of children with statements of SEN in January of the years 1991 to 1996 and expresses the number of children in maintained and non-maintained special schools at each January as a percentage of all children with statements. Information on the numbers of pupils with statements was collected from special schools for the first time in January 1991. Information on the full range of children with SEN, including those with less severe, needs who do not have a statement, is available only for January 1996, when the total number of children identified by schools as having SEN (including those with statements) was 1.2 million.

  Pupils with statements of Special Educational Need in England: 1991 to 1996

  Position in January each year

  All schools1

  Special schools2

  Per cent.3

  1997

  234,629

  92,356

  39

  1996

  227,324

  93,268

  41

  1995

  211,307

  90,932

  43

  1994

  194,541

  88,511

  45

  1993

  178,029

  87,892

  49

  1992

  160,759

  84,132

  52

  1991

  153,228

  85,632

  56

  1 Includes pupils in nursery, primary, secondary, special and independent schools. Pupil Referral units and City Technology Colleges.

  2 Includes pupils in maintained and non-maintained special schools but excludes pupils in Independent Special schools.

  3 The number of pupils with statements in maintained and non-maintained special schools expressed as a proportion of the number of pupils with statements in all schools.

  Higher Education Teachers
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons the United Kingdom Government reserved its position on section 9 of the UNESCO Recommendation on the status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel; and if he will make a statement on the alterations to that recommendation sought by Her Majesty's Government. [18485]

  Dr. Howells
  The UNESCO General Conference adopted the Recommendation with UK support, but with the following reservation expressed by the United Kingdom and supported by Australia, New Zealand, Spain and France:The United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and France strongly support the recommendation's aims of securing academic freedom and human rights for higher-education teaching personnel. These Member States also strongly support the principles in Section IX "Terms and Conditions of Employment". However, because the drafting of this section appears to go, in such great detail, into areas that are properly the responsibility of individual Member States and institutions, these Member States reluctantly place a reservation on this section.

  On the advice of the UNESCO Secretariat, the UK Government did not seek alterations to the text of the Recommendation.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has given to local authorities to ensure that the extra money announced in the budget for 1998–99 for education is spent on schools. [18407]

  Mr. Byers
  The Secretary of State has written to the Leaders of the local authorities that are responsible for education, to emphasise that the £1,017 million increase in recurrent resources announced by the Chancellor in his Budget has been made available for the people's priority of raising standards in our schools. Officials have also discussed with representatives of the Churches and Local Government organisations the principles and criteria for the allocation of the first two phases of capital funding under the New Deal for Schools. The Government wishes to work in partnership with local authorities, and these increases in funding demonstrate that.

  Teachers' Holidays
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government has to reduce teachers' holiday entitlements; and what assessment he has made of the effect of those plans on his programme for recruiting new teachers. [19181]

  Mr. Byers
  Any such proposal would have had to be referred to the School Teachers' Review Body, which would have had to consider it and make recommendations in its report which is due in February next year. No such proposal was referred to the Review Body.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the average class sizes in each of the schools listed in the 1997 GCSE league tables. [18332]
  393
  Mr. Byers
  Information on class sizes for individual schools is not published centrally.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) postgraduate and (b) undergraduate ITT places were unfilled in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1997. [18554]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 1 December 1997]The information requested is shown in the following tables.

  Table 1: Recruitment to ITT in 1996

  UG

  PG

  Primary

  Targets allocated to providers by TTA

  7,018

  4,492

  New entrants

  7,619

  4,862

  Number of unfilled places

  0

  0

  Secondary

  Targets allocated to providers by TTA

  3,081

  15,689

  New entrants

  2,492

  13,556

  Number of unfilled places

  589

  2,133

  Table 2: Recruitment to ITT in 1997

  UG

  PG

  Primary

  Targets allocated to providers by TTA

  6,637

  4,386

  New entrants

  7,072

  4,677

  Number of unfilled places

  0

  0

  Secondary

  Targets allocated to providers by TTA

  3,335

  15,834

  New entrants

  2,543

  13,423

  Number of unfilled places

  792

  2,411

  Data for 1997 are provisional.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the unfilled places on school-centred initial teacher training courses as a percentage of all places in each subject in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997. [18553]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 1 December 1997]The information requested is shown in the following table.

