Written Answers of 11 December 1997

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Bathing Waters
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many United Kingdom bathing waters pass the(a) mandatory standard and (b) the guideline standard of the European Union Bathing Waters Directive. [19241]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 4 December 1997,Official Report, columns 289–91, to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie).

  Water Supply
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he will take to encourage water companies to ensure that the supply of water for domestic use satisfies the projected housebuilding programmes in Hampshire. [19472]

  Angela Eagle
  Water companies are subject to a statutory duty to develop and maintain efficient and economical systems of water supply within their areas. In respect of residential development, water companies have a duty to provide supplies of water sufficient for domestic purposes. This duty extends to all new premises. Current planning guidance advises local authorities to consult infrastructure providers such as water companies when drawing up their development plans, to ensure that the demands of new development do not exceed the capacities of existing or planned water supply systems.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in establishing an interdepartmental working group on fuel poverty; which individuals and Government departments will be represented on the working group; which non-governmental organisations will be invited to participate in the work of the group; and if he will make a statement. [19701]

  Angela Eagle
  At my request, officials from my Department have set up an informal group to examine the issue of fuel poverty. In particular, the group will look at the impact of current policies and programmes and consider whether existing expenditure could be made more effective. Other Departments represented are Social Security, Health, Trade and Industry and Treasury, together with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices. The group has met once so far. Non-governmental organisations may be invited in future to contribute to the work of the group as it progresses.

  Leasehold Legislation
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about changes to leasehold legislation; and what plans he has in this area. [19514]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have had a number of representations from organisations and individuals. We have a commitment to bring forward a package of reforms to assist leaseholders, and are currently considering the scope and practicability of possible measures. An announcement and public consultation are scheduled for the spring.

  Water Pollution (Nitrates)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made towards implementing European Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources; and if he will make a statement on the establishment of draft action programmes. [19667]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government have implemented all of the Directive's requirements, except the establishment of action programmes. We expect to issue draft action programme regulations for consultation before the end of 1997, with the aim of laying them before Parliament early in 1998.

  The Government are currently finalising the detailed assessment of the monitoring data required by the first review of designations, which forms the next phase of the Directive's implementation. Any changes proposed as a result will be issued for public consultation.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish an analysis of work carried out since revisions to the home energy efficiency scheme showing the numbers of different measures installed, the average cost of individual measures and the average value of a home energy efficiency scheme grant; and if he will make a statement. [19699]

  Angela Eagle
  The latest data available cover the period from 1 July 1997, when the revisions to the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme took effect, until 30 September 1997. Forty thousand and seven grants were paid for work under the revised scheme. Some work carried out during this period will not be included because the claims for payment will have been processed in the following quarter. An additional 52,308 grants were paid during this period in respect of work carried out under the preceding scheme, which contained a more limited range of energy efficiency measures.

  The breakdown of these 40,007 grants, by the main measure installed, was:

  Draught Proofing

  Loft Insulation

  Cavity Wall Insulation

  Heating Control Upgrade

  29,690

  7,331

  3,986

  nil

  631
  Additionally, 34,773 grants were paid for low energy light bulbs, 30,104 for personal advice on energy efficiency and 9,954 for hot water tank insulation in conjunction with one of these main measures.

  The mean value of all grants paid during the same period was £159. By the main measure installed, the mean grant values were as follows:

  Draught Proofing

  Loft Insulation

  Cavity Wall Insulation

  Heating Control Upgrades

  £130

  £236

  £281

  nil

  I am very pleased to announce that this information, updated quarterly, will become publicly available from early 1998. Our managing agent, Eaga Ltd., will place detailed reports about the scheme on the Internet. The address will be www.eaga.co.uk.

  I propose, in the near future, to review this scheme, which is intended to help people on low incomes keep their homes warmer and use less fuel, to find out if it is helping the right people in the most effective way.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what financial resources will be available to fund the cost of energy efficiency work carried out under the Environmental Task Force Programme; and if he will make a statement. [19697]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment Task Force is one of four options available to the young unemployed under the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds, and will be funded from the windfall levy on the excess profits of the privatised utilities.

  The level of funding available for projects carried out by the Environment Task Force, including energy efficiency work, will vary according to the administration and material costs of the placements, and will be subject to a competitive tender process, managed by the Employment Service.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the carbon savings that will occur each year as a result of the reduction in the level of VAT levied on activities undertaken under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme; and what estimates he has made of the carbon savings that would have occurred each year, had the same reduction in the level of VAT been levied on all purchases and installations of such energy-saving items as are deemed eligible under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, but currently undertaken outwith that scheme. [18544]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  Customs' recent report on the scope of a reduced rate of VAT for energy-saving materials concluded that a reduced rate of VAT targeted through HEES and similar grant-funded schemes would help more of the less well-off keep warm. The report also suggests that the environmental benefits of such a limited reduced rate would be small, because the benefit to such households may be taken in warmer houses rather than reduced fuel consumption.
  632
  The Government have said that they will explore with our European partners the scope for a reduced VAT rate on a broader range of Energy Saving Materials because this would have a larger environmental effect.

  Applying a reduced rate of VAT of 5 per cent. to all supplies to domestic consumers of the sort of energy saving measures that are available under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (including for DIY installation) might result in an initial annual saving of 3,000 tonnes of carbon, accumulating to 40,000 tonnes annually by 2010.

  Sainsbury's (Richmond-upon-Thames)
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when the planning application for the proposed Sainsbury's development at Richmond-upon-Thames was(a) first considered by the Inspector and (b) approved by the Inspector; and if he will give the dates on which Ministers were notified of the Inspector's preliminary and final decisions; [19924]

  (2) if he will list the dates on which the Inspector considering the planning application for the proposed Sainsbury's development at Richmond-upon-Thames contacted his Department; giving the reasons for the contacts and advice given. [19925]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.

  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those public relations companies who were involved in presentations to(a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) Inspectors in connection with the planning application for the proposed Sainsbury's development at Richmond-upon-Thames. [19922]

  Mr. Caborn
  No representations were made either to Ministers or to officials, as the decision on the appeal was made by a planning inspector. I have asked the Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member about the representations made to the inspector.

  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) architects and (b) planning consultants involved in presentations to (i) Ministers, (ii) officials and (iii) Inspectors in connection with the planning application for the proposed Sainsbury's development at Richmond-upon-Thames. [19923]

  Mr. Caborn
  No presentations were made either to Ministers or to officials. I have asked the Planning Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member about the representations made to the Inspector who was appointed to decide the appeal.

  Letter from Chris Shepley to Miss Julie Kirkbride, dated 11 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the planning appeal decisions concerning the proposed Sainsbury's development at Richmond-upon-Thames.
  I enclose a copy of the Inspector's decision letter at the back of which you will find a list of all those who gave evidence during the inquiry. In addition, the Inspector also received written

  633
  representations objecting to the proposal from Nathaniel Litchfield and Partners, on behalf of Chelverton Properties, and Roger Tym and Partners, on behalf of Somerfield Stores.
  As you will see from the decision letter, the Inspector started hearing the case in November 1996 but it overran the allotted time. The inquiry therefore had to be adjourned until March 1997. The Inspector issued his decision on 4 July 1997. Occasionally an Inspector may issue what is known as an Advanced Notice of Decision (AND) but these are usually limited to relatively simple cases. No AND was issued in this case and the decision letter of 4 July represents the Inspector's one and only decision on the appeal.
  Inspectors issue thousands of decisions every year and Ministers are not routinely informed about the outcome of them all. Ministers were not notified about the outcome of this case.
  To the best of my knowledge, the Inspector contacted us 3 times about the appeal: in December 1996 to confirm the dates for the re-opening of the inquiry; in April this year he asked us to circulate to the appellant and the local planning authority some late objections to the proposal; and in June, he asked us to write to the parties apologising for the delay in issuing his decision because he was still involved in a local plan inquiry.

  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representation he has received from hon. Members in connection with the proposed Sainsbury's development at Richmond-upon-Thames. [19921]

  Mr. Caborn
  Ministers received no representations prior to the issue of the Inspector's decision letter.

  South Yorkshire Super Tram
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department has spent to date on its legal action against South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive over the funding of the South Yorkshire Super Tram. [19811]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department has spent £9,792.57 to date in defending the legal action brought against it by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority and others.

  Vehicle Safety
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incidents of vehicles failing the vehicle inspectors' roadside test there have been in the last six months. [19690]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 10 December 1997]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate, Mr. Ron Oliver, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. David Drew, dated 11 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of incidents of vehicles failing roadside tests in the last six months.
  The Inspectorate's Vehicle Examiners carry out roadworthiness spot checks at the roadside, at ports, and at other locations where vehicles are parked or at operators' premises. Vehicles are examined to determine their compliance with safety and environmental standards through checks on their mechanical condition and their exhaust emissions.
  Vehicles failing to meet the required standard are issued with a prohibition notice which, depending on the seriousness of the defect, can prevent the vehicle from continuing on its journey until the
  634
  defect has been rectified. In any event a vehicle issued with a prohibition notice must be inspected by Inspectorate staff for clearance of the prohibition once the fault has been rectified.
  Details of vehicles failing to meet required roadworthiness and exhaust emission standards during roadside spot and fleet checks during the period 1 April to 30 September 1997 are as follows:

  Vehicle

  Roadworthiness Checks

  Emission Checks

  Examined

  Prohibited

  Examined

  Prohibited

  Heavy Goods Vehicles (including trailers)

  86,915

  13,267

  6,650

  220

  Passenger Service vehicles

  15,566

  1,906

  4,202

  121

  Light Goods Vehicles

  9,571

  2,345

  7,340

  3,800

  Cars

  787

  374

  45,251

  807

  Taxis and private hire cars

  1,685

  420

  1,979

  382

  Non-testable vehicles1

  1,015

  407

  n/a

  n/a

  Total

  115,539

  18,719

  65,422

  5,330

  n/a = not available.

  1 Includes mobile cranes, diggers and non-HGV trailers.

  In addition to the above checks, the Inspectorate's Traffic Examiners also carry out roadside examinations of vehicles to check for potential traffic offences including overloading, unauthorised use of vehicles, driver licensing, and tachograph misuse.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the total non-domestic grant allocated to each local authority in the current financial year. [20129]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have placed this information in the Library.

  Highways Agency
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire to receive a reply to his letter of 11 September to the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency. [20273]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Highways Agency replied to the right hon. Member's letter on 3 December.

  Planning Decision (Cockermouth)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 30 July 1997,Official Report, column 405, when he expects to announce a decision in relation to supermarket planning matters in Cockermouth. [20262]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I expect to announce a decision shortly.

  Businesses (Rents and Rates)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers exist to reduce(a) business rents and (b) business rates; and if he will make a statement. [19861]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There are no powers to intervene in the setting of business rents.

  I take it that in referring to powers to reduce business rates, the hon. Member refers to powers to vary the rates payable by individual ratepayers or groups of ratepayers

  635
  rather than to the national systems for determining the National Non-Domestic Rate and for giving transitional relief. Local authorities have powers to reduce the bills of certain ratepayers; relief may be granted to charities, non-profit making bodies and ratepayers suffering hardship provided that the relevant criteria are met. Charities have their rates bills reduced by statute provided that certain conditions are met; as do those liable for rates in respect of empty property. From 1 April 1998 relief will also become available to certain village shops.

  Central Line
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instigate a report into the current signalling problems on the Central Line. [20153]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Managing investment projects is a matter for London Underground Ltd. I am aware of the problems and know that London Underground is making every effort to minimise the disruption to its customers during the current programme of Central Line modernisation works and to bring the project to a successful conclusion.

  Pollution Control Directive
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the implementation of Directive 96/61/EC on integrated pollution prevention and control; and if he will make a statement. [20735]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government issued a consultation paper on 15 July seeking views on implementation of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive. To date 209 responses have been received from a range of industry and regulatory bodies, and from environmental groups and the public. I am today placing a list of those responses in the Libraries of both Houses, and making arrangements for individual responses to be available to those who wish to see them.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Public Library Service
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consideration he has given to the Audit Commission's recent report on the Public Library Service, "Due for Renewal". [20736]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government welcome the publication of "Due for Renewal". We recognise the importance of the public library sector, and are committed to its future. However, we also recognise that there are a number of challenges that public libraries are having to face as they approach the Millennium. "Due for Renewal" usefully identifies some of the main issues, and provides valuable advice about service planning and the scope for achieving further efficiency savings. This work complements the Government's requirement for library 636
  authorities in England to produce Annual Library Plans from 1998. I hope that library authorities will respond positively to the report's recommendations in considering their own services.

  Television Licence Fee
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has in respect of the level of next year's television licence fee; what account this level takes of the five year formula announced by the previous government; and if he will make a statement about future licence fee levels. [20737]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  In December 1996, following a report by independent consultants, Braxton Associates, on the BBC's expenditure needs, the previous Government announced a television licence fee formula for the five years from April 1997. Under this formula, licence fee increases for the period as a whole were set just below inflation as measured by the Retail Prices Index (RPI). However, the increases from 1 April 1998 were set at RPI plus 3 per cent., reflecting primarily the additional costs faced by the BBC in launching its new digital services.

  The Government have carefully considered the five year formula and have concluded that it remains appropriate. It allows the BBC to plan its business properly for the period as a whole and is based on an independent assessment of its financial needs. The real-terms increase this year is paying for new digital services for licence fee payers. The 1999–2000 increase under the formula will also be marginally above inflation, at RPI plus 0.5 per cent. However, the formula specifies changes in the licence fee in 2000–01, and 2001–02 at RPI minus 1 per cent. and RPI minus 2.5 per cent. respectively. Application of the RPI figure of 3.6 per cent. for the year to September 1997, plus 3 per cent., to the current unrounded licence fees produces new rounded totals of £97.50 for a colour licence and £32.50 for a black and white licence. The necessary regulations to bring these fees into force will be laid before the House in due course.

  The Government's existing Agreement with the BBC guarantees the licence fee until the end of the five-year period (i.e. until the end of March 2002). The Government intend to conduct well before then a wide-ranging review of the future level of the licence fee.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sri Lankans have sought political asylum in the United Kingdom during the current year. [19558]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  During the period from 1 January to 31 October 1997, a total of 1,405 applications for asylum, excluding dependants, were lodged in the United Kingdom by Sri Lankan nationals.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning allegations of corruption in the Metropolitan Police; and if he will make a statement. [19696]

  Mr. Michael
  My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet the Commissioner to discuss issues concerning the policing of London. We are extremely concerned that there should be adequate means for dealing with corrupt officers. We look forward to the report from the Home Affairs Committee and intend to consult with interested bodies before deciding on a way forward.

  Sex Shops
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions of unlicensed sex shops under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 have occurred in the last five years; and what proportion was successful. [19562]

  Mr. Michael
  In 1989, there was one prosecution under schedule 3 of the Act. This resulted in a conviction.

