Written Answers of 24 July 1997

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to share information on immigration matters with other EU states. [9835]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The participation of member states of the European Union in the work on immigration and asylum policy taken forward under the third pillar provides a framework for the sharing of information on immigration matters. The clearing houses, CIREA and CIREFI, have been established for this purpose. The United Kingdom participates fully in these arrangements. Additionally, we exchange information bilaterally with other European Union countries where there is a particular reason to do so.

  Minimum Sentences
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to announce his decision as to whether or not to implement the provisions of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 relating to minimum sentences for persistent burglars and drug dealers. [10369]

  Mr. Michael
  An announcement will be made as soon as we have completed our consideration of the relevant provisions of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997.

  Lighter Fuel Products
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake consultations with interested parties with regard to the prohibition of the sale and supply of cigarette lighter fuel products to persons under the age of 16 years. [10222]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Under the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 it is an offence to supply a substance to a person under 18 knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the substance is, or its fumes are, likely to be inhaled for the purpose of causing intoxication. We agree with the view of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs that amendment of this legislation would be unlikely to increase the level of protection of children, although work with the industry continues in order to reduce the extent to which lighter fuel refills can be abused.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to replace compulsory competitive tendering with a duty on police authorities to obtain best value. [10867]
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  Mr. Michael
  The Government are keen to involve the police service in the development of best value, and it will be open to police authorities to bid to be included in the pilot scheme to run best value projects announced today by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

  As part of our proposals to drive forward best value in the police service, we will encourage all police authorities, whether or not they are selected for pilot status, to co-operate in the development of best value by building on work already under way to promote value for money initiatives.

  At the same time, my hon. Friend's proposals to modify the current compulsory competitive tendering regulations and guidance, also announced today, will form the basis of discussions between my officials and representatives of the police service and police authorities.

  Huntingdon Life Sciences
  Ms Fiona Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken in response to the allegations against Huntingdon Life Sciences broadcast on television on 26 March. [10874]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We were extremely concerned about the events shown in the Channel 4 programme "Countryside Undercover: It's A Dog's Life", and we know that these concerns are shared by members of the public, and by scientists and animal technicians, the vast majority of whom are responsible and caring towards animals.

  The Home Office took prompt and firm action. On the morning after the programme was broadcast, the Home Office asked the police to investigate possible offences under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and, as a result, two individuals have been charged with such offences. In replying to this question, we cannot therefore comment, at this time, about these two individuals or their actions as this might prejudice the prosecutions.

  The chief inspector, who heads the animals (scientific procedures) inspectorate, has also carried out a comprehensive and detailed investigation into the allegations arising from the programme and into the management and control of animal work at the establishment. We understand that in excess of 250 man-hours of time were spent in viewing more than 20 hours of unbroadcast video material, studying journals and company records, visiting the establishment and interviewing staff (both present and ex-employees). A report detailing his findings and recommendations was submitted to the Home Office last week and we commend the chief inspector for the speed and thoroughness of his investigation.

  The investigation has shown breaches of two of the standard conditions which apply to all certificates of designation. Shortcomings relating to the care, treatment and handling of animals, and delegation of health checking to new staff of undetermined competence demonstrate that the establishment was not appropriately staffed and that animals were not at all times provided with adequate care.

  My right hon. Friend therefore proposes to revoke the certificate of designation for this establishment, subject to

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  the consideration of any representations made under section 12 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. However, if the proposed revocation took immediate effect, we estimate that up to 1,000 dogs; 10 baboons; 200 marmosets; 450 macaques; 13,000 mice; 35,000 rats; 2,000 rabbits; 4,000 guinea pigs; 3,000 birds; 4,000 fish; and smaller numbers of various other species undergoing scientific procedures would have to be destroyed. In addition, any ongoing work might need to be repeated; this would require the use of more laboratory animals. It is therefore proposed that the revocation will take effect on 30 November 1997.

  Revocation would shut down the company with the consequent loss of 1,400 jobs. Whilst the failures and omissions at the establishment are extremely serious, this outcome would not necessarily be warranted. An application for a replacement certificate could, therefore, be considered if my right hon. Friend can be assured that measures have been put in place to prevent any recurrence of the events shown in the television programme. Sixteen stringent conditions have been set which must be met before any new application can be considered.

  In addition to the two individuals facing prosecution, my right hon. Friend proposes to revoke the personal licence of a third animal technician—again, subject to the right to make representations—and it has been decided that letters of admonition should be sent to two other technicians.

  The Home Office, and specifically the animals (scientific procedures) inspectorate, was criticised for having missed alleged mistreatment, for failure to implement the requirements of the "Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Used in Scientific Procedures", and for having conducted inspections during which no checks were made on the animals being cared for by the undercover investigator.

  We are satisfied that any alleged mistreatment of animals would not have taken place in front of inspectors; that there was compliance with the code of practice; and that an appropriate proportion of inspectorate resources was directed at the establishment concerned. On each of the visits of inspection witnessed by the investigator, animals in other parts of the dog unit were checked and the performance of regulated procedures observed. The current inspection policy will, however, be reviewed and we have already announced that we will be considering ways of strengthening the inspectorate.

  Whilst no breaches of the "Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Used in Scientific Procedures" were identified, we are aware of public concern about the conditions in which the dogs were kept. We have, therefore, decided that the inspectorate will audit all commercial dog facilities to identify best practice and innovations with respect to the housing and care of animals, and that this information will be used to inform national standards.

