Written Answers of 17 January 1997

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Newcastle Disease
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the likelihood of the Ross on Wye outbreak of Newcastle disease spreading; what measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease; and if he will make a statement. [11551]

  Mrs. Browning
  All outbreaks of Newcastle disease pose a risk of the disease spreading. Following confirmation of the first outbreak of disease on premises near Ross on Wye, an order was made under the Animal Health Act 1981 imposing movement restrictions on poultry and hatching eggs within a 3 km protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone around the affected premises. The same action was taken following a further outbreak close to the original outbreak, and another outbreak—which may not be linked—in East Sussex. Restrictions are not lifted until 30 days after the infected premises have been disinfected assuming that there have been no further outbreaks. The State Veterinary Service is conducting investigations with the objective of tracing the source of the infection and preventing it from spreading.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidelines his Department gives to farmers in respect of a suspected Newcastle disease outbreak; and if he will make a statement. [11555]

  Mrs. Browning
  All poultry farmers in the restricted areas are visited and given guidance as to the restrictions placed upon them, advice on the nature of the disease and how to avoid its being spread and the need to report to MAFF any suspicion of the disease.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many recognised outbreaks of Newcastle disease have been recorded on farms by area in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [11550]

  (2) how many (a) chickens, (b) turkeys and (c) other birds have been affected by Newcastle disease in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [11548]

  Mrs. Browning
  Other than the current outbreaks this year, there has been one incident of Newcastle disease in Great Britain since 1984, in May 1996. Following the death of 11 farmed pheasants on a farm in East Sussex, the remaining flock of about 3,600 birds and chicks was slaughtered.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of birds contracting Newcastle disease currently die; and if he will make a statement. [11554]
  390
  Mrs. Browning
  The rates of mortality depend upon the species and age of the bird and the virulence of the virus concerned. The virus isolated from birds in the current incident near Ross on Wye has proved to be more virulent for chickens than for turkeys.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the causes of Newcastle disease in (i) farmed poultry, (ii) other captive birds, (iii) wild birds, (iv) other species and (v) humans; and if he will make a statement. [11553]

  Mrs. Browning
  MAFF has funded a number of research projects into Newcastle disease in farmed poultry and continues to do so. The following research undertaken since 1991 into Newcastle disease virus has been completed and evaluated:Molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity of Newcastle disease virus;
  Evaluation of the antigenicity and immunogenicity of Newcastle disease virus;
  Development of techniques for the rapid diagnosis of Newcastle disease and the characterisation of the virus.

  The following research projects into Newcastle disease virus are currently in progress:
  Evaluation of the molecular basis for the pathogenicity of Newcastle disease virus;
  Use of monoclonal antibodies in differentiation and assessment of the relationship between Newcastle disease isolates for rapid diagnosis;
  Virulence assessment of Newcastle disease virus utilising a non-radioactive probe;
  Molecular epidemiology of Newcastle disease virus based on phylogenetic analysis of sequences;
  Development of alternative methods for the virulence testing of Newcastle disease isolates.

  The following research project into Newcastle disease virus will begin in the next financial year:
  Virulence assessment and epizootiological tracing of Newcastle disease in chickens using recombinant antibodies.

  Research into Newcastle disease in humans is a matter for the Department of Health but I understand that no research in this area has been undertaken recently.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Jobsearch Assistance
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her estimate of the cost of extending eligibility for jobsearch assistance to(a) partners of (i) unemployed claimants and (ii) sick and disabled people, (b) lone parents and (c) sick and disabled claimants. [10962]

  Mr. Forth
  All of these people can get help in looking for a job from the employment service. In addition, subject to certain eligibility conditions, people in each of these groups are eligible for our employment and training programmes. Any individual is eligible if he or she has been(a) in direct or indirect receipt of one or more of a number of relevant benefits for a specified minimum period, and (b) out of work for a specified minimum

  391
  period. Some groups, including people with disabilities, are eligible for programmes whether or not they meet these conditions.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many assisted places have been financed for pupils in each education authority, and at what public cost, in each of the last five years. [11077]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Information on the local education authority area in which assisted pupils reside is not collected centrally. Schools participating in the scheme recruit widely beyond the area in which they are situated and admit pupils from a number of different LEA areas.

  Teaching Methods
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many maintained schools use(a) formal and (b) informal teaching methods. [11218]

  Mr. Forth
  Information is not collected in this form. Schools generally use a range of teaching methods. The Government's education reforms encourage the use of the most effective methods to maximise the attainment of pupils.

  Science Teachers
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has for funding increased in-service training for(a) primary teachers teaching science and (b) science teachers in secondary schools. [10957]

  Mr. Forth
  The Government support in-service teacher training, for both primary and secondary school teachers, through elements of the grants for education support and training programme. GEST-supported expenditure will rise from £266.4 million in 1996–97 to £296.8 million in 1997–98. Schools generally have considerable flexibility in deciding how to spend GEST funds, although some is ring-fenced, including funding to enhance primary teachers' subject knowledge.

  Reading Skills
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the current proportion of 11-year-olds achieving a reading age appropriate to their age; what the figure was two years ago in(a) England, (b) the north-west region and (c) Bolton; and what action she is taking to improve the reading abilities of 11-year-olds. [11032]

  Mrs Gillan
  National curriculum assessment results for English encompass reading, writing, speaking and listening. In 1995, the first year of national curriculum assessment for 11-year-olds, 48 per cent. achieved the level expected for their age in tests and 56 per cent. did so in teacher assessments. In 1996, these figures had improved to 58 per cent. and 60 per cent. respectively. The first primary school performance tables will report by school and LEA the 1996 key stage 2 results including English. In 1997, the key stage 2 reading test will generate separate optional national curriculum levels and age 392
  standardised scores. The Government have a range of strategies to improve literacy standards, including their network of literacy centres national curriculum for initial teacher training and family literacy initiative.

  Personalised Number Plates (Executive Agencies)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many personalised number plates there are in the ownership of the executive agencies operated by her Department; and if she will list them. [11414]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Trade Fairs and Seminars
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the results of the bids for trade fair and overseas seminar support for 1997–89. [12007]

  Mr. Nelson
  I am pleased to announce that, under the trade fairs support scheme, about 260 groups of firms will be offered support totalling £17 million for exhibitions world-wide in 1997–98. This will be a major fillip, especially to small and medium firms which otherwise would not exhibit their products to potential customers in this way. In addition, this year, for the first time, similar export promotion activities will be eligible for the sector challenge competition, the results of which will be announced in March. I am pleased to report that a number of such applications have been invited to prepare full bids under the challenge.

  Of the 260 exhibitions being announced now, nearly half will be in Europe, about one fifth in the Asia Pacific and another fifth in the Americas. The full programme will be published in my Department's overseas promotions guide later this week. Copies will be sent to business links and trade associations and copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Against a background of considerable demand for this support and in order to maintain a substantial programme while containing public expenditure, I have decided to reduce the rate of grant on the approved cost of renting space and constructing stands at trade fairs from 50 per cent. to 45 per cent. I have also decided not to revalue the price levels on which construction grants are based. These changes will apply to all events for which my Department announces support from today. Offers of grant and firm announcements of support already made will continue to attract grant at current rates. I am not yet in a position to take decisions on supporting some events which would involve new expenditure in 1998–99.

  Inclusion of the trade fairs programme in the sector challenge should bring significant benefits to exporters by allowing new and more flexible approaches to exhibiting. I will be reviewing the way that we support trade fairs after the first sector challenge but my intention is to make all support for the trade fairs after this round available through the sector challenge. Consequently, the existing understanding to support automatically a core programme of events will continue only up to 31 March 1999.
  393
  In the meantime, with the aim of making the current scheme more customer-friendly, I have decided to streamline its administration. My Department will be reducing the number of forms, simplifying those forms still needed and asking intermediaries to be more accountable to their customers and less to my Department. This will apply routinely to the events for which I am announcing support from today and, where practicable, to offers already made.

  In addition, under the related overseas seminar scheme, my Department plans to support 31 events in 1997–98. Details of these too will be included in the overseas promotion guide.