  Information collected since then has not identified individual offences committed under this specific Act.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the effectiveness of the significant degree rule for the regulation of shops selling sex articles. [19561]

  Mr. Michael
  We keep the operation of section 2 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, including the "significant degree" rule, under general review. The City of Westminster Act 1996 contains measures to improve the enforcement of the 1982 Act provisions and we will be considering whether experience of its operation suggests the need for more general changes.

  Rustling
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates he has made of the extent of cattle and sheep rustling in(a) Lancashire and (b) England. [19695]

  Mr. Michael
  No estimates are available centrally. Such offences would be recorded under the "Other theft or unauthorised taking" offence classification and not separately identifiable. Prior to the introduction of the Theft Act 1968, offences of "Larceny of horses and cattle" were published annually in the "Criminal Statistics" command paper, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Youth Justice Task Force
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the advice he received from the Youth Justice Task Force. [20296]
  638
  Mr. Michael
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Mr. Shaw) on 2 December 1997,Official Report, column 102.

  Prisons (Illegal Drugs)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reported cases of the use of illegal drugs in prisons there have been to date in 1997. [19779]

  Ms Quin
  From 1 January 1997 to 31 May 1997 (the latest month for which final figures are available), 9,353 prisoners tested positive in mandatory drug tests for the illegal use of drugs.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government classified Sierra Leone as a country in upheaval. [18286]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 28 November 1997]: In view of the situation in Sierra Leone, following the overthrow of the democratically elected government by rebel soldiers, we decided to declare that the country had undergone such a fundamental change in circumstances that we would not normally order the return of a person to that country for the time being. The declaration was made on 1 July 1997.

  The situation in Sierra Leone remains uncertain and it is being monitored closely in co-operation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Although the positive developments following the Conakry Accord are encouraging and we are looking forward to further improvements, no-one will be returned to Sierra Leone unless we are satisfied that it is safe to do so.

  The effect of making such a declaration is that a Sierra Leone national who was stranded in the United Kingdom and applied for asylum within three months of the declaration being made also became eligible to make a claim for social security benefits while his application was being considered by the Home Office, providing that claim for benefits was lodged within the three-month timescale.

  All applicants who claim asylum at the port or airport of arrival are eligible to claim social security benefits in a similar way.

  Category A Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women who were classified as category A prisoners were being held in prisons on 1 November. [19780]

  Ms Quin
  On 1 November 1997, 870 men and four women were classified as Category A prisoners.

  Hand Guns (Compensation)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints his Department has received about delays in paying compensation to gun owners who handed in firearms. [19808]

  Mr. Michael
  Around 500 complaints have been received about the timescale for compensation payments, and the need to respond to these complaints, proving a substantial distraction from the main work of the Firearms Compensation Section. The section is endeavouring to process claims as quickly as possible but complaints and other specific inquiries are factors slowing the rate of payments.

  I appreciate that the time taken to settle compensation claims is irritating to those who are opposed to the legislation and that all individuals who have handed in their weapons would like to be paid without delay. However, it was made clear at the outset that the number and difficulty of the claims received would make delays inevitable. All efforts are being made to complete the task as quickly as possible, and this would be achieved much sooner if there were fewer inquiries about the progress of individual claims.

DEFENCE

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the(a) first and (b) last deliveries of Eurofighter are expected; and what is the current yearly schedule. [20072]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The first Eurofighter is scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Air Force in June 2002 and the last in 2014 with the rate of delivery building up to 20 a year by 2005.

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  Under 25 per cent. of cases resolved

  DBS

  598

  19

  68

  59

  9

  6

  1

  14

  Burns Anderson

  922

  46

  100

  79

  21

  17

  2

  15

  Gan

  10,424

  400

  1,831

  274

  1,557

  1,030

  10

  16

  Lincoln National

  12,938

  1,026

  2,284

  735

  1,549

  1,118

  9

  22

  Countrywide

  2,692

  455

  214

  208

  6

  8

  0

  25

  25–50 per cent. of cases resolved

  Windsor Life

  8,325

  1,508

  895

  95

  800

  572

  7

  26

  Financial Options

  295

  72

  11

  7

  4

  3

  1

  28

  Canada Life

  5,454

  196

  1,834

  402

  1,432

  1,126

  21

  32

  Friends Provident

  6,675

  825

  1,927

  325

  1,602

  1,222

  18

  36

  London and Manchester

  7,935

  662

  2,809

  389

  2,420

  1,907

  24

  37

  Royal and Sun Alliance

  15,342

  1,704

  5,406

  736

  4,670

  3,643

  24

  40

  Brittanic

  18,290

  3,414

  4,522

  1,906

  2,616

  1,960

  11

  40

  CIS

  43,285

  2,724

  16,260

  11,294

  4,966

  3,392

  8

  40

  United Assurance

  12,326

  742

  4,894

  1,565

  3,329

  2,843

  23

  42

  Standard Life

  6,672

  449

  2,517

  952

  1,565

  1,405

  21

  42

  Abbey Life

  16,883

  3,836

  3,872

  839

  3,033

  2,436

  14

  42

  Hill Samuel

  5,931

  743

  2,123

  434

  1,689

  1,345

  23

  43

  Sun Life of Canada

  25,937

  6,374

  6,580

  1,188

  5,392

  3,531

  14

  43

  Colonial

  8,048

  1,879

  2,193

  297

  1,929

  1,385

  17

  44

  Allied Dunbar

  18,186

  2,508

  6,446

  2,475

  3,971

  3,088

  17

  44

  Godwins

  1,358

  47

  648

  287

  361

  291

  21

  46

  Albany Life

  2,844

  503

  1,330

  95

  1,235

  721

  25,

  46

TREASURY

  Pensions
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made by pensions firms in providing redress to the victims of mis-selling in the period up to the end of November. [20718]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In a statement to the House on 18 November 1997,Official Report, columns 155–163, I set out the progress that had been made by firms in redressing victims of mis-selling up until the end of October. I have now received an update from the 41 firms whose progress I have been monitoring, and these are set out in the table. For those firms that fail to make sufficient progress, regulatory discipline is a real prospect. For most of these 41 firms, the regulators' deadline of 31 December, by which 90 per cent. of the most urgent cases must be resolved, is fast approaching. It is now up to each firm to make every effort to make rapid progress so that disciplinary action against them is not called for.

  In general most firms have improved their performance over the month. Once again however, the figures show a wide divergence in performance, with some firms making good, if belated progress, and others that still have a disgracefully large task which remains to be tackled.

  Of course many firms other than the 41 listed have cases to review. These, too, must be completed within deadlines set by the regulators. Of these firms, the vast majority are independent financial advisers (IFAs), ranging from large firms, employing hundreds, if not thousands, of people, to small sole traders. Few firms are innocent, and no firm will be let off the hook: the customer who has been disadvantaged by the mis-selling of a small IFA has as much right to speedy redress as the customer of the largest pension provider. All firms must complete their reviews without delay, and to the standards set out by the regulators.
  641

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  NatWest

  14,069

  3,462

  4,125

  834

  3,291

  2,408

  17

  48

  Lloyd's TSB

  48,200

  8,302

  17,190

  5,195

  11,995

  10,480

  22

  50

  50–75 per cent. of cases resolved

  IFA Network

  209

  31

  81

  64

  17

  11

  5

  51

  Guardian

  8,732

  860

  4,321

  733

  3,588

  2,847

  33

  51

  Commercial Union

  7,462

  1,012

  3,514

  693

  2,821

  2,276

  31

  53

  Pearl

  42,505

  2,370

  26,272

  4,833

  21,439

  15,799

  37

  54

  Sedgwick

  11,511

  4,253

  2,405

  951

  1,454

  1,059

  9

  54

  Prudential

  71,358

  16,559

  42,542

  3,294

  39,248

  19,119

  27

  55

  Royal London

  11,432

  959

  6,684

  1,248

  5,436

  4,120

  36

  55

  Midland

  4,787

  339

  2,856

  448

  2,408

  1,923

  40

  57

  Norwich Union

  7,166

  2,061

  2,452

  562

  1,890

  1,589

  22

  59

  Wesleyan

  4,132

  222

  2,488

  732

  1,756

  1,478

  36

  59

  Legal and General

  35,354

  13,504

  11,921

  1,367

  10,554

  7,803

  22

  64

  Berkeley Independent

  86

  47

  8

  8

  1

  1

  1

  65

  Hogg Robinson

  1,922

  734

  730

  248

  482

  329

  17

  68

  M and E Network

  273

  151

  43

  14

  29

  25

  9

  70

  Equitable Life

  11,100

  5,575

  2,745

  1,242

  1,503

  1,207

  11

  72

  Over 75 per cent. of cases resolved

  Barclays

  16,821

  5,973

  7,735

  1,893

  5,842

  4,785

  28

  75

  AXA Equity and Law

  3,855

  684

  2,493

  652

  1,841

  1,576

  41

  76

  A: cases identified as requiring review.

  B: of A, cases where investor was informed that information gained during assessment excluded cases from review.

  C: number of assessments completed.

  D: cases where the investor has been informed that no redress is due.

  E: cases where redress has been offered.

  F: cases where redress has been accepted.

  G: cases where redress has been accepted as a percentage of cases identified for review ((F/A)x100).

  H: cases completed, including exclusions, as a percentage of cases identified for review (((B+D+F)/A)x100).

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is proposing to increase public service pensions from April 1998. [20719]

  Mr. Darling
  Legislation governing public service pensions requires public service pensions to be increased annually by the same percentage as State earnings related pensions (additional pensions). My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced on 2 December 1997,Official Report, column 186 that additional pensions will be increased by 3.6 per cent., in line with the annual increase in the Retail Prices Index up to September 1997. Public service pensions will therefore be increased by 3.6 per cent., from 6 April 1998, except those which have been in payment for less than a year, which will receive a pro rata increase.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his current estimate of the cost of answering a written parliamentary question and an oral parliamentary question. [20721]

  Mrs. Liddell
  As at April 1997, the average cost of answering a written parliamentary question and an oral parliamentary question was £112 and £260 respectively.

  Euro
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many copies of the European Commission information pack, "Infeuro," will be distributed to the United Kingdom; and to which groups. [20259]
  642
  Mrs. Liddell
  "Infeuro" is a newsletter published by the European Commission, which is responsible for its distribution.

  VAT (NHS Trusts)
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets have been set by his Department for the recovery of VAT from NHS trusts in each year since 1990. [19998]

  Dawn Primarolo
  None.

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total VAT recovered from NHS trusts in each year since 1990. [19999]

  Dawn Primarolo
  None. NHS trusts regularly receive repayments from Customs and Excise.

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedures are in place for consulting the National Health Service on the implementation of new procedures for the payment and recovery of VAT from NHS trusts; and if he will make a statement. [19997]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs and Excise has regular meetings with the VAT Committee of the Healthcare Financial Management Association to discuss issues of mutual concern and future development.

  South-east Asia
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what terms he has attached to money lent or committed to South Korea as part of the IMF rescue package or otherwise. [19914]
  643
  Mrs. Liddell
  IMF financing under Korea's Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) is conditioned on a strong programme of adjustment. This involves a tight macroeconomic framework; a comprehensive strategy to restructure the financial sector; further trade and capital account liberalisation; and improvements in corporate structure and governance. The Presidents of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank have also indicated that they are both ready to provide financial support to Korea, conditioned on strong programmes of reform. It is expected that these programmes will focus on financial sector restructuring and institutional reform.

  Full implementation of these programmes will help restore market confidence and provide Korea with a solid foundation for more sustained growth. Programmes will be reviewed regularly and future disbursements of funds will be linked to successful completion of the reviews.

  In addition, the UK—together with a number of other countries—has agreed to consider the provision of further financial support for Korea. This will be made available only if unanticipated circumstances create the need to supplement resources provided by the international financial institutions, while Korea remains in compliance with IMF arrangements.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the recent United Kingdom contribution to the rescue packages from(a) the IMF, (b) other institutions and (c) directly to (i) South Korea and (ii) other Asian countries. [19912]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Four Asian countries have recently agreed IMF programmes under the IMF's Emergency Financing Mechanism. They are the Philippines (July), Thailand (August), Indonesia (October) and Korea (November). The latter three countries have in addition agreed, or are negotiating, programmes with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (AsDB). The financing to be provided by international financial institutions (IFIs) is likely to amount to the following:

  $ billion

  International Financial Institution Finance

  Total IFI Financing

  IMF

  World Bank

  AsDB

  Philippines

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Thailand

  4

  1.5

  1.2

  6.7

  Indonesia

  10

  4.5

  3.5

  18

  South Korea

  21

  10

  4

  35

  The UK is a major shareholder in the international financial institutions—the UK quota share at both the IMF and World Bank is approximately five per cent., and at the AsDB is two per cent.—and has strongly supported all these programmes of adjustment and the high levels of IFI financing involved. Programmes will be reviewed regularly and future disbursements of funds will be linked to successful completion of the reviews.

  In the case of Korea, the UK, together with a number of other countries has in addition agreed to consider the provision of further financial support for Korea. This will be made available only if unanticipated circumstances create the need to supplement resources provided by the
  644
  international financial institutions, while Korea remains in compliance with IMF arrangements. The UK is willing to consider a contribution of up to USD1.25 billion.

  In the case of Thailand, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) issued a statement on behalf of the monetary authorities of the G10—including the Bank of England—and several other countries, explaining that they stand ready, if need be, to provide a short-term bridging loan to the Thai authorities. So far the need for such a loan has not arisen.

  Subsidies to Industry
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the overall cost of subsidies to industry in the form of(a) tax allowances, (b) direct grants, (c) tied research and infrastructure programmes, (d) business rate exemptions and (e) export credit guarantee payments for the last year for which figures are available. [19817]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Insurance Premium Tax
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations have been made to Treasury Ministers on the subject of insurance premium tax for the travel industry since the last General Election. [19666]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Treasury Ministers have received a number of representations on this issue, including six Parliamentary Questions excluding this and the other recent questions raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry) and about 200 letters from Members of this House.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the inability to value-shift on non-EU holidays sold by tour operators or travel agents. [19662]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have received a number of representations on this issue. Value-shifting by travel agents and tour operators does take place on non-EU holidays but since such holidays are not subject to VAT there has never been any question of a VAT motive or a VAT effect in this area. On grounds of simplicity, efficiency and effectiveness it was nevertheless considered right that insurance sold with all holidays should be made subject to the higher rate of insurance premium tax.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's current position and timetable on their review of the differential between the rate of insurance premium tax currently levied for policies sold by tour operators and travel agents and for similar travel insurance policies sold through building societies, BUPA and other retailers. [19660]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have asked officials in Customs and Excise to monitor the effect of the introduction of the higher rate of insurance premium tax. It is too early yet to draw any conclusions from this monitoring process.