  It has also been deduced that the need for a code of conduct for the control of dogs and other species in all establishments should be considered.

  The Animal Procedures Committee is keen to consider and promulgate to establishments any other general lessons which can be learned in order to help prevent similar occurrences in the future. We welcome this.
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  The chief inspector's report contains information which was provided in confidence and which cannot, therefore, be disclosed under section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. It cannot therefore be published in full.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the resources available to the Prison Service. [10940]

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his plans for budgetary adjustments within the Prison Service to reflect the forecast rise in the prison population in each of the next three years. [10098]

  Mr. Straw
  In order to ensure that the Prison Service can accommodate the projected numbers safely, it will be able to spend up to an extra £43 million during this year and next. This will create 290 new places on top of the existing building programme, and provide additional staffing and funding for regime activities to support the placing of an additional 1,830 prisoners in existing accommodation, 630 of whom are already being detained.

  I will tomorrow place in the Library a report of the findings of the audit of Prison Service resources which has been carried out in accordance with our manifesto.

  Operation Quantum
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what period the contract for Operation Quantum will be awarded. [10091]

  Ms Quin
  It is anticipated that any contract will be awarded for a period of up to 10 years from completion of implementation.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of posts remaining within the Prison Service at administrative and executive grades after the completion of Operation Quantum. [10096]

  Ms Quin
  I am not in a position to make an estimate of the number of posts which will remain within the Prison Service at this stage. Final decisions have not yet been made on the scope of the project, nor on whether the services in question should be contracted-out or remain in-house.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which companies have been invited to tender for Operation Quantum. [10089]

  Ms Quin
  The Prison Service has not yet issued invitations to tender for Quantum. Three suppliers have taken part in a study of the Prison Service's requirements. These are:

  PRISM—a special vehicle company comprising Sema Group, Bull, Deloitte & Touche Consulting, Serco, Premier Prison Services Ltd. and CSL.

  EDS—with A. T. Kearney, Lockheed Martin and Securicor Custodial Services.

  Team Novus—Comprising ICL, Group 4 (Securitas), Perot Systems and Capita.

  Geoffrey Thomas
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the Prison Service inquiry into the death of Geoffrey Thomas; [10094]

  (2) if an offer of compensation to Mrs. Marina Davis, the mother of Geoffrey Thomas whose death was the subject of the Prison Service inquiry has been made; and what negotiations regarding the matter are in progress; [10093]

  (3) for what reasons the disciplinary proceedings against five members of the staff of Cardiff prison arising out of the use of physical restraints upon Geoffrey Thomas whilst a patient in the University Hospital of Wales at Cardiff have commenced and been adjourned; and on what date the proceedings will re-commence. [10095]

  Ms Quin
  At present, the Prison Service does not publish investigation reports into the deaths of prisoners. The policy on the disclosure of such reports is currently being reviewed.

  The Prison Service has not made an offer of compensation to Mrs. Marina Davis in respect of her son, Geoffrey Thomas, and no approach has been made to the service by her, or her representatives regarding compensation.

  Disciplinary proceedings were instituted against five members of staff at Cardiff prison following the death of Geoffrey Thomas. The first hearing took place on 19 May. Three of the cases have been concluded: one case was proven and two were not.

  The Prison Governor's Association has questioned the legality of the actions of the governor in the investigation of the cases. The disciplinary proceedings against the other two members of staff were suspended on 22 May, pending the resolution of these legal issues.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Barristers
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many barristers were paid(a) £100,000 to £249,999 and (b) £250,000 or over out of public funds in the last available year. [9191]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Record Office
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reason

  Grade

  Civil Service equivalent

  Asian origin

  Afro-caribbean origin

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Senior Civil Service

  —

  1

  5.56

  0

  —

  Senior Registration Assistant 1

  Grade 6

  0

  —

  0

  —

  Senior Registration Assistant 2

  Grade 2

  0

  —

  0

  —

  Senior Registration Assistant (Lawyer)

  Grade 6 or 7

  2

  1.83

  0

  —

  Registration Executive 1

  SEO

  3

  1.10

  1

  0.37

  Registration Executive 2

  HEO

  6

  1.20

  1

  0.20

  The percentage figures are expressed as a percentage of staff within each grade who responded to the ethnic survey. The overall response rate is 94.4 per cent. within the Land Registry.
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  officials from the Public Record Office are carrying out a review to estimate the cost of opening Government files after (a) 20 and (b) 25 years; what are the terms of reference of this review; when it began; when it is expected to end; and if copies of the report arising out of the review will be made available to the public. [9469]

  Mr. Hoon
  The work forms part of the preparation of the Government's White Paper on freedom of information, which will be published later in the year.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many and what percentage of civil servants in each of grades 1 to 7, SEO and HEO in his Department are of(a) Asian origin and (b) Afro-Caribbean origin. [9566]

  Mr. Hoon
  For the Lord Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service and the Public Trust Office, the information, as at 18 July 1997, is set out in the table. Figures and percentages are based upon a 91 per cent. response to a voluntary staff survey of ethnic origin. There is no legislative requirement to monitor the ethnic origin of Northern Ireland Court Service employees and no figures are available. I have asked the chief executives of the Land Registry and the Public Record Office to reply separately.