  Business Links
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the Government observations on the fifth report of the Trade and Industry Committee on business links—House of Commons 301 of Session 1995–96—what steps the Government have taken to reduce bureaucracy and relate funding to outputs; and what targets he intends to set for each business link. [12030]

  Mr. Page
  From 1997–98, each business link will have a single budget for the core services that it is required to provide and my Department will make its contribution to the cost of business link services against proposals set out in the relevant training and enterprise council business plan for meeting the needs of the area. Funding will no longer depend in a mechanistic way on the precise levels of activity on each service, but each business link partnership will need to meet targets related to(a) the fees paid to the business link by assisted businesses, (b) the number of businesses with at least one employee using business link services and (c) the number of businesses that have an established fee-based relationship with the business link. The numerical targets for each business link will depend on local circumstances such as how long the business link has been operating.

  These targets reflect the fact that business links are commercial organisations operating in the private sector, although with a public purpose. If they are to be credible in providing business advice to their client customers, it is particularly important that they also operate commercially. Charging helps the assisted business to appreciate the value of the services provided and helps business links to generate additional funds so that the business link can increase the volume, quality and range of services it offers. In order to ensure that all business links make progress in this area, I have decided to set a minimum level for fee income from assisted businesses. Consequently, by their fifth year of operations—or by 1998–99 for business links that will reach their fifth year in 1997–98—business links should be earning at least 25 per cent. of their income from the assistance they provide to businesses. In earlier years, they will he expected to be making clear and defined progress towards this target. This approach gives business links considerable freedom in deciding how to charge their customers, while ensuring a broad minimum overall level of income from assisted businesses across all business link areas.

  Overseas Projects Fund
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many projects have been won with overseas projects fund assistance in each of the last five years; and if he will identify each project. [11444]

  Mr. Lang

  1991–92: 4

  1992–93: 3

  1993–94: 5

  1994–95: 5

  1995–96: 1

  1996–97 to date: 3.

  Information about individual projects is confidential between the company and the Department.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hyndburn (Mr Pope) of 11 November,Official Report, column 14, on the overseas projects fund, if he will identify each of the projects assisted in each of the last five years. [11446]

  Mr. Lang
  Information about individual projects is confidential between the company and the Department.

  Arbitration Act 1996
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Arbitration Act 1996 will come into force; and if he will make a statement. [12008]

  Mr. Lang
  I am pleased to announce that, before the House rose for the Christmas recess, I made an order to bring the main provisions of the Arbitration Act 1996 into force on 31 January 1997. I have decided not to bring sections 85 to 87 of the Act, which make certain special provisions for domestic arbitration agreements, into force. A draft order to repeal these sections will be laid before both Houses as soon as is practicable.

  The new Act will apply to all arbitration proceedings which are commenced on or after 31 January, no matter when the agreement to arbitrate was made. The only exception is the provision at section 46(1)(b) of the Act, which enables the parties to agree that the dispute can be decided in accordance with provisions other than the law. This provision will apply only to new arbitration agreements made on or after 31 January 1997.

  The commencement order which brings the Act into force makes certain transitional arrangements to deal with situations where applications in respect of arbitral proceedings are made to the courts around the time the Act comes into force.

  Arrangements are being made to have new rules of court in place on 31 January to complement the new Act.

  At the same time, I have laid before both Houses an order under section 91 of the Act to set at £3,000 the amount below which a consumer arbitration agreement will be considered unfair. The order will apply to England and Wales and Scotland. Apart from its provisions on consumer arbitration agreements the Act does not apply to Scotland. A similar order is being made for Northern Ireland.
  395
  The departmental advisory committee on arbitration law produced an excellent commentary on the Arbitration Bill in February of last year. A supplementary report is being prepared which will bring the commentary on the project up to date.

  My Department is in the process of preparing a brochure on the Act which is being written with the needs of small business and consumers specifically in mind.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the age of(a) the youngest and (b) the oldest person who was electronically tagged in England and Wales during 1996. [10884]

  Mr. Sackville
  The answers are:(a) 16; (b)

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were electronically tagged in England and Wales during 1996. [10885]

  Mr. Sackville
  Two hundred and thirteen men and 16 women were sentenced to curfew orders monitored electronically in the three trial areas during 1996.

  Research (Dogs and Cats)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if non-purpose-bred dogs and cats used for research in the United Kingdom are obtained from non-designated supplying establishments situated within the United Kingdom. [11171]

  Mr. Sackville
  In Great Britain during 1995, the only year for which figures are available, 66 dogs but no cats used in scientific procedures were obtained from sources within the United Kingdom not designated breeding or supplying establishments.

  Animal Procedures Committee
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his appointments to the Animal Procedures Committee. [11929]

  Mr. Sackville
  I have appointed the following persons to be members of the Animal Procedures Committee for four years with effect from 1 January 1997:Professor Robin Dunbar, professor of psychology, university of Liverpool;
  Mr. John Gregory, fellow, Institute of Animal Technicians;
  Professor John Turner, professor of evolutionary genetics, university of Leeds.

  Shoplifting
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the minimum number of items of information a police officer has to provide in order to initiate the prosecution of a juvenile delinquent for shoplifting; and if he will make a statement. [10761]

  Mr. Maclean
  Six forms are needed in the prosecution file in the case of a juvenile offender where a guilty plea is expected. These are:396

  a file front sheet which includes the defendant's details;

  a copy of the charge sheet/summons;

  the defendant's previous convictions, if any;

  a compensation form completed by the victim;

  a short descriptive note; and

  a note of how the decision to prosecute was reached.

  More information is required where a not guilty plea is expected. There are also other forms and documents which are completed or taken into account which are not directly associated with the prosecution process; these include property registers, custody records and fingerprint forms.

  Deaf-blind People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training police receive in communicating and making contact with deaf-blind people. [9471]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 16 January 1997]: There is no national training aimed specifically at how police officers should communicate or make contact with deaf-blind people although the probationer foundation training programme seeks to establish a general awareness and understanding of the special needs of people the police are likely to encounter. There are, however, special provisions for dealing with people in police custody who appear to be blind or deaf and training in the requirements of the relevant Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 codes of practice is included in the custody officer training package which is available to all forces.

  It is the responsibility of individual chief officers to ensure that their officers are suitably trained for the duties that they undertake.

  Firearms (Amendment) Bill
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the number of (i) small businesses which will close and (ii) jobs which will be lost as a result of the implementation of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill; [11219]

  (2) what is the size of the budget which the Government are proposing to compensate (a) businesses and (b) individuals who will have to surrender firearms as a result of the implementation of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill. [11220]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answers 16 January 1997]: Our estimate of the costs that will need to be paid to compensate all those who surrender guns and accessories is as set out in the financial memorandum to the Firearms (Amendment) Bill.

  It has not been possible to estimate the full impact of the measures that would be introduced by the Bill on businesses and employment.

  Prison Interviews
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to ban interviews between journalists and convicted murderers on prison premises; and if he will make a statement. [10658]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 13 January 1997]: Visits to prisoners by journalists or authors in their professional capacity are generally not permitted. Where, exceptionally, a visit is permitted, journalists or authors are required to give a written undertaking which limits the subject and conditions of the interview. The Government have considered the recent High Court judgment in the case of Simms and O'Brien and have decided to appeal.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the five hon. Members who most frequently had one of the first five oral questions to the Prime Minister on the Order Paper since the beginning of the Session. [9951]

  Mr. Newton
  The hon. Members listed have appeared more than once in the top five on the Order Paper for oral questions to the Prime Minister between the start of the current Session and 18 December. In that period, there were 15 Prime Minister's Question Times. The total number of times each Member has appeared is shown in brackets after their name.

  Mr. Edward O'Hara (3)

  Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours (2)

  Mr. Malcolm Chisholm (2)

  Roseanna Cunningham (2)

  Mr. Harry Greenway (2)

  Mr. John Hutton (2)

  Mr. John Marshall (2)

  Sir Irvine Patnick (2)

  Mr. Dennis Skinner (2).

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hon. Members have had questions lost since the contract with the Stationery Office commenced. [10728]

  Mr. Newton
  I have been advised that there has been one incident, on 17 December, when a single batch of eight questions from five hon. Members was lost.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he expects to receive an apology from the Stationery Office about hon. Members' lost questions; and when he expects hon. Members to receive apologies. [10725]

  Mr. Newton
  I am advised that the chairman of the Stationery Office wrote to the Speaker on 19 December, apologising for the incident. He also sent a letter of apology to four of the five hon. Members whose questions were lost. I understand that the fifth has not yet been identified.
  398
  Mr. MacNamara
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what assessment he has made of the security of hon. Member's questions at the Stationery Office. [10708]

  Mr. Newton
  I am advised that a review of the process for dealing with Members' questions is being undertaken by the Stationery Office in consultation with House officials. In the meantime, the photocopying of Members' questions immediately on arrival at the Parliamentary Press has been introduced as a safeguard.