  Aviation Fuel Tax
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on European Union negotiations on taxation on aviation fuel. [19758]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There are no Commission proposals before the Council at present to end the current exemption of aviation fuel used in international commercial traffic. The Commission has been asked by the ECOFIN Council, on 9 June 1997, to study the environmental and economic effects in Europe of ending the current exemption of aviation fuel. The study is not likely to be completed before May 1998.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what taxes are levied on aviation fuel in the United Kingdom. [19743]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Aviation turbine fuels for aircraft use are not subject to excise duty. Aviation gasoline is charged at the rate of £0.2255 per litre (£1.025) per gallon). Supplies of both types of fuel for commercial flights within the United Kingdom and for all private flights are liable at the standard rate of Value Added Tax.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue would be raised if aircraft fuel was taxed at the same rate as commercial fuel for road transport assuming no alteration in demand. [19744]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The estimate requested by the hon. Member on taxing aviation fuel at the same rate as diesel would raise approximately £4 billion, assuming no alteration in demand.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [15240]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: The available data for the official overseas trips taken by myself and my Ministerial team (along with officials in support) since 2 May are as follows:

  Date

  Destination

  Cost1

  Number in party

  Purpose

  Chancellor

  11–12 May

  Brussels

  £2,324

  7

  ECOFIN

  8–9 June

  Luxembourg

  £2,641

  7

  ECOFIN

  15–17 June

  Holland

  £3,275

  7

  European Council

  20–22 June

  Denver

  £10,967

  5

  G7 Summit

  7 July

  Brussels

  £1,581

  7

  ECOFIN

  9 July

  Luxembourg

  £2,149

  4

  Meeting with Prime Minister Juncker

  12–23 September

  Luxembourg

  2£22,699

  5

  Informal ECOFIN

  Mauritius

  6

  Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting

  Bangkok

  5

  ASEM Finance Ministers

  Hong Kong

  5

  Annual Meetings of the World Bank/IMF

  6 October

  Paris

  1—

  5

  Meeting with Finance Minister Strauss-Kahn

  13 October

  Luxembourg

  1—

  7

  ECOFIN

  5 November

  Brussels

  1—

  9

  ECOFIN

  17 November

  Brussels

  1—

  7

  ECOFIN

  646

  Date

  Destination

  Cost1

  Number in party

  Purpose

  1 December

  Brussels

  1—

  5

  ECOFIN

  4–5 December

  New York

  1—

  4

  Speech to the British-American Chamber of Commerce

  Chief Secretary

  None

  Paymaster General

  None

  Financial Secretary

  20 June

  Brussels

  £1,147

  3

  Monti Tax Policy Group

  18 September

  Brussels

  £2,030

  4

  Monti Tax Policy Group

  20 October

  Brussels

  £2,114

  4

  Monti Tax Policy Group

  4 November

  Bonn

  £2,139

  4

  Meeting with State Secretary Hauser

  6 November

  Czech Republic

  £1,819

  3

  To see UK Customs and Excise international assistance programme (anti-drugs activity)

  1 December

  Brussels

  £706

  2

  ECOFIN

  Economic Secretary

  8 June

  Brussels

  £987

  3

  EC Budget Council Members

  24 July

  Brussels

  £1,169

  3

  EC Budget Council

  26–28 September

  Italy

  1—

  1

  Pontignano Conference

  5 November

  Brussels

  1—

  2

  ECOFIN

  7 November

  Stockholm

  1—

  2

  Meeting on European issues

  17 November

  Brussels

  1—

  2

  ECOFIN

  27 November

  Brussels

  1—

  4

  EC Budget Council

  3 December

  Luxembourg

  1—

  4

  Meeting member of the European Court of Auditors

  1 Costs are as billed and may not be complete or available.

  2 Some of the Annual Meeting costs are subject to reimbursement by World Bank/IMF.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Philippines (Bridges)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the development project for a network of bridges in the Philippines and for its applicability in other countries. [20252]

  Clare Short
  We are providing support from the Aid and Trade Provision for the construction of 218 road bridges in less developed and disaster-prone areas. When appraised in 1995, the programme was considered to be of high developmental value. A second proposal is now under appraisal. This involves support for construction or replacement of bridges located on national highways and our support will depend on whether such bridges bring significant benefits to poor people.

  Higher Education Teachers
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the reservations expressed by Her Majesty's Government on the recommendation on the status of higher education personnel, passed by UNESCO General Conference in November. [19745]
  647
  Dr. Howells
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 5 December 1997, Official Report column 392.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the names of all those people whom he has appointed to public bodies since 1 May, indicating the positions to which they have been appointed, and whether they receive remuneration. [19971]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made or approved the following appointments since 1 May 1997:

  British Council:

  Dr. David Drewry,

  Director General (wef 1/11998)

  Remuneration: £92,480.

  Commonwealth Institute:

  David French,

  Director General

  Remuneration: £60,000.

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy:

  Menzies Cambell CBE, QC, MP,

  Governor

  Remuneration: Nil

  Gary Streeter MP,

  Governor

  Remuneration: Nil

  Mary Calder,

  Governor

  Remuneration: Nil

  Richard Page MP

  Governor

  Remuneration: Nil.

  The names, positions and remuneration of all the public appointments handled by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary are published on an annual basis in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Departmental Report in March. This information will also be available on the world wide Internet once the current update has been completed.

  Iraq
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the type and number of weapons destroyed by the United Nations inspection team in Iraq since the ending of the Gulf war; and what types of nerve gas and related items the inspectors believe to be still held by the Iraqi regime. [19687]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 8 December 1997]: The UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) are able to account for 817 and 819 missiles with a range greater than 150 kilometres known to have been acquired by Iraq.
  648
  Forty-eight of these have been destroyed by UNSCOM. In addition, UNSCOM have been responsible for the destruction of 30 warheads, 690 tonnes of chemical weapons, 38,537 filled and empty munitions and more than 3,000 tonnes of precursor chemicals, as well as the main biological weapons production plant at Al Hakm, and large quantities of growth media. Further details can be found in the latest report by the Executive Chairman of UNSCOM, placed in the Library on 10 November 1997. UNSCOM have not published estimates of quantities of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) which may still be held by Iraq. Iraq has worked on a large number of agents including VX, Sarin, Botulinum toxin, Aflatoxin, and Anthrax. UNSCOM remain seriously concerned that they have not been able fully to account for Iraq's known imports and production of material for chemical and biological weapons, and that Iraq retains the expertise and capability to re-commence its WMD programmes at very short notice.

  Home Office Export Initiative
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) the Association of Chief Police Officers and (b) trade associations representing the policing and security sector concerning the continuation of the work undertaken under the Home Office Export Initiative. [20018]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Officials from this Department and the DTI are in discussion with the trade associations representing the policing and security sector. My noble Friend the Minister for Trade has also received representations from the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers. I am not aware of any discussions with the Association of Chief Police Officers.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the additional cost to his Department of undertaking work previously administered by the Home Office Export Initiative; and from which budget it will be found. [20017]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There will be no additional cost to this Department.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what arrangements the work of the Export Initiative previously administered by the Home Office will be carried out by the overseas trade services section of his Department. [20019]

  Mr. Fatchett
  This Department and the Department of Trade and Industry, under the banner of Overseas Trade Services, will continue to give advice and assistance to all UK companies seeking to trade overseas, including those companies from the security industry. This includes access to help provided under the Export Promoter Initiative and Trade Fair and Overseas Seminar Support Scheme.

  Schengen Agreement
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Presidency of the EU commissioned the report on the circumstances surrounding
  649
  the agreement leading to the final text of Article 4 of the Protocol to the Amsterdam Treaty integrating the Schengen Acquis into the framework of the European Union; when he received it; when he received a letter from the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands on this matter; and if he will publish it. [19951]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 9 December 1997]: The Presidency of the EU did not commission any such report. The Permanent Representative of the Netherlands wrote to the UK Permanent Representative on the matter on 16 July. It would not be appropriate to publish this piece of diplomatic correspondence sent by another government to HMG.

  Child Labour
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking in support of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, with particular reference to through-bonded child labour. [20008]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We strongly support the work of United Nations organisations such as the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to promote full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 1998 negotiations will begin on a new ILO Convention on child labour. We will help to ensure that the new convention makes a vital contribution to eliminating the most abhorrent forms of child labour, including bonded labour.

  Anti-personnel Mines
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government intend to ratify the treaty banning anti-personnel mines; and what steps he is taking to encourage other countries to ratify the treaty. [20152]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Mr. Campbell) on 24 November 1997,Official Report, columns 398–99, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 4 December 1997, Official Report, column 300.

  EU General Affairs Council
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the General Affairs Council held on 8 December in Brussels. [20461]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  At the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 8 December, the seven A points in document 13048/97 were approved, and the European Parliament Resolutions of 17–21 November in document 11493/97 were noted. The text of both documents will be placed in the Libraries of the House as soon as they become available.

  Policy planning unit
  1. The Council requested Coreper and the Political Committee to continue discussion on the design of the Policy Planning Unit.
  650
  OSCE: Copenhagen Ministerial
  2. Denmark reported on prospects for the OSCE Ministerial meeting later this month, in particular the security charter and prospects for OSCE financial reform.

  WT0: Financial services
  3. The Council discussed prospects for reaching agreement on the financial services negotiations by the 12 December deadline.

  Transatlantic relations
  4. There were brief reports on the EU-US and EU-Canada Summits which took place in Washington and Ottawa on 5 and 4 December respectively.

  Illegal immigration from Iraq
  5. The Council discussed measures to counter the recent rise in illegal immigration from northern Iraq, which is presenting problems for a number of EU partners. The Political Committee will assess the situation in northern Iraq. Work on practical steps to stem the flow of illegal immigrants will be taken forward by the K4 Committee on 18 December.

  Luxembourg European Council
  6. The Presidency set out the agenda for the European Council on 12–13 December. There was a brief discussion.

  Enlargement/agenda 2000
  7. This formed the main part of the Council's discussions. Member States broadly endorsed the Presidency's report to the Luxembourg Council. However, differences remained concerning the screening process and the creation of a new 15 plus 11 process. The UK supported by Italy, France and the Netherlands spoke against both proposals. The Swedes and Danes supported screening, Germany continued to favour the 15 plus 11 process. The Presidency concluded that it would submit the report to the European Council on its own authority.

  EU/Mexico: Signature of agreements
  8. In the margins, the EU and Mexico signed two agreements which establish a framework for closer relations into the next century. The Foreign Secretary signed the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement—which covers areas of both Uk and EU competence—on behalf of the UK. The Mexican Foreign and Trade Ministers attended.

  ASEM II
  9. The GAC adopted the following conclusions: the Council discussed preparations for ASEM II to be held in London in April 1998 and invited the appropriate instances to take forward work in advance of the next ASEM Senior Officials Meeting in London in February.

  Any other business: EU/Japan summit
  10. As incoming Presidency, the UK informed Member States of plans for the EU/Japan Summit on 12 January 1998.

  Tibet
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the Chinese authorities to allow a parliamentary delegation to visit Tibet during his proposed visit to China in January 1998. [20145]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are deeply concerned about the human rights situation in China, and welcome the possibility of a parliamentary visit to Tibet. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary looks forward to discussing a wide range of issues, including Tibet, during his planned visit to China.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Primary Schools (Class Sizes)
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of current average class sizes in primary schools. [18763]

  Mr. Byers
  In January 1997 the average class size for primary schools was 27.5

  Education and Training Targets
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress in achieving the national education and training targets. [18764]

  Mr. Blunkett
  There has been mixed progress towards achieving the current National Targets. It looks possible that we could get close nationally to achieving several of the Targets, but achievement of Foundation Target 2 and Lifetime Target 1 is more problematic.

  Earlier this week we published a consultation document which sets out how we might take forward National Targets over the next few years.

  Student Tuition Fees
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he plans to take in respect of those students who fail to meet their payments on tuition fees; and what provision he has made for this. [18765]

  Dr. Howells
  It will be for universities and colleges to decide what action to take if students fail to make the private contributions to undergraduate tuition fees, just as they have to for part-time, postgraduate and overseas students. The higher education funding plans for 1998–99 assumed that institutions in England would collect £130 million from private contributions to fees. This figure allowed for costs of some 5 per cent. for collection and any default.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the proportion of students who will have their tuition fees waived. [18780]

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of the proportion of students who will have their tuition fees waived. [19187]

  Dr. Howells
  We have estimated that, under the new arrangements, about 30 per cent. of students, where parental income is taken into account, will make no contribution to the cost of their tuition.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of changes in numbers of applicants for higher education places in 1998–99 against the previous year. [18766]

  Dr. Howells
  Applicant numbers are at present slightly down compared with last year; but we expect further 652
  applications to be submitted before and indeed beyond the closing date.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of potential students qualifying for admission to higher education he estimates will be unable to attend under the terms of his proposed basis for student support owing to financial pressures. [18776]

  Dr. Howells
  The new funding arrangements are fair and progressive and will target support. I see no reason why they should prevent any student from attending higher education.

  Young Unemployed
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people aged between 18 and 24 years, unemployed for over six months, will benefit from the new deal in its first year. [18768]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  It is not possible to provide precise estimates of the total numbers of young people who will require help from the New Deal. In its first year, we will offer help to everyone who becomes eligible for the New Deal, and sufficient places will be available to meet this commitment.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the response of employers in the tourism, leisure and hospitality industries has been to the new deal for young unemployed people. [18770]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply 1 gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Yarmouth (Mr. Wright).

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if there will be the opportunity for young people entering the gateway phase of the new deal to gain some work experience without losing benefits entitlement. [18779]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  People claiming the Jobseeker's Allowance are able to benefit from work experience as part of an employment or training programme without losing benefit entitlement. This includes young people on the Gateway phase of the New Deal.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how Rotherham and the Dearne will benefit from the Environmental Task Force and voluntary sector options of the New Deal for young unemployed people. [18772]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  In Rotherham, plans are well advanced to offer placements on the Environmental Task Force and voluntary sector option. It is projected that around 480 young unemployed could take up this provision in the period to March 1999. In Dearne, which is not a Pathfinder area, invitations to tender are being issued with a view to offering contracts to run from April 1998. The precise number of places has yet to be decided.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people between
  653
  18 and 24 years old will benefit from the New Deal in the (a) constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East and (b) Teesside Region in the first year of operation. [19254]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  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 Kevin White to Mr. Ashok Kumar, dated 11 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to respond to your question about the number of people aged between 18 and 24 who will benefit from the New Deal in the constituency of Middlesbrough and East Cleveland and also in Teeside region in the first year of operation.
  The planning assumptions, based on the New Deal District plan, indicate that 1,400 clients who have been unemployed for six months or more will be eligible for the New Deal in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency. In Teeside, as a whole the number of clients eligible to benefit in the first year is estimated to be 5928.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is the object of the New Deal policy in respect of increasing(a) employment and (b) employability; [19173]

  (2) by what criteria the success of the New Deal will be measured. [19225]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The aim of the New Deal is to increase the long-term employability of young and long-term unemployed people by offering the opportunity to participate in a job, training or useful work experience. The Government believe that this has an important part to play in developing a more skilled workforce and efficient labour market which will assist sustainable job-generating, economic growth.