  Respondents of Asian origin

  Percentage

  Respondents of Black African and Black Caribbean origin

  Percentage

  Grade 1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grade 2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grade 3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grade 4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grade 5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grade 6

  1—

  1.63

  —

  —

  Grade 7

  1—

  1

  1—

  0.5

  SEO

  1—

  0.38

  1—

  0.38

  HEO

  11

  1.18

  12

  1.28

  1In order to preserve the anonymity of individuals, figures of five or less are not specified.

  Letter from Stuart Hill to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 24 July 1997:
  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question concerning the number of staff within two ethnic categories.
  Following a Grading and Pay Review the Land Registry has moved to a new system of grades for staff below the Senior Civil Service. The new grades are shown against the Civil Service equivalents.
  The information is as follows:
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  Letter from Sarah Tyacke to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 24 July 1997:
  The Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply for the Public Record Office to your question about the numbers and percentages of civil servants of Asian and of Afro-Caribbean origin.

  Grade/Band

  Staff of Asian origin

  Percentage of total

  Staff of Afro-Caribbean origin

  Percentage of total

  Civil Service Grade 1

  No staff in this grade

  —

  —

  —

  Civil Service Grade 2

  No staff in this grade

  —

  —

  —

  Civil Service Grade 3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Civil Service Grade 4

  No staff in this grade

  —

  —

  —

  Civil Service Grade 5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  PRO Band 1 (Civil Service Grades 6 and 7)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  PRO Band 2 Civil Service Grades 8 and 9 (SEO, HEO) and equivalents

  0

  0

  1

  2.0

  PRO Band 3 Civil Service Grades 9 and 10 (HEO, EO) and equivalents

  1

  1.9

  0

  0

  Employment Advertisements
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how often since 1992 his Department has been responsible for employment advertisements which contained age restrictions upon those who could apply. [9501]

  Mr. Hoon
  This reply is given on behalf of the Court Service, the Land Registry, the Northern Ireland Court Service, the Public Record Office, Lord Chancellor's Department headquarters and its associated offices, and the Public Trust Office.

  The Land Registry and the Public Record Office do not include age restrictions in their recruitment advertisements.

  An advertisement for a combined recruitment scheme for direct entrant executive officers in the Court Service, Public Trust Office and LCD HQ in 1992 contained age restrictions; but there have been no instances since then when either the Public Trust Office or LCD HQ have included upper or lower age limits in their advertisements.

  As regards the Court Service, all advertisements for usher and bailiff posts until July last year specified a lower age limit. As such advertisements were placed locally by the courts concerned, it would not be possible to identify how often they have appeared between 1992 and July 1996 without incurring disproportionate cost.

  The Northern Ireland Court Service has included age restrictions in 18 advertisements placed since the beginning of 1992.

  In addition, there have been around 25 occasions on which advertisements for judicial appointments have been placed since October 1994, all of which will have included upper and lower age limits.

SCOTLAND

  Statistics
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure that those statistics on
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  The details are set out below. Most of our staff are covered by our own payband system and I have given the approximate civil service grade equivalents for guidance.

  (a) poverty and (b) other social issues currently available only on a United Kingdom basis are published on a Scottish basis. [6631]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Scottish Office, the Office for National Statistics and other Government Departments work closely together to publish a wide range of official statistics for Scotland and for the UK. Working across government, the Government statistical service has recently initiated several related development tasks aimed at improving the range, value and accessibility of official statistics. Scottish Office GSS staff are closely involved in that work. They are reviewing what statistical information is published about Scotland and how it is made available, consulting closely with local authorities, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and other key customers.

  Wherever possible, key statistical information is published at both Scotland and UK level. Where data are based on surveys, however, the sample size may be too small to allow statistically reliable data to be produced. In other cases, strict comparisons between Scotland and the rest of the UK may not be possible, or must be treated with caution, because of differences between the systems, such as in education.

  The latest edition of "Regional Trends", published by ONS on Thursday 10 July, gives key social and economic statistics for both Scotland and the UK. Information at UK level on those with low incomes is available in "Households Below Average Income", published annually by the Department of Social Security and the latest edition, for 1993–94 data, included some information for Scotland.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in each local authority area currently(a) receive residential care allowance and (b) do not receive residential care allowance because they are in local authority homes. [9611]

  Mr. Galbraith
  (a) The payment of residential care allowances is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security. Figures for each local authority area are not available. Current data

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  published by the Department of Social Security for August 1996 indicate, on the basis of a sample survey, that the estimated number of people in Scotland receiving residential care allowance was 13,000. This figure includes people in residential care homes and nursing homes.

  (b) The latest available information is for 31 March 1996 and is set out in the table.