  Hon. Members (Swearing In)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if arrangement are in hand for hon. Members to take the oath following the next election in accordance with the recommendations in the first report of Session 1995–96 on proceeding at the start of Parliament [HC 386] of the Procedure Committee. [11475]

  Mr. Newton
  As I explained to the House on 11 July 1996 Official Report, column 636, this is a matter for Madam Speaker.

TREASURY

  Administration Costs
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlie the increase in the provision for gross running costs of civil Departments compared with revised plans as set out in the Red Book paragraph 5.30; and if he will provide a breakdown of the increase by Department, indicating, where possible, executive agencies separately. [8277]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 9 December 1996]: Compared with an estimated 1996–97 outturn of £14,919 million for running costs of civil Departments, the Government's planned expenditure on running costs of £14,736 million in 1999–2000 represents a fall of 7 per cent. in real terms over three years.

  The increases in running costs provision for 1997–98 and 1998–99 are more than accounted for by increases on anti-fraud and anti-evasion measures—an additional £760 million of running costs over three years—and on prisons. Additional provision has also been given to the agriculture Departments to fund the continuing package of measures to counter BSE.

  The table following compares the Government's plans published in the public expenditure statistical analyses—PESA—1996–97 with new plans for each departmental group. New plans may be subject to further revision before the Government's plans are set out in detail in the 1997 departmental reports, due to be published in March 1997, which will include information on the running costs of executive agencies.
  399

  1997–98 £ million

  1998–99 £ million

  Departmental group

  PESA 1996–97

  New Plans

  Change

  PESA 1996–97

  New Plans

  Change

  Foreign Office

  540

  525

  -15

  539

  535

  -4

  Overseas Development

  58

  56

  -2

  58

  56

  -2

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  466

  524

  58

  468

  522

  54

  Trade and Industry

  435

  447

  12

  432

  440

  8

  Transport

  395

  393

  -2

  376

  374

  -2

  Environment

  511

  455

  -56

  501

  445

  -56

  Home Office

  1,865

  1,928

  63

  1,907

  2,013

  106

  Legal departments

  776

  766

  -10

  775

  759

  -16

  Education and Employment

  1,193

  1,130

  -63

  1,189

  1,107

  -82

  National Heritage

  39

  64

  25

  39

  63

  24

  Health

  278

  276

  -2

  278

  276

  -2

  Social Security

  3,426

  3,539

  113

  3,105

  3,259

  154

  Scotland

  378

  382

  4

  374

  373

  -1

  Wales

  76

  75

  -1

  76

  74

  -2

  Northern Ireland

  794

  787

  -7

  792

  787

  -5

  Chancellor's departments

  2,929

  2,944

  15

  2,919

  2,998

  79

  Cabinet Office

  566

  558

  -8

  567

  557

  -10

  Total

  14,725

  14,850

  125

  14,395

  14,637

  242

  Plus: Changes between FSBR95 and publication of PESA

  105

  114

  Equals: Difference between new and revised plans

  230

  356

  Note:

  See Annex B to Chapter 5 of FSBR 1997–98 for details of departmental groupings.

  Betting Duty
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much his Department has received in revenue from betting duty in each quarter of each of the last three financial years; [10999]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the loss of betting duty as a result of recent cancellations of horse race meetings. [11000]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 16 January 1997]: The betting duty receipts—that is, general betting duty—for each quarter of the last three financial years are as follows. All figures are £ million.

  Quarter

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1

  138

  138

  120

  2

  140

  137

  124

  3

  122

  118

  —

  4

  108

  96

  —

  No estimate has been made of the loss of betting duty as a result of recent cancellations of horse race meetings. There is no duty due in respect of bets made at a racecourse. Off course betting has continued for Irish and other foreign horse racing and for all-weather courses in this country.

TRANSPORT

  Channel Tunnel (Safety)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the most recent fire involving a train being used as part of the new emergency procedures in the channel tunnel. [11515]
  400
  Mr. Watts
  On 19 December 1996, smoke was detected in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit of an empty tourist shuttle train on stand-by at a platform on the Folkestone terminal. Kent fire brigade attended and extinguished a small electrical fire.

  A second tourist shuttle was immediately prepared for use as a replacement stand-by train.

  Roads Programme (Property Purchases)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what property his Department holds for the purposes of the present and previously planned roads programme, indicating(a) the number of houses, (b) the number of other properties and (c) the extent of land holdings; and what was the total amount spent in purchasing the property in each of these categories. [10846]

  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Andrew Smith, dated 17 January 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what property his Department holds for the purposes of the present and previously planned roads programme, indicating (a) the number of houses, (b) the number of other properties and (c) the extent of land holdings; and what was the total amount spent in purchasing the property in each of these categories.
  The information is not available in the form requested. The Highways Agency's previously planned (pre-November 1995) roads programme required 3,176 properties/plots at a purchase cost of £.301.6M. The Highways Agency's present programme will require 1,411 properties/plots at a purchase cost of 119.8M.
  The purchase price excludes compensation payable for disturbance, home loss removal expenses and fees, etc. In addition we hold some 700 properties/plots in connection with schemes previously under construction or completed which were not listed in the November 1995 budget announcement as either withdrawn or in the programme. These are needed for operational reasons or are for eventual disposal when vacant. The purchase price of these properties/plot was £61.7M.

  Thai-registered Airlines
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what action(a) his Department and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority has taken following the recent announcement by the Federal Aviation Administration relating to Thailand's non-compliance with international aviation standards; [11529]

  (2) if he will list those airlines registered in Thailand operating to or from United Kingdom airports. [11528]

  Mr. Bowls
  Thailand's civil aviation authority has been assessed by the Federal Aviation Administration under its international aviation safety assessment programme as "Category II, Conditional". This means that FAA inspectors found areas that in their opinion did not meet international safety standards, but services by the country's carriers continue to be permitted to the United States under heightened FAA surveillance.

  We take FAA assessments into account in deciding whether to ask the Civil Aviation Authority to inspect a particular country's aircraft operating into the United Kingdom. We also take into account whether the country is participating in the International Civil Aviation Organisation's safety oversight programme. Thailand has been assessed by ICAO and we are awaiting the outcome of that mission.

  One airline registered in Thailand operates into the United Kingdom. Thai Airways International operates a daily scheduled service into Heathrow: the Department does not currently plan to ask the CAA to ramp check its aircraft but will keep the matter under review.

  London Transport Annual Settlement
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he received from chief officers and the board of(a) London Transport and (b) the City of London about the Government's annual settlement for London Transport; what they told him about the effect of the settlement on London Transport's investment programme and existing infrastructure; and if he will make a statement. [11063]

  Mr. Bowis
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I meet the chairman and other members of the board of London Transport on a regular basis and discuss this and other matters. No representations have been received from the Corporation of the City of London.

  London Underground Power Generation
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his timetable for the privatisation of London Underground power generation facilities; what consultation he has had on this; what guarantees in respect of future investment will be required; and what assurances he expects in respect of its continuing reliability. [11081]

  Mr. Bowis
  The provision of power supplies to the underground is an operational matter for London Underground. It is currently in negotiation with two short-listed bidders for a project under the private finance initiative which would meet the underground's future power generation and distribution requirements.
  402
  Reliability of supply and the bidders' investment plans are matters being discussed with the bidders. London Underground hopes soon to decide on its preferred bidder.

  London Underground (Consultants)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the consultants, outside organisations and individuals employed by London Underground Ltd., for advice on introducing a private sector element into the(a) organisation, (b) operation and (c) funding of (i) the London underground system and (ii) London Underground Ltd., the duration of their employment and the total cost of their employment in each of the years 1992 to 1997. [11096]

  Mr. Bowis
  This is a matter for London Underground Ltd. However I understand that it employs outside parties from time to time to advise on matters including disposals, contracting out and projects under the private finance initiative.