  The success of the New Deal in achieving its aims will be evaluated through the analysis of data gained from a range of qualitative and quantitative surveys with New Deal participants, employers and organisations involved in the delivery of the New Deal. We are currently finalising the exact criteria that will form our evaluation strategy.

  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the role of the Territorial Army in the delivery of the New Deal. [19475]

  Dr. Reid
  I have been asked to reply.

  As I said in my written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 14 November 1997, Official Report, column 688, my Department is keen to play a full part in the New Deal initiative. The contribution that the Territorial Army and other Reserve organisations might make is under consideration in MOD's assessment of its involvement in the initiative.

  Education-Work Link
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve 654
  the range and quality of opportunities for young people to link their education to work. [18771]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has this week launched Investing in Young People, a major new strategy aimed at improving the range and quality of education and training available to all young people aged 16 to 19. The measures which make up this strategy are aimed at giving everyone the chance to gain recognised qualifications which will give them the best possible start in the workplace. They include measures to tackle underachievement among this age group, and bring back into education those who have dropped out.

  "Excellence in schools"
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many responses he has received to the consultation document, "Excellence in schools". [18773]

  Mr. Byers
  We have received around 8,500 responses to the White Paper. Some 3,500 were responses to the full document and the remainder were responses to the summary version.

  School Leavers
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of school leavers leave school with no qualifications. [18774]

  Dr. Howells
  The figure for those who leave education at 16 is not centrally collected. In 1997, 7.7 per cent. of young people completing their compulsory education had no qualifications. The White Paper, "Excellence in schools," outlines measures to reduce this figure.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the demand-led formula on the financing of further education colleges; and what proposals he has to address the current financial problems of further education colleges. [18775]

  Dr. Howells
  The demand-led element was withdrawn by the previous Government. The additional funding for further education next year, announced by my right hon. Friend on 12 November, provides for the resumption of growth on a financially sound basis. The funding provides for an additional 20,000 full-time equivalent students, with the efficiency squeeze on the sector restricted to the costs arising from inflation.

  Mrs. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial resources are being made available to further education colleges in England in advance of the New Deal. [20743]

  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial resources are being made available to further education colleges in England in advance of the New Deal. [20878]
  655
  Mr. Blunkett
  I am announcing today that we intend to provide £6.05 million of additional resources for Further Education colleges to be financed from Windfall Tax receipts. This will enable them to provide relevant courses from January to JSA claimants under the New Deal in advance of its implementation in April. The additional money will enable FE colleges to make better use of their capacity to tackle unemployment amongst young people.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the effect on further education college budgets of the proposed changes to EU Social Fund provision. [19139]

  Dr. Howells
  Colleges will have the opportunity in 1998 and 1999 to bid for some £140 million available from Objective 4 of the European Social Fund, to help prepare workers for industrial change.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the surplus or deficit of each further education college ordered by region. [19140]

  Dr. Howells
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Further Education Funding Council to write to the hon. Member concerning this matter.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what proposals he has to address the current funding deficit in respect of further education colleges; [19228]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effect of ending the demand led formula in respect of funding further education colleges on the financial situation of such colleges; [19229]

  (3) What plans he has to compensate further education colleges for the loss of the demand led element in Janaury; and if he will make a statement. [19135]

  Dr. Howells
  The demand-led element was withdrawn by the previous Government. The additional funding for further education next year, announced by my right hon. Friend on 12 November, provides for the resumption of growth on a financially sound basis. The funding provides for an additional 20,000 full-time equivalent students, with the efficiency squeeze on the sector restricted to the costs arising from inflation.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funds he will make available to assist colleges of further education in the Teesside region for the year 1998–99. [19255]

  Dr. Howells
  On 12 November, my right hon. Friend announced additional funding for the sector next year. The Further Education Funding Council will take decisions, in the light of guidance from my right hon. Friend, on the general principles to be applied to funding for the academic year 1998–99. Allocations of funding to sector colleges within given regions are the responsibility of the Council, which will make them early next year.

  School Standards
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to raise standards in schools in disadvantaged areas. [18778]
  656
  Mr. Blunkett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave ealrier to my hon. Friends, the Members for Gedling (Mr. Coaker) and for Stockton, South (Ms Taylor).

  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how he intends to means test parents and spouses of(a) United Kingdom students and (b) EU students for this payment of tuition fees. [18781]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Mr. Willis) on 10 December 1997 Official Report, column 550.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans he has to compensate universities for the revenue consequences of a reduction in student numbers caused by the imposition of tuition fees; and if he will make a statement; [19193]

  (2) what action he proposes to take in respect of the increased funding deficit for universities if his Department's advertising campaign fails to attract sufficient higher education students to meet the present targets. [19222]

  Dr. Howells
  We do not expect institutions generally to have difficulty filling their places.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of the additional money which will be available to higher education directly from the imposition of tuition fees in each year from 1998–99 to 2002–03; [19138]

  (2) if money raised from the imposition of tuition fees will be additional to projected university budgets. [19194]

  Dr. Howells
  The higher education funding plans for 1998–99 assumed that institutions in England would collect £130 million from private contributions to fees, and allowed for an additional £165 million for the sector, including a £36 million package for access.

  Decisions about funding for 1999–2000 and beyond will have to await the outcome of the Government's Expenditure Review. The Government will take account of the income that universities and colleges collect from the student contribution to tuition fees, the needs of the higher education sector and wider public expenditure considerations.

  We have made clear that the savings from the introduction of tuition fees will be used to improve quality, standards and opportunity for all in further and higher education.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the level at which students will be exempt from paying tuition fees will be based on(a) gross, (b) disposable or (c) residual income level. [19156]

  Dr. Howells
  Contributions to tuition fees in 1998–99 will be calculated in the same way as in previous years, that is on the basis of residual income (gross income after certain allowable deductions). These arrangements will be reviewed for the academic year 1999–2000.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if the level of tuition fees charged to
  657
  students entering university in 1998 will remain constant for the remainder of their degree course; [19136]

  (2) on what percentage of average course costs future charges to full-time undergraduates will be based; and what steps he will take to restrict universities in the increases they make to the charges upon which that percentage is based. [19137]

  Dr. Howells
  It is for universities themselves to determine the level of fees that they charge students. Our proposals assume that full-time undergraduates will contribute up to £1,000 towards tuition fees in 1998–99: this represents around 25 per cent. of the average course cost, which was the percentage the Dearing Inquiry recommended for private individual contributions. The Teaching and Higher Education Bill, currently before the other House, contains provisions requiring that the maximum financial support from Government for tuition fees, and hence by implication the maximum contribution from students, parents or spouses towards tuition fees, cannot increase by more than inflation without Parliamentary approval. Further provisions in the Bill gives the Secretary of State a reserve power to control top-up fees, if necessary.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effect of the announcement of the introduction of tuition fees on applications for university places in 1998. [19191]

  Dr. Howells
  None. It is too early to estimate the number of education applicants for 1998–99. Applicant numbers are at present slightly down compared with last year; but, by this stage last year, fewer than half of the final number of applications had been submitted.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if students studying sandwich courses will be expected to pay tuition fees in their year out in industry. [19186]

  Dr. Howells
  The maximum tuition fees contribution, subject to assessment against family income, will be £500 in a year when a student spends the entire year of a course on a sandwich placement. This contribution is towards the cost incurred by the institution of administrative and pastoral arrangements relating to the placement.

  Where sandwich or other elements form less than a full year away, the £1,000 fee will be payable, subject to the family income assessment.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if students presently studying HNDs and due to finish in summer 1998 who go on to a one year top up degree as part of a profession pathway to degree status, will be expected to pay tuition fees on that year. [19188]

  Dr. Howells
  A student who is already on or begins an HND course in academic year 1997–98, and who goes on to a degree course immediately after completing the HND course, will be treated as an existing student and be eligible for support throughout the degree course under 658
  the 1997–98 arrangements. That means they will pay no tuition fees for the duration of the course.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what action he plans to take in respect of those students who fail to meet their payments on tuition fees and what provision he has made for this; [19183]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the collection of tuition fees; by whom they will be collected; and how much he estimates this will cost; [19184]

  (3) what funds he will make available to assist universities in collecting tuition fees. [19190]

  Dr. Howells
  Universities and colleges already have administrative arrangements in place to collect tuition fees from part-time students, overseas students, self-funding students, and many postgraduates. They will be able to build on these arrangements in collecting private contributions to tuition fees from full-time undergraduate students under the new funding arrangements for higher education and in deciding what action to take if students fail to make the private contributions.

  The higher education funding plans for 1998–99 assumed that institutions in England will collect £130 million from private contributions to fees. This figure allowed for some 5 per cent. for collection and any default.

  Teenage Mothers (Schooling)
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support is available for teenage mothers who wish to continue their schooling. [18782]

  Dr. Howells
  If a teenage mother cannot attend school, the local education authority has a duty to provide suitable education if she is of compulsory school age, and may so provide if she is older.

  Training
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that the United Kingdom has a highly skilled work force. [18783]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Much is already being done to address the needs for a skilled work force through the Government's current programme of work. We announced recently our plans to develop a national skills agenda and the setting up of a Skills Task Force and a Skills Unit to identify where skills gaps exist and how they should be best addressed. The New Deal for young unemployed people includes training to a certified standard in each of its options.

  Literacy Standards
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial resources he has allocated in respect of his strategy to raise standards in literacy. [18784]
  659
  Mr. Byers
  More than £54 million is available in the new Standards Fund to support activities to raise the standards of literacy in primary schools. This includes £50 million to support the professional development of teachers through the National Literacy Strategy, £4 million for Summer Literacy Schools (with private sponsorship providing a further £1 million), and additional support for Family Literacy, details of which we expect to announce shortly.

  Education Budget
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with local authorities regarding the use of the extra money for education announced in the budget for 1998–99. [18785]

  Mr. Byers
  The Department's officials have 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.

  Furthermore, the Secretary of State has written to LEAs, emphasising that a £1,017 million increase in recurrent funding announced by the Chancellor in his Budget has been made available for the people's priority of raising standards in our schools.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to evaluate the operation of the employment and goods and services section of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [20281]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department has an ongoing, long-term research strategy to evaluate the operation of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This takes in employers, service providers and individual disabled people. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Disability Rights, announced the latest phase of this research in a speech to the Association of Disabled Professionals on 6 December. It will review in a systematic and collective way information on cases brought in the Courts and Industrial Tribunals and how they are resolved. The results will be available to the Task Force which I will chair which is to consider how best to secure comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people.

  Self-employment
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the extent to which the New Deal for young people will help people into self-employment. [18769]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  We are designing a comprehensive programme of help for young people who want to start their own business which will come on stream in June 1998. Advice will be available from day one of the Gateway. There will be specific help including advice, support and monitoring by providers with expertise in this area and the opportunity to carry out 660
  test-trading and to undertake relevant, high quality training.

  Part-time Students
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the £36 million access package for higher education is designed to benefit part-time students; and under what arrangements this will be distributed. [19189]

  Dr. Howells
  The £36 million access package for higher education in 1998–99 includes some £2 million to enable universities and colleges in England to remit fees for part-time students in higher education who have lost their jobs. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) will distribute the funds: further information will be issued in due course.

  The package also doubles the amount available for higher education Access Funds for next academic year. Part-time students will be eligible for assistance from the Funds for the first time. We will be discussing guidelines for the use of the Funds with the HEFCE, who allocate the Funds to institutions, and others shortly. We will inform the House of the decisions reached in the usual way.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to make(a) structural and (b) functional changes to training and enterprise councils. [19179]

  Dr. Howells
  We greatly value the important work TECs are doing at the local level to raise skill levels and foster enterprise. We recognise the benefit to local partnerships of a strong private sector contribution. There are therefore no plans to make fundamental changes to the structure and functions of TECs.

  We do, however, see scope for TECs to improve their performance and a range of work is in hand to raise the performance of all TECs towards the level of the best. For example, the work being done jointly with the TEC National Council to encourage TECs to benchmark themselves against each other and other organisations, and to share good practice effectively.

  Top-up Fees
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his definition of top-up fees in the context of university charges; if he will list the areas which are within the remit of top-up fees; and if he will make a statement. [19141]

  Dr. Howells
  Top-up fees would be fees charged by publicly-funded universities to full-time undergraduate students for tuition or other provision necessary to complete their course which raised the total fees charged above the maximum level of financial support available from the Government to such students for fees.

  Ministerial Announcements
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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

  661
  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. [18895]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 3 December 1997]: The information requested is not readily available. Major announcements are made, in the first instance, to the House. There are cases, for example when the House is not sitting, when announcements are made by other means, including press releases.

  Undergraduates
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of undergraduates failed to complete their degree courses in each of the last three years; and if he will list the reasons given for failure to complete. [19172]

  Dr. Howells
  The information requested is not yet available centrally. The latest available figures for drop-out among full-time and sandwich first-degree students are shown in the most recent DfEE Departmental Report (Cm 3610), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Middle Schools
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research has been carried out by his Department into the performance of middle schools. [19515]

  Mr. Byers
  The Department has not itself undertaken particular research into the performance of middle schools. The OFSTED database covers middle schools and material from it is available on request.

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to collate centrally the number of applications to sell off playing fields by schools by(a) location and (b) local education authority. [19818]

  Mr. Byers
  There is no requirement upon local education authorities to apply for permission before disposing of the assets which they own. Grant-maintained schools do need the prior consent of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State before they may dispose of their assets. Information on the number of applications received from these schools to dispose of playing fields is already collated centrally.

  English (Key Stage 3)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many complaints he has received about the standard of marking in key stage 3 testing of English. [19809]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department has received 87 letters about this issue.

  Student Loans
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will amend the 662
  Education (Student Loans) Regulations 1997 to ensure that students already on courses who do not meet the settled status requirement but were eligible for a student loan under previous regulations, will remain eligible for a loan for the duration of their current studies. [20742]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today laid the Education (Student Loans) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 before the House. The amendment Regulations introduce a transitional provision to protect students who do not have settled status but who have already demonstrated eligibility for a loan under previous Regulations. Such students will continue to be eligible for a student loan until they finish their present course (or a second course if they continue their studies without a break). The Department will be writing to all Higher Education Institutions before Christmas informing them of this amendment.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if students whose maintenance grants are to be phased out in 1998–99 will be eligible for the increased student loans that those students in years 1999 and 2000 are eligible to receive. [19230]

  Dr. Howells
  New students entering higher education in the 1998–99 academic year will be eligible for increased loans in that year to offset the reduction in the level of maintenance grants. In 1999–2000, we propose to abolish maintenance grants. These students will be eligible for an income-related loan for their maintenance on the same basis as 1999–2000 entrants.

  Further Education Funding
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much extra funding for further education will be raised from the increased contribution from employers to the cost of courses he announced on 12 November; and if these funds were part of the £83 million of funding announced that day. [18601]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend looks to the Further Education Funding Council to establish arrangements to secure in 1998–99 an additional £20 million from employers to the costs of employer-led provision, as part of the £83 million of new funding for further education.