  Residents in local authority residential care homes: Scotland— 31 March 1996

  Local authority

  Number of residents

  Aberdeen

  425

  Aberdeenshire

  363

  Angus

  220

  Argyll and Bute

  173

  Clackmannanshire

  34

  Dumfries and Galloway

  275

  Dundee

  451

  East Ayrshire

  131

  East Dunbartonshire

  52

  East Lothian

  152

  East Renfrewshire

  44

  Edinburgh

  652

  Falkirk

  205

  Fife

  479

  Glasgow

  1,140

  Highland

  361

  Inverclyde

  70

  Midlothian

  143

  Moray

  143

  North Ayrshire

  127

  North Lanarkshire

  456

  Orkney Islands

  77

  Perth and Kinross

  249

  Renfrewshire

  282

  Scottish Borders

  212

  Shetland Islands

  63

  South Ayrshire

  167

  South Lanarkshire

  442

  Stirling

  158

  West Dunbartonshire

  245

  West Lothian

  191

  Western Isles

  163

  Scotland

  8,345

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospital patients are currently occupying beds in each health board area because of local authorities' inability to provide placements in nursing homes. [9699]

  Mr. Galbraith
  In March 1997, health boards reported that around 750 patients throughout Scotland were ready for discharge from hospital but were awaiting appropriate accommodation and packages of care in the community, including in nursing homes. There are many reasons why such patients may need to remain in hospital. Information on the number of patients ready for discharge to the community is not collected routinely.

  Nursery Places
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to provide additional funding for nursery places in 1998 to match the current year's provision. [9615]

  Mr. Wilson
  Some £67 million has been set aside for provision of pre-school education in Scotland in 1998–99 compared with £47.3 million in 1997–98. This will enable Government funding of part-time education on the current basis for all children in the pre-school year. Local 686
  authorities also use their discretion to spend additional sums on pre-school education, funded from other resources. Since we are constrained by existing funding, I have no plans to make additional finance available at present.

  School Bus Drivers
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to arrange for school bus drivers to be(a) trained and (b) given powers to control any misbehaviour by passengers. [9612]

  Mr. Wilson
  The training of school bus drivers is a matter for the operator and the relevant education authority. The Public Service Vehicle (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990 enable a bus driver to remove any passenger who puts at risk, or unreasonably impedes, or causes discomfort to, any other passenger or to operating staff and to request a police constable to remove such a person. If the vehicle is operating under contract to an education authority, any additional grounds on which drivers may refuse the right of carriage are a matter for the operator under the terms of the contract. It is for each education authority to decide whether to provide supervisors on buses hired by them. In doing so, they will take into account that education authorities' common law duty of care for pupils is supplemented by a statutory duty under the Schools (Safety and Supervision of Pupils) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 to take reasonable care for the safety of pupils when under their care.

  Teachers
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to enhance the role of the General Teaching Council to provide quality control of Scottish teachers during their career. [10168]

  Mr. Wilson
  I shall give very careful consideration to how any extension of the GTC's current remit would best contribute to our objectives of increasing standards in education and making every teacher an effective teacher. I intend to consult fully on this and to bring forward proposals thereafter.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the age profile of primary and secondary teachers in Scotland. [10169]

  Mr. Wilson
  The latest available information is given in the table.

  Age profile of teachers in publicly funded primary and secondary schools in Scotland at September 1994

  Number of teachers (full-time equivalent)

  Age1

  Primary

  Secondary

  Under 25

  1,074.9

  614.2

  25 to 29

  1,872.0

  1,585.5

  30 to 34

  1,578.1

  2,299.9

  35 to 39

  3,291.6

  4,050.5

  40 to 44

  5,425.2

  5,849.5

  45 to 59

  4,583.5

  5,289.2

  50 to 54

  2,604.2

  2,893.8

  55 to 59

  1,511.0

  1,467.5

  60 and over

  276.0

  347.5

  Total

  22,216.5

  24,397.6

  1 Age as at September 1994.

  Travel to London
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of journeys each year made by people travelling from Scotland to meet Ministers, civil servants or hon. Members in London. [10170]

  Mr. Dewar
  I know there is a large volume of such journeys but the Scottish Office does not quantify them.

  Infertility Treatment
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) the methods of artificial fertilisation available in Scotland indicating those methods funded by each health board and (b) the number of patients treated by each method (i) broken down by health board and (ii) in total for each of the last five years. [10011]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Infertility services are divided into three levels. Level 1 services are provided by a general practitioner or general gynaecologist while level 2 services, involving more advanced investigation and treatment, are normally provided by a specialist. Level 3 infertility services are high technology procedures and are available at four centres in Scotland. The range of level 3 treatments provided in Scotland are:

  Invitro fertilisation—IVF

  Intra-cytoplasmic sperm insemination

  Cryopreservation of embryos and replacement cycles

  Oocyte donation

  Super ovulation with intra-uterine insemination

  Donor insemination

  Embryo and sperm freezing and storage

  Tubal microsurgery and ovulation induction.

  Levels 1 and 2 infertility services are provided by all health boards. Individual health boards determine the provision of level 3 infertility services. I understand that all health boards provide level 3 IVF services for patients who meet specific criteria.

  Information on other level 3 methods funded by health boards and the number of patients treated by each method under each level is not routinely collected.

  Education (Fees and Awards) (Scotland) Regulations
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to revise the Education (Fees and Awards) (Scotland) Regulations. [10870]

  Mr. Wilson
  I confirm that an amendment to the Education (Fees and Awards) (Scotland) Regulations 1997 will be laid before Parliament to introduce a requirement of being settled in the United Kingdom under the immigration laws. The amendment will add this requirement to the existing residency criteria for establishing a "relevant connection" for the purpose of student fee classifications by institutions and the rules of candidate eligibility for certain awards which may be adopted under the regulations.