  1996

  SCITT

  Target

  Entrants

  Percentage under recruitment

  Primary

  165

  170

  0

  Maths

  81

  38

  53.09

  English

  63

  55

  12.70

  Science

  91

  75

  17.58

  Modem languages

  33

  25

  24.24

  Technology

  103

  41

  60.19

  History

  18

  19

  0

  Geography

  28

  20

  28.57

  PE

  44

  49

  0

  Art

  7

  5

  28.57

  394

  1996

  SCITT

  Target

  Entrants

  Percentage under recruitment

  Music

  12

  6

  50.00

  RE

  49

  27

  44.90

  Other

  8

  8

  0

  Total Secondary

  537

  368

  31.47

  Pupil Grades
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the percentage of schools in each local education authority where both the proportion of pupils achieving five A*-C and five A*-G grades was lower in 1997 than in 1994. [18552]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 1 December 1997]The following list gives the percentage of schools in each local education authority where both the proportion of 15-year-old pupils achieving five A*-C and five A*-G grades at GCSE was lower in 1997 than in 1994.

  Per cent.

  Camden

  7

  Greenwich

  5

  Hackney

  14

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  8

  Islington

  7

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0

  Lambeth

  0

  Lewisham

  17

  Southwark

  6

  Tower Hamlets

  0

  Wandsworth

  0

  Westminster

  0

  Barking and Dagenham

  11

  Barnet

  22

  Bexley

  15

  Brent

  6

  Bromley

  10

  Croydon

  4

  Ealing

  6

  Enfield

  14

  Harringey

  14

  Harrow

  8

  Havering

  0

  Hillingdon

  28

  Hounslow

  0

  Kingston upon Thames

  8

  Merton

  17

  Newham

  0

  Redbridge

  5

  Richmond upon Thames

  30

  Sutton

  18

  Waltham Forest

  9

  Birmingham

  6

  Coventry

  12

  Dudley

  17

  Sandwell

  21

  Solihull

  11

  Walsall

  20

  Wolverhampton

  17

  Knowsley

  0

  Liverpool

  8

  St. Helens

  0

  Sefton

  29

  Wirral

  14

  Bolton

  28

  395

  Percent.

  Bury

  6

  Manchester

  5

  Oldham

  10

  Rochdale

  5

  Salford

  14

  Stockport

  11

  Tameside

  14

  Trafford

  10

  Wigan

  10

  Barnsley

  18

  Doncaster

  25

  Rotherham

  9

  Sheffield

  15

  Bradford

  18

  Calderdale

  19

  Kirklees

  16

  Leeds

  17

  Wakefield

  9

  Gateshead

  18

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  6

  North Tyneside

  13

  South Tyneside

  6

  Sunderland

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  Berkshire

  17

  Cambridgeshire

  23

  Cheshire

  11

  Cornwall

  26

  Cumbria

  26

  Devon

  15

  Essex

  15

  Gloucestershire

  11

  Hereford and Worcester

  25

  Hertfordshire

  12

  Isle of Wight

  0

  Kent

  12

  Lancashire

  10

  Lincolnshire

  14

  Norfolk

  8

  Northamptonshire

  18

  Northumberland

  13

  Nottinghamshire

  17

  (a)The participating Minister or Ministers

  (b)The destination of the trip

  (c) The purpose of the trip

  (d) The cost of the trip £

  Deputy Prime Minister

  The Hague, Netherlands

  Attend the Marshall Plan Commemoration on behalf of the Government

  1,570

  Deputy Prime Minister

  Luxembourg

  Attend meeting of EU Transport Ministers

  2,701

  Deputy Prime Minister

  USA

  Attend United Nations General Assembly Special Session

  18,235

  Deputy Prime Minister

  Calcutta, India

  Representing the Prime Minister at the funeral of Mother Theresa of Calcutta. (Costs include flight costs for the Royal party)

  99,500

  Deputy Prime Minister

  Luxembourg

  Attend meeting of EU Environment Ministers

  826

  Deputy Prime Minister

  Washington, USA

  Meeting with US Vice President Al Gore

  38,964

  Deputy Prime Minister

  Japan

  Ministerial discussions in preparation for the Climate Change Convention

  Deputy Prime Minister

  New Delhi, India

  Ministerial discussions in preparation for the Climate Change Convention

  Costs yet to be finalised

  Deputy Prime Minister

  Japan

  Ministerial discussions in preparation for the Climate Change Convention

  Deputy Prime Minister

  New Zealand

  Ministerial discussions in preparation for the Climate Change Convention

  Deputy Prime Minister

  Australia

  Ministerial discussions in preparation for the Climate Change Convention; and attend Anglo-Australian trade promotion conference/events

  Minister of Transport

  Luxembourg

  EU Transport Council

  5,431

  Minister of Transport

  Germany

  Attend meetings with German Minister concerning UK Presidency

  2,353

  Minister of Transport

  Israel

  Trade Mission

  3,371

  Minister of Transport

  Luxembourg

  EU Transport Council

  5,080

  396

  Percent.