  Student Support Agency
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his policy in respect of the Dearing Report's Recommendation on the establishment of a unified student support agency; and what estimate he has made of the timetable for its implementation. [19174]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government are currently considering the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education's recommendation for a unified student support agency and expect to make an announcement shortly.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many public appointments he has
  663
  made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these (a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16779]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made a total of 77 public appointments to executive non-departmental public bodies and advisory bodies since 1 May.

  The number and percentage receiving remuneration are as follows:

  (i) 14 (18.2 per cent.) receive an honorarium;

  (ii) 8 (10.4 per cent.) receive a daily fee for meetings;

  (iii) 50 (64.9 per cent.) receive expenses only;

  (iv) 5 (6.5 per cent.) receive an annual salary.

  With regard to the number and percentage of those appointments which are (i) of Afro-Caribbean origin and (ii) of Asian origin, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 28 November 1997, Official Report, column 669.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases his Department forecast would be brought under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in its first year of operation. [20278]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is forecast that approximately 200 cases are expected per year, for the first three years, following commencement of the Act.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases were brought under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 during its first year of operation; and how many of those cases were won by the appellant. [20279]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 came into force on 2 December 1996. Statistics have been collected only since the beginning of February 1997. The number of cases issued between the beginning of February and the end of October 1997 was 36. Of these 13 cases were for damages only and 23 were for damages and/or an injunction or declaration. The information requested as to the number of cases won by the appellant is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the impact which his recent legal aid proposals will have on disabled people seeking to take legal action under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [20280]
  664
  Mr. Hoon
  We will be consulting widely before any final decisions are made about changes to the scope of civil legal aid. During this process careful consideration will be given to whether there are proceedings for which public funding should continue to be available for money or damages claims. If the hon. Gentleman believes that disabled people seeking to take legal action under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 face particular problems, I would be grateful if he could let me know what they are so that consideration can be given to this during the consultation process.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was(a) the cost of legal aid before cost recovery and retention of contributions, (b) the amount of cost recovered, (c) the amount of contributions retained and (d) the net cost after deduction of costs recovered and contributions retained for (i) contract, (ii) Inheritance Act, (iii) landlord and tenant and (iv) housing and disrepair proceedings in each of the last four years. [19278]

  Mr. Hoon
  Legal aid gross expenditure, costs recovered, and contributions retained in (i) contract (ii) Inheritance Act and (iii) landlord and tenant proceedings for cases closed during the last four financial years are as follows:

  £ million

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Gross payments

  Contract

  40.2

  44.1

  56.0

  60.3

  Inheritance Act

  2.9

  3.1

  4.2

  4.4

  Landlord and tenant

  20.4

  24.6

  31.7

  33.9

  Gross recovered

  Contract

  9.0

  9.5

  13.0

  14.9

  Inheritance Act

  1.2

  1.4

  1.9

  1.7

  Landlord and tenant

  5.2

  7.9

  11.1

  14.1

  Contributions retained

  Contract

  0.76

  0.83

  1.02

  1.13

  Inheritance Act

  0.07

  0.07

  0.08

  0.15

  Landlord and tenant

  0.19

  0.22

  0.26

  0.33

  Net of costs (after deduction of costs recovered and contributions retained)

  Contract

  28.4

  31.9

  39.8

  41.3

  Inheritance Act

  1.2

  1.1

  1.6

  1.7

  Landlord and tenant

  14.4

  15.9

  19.5

  18.5

  It is not possible to provide information separately in respect of housing and disrepair matte1rs.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was(a) the cost of legal aid before cost recovery and retention of contributions, (b) the amount of cost recovered, (c) the amount of contributions retained and (d) the net cost after deduction of costs recovered and contributions retained for (i) civil litigation and (ii) professional and other negligence, excluding in each case personal injury and medical negligence in each of the last four years. [19277]

  Mr. Hoon
  A breakdown of legal aid expenditure and receipts in respect of civil litigation and professional and other negligence, excluding personal injury and medical negligence, for cases closed in the last four years was as follows:
  665

  £ million

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Civil litigation (including professional and other negligence)

  Gross Payments

  436.6

  474.9

  566.1

  622.4

  Costs Received

  55.2

  60.6

  71.5

  80.7

  Damages Retained

  45.8

  44.7

  47.3

  59.0

  Contributions Retained

  10.4

  10.9

  12.5

  15.4

  Net Costs

  325.8

  359.1

  435.6

  467.9

  Professional and other negligence

  Gross Payments

  40.2

  48.2

  45.0

  49.2

  Costs Received

  20.9

  24.7

  25.9

  27.9

  Damages Retained

  1.1

  1.0

  1.3

  1.7

  Contributions Retained

  0.4

  0.4

  0.4

  1.0

  Net Costs

  13.9

  22.1

  17.6

  19.2

  £ million

  Gross payments

  Costs received

  Damages retained

  Contributions retained

  Net costs

  All personal injury litigation

  274.1

  206.7

  4.1

  2.0

  61.8

  Medical negligence

  54.3

  25..8

  0.6

  0.7

  27.2

  Personal injury (excluding medical negligence)

  219.8

  180.9

  3.5

  1.3

  34.6

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was(a) the cost of legal aid for non-matrimonial proceedings, excluding Children Act proceedings, before cost recovery and retention of contributions, (b) the amount of cost recovered, (c) the amount of contributions retained and (d) the net cost after deduction of costs recovered and contributions retained in each of the last four years. [19279]

  Mr. Hoon
  A breakdown of the legal aid expenditure and receipts in respect of non-matrimonial cases, excluding Children Act proceedings, for cases closed in the last four years was as follows:

  £ million

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Gross payments

  317.0

  375.8

  454.8

  509.7

  Costs recovered

  164.1

  197.2

  245.0

  281.3

  Contributions retained

  3.1

  4.0

  4.6

  5.3

  Net costs (after deduction of costs recovered and contributions retained)

  149.8

  174.6

  205.2

  223.1

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the proportion of damages recovered in all legally aided(a) personal injury and (b) medical negligence cases closed in each of the last three years. [19280]

  Mr. Hoon
  The proportion of damages recovered by the Legal Aid Board in legally aided personal injury and medical negligence cases closed in each of the last three years were as follows:

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Personal injury

  Gross costs

  £151.5 million

  £189.3 million

  £219.8 million

  Damages recovered

  £2.2 million

  £3.0 million

  £3.5 million

  Percentage of damages recovered

  1.5

  1.6

  1.6

  666
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was(a) the cost of legal aid for personal injury litigation before cost recovery and retention of contributions, (b) the amount of cost recovered, (c) the amount of contributions retained and (d) the net cost after deduction of costs recovered and contributions retained for (i) all personal injury litigation, (ii) medical negligence cases and (iii) personal injury cases excluding medical negligence in 1996–97. [19281]

  Mr.Hoon
  A breakdown of legal aid expenditure and receipts in respect of personal injury litigation and medical negligence cases for cases closed in 1996–97, was as follows:

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Medical negligence

  Gross costs

  £38.6 million

  £50.2 million

  £54.3 million

  Damages recovered

  £0.6 million

  £0.7 million

  £0.6 million

  Percentage of damages recovered

  1.6

  1.4

  1.1

  Legal Expenses
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact of fixed costs on existing legal expenses insurance premiums; and if he will make a statement. [19339]

  Mr. Hoon
  None. My Department is, however, in close contact with the insurance industry. A fixed costs system would necessarily make the task of matching the risk being insured to the appropriate level of premium easier. The level of premiums must be a matter for each company offering policies.

  Personal Injury Actions
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he will take to ensure that lawyers will not seek to recover from their clients more than the fixed costs in privately funded personal injury actions valued at less than £15,000. [19321]

  Mr. Hoon
  The arrangements that clients make with their lawyers are essentially private contractual arrangements. I would wish to give effect to the proposal made by Lord Woolf, that the fixed recoverable costs should apply between the client and the solicitor unless there was a written business agreement to the contrary.

  Woolf Reforms
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the Information technology needs of the court system
  667
  required by the introduction of the Woolf reforms; and if he will make a statement on the (a) extent of the changes and (b) timetable. [19327]

  Mr. Hoon
  The procedures are currently being developed which will achieve the Civil Justice reforms and work is underway to identify the IT support required. The IT solution will be developed by our private sector partner and we plan for them to be in place for 1 April 1999.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment has been made of the training needs of judges following the introduction of the Woolf reforms; what is the budget for judicial training; and if he will make a statement. [19332]

  Mr. Hoon
  Judicial training is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB), which is a non-departmental governmental body. The JSB has assessed the training needs of judges in anticipation of the introduction of the Woolf reforms. During 1997 a series of seminars on the principles of the Woolf reforms were delivered to all full-time judges who hear civil matters. More detailed training will be given to all full-time judges who hear civil matters. More detailed training will be given to all full-time and part-time judges who hear civil matters once the new rules have been finalised. The financial allocations for the JSB for 1998–99 have not yet been finalised.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the training costs involved in using the new information technology systems required by the introduction of the Woolf reforms. [19326]

  Mr. Hoon
  No detailed estimates have yet been made. The scope of training cannot be established until the IT system to support the reforms has been specified and the systems design has commenced. This will not be until 1998, after final rule changes have been agreed. Once the specification has been agreed, the costs associated with the provision of training can be more accurately predicted.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) special advisers, (b) task force members and (c) review body members his Department employs; what is the total salary and benefits of (a) to (c); and what was the equivalent cost prior to 1 May. [19311]

  Mr. Hoon
  There are currently no special advisers employed in this Department. As announced on 9 December 1997, the Lord Chancellor has decided to appoint Mr. Garry Hart as a Special Adviser. Mr. Hart's appointment will not, however, take effect until 2 March 1998.

  No-one from outside the Department is currently employed in a task force or review body. The total fees and benefits paid to review body members from outside the Department in the year to 1 May 1997 was approximately £37,500. Since 1 May 1997, such expenditure has totalled approximately £24,700. These figures include payments for travel and subsistence. It is not possible to distinguish the cost of ministers' and officials' time spent on task force and review-related work.

  Conditional Fees
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his Department's estimate of the savings the Government will make from the introduction of fixed costs on conditional fees; what research his Department has commissioned on the impact of such costs; and what other recent research his Department has evaluated into legal costs. [19320]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is not clear why it is thought that "fixed costs on conditional fees" should result in savings to the Government. Nor is it clear on what the hon. Member thinks such cost would impact. As to research into legal costs, my Department is currently funding the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies research into the amount of work needed to take a case through the Fast Track.

  Civil Justice and Legal Aid
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department pursuant to his oral statement of 21 November,Official Report, column 534, what additional staff he estimates will be needed to ensure the effective running of the (a) fast track, (b) multi-track and (c) judicial case management procedures. [19451]

  Mr. Hoon
  The policy and procedures which will achieve the civil justice reforms are still the subject of public consultation. Until these are finalised and the degree of IT support is known, it will not be possible to assess what, if any, additional staff will be needed.

CABINET OFFICE

  Advisers
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio how many(a) special advisers, (b) task force members and (c) review body members his Department employs; what is the total salary and benefits of (a) to (c); and what was the equivalent cost prior to 1 May. [19309]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I am not a Minister in charge of a Department.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the yield to the Exchequer in(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–01 arising from the decision not to index fully for inflation the thresholds for employers' national insurance contributions; and if she will make a statement. [19865]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 5 December 1997,Official Report, column 383.

  No estimates are available for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 because no decision has been made about the level of the earnings brackets for employers' secondary Class 1 contributions in those years.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she expects to reply to the letter of 21 November from the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam concerning the review of disability benefits. [20282]

  Mr. Denham
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 9 December.

  As published in the 1997–98 Departmental Report, the Department of Social Security is committed to answering all correspondence within 20 days.

  Under-Secretary of State (Women's Issues)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will list the dates on which submissions were made to her concerning women by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Ms Ruddock); [20146]

  (2) if she will list the days on which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Ms Ruddock), has been absent from the Department since her appointment; [20147]

  (3) for what reason the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Ms Ruddock) was not present to answer Oral Questions on 17 November. [20148]

  Ms Ruddock
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 20 November 1997,Official Report, columns 292–94.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in England and Wales are receiving mobility allowance. [18966]

  Mr. Denham
  The administration of Mobility Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 10 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the number of people in England and Wales who are receiving mobility allowance.
  The information is not available in the form requested. Mobility Allowance was replaced by Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in April 1992. DLA comprises of two components, care and mobility. The number of people in receipt of the mobility component of DLA are shown below.

  England: 1,347,788

  Wales: 143,896

  Figures are subject to change.

  Lone Parent Premium
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale are in receipt of lone parent premium. [18653]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The administration of Income Support is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
  670
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 10 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many persons in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale are in receipt of the lone parent premium.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The Benefits Agency (BA) collates statistics by BA District Offices which do not correspond to constituency boundaries or a specific geographical area. The BA's Greater Manchester Lancashire District includes the offices of Burnley, Rossendale, Blackburn and Accrington.
  From April this year, the lone parent premium was replaced by a higher rate of family premium for lone parents.
  The number of people in receipt of Income Support lone parent rate of family premium in the Greater Manchester Lancashire District was 9,758, at 31 August 1997. This figure is the latest available and may be subject to change. This figure does not include those lone parents who are over pensionable age or who are sick who would qualify for a higher rate premium, such as a pensioner or disability premium.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Economic and Social Research Council Grants
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many Economic and Social Research Council grants have been awarded to(a) men and (b) women in the last five years. [18762]

  Mr. Battle
  Data disaggregated by gender are readily available only for 1996–97, when the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) introduced an equal opportunities monitoring system. A number of ESRC Research Grants are awarded to groups, rather than individuals, which may be of mixed gender. The Statistics are based on returns of ESRC monitoring forms for Research Grant funding.

  grants awarded: 181

  Returned forms: 138 (76 per cent.) All male: 80

  All female: 309

  Mixed: 26.

  The following data show total awards made for the previous four years.

  Year

  Awards

  1992–93

  203

  1993–94

  217

  1994–95

  178

  1995–96

  225

  The ESRC is committed to continuing monitoring of the gender of award recipients.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish her Department's memorandum on handling the problem of coal closures. [18045]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: No.

  Export Licences
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for arms export licences to Turkey(a) are currently pending with her Department, (b) have been approved since 1 May, listing type and amount of equipment and the companies involved, and (c) have been refused since 1 May, listing the type and amount of equipment and the companies involved. [14826]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated, and the following results were obtained.