  Registers of Scotland
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the targets he expects Registers of Scotland to achieve in the three-year period 1997 to 2000. [10871]

  Mr. Dewar
  I have set Registers of Scotland the following key targets for 1997–2000:for the trading fund to achieve a return of 6 per cent. on net capital employed over the three-year period ending 31 march 1999 and on a rolling basis thereafter;
  to continue the land register's extension programme and achieve the transfer of the counties of Perth, Angus and Kinross on 1 April 1999; Berwick, East Lothian, Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles on 1 October 1999; and Argyll and Bute on 1 April 2000;
  to maintain and enhance customer service through the retention of charter mark and by improving customer satisfaction on first registration turnround times to 75 per cent. by 31 March 2000;
  to reduce progressively the turnround time for sasine writs to 25 days by 31 March 1999 and 23 days by 31 March 2000;
  to reduce progressively the turnround time for dealings with whole on the land register to 25 days by 31 March 1999 and to remain at 25 days during 1999–00;
  to reduce unit costs by 5 per cent. in real terms for sasine writs by 31 March 2000 from the base of £33.07 at 31 March 1997;
  to reduce unit costs by 2.4 per cent. in real terms for dealings with whole by 31 March 2000 from the base of £56.05 at 31 March 1997;
  to launch a direct access service to existing pilot customers by 30 April 1997; and
  to complete the conversion of the existing land register counties to a digitised map and computer-based text system by
  31 October 1997.

  Land Register (Scotland) Act 1979
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in extending registration of title under the Land Register (Scotland) Act 1979 to further areas of Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [10872]

  Mr. Dewar
  The original programme to extend the land register was announced in 1992. At that time, the counties of Renfrew, Dunbarton, Lanark and the barony and regality of Glasgow were already on the land register. Since 1992, the counties of Clackmannan, Stirling, West Lothian, Fife, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Ayr, Dumfries, Kirkcudbright and Wigtown have been made operational. The areas where the land register currently operates over 60 per cent. of total housing stock.

  Following the 1994 report of the Committee of Public Accounts, "Registers of Scotland: Service to the Public" Cmd 2739, the keeper of the registers considered whether the programme should be amended. A revised programme was adopted in 1996.

  Registers of Scotland is now operating as a trading fund. Because it has been experiencing unexpected difficulties in assimilating its new computer systems, and in order that it can meet its objectives in its first three years of its trading fund status, I have now approved a revised programme for the remaining counties as shown below. The main change is simply that no new counties

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  will be taken into the land register in 1998, but the year 2003 remains the target date for completion of the extension programme.

  Land Register Extension Programme: 1997

  April 1999

  Angus

  Kinross

  Perth.

  October 1999

  Berwick

  East Lothian

  Peebles

  Roxburgh

  Selkirk.

  April 2000

  Argyll

  Bute.

  April 2001

  Midlothian.

  April 2002

  Inverness

  Nairn.

  April 2003

  Banff

  Caithness

  Moray

  Orkney and Shetland

  Ross and Cromarty

  Sutherland.

  Ferry Services
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has made a decision for the award of subsidy for the operation of passenger ferry services to Orkney and Shetland; and if he will make a statement. [10873]

  Mr. Dewar
  I intend to lay before the House as soon as practicable a draft undertaking to secure the continuation of these ferry services. The draft undertaking will propose the payment of a block grant subsidy for the operation of the northern isles passenger ferry services to P and O Scottish Ferries. The duration of this agreement will be from 1997 to 2002. The Government have taken this decision following an evaluation of the bids received in response to an open competitive tendering exercise. I propose to commence a new open tendering exercise next year for the award of a longer—term subsidy agreement commencing in 2002. The Government expect that, by 2002, new vessels will be needed for these services and an early decision will allow sufficient time for the successful operator to build new ships. Prior to initiating a new competition, the Scottish office will, as part of the Government-wide comprehensive spending review, be re-evaluating northern isles services. The future service specification will be based on this review.

  The Government have examined the option of allowing a bid from Caledonian MacBrayne for the immediate block contract. It is clear that CalMac does not have vessels in its fleet capable of taking over the northern isles services in the short-term, nor does the current second hand vessel market currently offer suitable tonnage. However, the Government have decided to invite CalMac
  690
  to consider whether it can identify a basis for entering the open tendering exercise for the new subsidy agreement commencing in 2002 which would be consistent with the overall level of public expenditure affordable for shipping services.

  The previous Government initiated the open competitive tendering exercise in June 1995. Three bids were received and, after thorough consideration, the Government now conclude that P and O Scottish Ferries offers the best value for money.

  The Government's agreement with P and O Scottish Ferries will safeguard the existing pattern of services for the next five years and includes guarantees for the export of livestock and the carriage of hazardous goods. Under the agreement, P and O Scottish Ferries will be paid a basic annual block grant of £11.018 million subject to clawback arrangements should profits exceed current forecasts.

  The profitability of northern isles passenger ferry services has been declining over a number of years due to fierce competition from freight-only operators. This competition has resulted in a sharp fall in tariffs which, whilst good news for businesses and consumers in the northern isles, reduces the income from passenger ferry services which carry a substantial amount of freight.