  Oxfordshire

  15

  Shropshire

  19

  Somerset

  11

  Suffolk

  9

  Surrey

  19

  Warwickshire

  6

  West Sussex

  27

  Schools (New Deal)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools which will receive the first grants under the New Deal for Schools. [19176]

  Mr. Byers
  More than 2,000 schools will be receiving grant from the first round of New Deal for Schools. I have placed a complete list of all the successful projects in the libraries of both Houses.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each of the overseas trips made by himself and other members of his ministerial team since 2 May, specifying in each case(a) the participating Minister or Ministers, (b) the destination of the trip, (c) the purpose of the trip and (d) the cost of the trip; and if he will make a statement. [15232]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]Details of the Ministerial trips and their associated costs made by my colleagues and myself and accompanying Departmental officials since 2 May are as follows
  397

  (a) The participating Minister or Ministers

  (b)The destination of the trip

  (c) The purpose of the trip

  (d) The cost of the trip £

  Minister of Transport

  Paris, France

  Attend meeting with French Minister concerning UK Presidency

  1,409

  Minister of Transport

  Vienna, Austria

  UN/ECE Conference on Transport and the Environment

  3,823

  Minister for the Environment

  Luxembourg

  Attend meeting of EU Environment Ministers

  8,000

  Minister for the Environment

  New York, USA

  Attend UNGASS (United National General Assembly Special Session)

  7,302

  Minister for the Environment

  Brussels, Belgium

  Meeting with MEPs

  4,917

  Minister for the Environment

  Luxembourg

  Attend meeting of EU Environment Ministers

  Minister for the Environment

  Luxembourg

  UK Presidency visit

  4,929

  Minister for the Environment

  Copenhagen, Denmark

  UK Presidency visit

  Minister for the Environment

  Oslo, Norway

  UK Presidency visit

  Minister for the Environment

  Washington, USA

  Attend Climate Change Meeting

  11,755

  Minister for the Environment

  Tokyo, Japan

  Attend Ministerial discussions in preparation for the Climate Change
  Convention

  7,994

  Minister for the Environment

  Rome, Italy

  UK Presidency visit

  4,606

  Minister for the Environment

  Dublin, Ireland

  UK Presidency visit

  Minister for the Environment

  Paris, France

  UK Presidency visit

  5,250

  Minister for the Environment

  Bonn, Germany

  UK Presidency visit

  Minister for the Environment

  Stockholm, Sweden

  UK Presidency visit

  Minister for the Environment

  Lisbon, Portugal

  UK Presidency visit

  7,659

  Minister for the Environment

  Madrid, Spain

  UK Presidency visit

  Minister for the Environment

  The Hague, Netherlands

  UK Presidency visit

  Minister for the Environment

  Vienna, Austria

  UK Presidency visit

  Minister for Local Government and Housing

  Denmark

  Attend meeting with Danish Housing and Construction Minister

  1,774

  Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning

  Noordwijk, Netherlands

  Planning Conference

  1,045

  Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning

  Brussels, Belgium

  Meeting with Commissioner Wulf-Mathies

  1,311

  Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning

  Limassol, Cyprus

  Planning Conference

  4,965

  Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning

  Rotterdam, Netherlands

  Regeneration Conference

  802

  Minister for London and Construction

  New York, Boston, and Washington, USA

  Factfinding trip on US mayoral systems

  10,315

  Minister for London and Construction

  Amsterdam, Netherlands

  EU Housing Ministers Meeting

  632

  Minister for London and Construction

  Jordan and Egypt

  Construction Trade Delegation to promote British trade overseas

  5,529

  Minister for London and Construction

  Cologne, Germany

  Factfinding trip on German Mayoral systems

  768

  Minister for London and Construction

  Madrid and Barcelona, Spain

  Factfinding trip on Spanish Mayoral systems

  2,437

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  Bilbao, Spain

  European Health and Safety Conference

  1,767

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  Bonn, Germany

  GLOBE EU Conference

  1,401

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  Florence, Italy

  International Conference on "Energy Efficiency in Household Appliances"