  Between 2 May and 5 November inclusive, decisions were taken on 73 applications for standard or open individual licences to export to Turkey goods controlled under entries in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 (the so-called "Military List"); 71 standard individual export licences were granted, and one application for such a licence refused; and one open individual export licence was issued. At 5 November, 105 applications were awaiting a decision.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade pursuant to her answer of 21 July 1997,Official Report, column 450, what steps she is taking to ensure that equipment which should be classified under a specific Export of Goods (Control) Order category but may be exported as part of a larger export order that would be classified under a different Export of Goods (Control) Order category is recorded. [20033]

  Mrs. Roche
  As from 23 September this year all goods on new export licence applications have been assessed against the current legislation and the appropriate export control categories recorded, both on paper and on the computer databases. The Export Control Organisation is retrospectively carrying this out for all applications on which a decision has been taken since 2 May.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) pursuant to her answer of 15 July 1997,Official Report, column 134, if she will provide details of the four open general export licences referred to in her reply; which goods are allowed for export under these licences; which destinations are covered by these licences; and which United Kingdom exporters have registered to use these licences; [20038]

  (2) pursuant to her answer of 15 July 1997, Official Report, column 132, on open general export licences, what export categories the 21 OGELs cover and for which countries of destination; and if she will list the companies registered for the 14 OGELs which require registration. [20053]

  Mrs. Roche
  Further to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Letwin) on 2 December 1997,Official Report, columns 124–26, copies of all current Open General Export Licences are being placed in the libraries of the House today. The goods and country coverage are specified in each licence.

  The inquiries that would be necessary as regards the release of the identity of the companies registered to use these licences could only be undertaken at disproportionate cost.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Comprehensive Spending Review within her Department will be complete; and when the results will be provided. [19584]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Department's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) is still in progress. I expect the CSR to be completed next summer.

  Late Payment
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she will publish a summary of the responses to the Green Paper, "Improving the Payment Culture: a Statutory Right to Claim Interest on Late Payment of Commercial Debt"; and if she will make a statement. [20585]

  Mrs. Roche
  I am publishing today a summary of the responses received to the Green Paper "Improving the Payment Culture: a Statutory Right to Claim Interest on Late Payment of Commercial Debt". The paper shows that there is strong support for the Government's proposals on the best way to legislate to give small businesses the right to charge interest on late payment of commercial debt. In time, the new right will be extended to all businesses and the public sector.

  The Department distributed the Green Paper to businesses, business representative organisations, interested individuals and the public sector. More than 450 responses were received. I am very pleased that so many people have taken the time to contribute views. We have listened carefully to what they have had to say; in a technical area, the views of experts have been crucial in framing the proposed legislation.

  The Green Paper listed Government proposals on which responses were requested. I am delighted that the proposals received the very firm endorsement of respondents.

  It is clear that there is real support for a statutory right to claim interest. This bears out all that the Government had heard from small firms themselves. Late payment is a real problem for business. Firms are tired of having to carry the cost of their customers' late payment.

  Copies of the summary will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is her current estimate of kilowatt hours electricity created by wind power in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement; [20301]

  (2) what is her current estimate of kilowatt hours electricity created by hydro-electric power in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement. [20302]

  Mr. Battle
  Generation from wind in the United Kingdom as a whole during 1996 was 486 million kilowatt hours, 0.14 per cent. of the total UK generation of electricity. This represented a 24 per cent. increase on 1995 and over 14 times the generation in 1992. Wind
  673
  farms in England and Wales generated about 75 per cent. of the UK total in 1996, nearly all of which was supported under the non-fossil obligation orders.

  Generation from hydro-electric sources in the United Kingdom as a whole during 1996 was 3,361 million kilowatt hours, 1 per cent. of the total UK generation of electricity. A further 1,556 million kilowatt hours was produced by pumped storage plant, but 2,430 million kilowatt hours was used in pumping. The highest annual level of generation from hydro sources was in 1992 at 5,431 million kilowatt hours, representing 1.7 per cent. of total UK generation in that year. Dry weather has restricted the availability of hydro power in the years since 1992. Hydro plant in England and Wales generated about 6 per cent. of the UK total in 1996. For hydro plant in England and Wales supported under the non-fossil fuel obligations orders, generation was 1 per cent. of the UK total.

  Onshore wind energy and small scale hydro are proposed to be supported under a further non-fossil fuel obligation order, NFFO-5, the policy proposals for which I announced to the House on 25 November 1997, Official Report, columns 507–08.

  Enemy Property
  Mr. Twigg
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Government Departments are being consulted in preparation of the report on British policy towards enemy property during and after the Second World War. [19654]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  My Department holds regular discussions with many other departments. On this issue, discussions have been mostly with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, although the Cabinet Office, the Home Office, the Treasury and the Territorial Departments have also been consulted.

  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimates have been made of the employment consequences for the gas industry of the moratorium on gas-fired power stations; [19989]

  (2) what estimate she has made of the total investment which has been frozen by the moratorium on assents for gas-fired power stations. [19991]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 9 December 1997]: It is not possible to make such an estimate. Assessing the impact on those associated with gas fired generation must await the outcome of the Review.

  Chambers of Commerce and TECs (Mergers)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications she has received for mergers between Chambers of Commerce and training and enterprise councils; and if she will list those she has(a) approved and (b) rejected. [18994]

  Dr. Howells
  I have been asked to reply.
  674
  Between 1995 and April 1997 13 applications to merge from TECs and Chambers of Commerce were received by the former Government, all of which were approved. Since May 1997 one application, for the Norfolk and Waveney area, has been received and is currently under consideration. The approved applications were from:

  Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire

  Sussex

  Oldham

  Rotherham

  Shropshire

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  Greater Peterborough

  Northamptonshire

  South Derbyshire

  St. Helens

  Wolverhampton

  Hereford and Worcester

  Wigan.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Crime Clear-up Rates
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the clear-up rates for each police district for(a) 1993, (b) 1994, (c) 1995 and (d) 1996. [19860]

  Mr. Ingram
  The percentage clear-up rates for each police sub-division for the four years from 1993 to 1996 are shown in the table:

  Percentage clearance rates for police sub-divisions in Northern Ireland 1993–1996

  Sub-division

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Musgrave Street

  45.2

  43.5

  45.7

  52.1

  Mountpottinger

  27.5

  29.5

  32.4

  28.5

  Donegall Pass

  27.7

  22.6

  19.9

  22.4

  Dunmurry

  28.4

  25.3

  25.7

  24.7

  Grosvenor Road

  31.0

  29.5

  30.4

  26.3

  Lisburn

  40.7

  35.0

  30.9

  27.0

  Woodbourne

  33.0

  34.3

  27.0

  23.8

  North Queen Street

  32.8

  31.5

  31.7

  30.3

  Antrim Road

  34.9

  32.8

  32.4

  30.4

  Antrim

  35.3

  28.4

  32.1

  28.8

  Newtownabbey

  32.8

  32.6

  35.8

  32.8

  Carrickfergus

  38.7

  37.8

  37.9

  35.1

  Tennent Street

  36.9

  32.5

  34.6

  33.3

  Bangor

  29.6

  29.6

  32.9

  30.8

  Strandtown

  29.7

  30.8

  35.1

  30.3

  Castlereagh

  30.7

  30.7

  33.9

  31.7

  Newtownards

  35.8

  39.1

  39.1

  38.1

  Downpatrick

  41.3

  38.1

  35.9

  34.6

  Newcastle

  28.8

  26.6

  26.7

  27.4

  Armagh

  35.1

  48.1

  43.4

  42.2

  Newry

  42.0

  41.3

  38.3

  31.3

  Portadown

  40.4

  39.4

  40.0

  32.1

  Lurgan

  44.1

  41.1

  38.4

  27.2

  Banbridge

  44.6

  37.2

  39.3

  32.6

  Cookstown

  38.6

  57.8

  38.8

  42.7

  Dungannon

  42.8

  44.7

  43.4

  41.9

  Enniskillen

  40.4

  42.1

  45.6

  39.2

  Lisnaskea

  50.8

  52.4

  46.2

  43.8

  Omagh

  46.8

  51.7

  40.1

  39.4

  Strand Road

  42.6

  46.7

  46.3

  39.2

  Strabane

  45.7

  54.6

  57.7

  47.0

  Waterside

  41.5

  44.1

  42.4

  35.1

  Coleraine

  38.3

  33.7

  37.2

  38.5

  675

  Percentage clearance rates for police sub-divisions in Northern Ireland 1993–1996

  Sub-division

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Limavady

  42.8

  47.0

  46.2

  41.0

  Magherafelt

  42.8

  48.8

  51.4

  43.5

  Ballymena

  32.4

  31.2

  36.1

  42.4

  Ballymoney

  46.7

  45.1

  38.5

  42.1

  Larne

  42.2

  39.5

  40.2

  36.2

  Northern Ireland

  36.4

  35.9

  36.1

  33.7

  Central Community Relations Unit
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list all organisations in receipt of funding from the Central Community Relations Unit in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96. [19859]

  Mr. Worthington
  The Central Community Relations Unit provided funding totalling £4,642,941.54 in 1994–95 and £5,586,200.09 in 1995–96. Details of the organisations funded in those years, together with the amount of funding they received, are set out in the following tables. These do

  Imports to Northern Ireland

  Country of origin

  year

  Republic of Ireland

  Great Britian

  Netherlands

  Belgium

  France

  Total

  1995

  108,520

  9,974

  5

  8

  1

  118,508

  1996

  101,654

  13,628

  7

  0

  7

  115,296

  1997 (to w/e 22 November)

  99,267

  34,809

  0

  66

  8

  134,150

  There is derogation from the inspection and certification requirements of Council Directive 91/68/EEC in respect of trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. There are therefore no recorded figures for the number of sheep exported to the Republic. The figure shown for imports relates to sheep imported from the Republic for direct slaughter.

SCOTLAND

  Breast Implants
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision there is in the National Health Service in Scotland for women who suffer from ruptured silicone breast implants, to have them removed. [19286]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Any decision to remove a silicone breast implant is a matter of clinical judgment in the context of the one-to-one relationship between doctor and patient, taking into account the individual circumstances of each patient. The National Health Service in Scotland would provide whatever treatment is judged necessary.

  Skye Bridge
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place a copy of the Confirmed Assignation Statement in respect of the Skye Bridge in the Library; and if he will make a statement on the Skye Bridge Company and the collection of tolls. [19920]
  676
  not include payments from the European Social Fund in respect of European Union Measures administered by the Central Community Relations Unit.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the number of live lambs(a) exported from and (b) imported into Northern Ireland, indicating their (i) destination and (ii) origin and the number to and from each country for each of the last two years and the current year to the latest available date. [19325]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information requested is set out in the following tables. The figures include all sheep as the records do not show lambs separately.

  Exports from Northern Ireland

  Year

  Destination

  Great Britain

  Netherlands

  Belgium

  Italy

  Total

  1995

  109,341

  3

  364

  0

  109,708

  1996

  83,425

  3

  25

  12

  83,465

  1997(to w/e 22 November)

  89,405

  0

  5

  0

  89,410

  Mr. Dewar
  As the hon. Member is aware, we have been working with Skye Bridge Ltd. to implement the significant package of toll reductions that I announced on 4 July. I am pleased to advise that the toll reductions will come into force on 1 January 1998. The revised Toll Order will be laid today. We are simultaneously laying Regulations that set the amounts Skye Bridge Ltd. will be able to charge should they have to remove vehicles from the crossing in the event of non-payment of tolls.

  The hon. Member has previously recognised that the situation at Skye Bridge is not of our making. I trust he also appreciates that we have met out commitment to provide a fairer tolling regime for the people of the Highlands within current constraints.

  I shall write shortly to the hon. Member about the Assignation Statement and the other points raised in his recent letter of 27 November. A copy of my reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Training
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the suitability of(a) existing training bodies with charitable status, (b) the local enterprise councils and (c) further education colleges (i) singly and (ii) in partnership, to carry out the management function for New Deal; and if he will make a statement. [17332]
  677
  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 24 November 1997]: My department wrote to interested organisations on the delivery of the New Deal on 23 October. I will place a copy of this letter in the Library.

  Medical and Dental Students
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many dental students graduated from Scottish universities in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996 and (iii) 1997. [18705]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer Monday 8 December 1997]: The number of dentistry students (full-time) who graduated from Scottish Higher Education Institutions in 1995 and 1996 is as follows:

  Full-time dentistry graduates from Scottish Higher Education Insitutions

  First Degree

  Postgraduate

  1995

  105

  7

  1996

  117

  6

  Data for 1997 graduates are not yet available.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had from the BMA concerning the issue of tuition fees for medical an dental students from parts of the United Kingdom other than Scotland attending degree courses at Scottish universities. [19586]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 8 December 1997]: In July, the Scottish Office invited the British Medical Association to comment on the Dearing and Garrick reports. On 18 September, the Scottish Office received a response from the British Medical Association in Scotland. it made no specific mention of the issue of tuition fees for medical and dental students from other parts of the UK studying in Scotland.

  On 27 October I announced the Government's proposals for assistance to medical and dental students. These are identical in Scotland to those applying elsewhere in the UK. Since then, I have received no representations from the British Medical Association.

  E-mail
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 10 November 1997,Official Report, column 441, if he will list the e-mail addresses of (a) Ministers, (b) senior officials and (c) chief executives of agencies for which he is responsible. [15874]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]: E-mail contact addresses for appropriate Departmental officials (at head of division level) and agency chief executives are given in the "Who does What?" section of The Scottish Office's Internet website, the address for which is www.scotland.gov.uk. Ministerial e-mail addresses are not currently published. Procedures to allow the public to send e-mail messages to Scottish Office Ministers are currently under consideration.

  Accounting Officers
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions written directions have been sought by permanent secretaries and other accounting officers in the past five years; in what circumstances; and on what dates. [19218]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 4 December 1997]: None.

WALES

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) special advisers, (b) task force members and (c) review body members his Department employs; what is the total salary and benefits of (a) to (c); and what was the equivalent cost prior to 1 May. [19318]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The Department employs two special advisers, John Adams and Huw Roberts. Their salaries are negotiated individually and this information is confidential.

  Information about all public appointments for which I have responsibility is published in "Appointments by the Secretary of State for Wales". This publication is updated quarterly and is available in the Library of the House.

  A470 Roadworks
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if his Department has completed the necessary orders to advance the A470 Blaenau Ffestiniog to Betws-y-Coed roadworks to completion; [19519]

  (2) what factors underlie the delay in advancing the roadworks on the A470 between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed; and if he will make a statement; [19518]

  (3) what recent correspondence there has been between his Department and the National Trust regarding land to be acquired to advance the A470 Blaenau Ffestiniog to Betws-y-Coed roadworks to completion; and if he will make a statement. [19520]

  Mr. Hain
  The roadworks referred to are the A470 Dolwyddelan to Pont yr Afanc scheme which form Stage 2 of the Lledr Valley improvement. This scheme, and all others in the forward trunk road programme (with the exception of the A55 Anglesey dualling proposals) is subject to the review announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 3 July, details of which were included in the consultation document 1 published on 31 July.

  The consultation period ended on 31 October and the responses are being assessed. The review process is at an early stage and it is not possible to say when we will be able to give any indications as to the size and composition of the forward trunk road programme.

  Negotiations with the National Trust are continuing in parallel with the review process. These discussions will not prejudice the outcome of the review and are designed to ensure that valuable time is not lost if the scheme remains in the programme following the review. It would not, of course, be appropriate to reveal details of these negotiations.