  Ms Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the consultants, outside organisations and individuals employed by(a) his Department and (b) its agencies, for advice on introducing a private sector element into the (i) organisation, (ii) operation and (iii) funding of (1) the London underground system and (2) London Underground Ltd., the duration of their employment and the total cost of their employment in each of the years 1992 to 1997. [11097]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department has made no such appointments.

  Heathrow to London Rail Link
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for a fast rail link between Heathrow and central London other than the Heathrow to Paddington service; what interim station stops are being considered for inclusion; and if he will make a statement. [11013]

  Mr. Bowis
  BAA has recently announced that it is considering the introduction of a sister service to the Heathrow express, which will operate between St. Pancras and Heathrow. This service would start to operate from 1999 and possible stops being considered include West Hampstead, Ealing Broadway, Hayes and Harlington.

ENVIRONMENT

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to ensure that incentives aimed at reducing absenteeism do not extend to absenteeism as a result of work-related injuries. [11085]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None. My Department has no responsibilities for reducing absenteeism from work. The Health and Safety Executive is, however, constantly looking at ways of reducing work-related injuries.

  Opencast Mining (Environmental Effects)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the research carried out by his
  403
  Department, since January 1994, into possible environmental health problems caused by opencast coal operations indicating (a) the commissioning dates of the investigations, (b) the name of organisations or agencies commissioned to undertake investigations and (c) the expected dates for publication of results; and if he will provide summaries of the investigations undertaken. [11357]

  Mr. Gummer
  The Departments of Health and Environment commissioned a joint research project on the impact of particulate matter from opencast coal sites on public health in August 1996. The research is being undertaken by the university of Newcastle medical school and the work is expected to be complete in late October 1998. This work is still in its early stages and I will write to the hon. Member with details of what it involves.

  1995–96

  1994–95

  1993–94

  Health Board

  Number of patients

  Total value of contracts

  Number of patients

  Total value of contracts

  Number of patients

  Total value of contracts

  Argyll and Clyde

  586

  178,585

  298

  222,245

  Nil

  —

  Ayrshire and Arran

  81

  1,990,000

  83

  1,750,000

  60

  1,500,000

  Borders

  16

  224,976

  32

  224,842

  Not disclosed

  31,431

  Dumfries and Galloway

  347

  168,450

  176

  48,000

  Nil

  —

  Fife

  65

  67,184

  Nil

  —

  Nil

  —

  Forth Valley

  1>1,175

  980,800

  1>713

  657,358

  1>295

  368,475

  Grampian

  5

  116,250

  138

  207,801

  10

  118,000

  Greater Glasgow

  110

  398,235

  28

  110,700

  615

  404,758

  Highland

  12

  90,362

  5

  37,860

  26

  141,850

  Lanarkshire

  185

  2,832,322

  162

  2,616,080

  150

  2,486,963

  Lothian

  Nil

  —

  85

  50,901

  90

  87,133

  Orkney

  Nil

  —

  Nil

  —

  Nil

  —

  Shetland

  Nil

  —

  13

  3,250

  Nil

  —

  Tayside

  58

  471,789

  45

  278,071

  19

  276,997

  Western Isles

  Nil

  —

  2

  3,950

  Nil

  —

  1 Precise figure not disclosed.

  Newcastle Disease
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have been affected with Newcastle disease in Scotland in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [11546]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: No cases have been recorded in the last five years.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  NHS (Emergency Capacity)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 14 January concerning emergency capacity in the national health service,Official Report, column 130, if he will make a statement on the extent of this capacity indicating the basis on which the amount of such capacity is calculated, and the approximate costs of maintaining spare beds. [11439]

  The Deputy Prime Minister: It is the responsibility of health authorities and national health service trusts to ensure that NHS emergency services can meet demand. In the last financial year, over 3.5 million patients received

SCOTLAND

  Private Health Providers
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each health board the names of the private health providers with which they have had contracts, the value of each contract, and the number of patients covered by each contract for (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1995–96. [10967]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The information requested is not collected centrally on a routine basis.

  In response to a request by the hon. Member, the information in the table was obtained specifically from health boards. The further details requested by the hon. Member cannot be provided centrally without risking a breach of patient confidentiality.

  emergency in-patient care in NHS hospitals. Within the context of overall growth in the NHS, we have recently made available additional funding to help meet key service objectives in the current financial year. This funding includes money for intensive care beds and to improve discharge arrangements, thus making extra beds available.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 13 January,Official Report, column 13, which Departments (a) have implemented and (b) have not implemented their action plans in response to the efficiency unit's report on external consultants. [11440]

  Mr. Freeman
  Each Department is best placed to provide the most up-to-date account of its progress in implementing the recommendations of the efficiency unit's report; I refer the hon. Gentleman therefore to the answers supplied by Departments to his recent questions about progress on implementation.
  405
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 13 January,Official Report, column 13, if he will make a statement on the assessment made by the efficiency unit of the monitoring of Departments' expenditure on consultants. [11441]

  Mr. Freeman
  The efficiency unit estimates that ministerial Departments and the Attorney-General's Office spent approximately £510 million on external consultants in 1995–96 at 1996 prices. This figure excludes spending by the Department for Education and Employment. When this latter figure is available, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in, the Library.

  Many factors effect the level of departmental spending on consultants and expenditure should not be taken as a sole indicator of the impact of the efficiency unit's scrutiny report, the prime purpose of which was to increase control and accountability and to secure improvements in procurement and project management.

  Efficiency Training
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what have been the costs of efficiency training for managers in the civil service and agencies; and how many staff have participated in each of the last five years. [11443]

  Mr. Freeman
  In line with the civil service White Paper, "Continuity and Change", responsibility for efficiency planning and the training of staff is delegated to Departments. The information requested is not held centrally.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Arts Council
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the appointment of the Public Affairs Officer to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland was made; how many persons applied for the position; in which newspapers the position was advertised; and how many of the applicants were perceived to be(a) Protestants and (b) Roman Catholics. [10780]

  Mr. Ancram
  The appointment of the public affairs officer with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland was made on 12 May 1995. There were 38 applicants for the post. The vacancy was advertised in the Irish News, Newsletter and Belfast Telegraph. Of the 38 applicants, 21 were perceived to be from the Protestant community, 15 from the Roman Catholic community and two non-determined.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons applied for the position of education and training officer to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland; in which newspapers in(a) the UK and (b) the Republic of Ireland this vacancy was advertised; and how many of the applicants were perceived to be (i) Protestants and (ii) Roman Catholics. [10781]

  Mr. Ancram
  The post of education and training officer with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland was first advertised in August 1995. Of 18 applicants, only one was 406
  considered suitable but declined the appointment. The post was re-advertised in October 1996 and there were 28 applicants.

  On both occasions, the vacancy was advertised in the Irish News, Newsletter and Belfast Telegraph. The vacancy was not advertised in any Republic of Ireland newspapers.

  Of the 18 applicants in August 1995, five were perceived to be from the Protestant community and 13 from the Roman Catholic community. Of the 28 applicants in October 1996, eight were perceived to be from the Protestant community, 18 from the Roman Catholic community and two non-determined.

  Raising School Standards Initiative
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the schools involved in the raising school standards initiative and the criteria by which they were chosen. [10939]

  Mr. Ancram
  Secondary schools were identified for inclusion in the initiative by means of a performance index, which took account of both the number and level of GCSE and vocational qualifications over the three years 1990–91 to 1992–93. Primary schools were selected for invitation to participate in RSSI on the following basis:only those primary schools contributing 10 per cent. or more to the year eight intake of any participating secondary school were considered;
  these primary schools were ranked using a points system based on transfer grades, combined with the proportions of pupils entitled to free school meals;
  where this approach excluded a school which contributed 30 or more to the participating secondary school's year eight intake, this school was selected.

  I will write to the hon. Member listing the participating schools.

  Teachers (Discretionary Support)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the changes in discretionary support for teachers embarking on courses to obtain additional qualifications, showing the financial allocations. [10985]

  Mr. Ancram
  As schools' budgets have been given priority, funds will not be available for new applicants for discretionary awards from and including the 1997–98 academic year. Teachers already receiving financial support will continue to have their tuition fees, travelling and subsistence expenses met under the existing terms and conditions.