  Passenger ferry operators are also required to adhere to much stricter safety regulations than freight operators. The latest regulations, the Stockholm agreement—introduced following the Estonia tragedy—will require either expensive modifications or the withdrawal of non-compliant vessels by 2002. By that date, P and O Scottish Ferries' three passenger ships will be some 30 years old. Costly upgrades to ships this old are not judged worthwhile. Instead, the Government have agreed to cover the increased depreciation charges required to write down the vessels to a realistic market value by 2002. If any modifications to P and O Scottish Ferries' three passenger ferries are required to meet safety of life at sea—SOLAS—95 regulations in the period before 2002, the Government will fund these by capital grant.

  Declining freight profits and the additional cost of depreciation require an addition to subsidy costs compared with previous years, even although P and O Scottish Ferries' bid was lower than any other. The alternative would be to impose significantly increased fares on islanders or visitors, which the Government have rejected. This subsidy agreement represents a substantial financial commitment by the Government to safeguarding the passenger ferry services to Orkney and Shetland and to keeping fares down.

PRIME MINSTER

  Digital Communications Systems
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to transfer powers between the Department of Trade and Industry and/or the Home Office and/or the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, in respect of the convergence of digital communication systems. [10339]

  The Prime Minister:
  None.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Accounts
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the accounts for the Duchy of Lancaster will be laid in the Library. [11003]

  Dr. David Clark
  I am pleased to inform my hon. Friend that the accounts of the Duchy of Lancaster for the year ended 31 March 1997 have been laid in the Libraries of the House today.

  Quangos
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to extend the democratic accountability of quangos in England. [11002]

  Dr. David Clark
  As part of its programme to clean up politics, the Government are determined that all unelected public bodies should be fully answerable for what they do. They should conduct their business so that they are both efficient, effective and economical in providing their expert advice and services to the public and to Government, and accessible, responsive and transparent to the public whom they ultimately serve. The White Papers on Scotland and Wales show that this democratic approach is central to the Government's plans for devolution. Our purpose is the same for public bodies which operate on a United Kingdom or Great Britain basis, those covering England alone and those serving England and Wales.

  I propose in the autumn to issue a discussion paper considering how democratic oversight of those bodies might best be enhanced, not least through the full implementation of the recommendations of the Nolan committee. In the light of consultation, I shall bring forward proposals in the forthcoming White Paper on better Government.

  Members' Interests
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will ensure that(a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department refuse requests from hon. members to (i) arrange and (ii) attend meetings relating to interests held by those Members under categories 1, 2, 3, 4(b), 8 and 9 in the Register of Members' Interests. [8066]

  Dr. David Clark
  [pursuant to his reply 17 July 1997, 332]: The first report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Cm 2850) recognised the value of enabling Members to retain interests outside the House, provided these were properly declared, both in the Register of Members' Interests and on other occasions. Subject to these requirements, and to the rules of the House relating to delegations to Ministers, Members are free to seek meetings with Ministers and officials, who will consider such requests alongside the many other approaches from individuals and organisations concerned to press their own interests or those of others.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Employment Advertisements
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how often since 1992 his Department or its predecessor departments have been responsible for employment advertisements which contained age restrictions upon those who could apply. [9511]

  Angela Eagle
  The recruitment and employment of staff is the responsibility of each individual body—quango—which seek to attract applicants from diverse backgrounds. The Department, for its part, is keen, wherever possible, to encourage equality of opportunity within non-departmental public bodies. The information requested is not held by my Department.

  Air Quality (Brent Cross)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the impact on air quality standards of increased traffic flows arising from the proposed extension of Brent Cross shopping centre; and if he will make a statement. [9186]

  Angela Eagle
  Estimating the impacts of individual new developments on air quality is primarily a local matter, in which the Secretary of State is not involved.

  The effects of air pollution are, in appropriate cases, capable of being taken into account by a planning authority as a material consideration in relation to a planning application. The weight to be given to such considerations is for the judgment of the decision maker.

  I understand that in this case an environmental appraisal, covering air quality, was carried out by those applying for planning permission. I also understand that the local authority is currently considering the conclusions of that appraisal and monitoring air quality in the area.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what are the total capital receipts for each local authority in Hampshire arising from the sale of council houses since 1979; [9316]

  (2) how much of the capital receipts from council houses sales since 1979 has been used to avert borrowing; and how much remains in local authority accounts for each local authority in Hampshire, [9401]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Figures for(a) total capital receipts arising from the sale of council houses and flats between 1980–81 and 1996–97 and (b) housing capital receipts set aside between 1990–91 and 1995–96 are set out for each local authority in Hampshire in the table.

  The first column includes all receipts from the sales of council dwellings, including—since 1990–91—those which could be used to finance capital expenditure as well as those which had to be set aside. The distinction between usable and set-aside receipts is not relevant before 1990–91.
  693
  Information is not available on the amount of set-aside housing receipts that authorities have used to avert borrowing, nor on the amount remaining in local authority accounts.

  £000

  Receipts from sale of council dwellings, 1980–81 to 1996–97

  Receipts set aside from sales of housing revenue account assets 1990–91 to 1995–96

  Basingstoke and Deane

  (8) 197,539

  82,221

  East Hampshire

  94,801

  41,142

  Eastleigh

  (1) 81,755

  37,480

  Fareham

  (2) 29,442

  3,077

  Gosport

  38,425

  6,573

  Hart

  43,051

  18,080

  Havant

  72,892

  26,819

  New Forest

  (1) 59,209

  8,032

  Portsmouth

  129,642

  13,618

  Rushmoor

  116,116

  53,140

  Southampton

  (2) 87,729

  14,313

  Test vally

  75,667

  11,762

  Winchester

  (1)51,872

  7,949

  Source:

  Quarterly housing return (PIB), Housing revenue account subsidy claim form.