  Agenda 21
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the progress of Agenda 21 in Wales. [19669]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  At the UN "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 an Agenda for the 21st Century setting out how countries can work towards sustainable development was adopted by over 150 nations, including the UK.

  This Government have already shown that they are fully committed to this principle. We have established a new Cabinet Committee on the Environment which will help us to deal with sustainable development issues in a co-ordinated way and which will aim to set clear goals for sustainable development. A new House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has been established. We will soon publish a consultation paper on proposals for a revised UK sustainable development strategy and the Welsh Office plans to host a national sustainable development conference to explore in a Welsh context the issues raised in the consultation paper.

  Two thirds of the actions in Agenda 21 require the active involvement of local authorities. At the UN Special Session in June my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said that he wanted all local authorities in the UK to adopt Local Agenda 21 strategies by the year 2000. The Welsh Office is involved in various initiatives to encourage local authorities in Wales to make progress on this front. A guidance document for local authorities will be launched early next year. The Welsh Office is one of a number of organisations arranging a Local Agenda 21 seminar for Chief Executives and Leaders of local authorities and other key bodies in Wales.

  The Government are committed to ensuring that the Welsh Assembly promotes sustainable development. On 8 December my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State confirmed on Second Reading of the Government of Wales Bill our intention to place a duty on the Assembly to have regard to the principle of sustainability.

  Welsh Timber
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made towards increasing the use of Welsh timber; and if he will make a statement. [19673]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The source of the timber they use is a matter for the commercial judgment of manufacturers. However, grant has been awarded to Coed Cymru through the Rural Wales Objective 5b Programme 1994–99, to employ a marketing organiser to promote the Welsh hardwood sector.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Subsidised Offal Scheme
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the amount by weight of offal disposed of in the BSE subsidised offal scheme in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98, together with the weight of offal disposed during each of the financial years 1991 to 1995–96; [20267]
  680
  (2) if he will list by weight the amount of offal disposed of via the BSE subsidised offal scheme in 1996–97 and 1997–98, and the weight of offal disposed of during the financial years 1991–92 and 1995–96. [20272]

  Mr. Rooker
  Approximately 957,000 tonnes of clean offal (that is excluding Specified Bovine Material and Over Thirty Months Scheme material) was processed under the Rendering Industry Support Scheme 1996 in 1996–97. There is no equivalent figure for clean offal processed under the 1997–98 Scheme since this is based on outputs of meat and bone meal (MBM) and tallow. Some 227,000 tonnes of MBM and tallow has been processed to date under the Rendering Industry Support Scheme 1997.

  Approximately 1.1 million tonnes of clean offals were processed by the rendering industry in 1995–96. We do not have figures for the tonnages processed in 1991–92.

  Beef Products (Removal Charges)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the level of charges being imposed on family butchers and other small businesses for collection and removal of offal and related products. [20268]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government recognise that the meat supply chain, including butchers and other small businesses, has suffered as a result of the BSE crisis. Substantial support has been provided since April 1996 to prevent the disorderly collapse of the chain. This is now being phased out to allow the industry to adjust to the changing economics. However, the Government cannot continue to shield the chain from the post-BSE economics of meat production in the United Kingdom.

  Rendering and Slaughtering Industries
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current state of the rendering and slaughtering industries. [20264]

  Mr. Rooker
  The rendering industry plays a vital part in ensuring that the essential elements of the meat chain continue to function. Support to the rendering industry in 1996–97 allowed them to maintain pre-crisis prices and charges to suppliers of animal waste. The Scheme provides for support to be phased out during 1997–98 to enable the meat chain, including the renderers, gradually to adjust to the changing economics.

  In terms of the slaughterers, it is widely accepted that there is substantial over-capacity in the red meat slaughtering sector, particularly in respect of abattoirs slaughtering cattle and sheep. There is intense competition between slaughterhouses, both for throughput and for customers and profit margins are low. The UK needs a modern financially viable slaughterhouse sector and in this context rationalism is highly desirable. However, we believe it is for the industry itself and not Government to address this issue.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the amount of financial assistance claimed by the rendering industry in the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98, listing(a) those organisations or companies which claimed the assistance,

  681
  (b) the amounts they received in each of the two years and (c) the identity of the sites, at which the offal was disposed; [20274]

  (2) what payments were made to rendering companies in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98 for the rendering of clean animals. [20265]

  Mr. Rooker
  A figure of £97 million was paid to 22 companies under the Rendering Industry Support Scheme 1996 (TRISS 96). Of the £59 million available under the 1997 Scheme, £46 million has been paid to date to 19 companies.

  The companies and the locations of the plants where the clean offals are rendered are:

  Company

  Location

  A. Hughes and Son (Skellingthorpe) Ltd. 1

  Skellingthorpe

  A. and W. Chambers Ltd. 1

  Huddersfield

  Anglo Beef Processors Ltd. 1

  NewryShrewsbury

  Canterbury Mills Ltd.

  Canterbury

  Chetwynd Animal By-Products2

  Cardigan

  Croda Colloids Ltd. 1

  Market Harborough

  Duncrue Food Processors Ltd.

  Belfast

  Dundas Brothers Ltd. 1

  Inverurie

  Dundas Chemical Company (Mosspark) Ltd. 1

  Dumfries

  Fats and Proteins (UK) Ltd. 1

  Lancaster

  Foyle Meats Ltd. 1

  Londonderry

  John Pointon and Sons Ltd. 1

  Cheddleton

  Lisburn Proteins Ltd.

  Lisburn

  Lloyd Maunder Ltd. 1

  Cullompton

  McIntosh Donald Ltd. 1

  Aberdeen

  Mid Ulster Proteins Ltd. 1

  Craigavon

  Omagh Meats Ltd. 1

  Omagh

  P. Waddington and Company Ltd.

  Bradford

  Doncaster

  Exeter

  Nuneaton

  Silvertown

  Prosper de Mulder Ltd. 1

  Widnes

  Peninsular Proteins Ltd.

  Torrington

  Smith Brothers (Hyde) Ltd. 1

  Hyde

  Ulster Farm By-Products Ltd. 1

  Crumlin

  William Forrest and Son (Paisley) Ltd. 1

  Motherwell

  1 Supported under TRISS 96 and TRISS 97.

  2 Receiving support only under TRISS 97.

  The Government do not disclose information about support paid to individual renderers for reasons of commercial confidentiality (exemption 13 in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information).

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has received since the end of the consultation exercise on support for the rendering industry; and if he will make a statement; [20270]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of arrangements for the payment of offal subsidies paid out during 1996–97 and 1997–98; and if he will make a statement; [20276]

  (3) if he will review his policy of phasing out support for disposal of mammalian bone meal and tallow; [20271]

  (4) what plans he has to support the rendering industry in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [20269]

  Mr. Rooker
  The objective of the support to the rendering industry was to avoid the disorderly collapse of the meat chain in the immediate aftermath of the BSE 682
  crisis. This was achieved. A wide range of industry bodies and representatives were involved in drawing up the Schemes, which were always intended to cover only the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98, and to provide reduced support in the second year to allow the meat chain to adjust to the post BSE economic and regulatory realities.

  Following the election, the Government carefully considered representations made by a wide range of interested industry bodies, from producers to renderers, before confirming the phasing out of support, which began in July. The principal reason for the decision was that the conditions last year which gave rise to the threat of collapse of the meat chain no longer exist. The support has served its purpose and there are no plans to continue the support into 1998–99.

  Cattle Tracing
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what use he will make of electronic tagging in introducing a scheme to ensure traceability of beef cattle. [20150]

  Mr. Rooker
  It will not be a requirement of the computerised Cattle Tracing System for cattle to have electronic eartags. However, the Cattle Tracing System will take account of the fact that increasing numbers of cattle are likely to have them in the future, which the Government view as a welcome development.

  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of button plastic tag secondary eartags in ensuring cattle traceability. [20149]

  Mr. Rooker
  The plastic button eartag is on the current list of UK approved eartags for use in cattle identification. We are looking at all the approved eartags to see which ones conform to new EU legislation effective from 1 January 1998. A list of approved eartags will be made widely available as soon as possible.

  Beef and BSE Compensation
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what levels of subsidy for beef and BSE compensation will be provided to farmers in(a) the current financial year and (b) 1998–99. [20143]

  Mr. Rooker
  Expenditure on beef subsidies and BSE compensation measures is expected to reach over £1.4 billion in the current financial year. Provision for these items in 1998–99 is currently under discussion.

  Lindane
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the clearance for use afforded to lindane. [20144]

  Mr. Rooker
  The agricultural uses of lindane were reviewed by the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides in 1995. The Committee concluded that approvals should continue.
  683
  Lindane is currently the subject of an assessment under the European Community's review programme for agricultural pesticides. The first stage of that process is the production of a summary of scientific data by the rapporteur Member State; in this case Austria.

  Organophosphates
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will convene a group of experts to advise Ministers in different Government departments on the control and use of organophosphate sheep dips. [19798]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 10 December 1997]: Such a group already exists. The independent scientific Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) advises the agriculture and health Ministers of the United Kingdom on all matters relating to the authorisation of veterinary medicinal products, including sheep dips. Copies of the annual reports of the VPC are deposited in the Library of the House.

  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to introduce alternatives to organophosphate sheep dips which(a) do not damage the environment and (b) are safe to use. [19797]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 10 December 1997]: No veterinary medicine is authorised unless it satisfies stringent statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. Safety in this context includes the safety of the operator and the environment.

  A number of non-organophosphorus sheep ectoparasiticides have been authorised, including dips and injectable products. A complete list is published every six months by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and is deposited in the Library of the House.

  Unpasteurised Milk
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to reach a decision on the sale of unpasteurised milk for individual consumption; and what account he has taken of agreements relating to consumer choice in respect of unpasteurised milk. [19686]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 10 December 1997]: The period of public consultation ends on 3 February 1998, after which time we shall take careful stock of all the issues and propose how we wish to proceed as soon as possible thereafter.
  684
  I agree there is an issue of consumer choice, and we shall take this into account along with the other relevant issues.

  Over-30-months Scheme
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what stage he required changes to the registration procedures for the over-30-months scheme relating to notification of the date of birth of cattle rather than the month of birth; how many cattle have gone into the scheme without a date of birth record; and if he will make a statement. [19841]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 9 December 1997]: Compensation under the over-30-months scheme is payable only on animals over thirty months of age on the date of slaughter. Producers are therefore required to complete a declaration for each animal presented on which they must confirm that the animal is over thirty months of age and declare the date of birth or number of teeth. This requirement was introduced in June 1996.

  If a producer chooses to enter the date of birth, the year and month of birth are often sufficient to confirm that the animal is over thirty months of age. The date becomes an issue only when the month and year of birth entered on the declaration by the producer makes it unclear whether the animal is over thirty months. On these relatively rare occasions, the date of birth is required to establish whether the animal was over thirty months of age on the date of slaughter and therefore eligible for compensation.

  The information requested by the hon. Member about the numbers entering the Scheme without a date of birth record is not known. However, apart from steers, which must be accompanied by a cattle identification document/cattle control document, most animals are likely to have entered the Scheme without a date of birth record.

  Grass-fed Cattle
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's definition of grass-fed animals for the purposes of food labelling; in what circumstances animals fed on silage or concentrates are deemed to be grass-fed; and if he will make a statement. [19844]

  Mr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 9 November 1997]: Under the Beef Labelling Scheme, launched earlier this year, it is for my Department to approve any definition of "grass-fed" submitted by an applicant. However, I would expect any such definition to cover animals reared primarily on grass in the field.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Beef Ban
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in lifting the export ban on British cattle. [19464]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Carmarthen and South Pembrokeshire (Mr. Ainger) on 4 December 1997,Official Report, column 475.

  Cattle Head Deboners
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to compensate those companies specialising in cattle head deboning whose business was adversely affected by the introduction of the Specified Bovine Material orders relating to head meat. [19450]

  Mr. Rooker
  I sympathise with the deboners that lost business when tighter restrictions on cattle heads were introduced in March 1996 in line with advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. However, the Government do not compensate for loss of business arising out of measures to protect public health and safety. Deboners are not alone in suffering from the impact of BSE.

HEALTH

  Health Promotion
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards achieving the health promotion targets under the GP contract. [18795]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Unrestricted Principals, health promotion and target achievements (October 1996): England

  Number

  Percentage

  Childhood immunisations

  Higher (90 per cent. coverage)

  22,820

  85

  Lower (70 per cent. coverage)

  2,800

  10

  Either

  25,620

  95

  Pre-school booster

  Higher (90 per cent. coverage)

  22,270

  83

  Lower 70 per cent. coverage)

  3,330

  12

  Either

  25,600

  95

  Cervical Cytology

  Higher (80 per cent. coverage)

  24,330

  91

  Lower (50 per cent. coverage)

  2,410

  9

  Either

  26,740

  100

  All numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.

  Source

  GMS Census 1 April 1997.

  Medway NHS Trust
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been given to the Medway NHS 686
  Trust from the additional £300 million recently announced. [19171]

  Mr. Milburn
  We are advised by the West Kent Health authority that the Medway National Health Service Trust has been allocated an additional £643,000 in the current year.

  Care Homes (Wiltshire)
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answers of 22 July 1997,Official Report, columns 564–67, what was the average cost to Wiltshire County Council of a community care place in a residential home run by (a) the county council and (b) the private sector in each of the last three years. [19132]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 22 July 1997,Official Report, column 566. The routine financial statistics provided by the former Wiltshire County Council wrongly included expenditure on independent sector provision along with that on local authority homes. This means that it is not possible to calculate the unit costs requested, as there is no way of separating the reported gross expenditure by sector. Expenditure data for 1996–97 for the new authorities formed out of the former Wiltshire county are not yet available.

  Ill-health Retirement
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the criteria for determining applications for ill-health retirement in the National Health Service; what changes have been made to these criteria since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [19288]

  Mr. Milburn
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the National Health Service Pensions Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. A. F. Cowan. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.

  Letter from A. F. Cowan to Mr. Chris Breed, dated 11 December 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, as it falls within my area of responsibility.
  There are statutory regulations governing entitlement to an ill-health pension from the NHS Scheme. They are defined in Regulation E2 of the NHS Pension Scheme Regulations 1995:
  "A member who retires from pensionable employment because of physical or mental infirmity that makes him permanently incapable of efficiently discharging the duties of that employment shall be entitled to a pension under this regulation if he has at least 2 years qualifying service…".
  There are, therefore four main criteria for determining applications:

  (a) that there must be sufficient service to qualify for a pension;

  (b) that the member is retiring;

  (c) that the contract of employment is being terminated on the grounds that they are incapable of efficiently discharging their duties of employment through ill-health;

  (d) that their condition is permanent.

  The judgement about permanence is solely a medical one. In practice this is set against the time between retirement and the normally expected retirement age.

  687
  The statutory regulations have not changed since 1992. They changed before then, in 1988 to reduce the qualifying period for pensions from 5 to 2 years.
  The criteria have not been changed since 1992. The organisation providing independent advice on the issue of permanence had to be changed on 1 April 1997 because of the withdrawal of the service by the previous organisation.