  Newcastle Disease
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recognised outbreaks of Newcastle disease have been recorded on farms in Northern Ireland by area in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [11544]

  Mr. Ancram
  No outbreaks of Newcastle disease were recorded on farms in Northern Ireland in 1992 to 1995. One outbreak was recorded in County Antrim in 1996.
  407
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) chickens, (b) turkeys and (c) other birds have been affected by Newcastle disease in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [11542]

  Mr. Ancram
  One outbreak of Newcastle disease occurred in Northern Ireland in 1996, affecting approximately 2,500 chickens. Some 59,000 in-contact chickens were slaughtered during the outbreak.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been affected with Newcastle disease in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [11543]

  Mr. Ancram
  There were no recorded cases of Newcastle disease in humans in Northern Ireland during the last five years.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits Agency Medical Services
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will(a) place in the Library and (b) circulate to members of the Social Security Committee the draft contract to be issued on 19 December to private sector companies shortlisted for the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services; [10273]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 11 November, Official Report, columns 87–88, if he will place in the Library the statement of service requirements issued on 20 November to companies shortlisted for the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services. [10272]

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested cannot be provided, as disclosure would prejudice the competitive position of the Department in its negotiations with the shortlisted companies.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if an asylum seeker in receipt of income support is allowed to undertake a full-time course of education or training. [10266]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Asylum seekers in receipt of income support are subject to the same rules on study as other recipients. However, an asylum seeker who has been granted refugee status may continue to receive benefit for up to nine months while attending a course for more than 15 hours a week to learn English in order to enable him to gain employment, provided that, on the date the course started, he had been in Great Britain for not more than 12 months.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish data on the spread of income of pensioners on the lowest decile of income and the highest decile of income in 1978–79 and 1994–95. [10743]
  408
  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table. The figures represent the amount of the spread in income of pensioners between the 25th and the 75th percentile of each of the lowest decile and highest decile of the income distribution.

  Inter-quartile range

  1979£

  1994–95£

  Bottom decile

  30.40

  28.20

  Top decile

  116.70

  205.60

  Notes

  1.All estimates are £s per week in July 1994 prices, rounded to the nearest £0.10.

  2.Data for 1979 are based upon an estimate for the calendar year 1979. The 1994–95 estimate is in respect of that financial year.

  3.The estimates refer to all pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined to be either a single person over state pension age, or a couple where the head, assumed to be the man, is aged over SPA.

  4.The measure of spread provided is the inter-quartile range. which is the difference between the 25th percentile and the 75th percentile of an income distribution. This measure is subject to a large degree of statistical variability.

  Source:

  The pensioners' incomes series 1994–95.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the start-up costs of the information technology system needed to run the jobseeker's allowance payment scheme. [10510]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is set out in the table:

  £million

  Year

  Information Technology Services Agency

  Benefits Agency/ Employment Service

  Total

  1994–95

  2,395

  0,394

  2,789

  1995–96

  15,385

  3,235

  18,620

  1996–97

  7,051

  2,239

  9,290

  Total

  24,831

  5,868

  30.699

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the estimated annual running costs of the jobseeker's allowance payment scheme. [10511]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is not yet available. However, it is estimated that the annual costs of administering jobseeker's allowance will be broadly similar to those for the previous benefits, unemployment benefit and income support for unemployed people.

  Corporate Date (Access System)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the tendering for the new ACCORD—access to corporate data—information technology system. [10512]

  Mr. Burt
  The ACCORD project is intended to deliver, through the private finance initiative, a set of services to support the Department's information systems—information technology strategy.
  409
  A notice was placed in the supplement to the Official Journal of the European Communities on 7 August 1996. A statement of requirement was issued on 2 October to which six responses were received. Following an evaluation of these responses, an announcement was made on 12 December that three bidders would be taken forward to the next stage.

  Following a period of consultation lasting several months, tenders will be invited.

  Child Support
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 28 November 1996,Official Report, column 400, if he will place in the Library a copy of the version of the draft regulations to which the comments of the president of the Independent Tribunal Service referred. [11045]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I have placed a copy of the draft regulations in the Library.

  There were some changes made before laying before the House in order to make the drafting clearer and to correct minor drafting errors, as well as amendments following the consultation with the president of the Independent Tribunal Service and the Council on Tribunals.

  Invalidity and Incapacity Benefit (Barrow and Furness)
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were claiming(a) invalidity benefit and (b) incapacity benefit in the Barrow and Furness parliamentary constituency in each year between 1990 and 1996. [11023]

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of invalidity benefit and incapacity benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Hutton, dated 16 January 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people were claiming (a) Invalidity Benefit and (b) Incapacity Benefit in the Barrow and Furness Parliamentary Constituency in each year between 1990 and 1996.
  The information is not available in the format requested. Statistics are kept for Benefits Agency (BA) Districts and not by Parliamentary Constituencies. The BA District Lancaster and South Cumbria consists of the BA offices at Lancaster, Barrow and Kendal. Statistics are not available broken down by BA Districts for 1990 and 1991.
  The available information is shown in the attached table.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  410

  Number of customers in receipt of invalidity benefit in the benefit agency district Lancaster and South Cumbria

  Number

  March 1992

  10,633

  March 1993

  10,961

  March 1994

  11,513

  March 1995

  12,076

  March 1996

  112,469

  Figures are provisional and subject to change. Incapacity Benefit replaced Invalidity Benefit on 13 April 1995.

  1 The figure quoted is for Incapacity Benefit cases paid at short term higher rate and long term rate, ie cases from the 29th week of incapacity. This is comparable to Invalidity Benefit.

HEALTH

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which bodies are responsible for ensuring adequate minimum standards of establishment and functions of deputising services for general practitioners. [10901]

  Mr. Malone
  Health authorities are responsible for ensuring that general practitioners only use deputising services which are of a satisfactory standard.

  NHS Trusts (Patients' Cash)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to NHS trusts about cash handed over for safekeeping on admission to the care of the trust. [11243]

  Mr. Horam
  Guidance on safeguarding patients' property formed part of the national health service executive's model standing financial instructions issued to all NHS trusts in 1994. The guidance sets out the trust's responsibility to provide safe custody for money and other personal property handed in by patients.

  Meningitis
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of cases of meningitis in the last three months of 1996; and if he will make a statement. [11064]

  Mr. Horam
  There were 368 laboratory confirmed reports of meningococcal infection by the Public Health Laboratory Service's meningococcal reference laboratory in the last three months of 1996. The latest mid-year to mid-year data show the number of cases in 1996 are currently running very slightly lower than in 1995:

  PHLS confirmed laboratory reports of meningococcal infection

  1 July-22 December 1995

  654

  1 July-22 December 1996

  585

  411
  Meningitis remains a rare, but serious, disease with a peak in the number of cases in children under one year and a second smaller peak in late teenagers. High awareness of the disease and parental alertness remain the best general protection which is why information on meningitis is targeted in these areas. Health visitors provide new parents with the Health Education Authority's leaflet, "A Guide to Childhood Immunisations", which includes advice on recognising the signs and symptoms of meningitis. The Department of Health and the National Meningitis Trust collaborated in providing an information leaflet for parents of small children and teenagers. The HEA also produced a leaflet, "Look out for your mate", targeted at students, which has been very widely distributed to colleges and universities. The Chief Medical Officer recently wrote to all doctors giving up-to-date advice on the early diagnosis of suspected cases of meningococcal infection and on the need for antibiotic treatment and urgent referral to hospital.

  Tuberculosis and Rickets
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the incidence of(a) tuberculosis and (b) rickets among those aged 0 to 19 years in each health authority area in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [11604]

  Mr. Horam
  Information on the numbers of notifications of tuberculosis is not available in the form requested. The number of notifications to the Office for National Statistics under the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988 are published by local authority district or by age in the publications, "MB2 Communicable Disease Statistics" annually and "MB2 Infectious Disease Statistics" quarterly. Copies are available in the Library. Total notifications for 0 to 19-year-olds for the last five years are:

  Numbers of tuberculosis notifications, excluding chemoprophylaxis, England and Wales, 0 to 19-year-olds

  Tuberculosis notifications

  1992

  730

  1993

  785

  1994

  615

  1995

  631

  1996 (first 39 weeks)

  1429

  1 Provisional.

  The United Kingdom has an excellent record of tuberculosis control and we are determined that this should remain the case through the BCG immunisation programme, treatment of identified cases and screening of their close contacts, screening and treatment for immigrants and active surveillance of tuberculosis.