  1,383

  Pedestrianisation
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has in addition to PPG6 and Local Transport Note 1/87 to promote the benefits of pedestrianisation; and if he will make a statement. [18882]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The benefits which pedestrianisation can bring to a town and community are generally well established and appreciated by highway and planning authorities. The measures involved are set out in PPG6 "Town Centres and Retail Developments" and Local Transport Note 1/87 "Getting the Right Balance". Schemes should be individually tailored to meet local needs.
  398
  Where full pedestrianisation is neither feasible nor desirable, there may be a case for giving greater priority to pedestrians and improving the pedestrian environment in town centres. It is for individual authorities, taking into account the needs and views of local people, to examine the merits of full or partial pedestrianisation of a town centre. As part of this process they should ensure reasonable access, particularly for disabled people. Authorities should also keep schemes under review and modify them if need be.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations his Department has received since 1 May on the effectiveness of the service provided by Railtrack; and if he will make a statement on its operation. [19224]
  399
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  For the seven-month period to 1 December 1997, my Department has received 179 representations about railway issues involving Railtrack. The recent modification to the company's network licence places Railtrack under a stronger duty to keep up to date with its programme of maintenance, renewal and improvement and gives the Rail Regulator enforcement powers if Railtrack fails to deliver its programme without good reason.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that Railtrack invests in track and signalling improvements. [19235]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A recent modification to Railtrack's network licence establishes a new general duty in respect of maintenance, renewal and development of the rail network. It also places obligations on Railtrack to consult the train operating companies and to publish the criteria by which it will determine the priority and timing of different works. In addition, the licence now gives the Rail Regulator powers of investigation and enforcement to ensure that Railtrack's programme objectives have been met.

  Ministerial Announcements
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many ministerial announcements have not been made in the first instance to the House; and of those how many were(a) speeches to outside bodies, (b) press releases, (c) press briefings and (d) made by other means, since 1 May; and if he will make a statement about his Department's policy in respect of making public ministerial announcements. [18891]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 3 December 1997]My Department aims, where it is appropriate and Parliament is sitting, to make all major policy announcements in the House.

  We endeavour to make all announcements in the most effective way. This may involve using a combination of communication vehicles.

  Since 1 May the Department has issued 527 news releases, including those which relate to speeches and other announcements. Copies are placed in the library of both Houses and are available on the POLIS information system, as well as on the Department's Internet website.

  Lead Water Mains
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to promote the replacement of the remaining lead water mains. [19282]

  Angela Eagle
  Many lead pipes owned by water supplies will need to be replaced to comply with the new mandatory standard of 10 tg/1 for lead in drinking water, which will be introduced by the EC Drinking Water Directive when it is adopted. Political agreement to the new Directive was achieved in October 1997.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when it became 400
  automatic for planning appeals for proposed developments involving more than 150 houses or flats to be called in for his own determination. [19037]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 4 December 1997]Planning appeals for proposed developments involving 150 or more houses are recovered for determination by my right hon. Friend under criteria set out in paragraph 36 of the Government's response to the Fifth Report from the Environment Committee, Session 1985–86 (Cmnd. 43). This was published in December 1986.

  Housing (East Sussex)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations the Government has received about the identified demand and planned provision for new homes in East Sussex. [19291]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been asked to reply.

  Since the East Sussex Structure Plan Review was placed on formal deposit in October 1996, we have received written representations from three local environmental protection groups and two individual residents objecting to the level of housing provision proposed in the Plan.

  Structure Plan (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he received notification of the new structure plan accepted by Gloucestershire County Council; if he intends to accept the reduced figure in respect of the building of new houses between 1991 and 2011 in the plan; and if he will make a statement. [19118]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Secretary of State has not yet received the deposit draft of the Gloucestershire Structure plan which I understand the County intends to publish on 12 January, although he received a copy of the consultation draft published in May 1996.

  It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the content of the plan because of the Secretary of State's formal role on planning matters.

  Local Government Finance
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral statement of 2 December 1997,Official Report, columns 157–64, if he will provide a breakdown of the £130 million for the transitional costs of local government reorganisation; and what criteria will determine the allocation of that transitional relief. [19457]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Initial bids from all authorities eligible to participate under the Local Government Reorganisation Costs Scheme for 1998–99 have now been received and are currently being evaluated. Details of initial maximum amounts of Supplementary Credit Approvals to be allocated will be announced shortly before Christmas.

  Particular priority under the 1998–99 scheme will be given to eligible costs incurred by those authorities reorganising in 1998. The criteria of eligibility under the scheme cover expenditure in all areas where transitional

  401
  costs are expected to occur: staff and consultancy, redundancy and compensation, accommodation, information technology and other costs.

  Out-of-town Supermarkets
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he proposes to make changes to the planning policy guidelines on out-of-town supermarkets. [19295]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government, in its response to the Fourth Report from the House of Commons Select Committee on the Environment on Shopping Centres (Cm 3729), has endorsed the planning policy guidance in PPG6: Town Centres and Retail Developments. The only 402
  further clarification that we wish to make is that proposals for extensions to existing out-of-centre supermarkets, and other developments covered by PPG6, should be subject to the same tests as other out-of-town developments.

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency will give a substantive reply to the letter of 12 August from the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire. [19468]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A substantive reply was sent on 3 December. The Chief Executive has apologised for the unacceptable delay in replying.