  Nursing and Midwifery
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the costs of reorganisation, restructuring and redundancy following the award of the pre-registration nursing and midwifery education contract in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight. [19336]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Health Service Executive South and West Regional Office has estimated that the overall savings offered by the new service delivery configuration outweigh the costs of moving to that configuration. The savings will significantly exceed the estimated transition costs over the life of the new contracts and these savings will be redeployed to provide both further eduction services and increased direct patient care.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what scrutiny his Department undertook of the terms of the contract award for pre-registration nursing and midwifery education in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight by the NHS Executive South and West; [19333]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the tender process for the award of the pre-registration nursing and midwifery education contract in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight by the NHS Executive South and West. [19337]

  Mr. Milburn
  Final contract terms for the pre-registration nursing and midwifery education contract in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight are currently under negotiation between the National Health Service Executive South and West Regional Office and the preferred bidders, the Universities of Southampton and Bournemouth.

  The tender process observed all statutory duties, European Council regulations, Departmental and Treasury guidance. Specialist legal advice was obtained at each stage of the process. The tender process was overseen by a project board consisting of the Directors of Nursing, Public Health and Finance of the NHS Executive South and West Regional Office and the Chief Executive of Dorset Health Authority. The NHS Executive South and West Regional Office is a constituent part of the Department of Health.

  Job-related Stress (NHS)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to reduce job-related stress on staff working within the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [19245]

  Mr. Milburn
  We attach great importance to the health and welfare of staff working in the National Health 688
  Service. This includes recognising the effect of occupational stress, addressing the causes, and supporting staff accordingly. Through the Health at Work in the NHS project, we have piloted an Organisational Stress management tool which has been disseminated throughout the service.

  The NHS Executive is currently developing this work further; is working with the Health and Safety Executive to produce guidance on Stress Management for Employers; and is sponsoring research on the best use of staff Counselling and Employee Assistance Programmes.

  Health and Housing
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent the Departmental Review into Health Inequalities has established a link between cold, damp housing conditions and ill health; what is the estimated cost to the National Health Service of treating cold-related illness; and what remedial measures he plans for the future. [19700]

  Ms Jowell
  The conclusions of the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health will not be published until the summer of 1998, but research shows that the most significant health risks from poor housing are associated with cold and damp, including respiratory problems and circulatory conditions.

  Reliable estimates on the cost to the National Health Service of treating cold-related illnesses are not available.

  The Government have enacted a range of measures to help pensioners keep warm in winter. Value Added Tax on fuel has been out to 5 per cent. and from April 1998 the gas levy will be reduced to zero. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 25 November a winter fuel payment for all pensioners, divided into a payment of £20 for over five million pensioner households and £50 for the 1.7 million pensioner households on income support. He also announced a cut in VAT to 5 per cent. for the installation of energy efficiency materials carried out under Government-funded grant schemes, allowing an extra 40,000 grants to be paid each year. The Government's new programme of training and jobs for young people will expand the national home energy efficiency scheme.

  Contractors and voluntary organisations will be encouraged to take on young people to insulate the homes of those most in need. In addition, the Capital Receipts Initiative will help local authorities to carry out energy efficiency improvements on homes. The Government's Home Energy Efficiency Scheme has so far helped 2.4 million households by paying grants for energy efficiency improvements. Four hundred thousand homes will benefit from the scheme this year.

  We will shortly be publishing for consultation a Green Paper on the new public health strategy for England.

  Value Added Tax
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the costs of implementing new VAT procedures by NHS trusts. [19996]

  Mr. Milburn
  No estimate of extra costs has been made.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the methodology by which he will calculate the progress made in reducing waiting lists against his target over a five year period. [20023]

  Mr. Milburn
  A Waiting List Action Team has been established, supported by eight regional task forces, to secure progress in this area including, as a first priority, to ensure that no one is waiting for more than 18 months for in patient treatment by 31 March 1998.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the average level of hospital waiting lists in each quarter from 31 March 1992 to 31 March 1997. [20024]

  Mr. Milburn
  Available information can be found in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England" which has been published since 1991. Copies are available in the Library.

  Haemophiliacs
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding compensation for haemophiliacs infected with Hepatitis C; [19852]

  (2) when he intends to respond to (a) the Manor House Group and (b) the Haemophilia Society in respect of his recent meeting to discuss compensation for haemophiliacs infected with Hepatitis C. [19853]

  Mr. Dobson
  [holding answer 10 December 1997]: I wrote to the Haemophilia Society on 28 November to assure them that we are giving full and careful consideration to this complex issue. I hope very shortly to be in a position to send them a full reply, which will be copied to the Manor House Group.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safety measures are in place to ensure that haemophiliacs are not infected with(a) Hepatitis C and (b) HIV as a result of blood transfusions. [19854]

  Mr. Dobson
  [holding answer 10 December 1997]: All reasonable steps are taken to ensure the safety of blood and blood products for all patients. These include the careful questioning of donors to exclude those likely to represent a risk of transmitting infection, and the testing of donations for Hepatitis B and C, HIV 1 and 2 and syphilis. Pools of plasma from which blood products are to be made are tested again. Wherever possible, as with blood products used in the treatment of haemophilia, they also undergo additional manufacturing processes to remove or inactivate viruses. All batches of blood products are separately tested for viral markers of infection by the independent National Institute for Biological Standards and Control.

  These arrangements fully meet the requirements laid down by the relevant European Union regulatory authority, the European Committee on Proprietary Medicinal Products. In addition, the safety of blood and blood products is kept under regular review by the expert
  690
  Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplantation, which gives advice to Health Ministers.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those PFI services associated with projects with a capital value in excess of £10 million and the duration of each part of the PFI project. [19866]

  Mr. Milburn
  Four projects, each with a capital value in excess of £10 million, have now reached commercial close and the nature of the services that will be provided by the private sector under each scheme has therefore been decided. The schemes, and the services affected, are:Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust: Estate maintenance; domestic services; catering; laundry; portering; security; non-emergency patient transport.
  Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare NHS Trust: Information Management and Technology (IM and T) systems; grounds and estate maintenance; domestic services; portering; financial services; catering; waste disposal and laundry; car parking; non-emergency patient transport; security; telecommunications; energy and utilities.
  Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust: Catering; laundry; communications/telephonist; sterile supplies; waste disposal; accommodation; energy; portering and mail; estates; car parking; domestic services; and reception. In addition, the possible provision by the private sector of non-emergency transport (patient transport service) is being reviewed by the trust and its private sector partner.
  South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust: Catering; cleaning; portering; non-emergency transport; laundry and linen; building services maintenance (new build/refurbishment only); private patients' unit.

  The duration of each part of each of these schemes is as follows:
  Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust: Contract period of 63 years (including the construction phase of three years) with breakpoints at year 28 and every five years subsequently after. Services provided by the private sector will be benchmarked every five years.
  Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare NHS Trust: Contract period of 64 years (including the construction phase of four years) with breakpoints at years 34, 44 and 54. Services provided by the private sector will be market tested in year nine and then every five years with the exception of IM and T Services. The initial contract for these will be for seven years, after which the Trust will be free to procure this service as it wishes.
  Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust: Contract period of 47.5 years, consisting of a construction phase of 2.5 years and an operational phase of 45 years. The Trust has the exclusive right to break the relationship in year 30 of the operational phase. Services provided by the private sector will be market-tested at intervals of five to seven years during the operational phase, depending on the service concerned.
  South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust: Contract period of 63 years (including the construction phase of three years) with break points at year 30 and then every five years. Services provided by the private sector will be market-tested after 10 years and subsequently every seven years.

  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department's value for money calculations assume
  691
  that patient related activity in connection with PFI projects with a capital value over £10 million will remain constant over the life of the project. [19863]

  Mr. Milburn
  No. Value for money (VFM) calculations are based on a number of assumptions including expected levels of patient activity and are carried out for all National Health Service capital projects. These levels are determined by a comprehensive analysis of current activity levels, expected changes in activity levels, patient flows and lengths of stay. Sensitivity analysis around these central assumptions is also undertaken to assess the effect on the VFM calculation of any changes. This includes an analysis of the impact of alternative levels of patient related activity.

  Private Finance Initiative projects are expected to have a flexibility of design to allow for different types of care should future healthcare requirements alter. This flexibility of design is one of the factors looked at during the approval process of a PFI project and helps give hospitals an in-built capability for coping with changes to patient activity.

  Patient Transport Service
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the amount of officer time spent on negotiating Patient Transport Service contracts in the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service(a) in 1996–97 and (b) in the previous five years; [20110]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of negotiating the Patient Transport Service contracts in the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service. [20111]

  Mr. Boateng
  None. This is a matter for the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust. I therefore advise my hon. Friend to contact the Chairman of the trust.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many ambulance staff have been recruited from the Patient Transport Service to the Emergency and Paramedic Service over the past five years(a) in the Mersey region and (b) nationally; [20108]

  (2) what proportion of staff currently working in the Patient Transport Service section of the ambulance service are the former emergency and paramedic staff (a) in the Mersey region and (b) nationally. [20109]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not held centrally. For details of Mersey Regional Ambulance National Health Service Trust, I suggest my hon. Friend contacts the Chairman of the trust for further information.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter of 21 July from the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam concerning the Commission on Long-term Care. [20277]

  Mr. Boateng
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 30 July 1997.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of post-graduate training in the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis. [18755]

  Mr. Boateng
  The medical Royal Colleges and their Faculties are responsible for the content and standard of postgraduate, or specialist, medical training. The treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis is likely to form part of specialist training programmes in several different medical specialities and also of vocational training for general practice.

  St. Michael's Hospital, Hayle
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the grant of £2.5 million by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority to St. Michael's Hospital, Hayle, in 1995 was approved by his Department's Regional Office, and on what terms; and if he will make a statement. [20112]

  Mr. Milburn
  In 1994 Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Health Authority made a Section 64 grant of £2.5 million to the Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross of Liege in order to ensure the long-term availability of operating capacity in the county.

  This grant did not require the formal approval of the then South and West Regional Health Authority, although officers from the regional health authority discussed the grant with officers of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Health Authority and were content with it. The health authority's external auditors, the Audit Commission, were also content with the grant.

  Lakeland Healthcare NHS Trust
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors led him to conclude that Councillor Mrs. Mary Styth was better qualified to be Chairman of Lakeland Healthcare NHS Trust Board than Doctor Bryan Lindley; and what representations he received on this subject. [20151]

  Mr. Milburn
  All National Health Service appointments are made on merit, and in accordance with guidance from the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the Government's criteria on the qualities required for chairmen and non-executives. All appointees are advised that there can be no presumption of re-appointment at the end of any term of appointment served. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not received any representations about his decision on the Chairmanship of Lakeland Healthcare NHS Trust.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the names of all those people he has appointed to public bodies since 1 May, indicating the
  693
  positions to which they have been appointed and whether they receive remuneration. [19983]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested by my hon. Friend is collected by the Department but will take a little time to assemble. I will write to him as soon as it is available.

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the basis of the calculation to establish the requirement for £300 million additional expenditure on the NHS this winter. [19011]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have been asked to reply.
  694
  A sum of £300 million has been made available for patient care this winter as a result of reordering spending priorities; £270 million was found from cuts in other spending programmes. A reduction in provision for the Ministry of Defence of £168 million related to overspending in 1996–97 and £102 million of provision no longer needed by the public sector nuclear industry as a result of their improved performance. The remaining £30 million will be from efficiency savings within the NHS.

  The money will specifically help hospitals cope with emergency admissions, reduce delays in discharging patients and strengthen primary and community services to reduce the need for people to be admitted to hospital in the first place.

  Party Political Donations
  Party Political Donations
  Millennium Dome: Contracts
  Millennium Dome: Contracts
  BSE
  BSE
  Vitamin B6 Controls: Representations
  Vitamin B6 Controls: Representations
  Vitamin B6 Controls: Compliance Cost Assessment
  Vitamin B6 Controls: Compliance Cost Assessment
  Vitamin B6 Controls: Regulations
  Vitamin B6 Controls: Regulations
  Horses: EU Classification
  Horses: EU Classification
  Royal Ulster Constabulary: Performance Indicator
  Royal Ulster Constabulary: Performance Indicator
  N.I.: Health Service Funding
  N.I.: Health Service Funding
  Gibraltar Prison
  Gibraltar Prison
  Mr. Unsal Ozturk
  Mr. Unsal Ozturk
  UNITA Representative: Expulsion
  UNITA Representative: Expulsion
  UNITA: UN Sanctions Committee
  UNITA: UN Sanctions Committee
  UNITA: Sanctions
  UNITA: Sanctions
  British Forces in Germany: Health Services
  British Forces in Germany: Health Services
  Littlehey Prison: Self-Inflicted Deaths
  Littlehey Prison: Self-Inflicted Deaths
  Rapid Draw Lotteries
  Rapid Draw Lotteries
  Verne Prison: Kairos Project
  Verne Prison: Kairos Project
  Altcourse Prison: Probation Services
  Altcourse Prison: Probation Services
  Lunar House: Immigration Applications
  Lunar House: Immigration Applications
  Households: Projections
  Households: Projections
  Seat Belts
  Seat Belts
  Rural Development Commission
  Rural Development Commission
  Scotland: Education Capital Allocation
  Scotland: Education Capital Allocation
  Scotland: Housing Capital Allocation
  Scotland: Housing Capital Allocation
  Scotland: Road Capital Budget
  Scotland: Road Capital Budget
  Scotland: NHS Budget
  Scotland: NHS Budget
  Scotland: Prison Population
  Scotland: Prison Population
  Scotland: Prisoners' Mental Illness Screening
  Scotland: Prisoners' Mental Illness Screening
  Scotland: Opencast Mining Planning Applications
  Scotland: Opencast Mining Planning Applications
  Scotland: Opencast Mining
  Scotland: Opencast Mining
  Gene Therapy Advisory Committee
  Gene Therapy Advisory Committee
  Smokers: GP Consultations
  Smokers: GP Consultations
  Child Protection Conferences: Records
  Child Protection Conferences: Records
  NHS Medical Posts: Overseas Staff
  NHS Medical Posts: Overseas Staff
  Medical Profession: Emigration
  Medical Profession: Emigration
  NHS Consultants and Doctors: Staff Retention
  NHS Consultants and Doctors: Staff Retention
  NHS Doctors
  NHS Doctors
  Parental Discipline
  Parental Discipline
  Vitamin B6 Toxicity in Animals: Studies
  Vitamin B6 Toxicity in Animals: Studies
  Meningococcal and Pneumococcal Vaccines
  Meningococcal and Pneumococcal Vaccines
  Meningitis Awareness: Students
  Meningitis Awareness: Students
  NHS Trust Chairmen: Appointment Details
  NHS Trust Chairmen: Appointment Details
  House of Lords: Reform
  House of Lords: Reform
  Zimbabwe: UK Aid
  Zimbabwe: UK Aid