  Rickets is not a notifiable disease and data are not collected centrally. There are anecdotal reports of rickets in the medical literature, but these tend to be associated with extreme diets and insufficient exposure to sunlight. There is no reliable evidence that rickets is on the increase, and some evidence that rickets which used to be prevalent among Asian communities is now rare. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy has established an expert sub-group which is considering the nutritional aspects of bone health in the UK population.

  Child Malnutrition
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring he has undertaken of the incidence of(a) anaemia, (b) calcium deficiency and (c) vitamin D deficiency among those aged 0 to 19 years. [11605]

  Mr. Horam
  The nutritional status of 0 to 19-year-olds has been monitored by the Government's programme of nutrition and health surveys.

  (a)Anaemia: The prevalence of anaemia has been monitored among young children by the "National Diet and Nutrition Survey of Children Aged 11/2-441/2 years" published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1995; among those aged 18 to 24 years by the "National Diet and Nutrition Survey of British adults" published by HMSO in 1990, and among 16 to 24 year olds by the 1994 Health Survey for England published by HMSO in 1996. No survey has been analysed in respect of the specific age range 0 to 19 years. The results were as follows:

  Prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin below 11.0g/dl)

  Males1 Percentage

  Females2 Percentage

  NDNS 1½ to 4½ years

  7

  9

  NDNS British Adults 18–24 years

  1

  6

  Health Survey for England 16–24 years

  0.2

  2.1

  1 1.0 per cent. below 13g/dl.

  2 7.7 per cent. below 12g/dl.

  (b) Calcium deficiency: There is no clinical condition which can he ascribed to dietary calcium deficiency.
  (c) Vitamin D deficiency: The NDNS of Children aged 1½ to 4½ years found adequate vitamin D status in the general population. A review of reports of rickets, prepared for the panel on maternal and child nutrition of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy, found sporadic cases of rickets among specific groups who follow inappropriately rigid diets, but no evidence of rickets among the general population.

  Vitamin D status has also been measured in the survey, "Asian infant feeding practice". The report is expected to be published later this year. Both the occurrence of anaemia and vitamin D status will be measured in the "National Diet and Nutrition Survey of Young People aged 4 to 18 years", the report of which is expected in 1999. The prevalence of anaemia among 11 to 15 year olds was measured in the "1995 Health Survey for England" which is expected to be published next month.

  Care for the Elderly
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will update the estimates set out on 22 May 1995,Official Report, column 406, relating to the average cost of keeping an elderly infirm person in a (a) hospital bed, (b) nursing home and (c) residential care home. [10210]

  Mr. Burns
  The Department does not collect information on the average cost for the elderly and infirm of a place in a hospital, residential care home or a nursing home, but the Laing and Buisson market survey estimates, on the basis of the latest survey of independent sector homes, the average fees were £333 and £239 per week at August 1995 for nursing homes and residential care homes, respectively. These figures do not include contributions from individuals' income or from public sources.
  413
  The average cost of keeping an elderly infirm person in a hospital bed has been estimated by the personal social services research unit in "The Unit Cost of Health and Social Care", 1996, to be £114 per in-patient day, or £798 per week at 1995–96 prices.

  In addition, figures on gross expenditure per week by local authorities for each supported resident in residential and nursing homes for the elderly in 1994–95, the latest year for which figures are available are given as item UCO2 and UCO3 in table UI of "Key Indicators of Local Authority Social Services 1996", copies of which are available in the Library.

  NHS hospital and community health services nurses1,2 by regional health authority in England as at September 1979 to 1995

  whole-time equivalents

  19793

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  England4

  10,700

  10,470

  10,300

  10,120

  10,030

  9,770

  9,930

  9,990

  9,500

  (per 5,000 head of population)

  (1.15)

  (1.13)

  (1.10)

  (1.08)

  (1.07)

  (1.04)

  (1.05)

  (1.06)

  (1.00)

  Northern

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  820

  820

  Yorkshire

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  720

  740

  Trent

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1,000

  1,000

  East Anglia

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  390

  360

  North-west Thames

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  650

  590

  North-east Thames

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  650

  630

  South-east Thames4

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  720

  480

  South-west Thames

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  660

  620

  Wessex

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  650

  620

  Oxford

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  510

  510

  South Western

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  620

  620

  West Midlands

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1,060

  1,040

  Mersey

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  520

  530

  North Western

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1,000

  920

  SHAs and others

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  20

  10

  Not included in the figures above:

  General Medical Service Practice nurses5

  990

  1,070

  1,240

  1,450

  1,660

  1,920

  2,210

  2,500

  2,770

  whole-time equivalents

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  England4

  9,390

  10,160

  10,390

  9,900

  9,650

  9,460

  8,680

  11,360

  (per 5,000 head of population)

  (0.99)

  (1.06)

  (1.08)

  (1.03)

  (1.00)

  (1.00)

  (0.98)

  (1.16)

  Northern

  810

  850

  850

  820

  900

  880

  640

  740

  Yorkshire

  710

  790

  780

  660

  630

  630

  620

  750

  Trent

  1,030

  1,040

  1,010

  980

  930

  850

  820

  1,010

  East Anglia

  370

  370

  350

  350

  330

  320

  300

  610

  North-west Thames

  570

  720

  700

  660

  590

  620

  610

  540

  North-east Thames

  610

  710

  730

  710

  710

  680

  620

  890

  South-east Thames4

  410

  350

  790

  680

  670

  620

  530

  1,070

  South-west Thames

  510

  660

  620

  630

  570

  610

  610

  660

  Wessex

  620

  640

  630

  620

  630

  660

  570

  630

  Oxford

  500

  570

  580

  580

  550

  600

  500

  610

  South Western

  630

  750

  710

  640

  620

  590

  580

  800

  West Midlands

  1,020

  1,100

  1,080

  1,070

  1,060

  1,020

  960

  1,210

  Mersey

  510

  570

  550

  520

  490

  480

  460

  380

  North Western

  980

  1,030

  1,010

  990

  950

  890

  800

  1,250

  SHAs and others

  10

  10

  —

  —

  6—

  6—

  —

  6—

  Not included in the figures above:

  General Medical Service Practice nurses5

  3,480

  4,630

  7,740

  8,780

  9,120

  9,600

  9,100

  9,740

  Notes:

  1 Between 1979 and 1994 district nurses exclude seniors 1–5. Included are senior nurses 6–8 in district nursing, district nurses, district nurse practical work teachers, holders of dual post (DN/Midwife), bank district nurses nd clinical grades C to I in district nursing.

  2 A new classification for non-medical staff was introduced in 1995. Information based on this classification is not directly comparable with earlier years.

  3 Figures for 1979 are not directly comparable with those for later years because of the change in nurses standard working hours in 1980-81 from 40 to 37.5 hours a week.

  District Nurses
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many district nurses there were per 5,000 people in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement; [9774]

  (2) how many district nurses there were in each year since 1979 (a) nationally and (b) by region; and if he will make a statement. [9773]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is shown in the tables.
  415
  4 Figures for south-east Thames, and subsequently to a lesser extent the England totals, should be treated with caution. There was evidence of considerable under recording of occupation codes used to allocate staff to a particular area of work in the South-east Thames region in 1989 and several years prior to this.

  5 The decrease in practice nurses in 1994 is due to a non-submission of complete data relating to fundholding practices for certain FHSAs.

  6 Greater than zero but less than five.

  — = Zero.

  n/a = not available.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, consequently, totals may not equal sum of components.

  Sources:

  Department of Health non-medical work force census.

  Department of Health general medical service census.

  Office for National Statistics.

  NHS hospital and community health services district nurses, as defined by new occupation codes, by regional health authority, England, as at 30 September 1995

  1995

  England

  11,380

  (per 5,000 head of population)

  (1.16)

  Northern

  740

  Yorkshire

  750

  Trent

  1,010

  East Anglia

  610

  North-west Thames

  540

  North-east Thames

  890

  South-east Thames

  1,070

  South-west Thames

  660

  Wessex

  630

  Oxford

  610

  South Western

  800

  West Midlands

  1,210

  Mersey

  380

  North Western

  1,250

  SHAs and others

  1—

  Notes:

  A new classification for non-medical staff was introduced in 1995. Information based on this classification is not directly comparable with earlier years.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10; consequently, totals may not equal sum of components.

  1 Greater than zero but less than five.

  Source:

  Department of Health annual non-medical work force census Office for National Statistics.