  Note:

  No figures are available for receipts from the sale of council houses prior to 1 April 1980. Figures in brackets indicate incomplete data, showing the number of quarters missing during the period. Figures for set-aside receipts in 1996–97 are not yet available.

  We are in the process of consulting the Local Government Association and local authorities on the Govnerment's capital receipts initiative. The final decision about the basis on which resources are to be distributed to individual authorities will be made when that consultation process is complete.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much of the capital receipts from council house sales since 1979 has been used to avert borrowing; and how much remains in local authority bank accounts in each local authority in the United Kingdom. [9771]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A table showing(a) the total capital receipts arising from the sale of council houses and flats between 1979–80 and 1995–96, and (b) housing capital receipts set-aside between 1990–91 and 1995–96 for each English local authority has been placed in the Library of the House. The totals for authorities in England are respectively (a) £24.6 billion, and (b) £5.3 billion.

  The first figure includes all receipts from the sales of council dwellings, including—since 1990–91—those which could be used to finance capital expenditure as well as those which had to be set aside. The distinction between usable and set-aside receipts is not relevant before 1990–91.

  No figures are available for receipts from the sale of council houses prior to 1 April 1980. Figures for set-aside receipts in 1996–97 are not yet available.

  Information is not available on the amount of set-aside housing receipts that authorities have used to avert borrowing, nor on the amount remaining in local authority accounts.
  694
  We are in the process of consulting the Local Government Association and local authorities on the Government's capital receipts initiative. The final decision about the basis on which resources are to be distributed to individual authorities will be made when that consultation process is complete.

  Information relating to local authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is respectively the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland.

  Foyer Schemes
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals his Department has for the development of foyer schemes; and if he will make a statement. [9177]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Foyer schemes are one of a range of solutions to help homeless and unemployed young people. There are already a large number of such schemes in operation with more in development or being planned. Large sums of public money have already been invested in foyer schemes through, for example, capital and revenue grants payable by the Housing Corporation. Further schemes may qualify for support and for additional resources released under the capital receipts initiative. It will be for prospective foyer developers and individual local authorities to identify local needs and priorities when considering the case for a foyer scheme.

  In addition, my Department and the Department for Education and Employment have jointly commissioned research from the Institute for Employment Studies and London Research Centre to look at the number and distribution of foyer and foyer type schemes and their effectiveness in meeting the accommodation and training needs of young people.

  La Hague Nuclear Processing Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what reports he has received from his French counterpart concerning the basis of the ban on fishing and swimming near the La Hague nuclear reprocessing plant; and what guidance on environmental protection has been sought from his Department by the Channel Islands state's authorities as a result of this announcement; [9944]

  (2) pursuant to the answer of 27 June, Official Report, columns 668–69, if he will request the French Government to provide the details of the radiological monitoring study covering the environment of La Hague. [9931]

  Angela Eagle
  A copy of the monitoring study commissioned by the French Government from the Office de Protection des Rayonnements Ionisants in the vicinity of the La Hague reprocessing plant is being obtained and will be placed in the Library of the House. A small section of beach, approximately 100m long, surrounding a plant discharge pipe, was closed as a precautionary measure while this monitoring was being undertaken and evaluated. My Department has received no request for guidance from the Channel Islands states' authorities concerning these developments.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those councils which have approached his Department since 1 May in relation to the compulsory competitive tendering of local services, indicating those which Ministers have agreed to meet. [9853]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There have been a very large number of local authority contacts with Ministers and officials in my Department on a range of compulsory competitive tendering issues. These include possible changes to the existing statutory framework for CCT, the development of a best value framework and pilot projects, advice on the technical requirements of existing CCT regulations, requests for exemptions from CCT requirements and casework concerned with anti-competitive behaviour and financial failure.

  Ministers in this Department have had no meetings with particular authorities on CCT issues. We have, however, met the Local Government Association on several occasions at which CCT was discussed. My officials have also held meetings with the Local Government Association and have visited a number of local authorities in connection with best value pilot work.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 June,Official Report, columns 49–50, on compulsory competitive tendering, what further progress has been made in replacing CCT with a duty of best value; and if he will make a statement. [10603]

  Ms Armstrong
  Local authorities responded enthusiastically to our 2 June announcement, which confirmed our intention to replace compulsory competitive tendering with a duty to obtain best value, a duty which will require local authorities to deliver the quality of service that local people expect at a price they are willing to pay.

  Many authorities have begun work in line with the best value principles published at that time. I now want to build on this work, setting out the proposed framework for best value in England and encouraging local authorities to work towards it consistent with the current legislation. We are therefore writing to all English local authorities inviting them to come forward with proposals to run pilot best value projects and the Home Office will be writing on a similar basis to police authorities. The letter will include the criteria which will be used to evaluate proposals, including the procedures and timetable, and will set the pilot scheme in the context of the framework of best value that we are developing. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House tomorrow morning. In considering bids, we shall be looking to test a wide range of different approaches and services within the best value framework, and to encompass different types of authorities.