  Personal Social Services
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlay the reduction in the personal social services standard spending assessment for Buckinghamshire county council between 1996–97 and 1997–98. [10681]

  Mr. Burns
  The use of more recent data in the indicators used to calculate the standard spending assessment was the primary cause of a very small reduction in the funding for personal social services in Buckinghamshire county council between 1996–97 and 1997–98. The revised area cost adjustment formula was the main factor. However, the total combined resources provided for social services in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes increased by £4,748 million from funding provided in 1996–97.

  Operations
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were cancelled in(a) each district health authority and (b) each region on the day of
  416
  or day after admission to hospital; and how many of those patients were not readmitted within a month, for the second quarter of 1996. [11676]

  Mr. Horam
  The information will be placed in the Library shortly.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) heart bypass operations, (b) hip replacements, (c) knee replacements and (d) cataract operations were carried out by the national health service in the latest year for which figures are available; and what were the equivalent figures in 1979. [11258]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is as follows:

  Primary operations: estimated number of ordinary admissions and day cases combined, NHS hospitals, England

  Operation

  1979 discharges and deaths

  1994–95 finished consultant episodes

  Coronary artery by-pass operations1

  n/a

  22,192

  Total hip replacement and other arthroplasty of the hip2

  29,210

  62,510

  Knee replacement operations3

  2,940

  25,340

  Eye lens operations, mainly cataract4

  40,370

  151,785

  Sources:

  1979 Hospital In-Patient Enquiry. 1994–95 Hospital Episode Statistics.

  Notes:

  1979 (OPCS3R).

  1 Not identifiable.

  2 810–811.

  3 812.

  4 170–179.

  1994–95 (OPCS4R).

  1 K40–K46.

  2 W37–W39, W46–W48.

  3 W40–W42.

  4 C71–C72, C74–C75.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were carried out by the national health service in the latest year for which figures are available; and what was the equivalent figure in 1979. [11261]

  Mr. Horam
  The number of finished consultant episodes where an operation was performed was 5,110,182 in 1994–95. In 1979 the estimated number of spells on a comparable basis where an operation was performed was 2,458,720.

  Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women received tests for(a) cancer of the cervix and (b) breast cancer, in the latest year for which figures are available; and what were the equivalent figures in 1979. [11257]

  Mr. Horam
  A total of 3.9 million women were tested in 1995–96 for cervical cancer. There is no comparable figure for 1979. The number of cervical smears examined by laboratories in 1979 was 2.6 million compared with 4.6 million in 1995–96. The earliest data available on breast cancer screening show that in 1991–92 0.9 million women were screened. In 1995–96 1.0 million women were screened.

  NHS Expenditure
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the figures for expenditure on the national health service for(a) 1978–79, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [11259]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is as follows:

  National health service total net-ie Government-expenditure (£ million, cash)

  £ million

  1978–79

  6,273

  1996–97 (estimated outturn)

  33,179

  1997–98 (plan)

  34,374

  Patient Statistics
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated by the national health service in the latest year for which figures are available; and what was the equivalent figure in 1979. [11260]

  Mr. Horam
  On a comparative basis, there were 6.6 million finished consultant episodes in all hospital specialties in England in the calendar year 1979, compared with 11.2 million in 1995–96.

  Manchester Health Authority
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the total cost of the consultation process regarding the proposals for the new children's hospital provision for the Manchester area; and from which budget this sum was taken; [11437]

  (2) what has been the additional percentage pay increases awarded to the Manchester health authority management in the current year relative to the average awards made by trusts in the area. [11448]

  Mr. Horam
  A total of £110,000 was set aside from Manchester health authority's consultation budget, which is less than 4p per head of population.

  A pay award to the health authority's managers has yet to be announced, but is expected to be broadly in line with other NHS staff in the city. The pay offers made so far to staff in the Manchester area range from 2 to
  418
  2.75 per cent., including the national pay increase of 2 per cent. from 1 April 1996 with provision for local negotiations for further increases.

  Opencast Coal Mines (Health Hazards)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the research carried out by his Department, since January 1994, into possible environmental health problems caused by opencast coal operations, indicating(a) the commissioning dates of the investigations, (b) the name of organisations or agencies commissioned to undertake investigations and (c) the expected dates for publication of results; and if he will provide summaries of the investigations undertaken. [11358]

  Mr. Horam
  The Departments of Health and of the Environment commissioned a joint research project on the impact of particulate matter from opencast coal sites on public health in August 1996. The research is being undertaken by the University of Newcastle medical school and the work is expected to be complete in late October 1998. This work is still in its early stages. I will write to the hon. Member with details of what it involves.

  Newcastle Disease
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the possible transfer of Newcastle disease between poultry and other birds and humans; and if he will make a statement. [11552]

  Mr. Horam
  The risk of transmission of Newcastle disease to humans is low, even when handling infected birds. There is no risk of human infection from eating poultry meat.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been affected by Newcastle disease in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [11549]

  Mr. Horam
  No human cases of Newcastle disease have been reported to the Public Health Laboratory Service communicable disease surveillance centre in the last five years.

WALES

  Health Service Expenditure
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the £12.8 milllion included in his Department's 1996–97 expenditure on the national health service in Wales as a repayment by national health service trusts to his Department. [9959]

  Mr. Hague
  The £12.8 million represents the public expenditure cover necessary to enable the trusts to make repayments which effectively cancel out a liability from previous years.

  Meningitis
  Mr. John Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 12 December,Official Report, column 338, if his Department assesses the cases of meningitis diagnosed on (a) 16 October, (b) 16 November and (c) 28 November to be unrelated. [9870]
  419
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Evidence which became available on 5 December indicates that the three cases were not unrelated.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what have been the objectives of the Welsh Development Agency's redundancy policy with particular reference to the restructuring exercise undertaken since 1994. [11202]

  Mr. Hague
  This is an operational matter for the agency. I have asked the acting chief executive to write to the hon. Member with details. I shall arrange for a copy of the reply to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Water Quality
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation he has had with the chairman of the Wales committee of the Environment Agency concerning the date for setting water quality objectives for(a) immersion sports, (b) basic aquatic amenities and (c) fisheries. [11608]

  Mr. Hague
  None. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 7 February 1995,Official Report, column 135, the Government's intention to test the operation of statutory water quality objectives in a limited number of pilot catchments. I am considering the Environment Agency's proposals for objectives for the Cleddau river catchment in Pembrokeshire which was one of those selected for the trial.

  Newcastle Disease
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many recognised outbreaks of Newcastle disease have been recorded on farms in Wales by area in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [11558]

  (2) how many (a) chickens, (b) turkeys and (c) other birds have been affected by Newcastle disease in Wales in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [11556]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  No outbreaks of Newcastle disease have been recorded in Wales in the last five years.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have been affected with Newcastle disease in Wales in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [11557]

  Mr. Jones
  There have been no cases of Newcastle disease in humans in Wales reported to the public health laboratory service communicable disease surveillance centre in the last five years.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales who will own the APCOA car park and Eastern avenue eastbound on-slip road being constructed under the private finance initiative at the end of the operating lease period. [11609]
  420
  Mr. Hague
  Ownership of the car park will transfer to the University Hospital of Wales Healthcare NHS Trust at the end of 20 years. The on-slip road will remain in the ownership of the trust, with the PFI partner funding the capital costs and a maintenance contract with Cardiff county council under a standard highways agreement for 20 years.

  Cancer Treatment Centre, Bodelwyddan
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what factors underlie the size of the increase in the prospective annual revenue costs of the north Wales regional cancer treatment centre at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan. [11302]

  Mr. Hague
  The increase in revenue costs from £4.3 million to £5.1 million per annum comprise an increase in capital charges in line with the increase in the capital costs to build and equip the centre, and the addition of a further radio iodine treatment facility.

  Workshop on GP Work Force Planning
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the workshop on GP work force planning which took place on 15 November 1996; if he will place in the Library a copy of(a) the proposals emanating from the workshop and (b) the summary of the questionnaire on GP retirement intentions. [11303]

  Mr. Hague
  A report of the workshop is being drafted, and a copy will be placed in the Library upon completion.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Land Authority for Wales concerning the non-determination of its planning application for a bird reserve to compensate for the loss of wader winter feeding grounds arising from the Cardiff bay barrage; and if he will make a statement. [11304]

  Mr. Hague
  None. The Land Authority for Wales issued a press notice on 14 January, indicating its intention of appealing to me against Newport borough council's non-determination of the planning application for a wildlife reserve on the Gwent levels. The Planning Inspectorate will be advising me on the appropriate action once the appeal is received.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales who will own the information technology equipment used in his Department's OSIRIS office automation project at the end of the operating lease period. [11610]

  Mr. Hague
  The OSIRIS contract is let under the private finance initiative and is not a leasing arrangement. Ownership of the equipment after the end of the contract period will rest with Siemens Business Services. The Welsh Office, and any subsequent contractor, has an option to buy the equipment at that time at a price which reflects the fair market value of the assets.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Union
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the number of articles that permit derogations from the obligation for ever closer union in all matters within the scope of each of the respective treaties of the European Union. [10900]

  Mr. David Davis
  The treaty on European Union, like the original treaty of Rome, calls for an ever-closer union"among the peoples of Europe",
  not among the states or their Governments. This aspiration for strengthened co-operation and friendship is fully shared by the Government. Since it does not impose any legal obligation on the member states of the European Union, the question of derogations does not arise.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of which countries, currently holding nuclear weapons, are likely to develop a new generation of nuclear weapons. [9671]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 15 January 1997]: All the nuclear weapon states have signed the comprehensive test ban treaty, which will prohibit any nuclear weapon test explosion and any other nuclear explosion, and thus constrain the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons and end the development of advanced new types of nuclear weapons.

  EU Legislative Instruments
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the draft and adopted legislative instruments which have been solely based on the articles of the social agreement attached to the social protocol of the treaty on European Union, indicating for each(a) the document numbers and titles, (b) the dates of publication, progress or adoption, (c) the articles and paragraphs of the agreement cited as their base and (d) the opinions or amendments made by the European Parliament; and if he will make a statement on the nature and objectives of further legislation arising from the agreement of which he has received notification and which has not yet been formally presented to the Council of Ministers. [10878]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding reply of 15 January, 1997]: The following legislation is proposed, or has been adopted, on the basis of the agreement on social policy attached to protocol 14 of the Treaty of European Union:

  European Works Council
  a) Council directive 94/45/EC on the establishment of a European Works Council or a procedure in Community-scale undertakings and Community-scale groups of undertakings for the purposes of informing and consulting employees.
  b) Adopted by the Council on 22 September 1994.
  c) Adopted on the basis of article 2(2) of the agreement on social policy.
  d) European Parliament opinion delivered on 4 May 1994; the European Parliament's second reading on 15 September 1994 suggested eight amendments, of which three were agreed by the Council.
  422
  Parental Leave
  a) Council directive 96/34/EC on the framework agreement on parental leave concluded by Union of Industrial and Employer Confederation of Europe, European Centre of Public Enterprise and the European Trade Unions Congress.
  b) Adopted by the Council on 3 June 1996.
  c) Adopted on the basis of article 4(2) of the agreement on social policy.
  d) European Parliament informed of the proposal.

  Burden of Proof
  a) Commission proposal for a Council directive on the burden of proof in cases of discrimination based on sex. Council document no. 6703/88; COM(96) 340 Final.
  b) Proposal under discussion in the Council.
  c) Proposed on the basis of article 2(2) of the agreement on social policy.
  d) The opinion of the European Parliament is awaited.

  The Commission has initiated consultations with the social partners under the terms of article 4 of the agreement on social policy as to whether there should be legislation in the following two areas:
  the provision of equal statutory rights for atypical workers with their full-time equivalents.
  the application to companies with more than 50 employees of the principles of information and consultation of workers already enshrined in the European Works Council Directive.

  Government Employees Abroad
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines are provided to British Government employees working in, or visiting, foreign countries in respect of behaviour towards children which under United Kingdom law would be exploitative or abusive with particular reference to countries where local legislation differs substantially from that in the United Kingdom. [11203]

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no specific guidelines in respect of behaviour towards children, but all employees of this Department have a duty to respect British law and, when overseas, local laws. The general principles of conduct are set out in diplomatic service regulations, the civil service management code and in contracts of employment.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current guidelines provided to British Government employees working in or visiting foreign countries in respect of behaviour towards children which under United Kingdom law would be exploitative or abusive; and if he will make a statement. [11204]

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no specific guidelines in respect of behaviour towards children; but the general principles governing the conduct of employees of this Department accord with the central framework of rules and principles of conduct set out in the civil service management code. These general principles are also set out in the diplomatic service code of ethics which was introduced on 1 January 1996.

  Bougossa Family
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to secure the extradition of Rhaha Bougossa from Tunisia; and if he will make a statement. [11159]
  423
  Mr. Hanley
  The absence of an extradition treaty between the UK and Tunisia precludes action to extradite Mr. Rhaha Bougossa from Tunisia. However, the British embassy in Tunisia has assisted Mr. Bougossa's ex-wife to begin proceedings to pursue through the Tunisian courts her case to obtain custody of her children.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the abduction to Tunisia of British-born twins Nathan and Adam Bougossa; what action he has taken to date to seek their return to their natural mother in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [11158]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  We have received representations from Pamela Hamilton, Glenys Kinnock Member of the European Parliament, the hon. Member for East Berkshire (Mr. MacKay) and Mary Banotti, Member of the European Parliament. Our embassy visited the children, helped Mrs. Hamilton to meet senior officials and to lobby the Tunisian President. It also helped her engage solicitors who are trying to obtain a custody order and to arrange further access.

  China
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of China regarding Ngaweng Chephel since he was sentenced; and if he will make a statement. [11091]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Chinese authorities are well aware of our concern about the treatment of individuals in Tibet. The sentencing to 18 years imprisonment of Ngawang Choephel was discussed in detail at a recent meeting with our EU partners, and we are now considering with them what action to take.

  Burma
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department gave to British Airways before the company began operating tours in Burma. [11172]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  I understand that British Airways does not operate tours in Burma, but that British Airways Holidays does. The latter did not consult the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before starting operations.

  Hong Kong (Vietnamese Boat People)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Vietnamese boat people are currently in detention camps in Hong Kong; if the governor will exercise discretionary compassionate powers enabling them to remain in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement. [11062]

  Mr. Hanley
  As of 16 January this year, 5,836 Vietnamese migrants were held in detention centres in Hong Kong compared with 20,225 on 1 January 1996.

  Hong Kong is working to implement the internationally agreed comprehensive plan of action which provides for the return to Vietnam of all Vietnamese asylum seekers who have been determined to be non-refugees. It remains an important objective of the British and Hong Kong Governments to complete that repatriation process as soon as possible.

  Irish Republic (Agreements)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to require the name, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to be utilised in both his and the Irish Republic's copy of agreements he proposes to sign with that country; and if he will make a statement. [11198]

  Mr. Rifkind
  No. The practice established for signing agreements between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland does not prejudice the status of Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom.

  Caribbean Dependent Territories
  Mr. Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the future constitutional relationship between Her Majesty's Government and the five remaining Caribbean dependent territories; and if he will make a statement. [9906]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Gamier) on 18 December, columns 676–77.

  Government Communications Headquarters, Cheltenham
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 9 December 1996,Official Report, column 21, on the relocation of GCHQ, if he will supply the full terms of reference of the study into future accommodation, saying whether these exclude the relocation of any activities currently provided on the Cheltenham sites to (a) new and (b) existing sites outside Cheltenham. [11297]

  Mr. Rifkind
  The terms of reference of the study team are to assess GCHQ's future requirements for accommodation and related services to support its Cheltenham-based personnel, and the issues associated with achieving single site working. The study is intended to lead to a decision on the feasibility and scope of potential private finance initiative solutions to these requirements. Assuming that a single site solution were feasible, one which involved relocation of the Cheltenham-based personnel outside Gloucesterhsire is unlikely to be justifiable on economic grounds.

  Argentina
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of his talks with Mr. Guido Di Tella and the Argentine delegation at Chevening on 11 and 12 January. [114501

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The talks at Chevening on 10 and 11 January covered UK-Argentine relations, including the Falklands. The discussions were held on the basis that the UK is not prepared to transfer or share sovereignty over the Falklands. We reiterated that this will remain the UK position. It was agreed that there should be early resumption of full negotiations for a fisheries agreement covering all aspects of the south Atlantic.