  Bids will be invited by 1 October, with decisions announced in December, so that local authorities have the maximum amount of time to develop their ideas ahead of a latest start date of 1 April 1998. In coming to a decision on the pilot projects, I expect to draw on advice from a panel made up of representatives from central Government Departments, the Local Government
  696
  Association, the Audit Commission, the trade unions and the private sector. I shall be writing to each shortly to invite nominations.

  We are also to consult local authorities and other interested parties on proposals to modify the current CCT regulations and guidance. This follows a short review carried out by a working group comprised of representatives from my Department, the Welsh Office and the Local Government Association.

  Our proposals are designed to enable authorities to adopt best value practices consistent with the current primary legislation. They provide a real incentive for authorities to take the voluntary route to competitive tendering, and significantly reduce many of the prescriptive elements of CCT that have so frustrated authorities and the private sector alike. Full details of our proposals are contained in a consultation paper which I am placing in the Library tomorrow morning. At the same time we shall be consulting on revised guidance on good tendering practice which will promote fairness and transparency in procurement decisions, and a draft will also be available in the Library tomorrow.

  Taken together, these changes will build on the renewed interest of both local authorities and the private sector in the provision of quality cost-effective local services. They will release both public and private sectors from the sterile exchanges that have bedevilled CCT in recent years, and encourage innovation and best value to the benefit of those who use and pay for local services.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many monitoring experiments concerning the release of genetically modified organisms and bacteria the Health and Safety Executive has carried out on discharges from laboratories licensed to undertake activity under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992; and if he will list the dates and places of such monitoring; [10213]

  (2) how the need for monitoring concerning the release and survival of genetically modified bacteria has been taken into account in the proposal for certificates of exemption for discharges of certain live GMOs in liquid wastes under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992. [10214]

  Angela Eagle
  The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992 require that effluent from higher risk GMOs be inactivated prior to discharge. Users have to monitor the effectiveness of this inactivation. So far as low risk GMOs are concerned, the regulations require that suitable control measures are used to limit their contact with the general population and the environment. The effectiveness of these control measures has to be tested and monitored by those undertaking the activities.
  697
  The Health and Safety Executive has not carried out any monitoring experiments. However, HSE specialist inspectors evaluate and discuss monitoring data with users during inspections.

  The proposed exemption certificate would allow direct discharge of those untreated liquid wastes containing GMOs which, on the basis of a thorough risk assessment, were judged not to pose a risk of harm to human health and/or the environment. A key factor in this assessment would be that the GMOs were capable of only limited survival in the environment. The conditions attached to the proposed exemption certificate would require compliance with all other provisions of the contained use regulations, including monitoring.

  The Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification will shortly be evaluating the outcome of a recent consultation exercise on the proposed exemption certificate. The HSE will then consider its advice before agreeing with relevant Departments—so far as matters relate to the environment—whether the certificate should be issued.

  Allotments
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria he will use in the exercise of his powers under the Allotments Act 1925 in respect of the disposal of allotment land or its use for other purposes. [10291]

  Angela Eagle
  The Secretary of State's consent, under section 8 of the Allotment Act 1925, for the disposal of statutory allotment land will not be given unless he is satisfied that adequate alternative provision is made for any displaced allotment holders, or that such provision is not necessary.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list his(a) consents and (b) refusals of consent since 2 May under the Allotments Act 1925 for the disposal of allotment land or its use for other purposes. [10317]

  Angela Eagle
  The Secretary of State has given his consent, under section 8 of the Allotment Act 1925, for disposal of the following statutory allotment sites since 2 May 1997:

  7 May: Peel Street, Carlisle

  9 May: Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council Training Centre, Wolverhampton

  19 May: Firtree Lane, Bristol

  19 May: Troopers Hill Bristol

  19 May: 32 Nicholas Lane, Bristol

  23 May: Burton Road, Overseal, Derbyshire

  28 May: Washbrook Allotments, Leicester

  3 June: Roundwood Glen, Greengates, Bradford

  9 June: Langham Allotments, Rutland

  11 June: Bridge Street, Loddon, South Norfolk

  24 June: Lee Lane, Langley, Amber Valley, Derbyshire

  24 June: Ridgeway Allotments and Manor Hall Allotments, Southwick, West Sussex

  25 June: Broadwater Gardens Allotments, Harefield, Middlesex

  25 June: The Bartons, Much Marcle, Ledbury, Herefordshire

  26 June: Harewood Allotments, Cornfield Road, Thornaby

  26 June: Harewood Allotments, Thornaby Road, Thornaby

  26 June: Colston Avenue, Carshalton, Surrey

  698

  10 July: Cannock Road, Cannock

  11 July: Barnsfield Place Allotment, Uxbridge, Middlesex

  14 July: Primrose Hill, Stockton-on-Tees

  15 July: Dodmire Allotments, Darlington

  17 July: Britten Road, Reddith

  22 July: Scotchman Road, Bradford.

  There have been no refusals of consent under section 8 of the 1925 Act since 2 May.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a review, involving hon. Members, of the future of allotments. [10318]

  Angela Eagle
  There are no current plans to undertake a review of allotments.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance the Government(a) have given and (b) plan to give local authorities concerning the release of more land for allotments. [10319]

  Angela Eagle
  Local authorities are required, where they are satisfied that there is sufficient demand, to provide an appropriate number of allotment sites to residents within their areas. There are no plans to provide any more specific guidance to local authorities.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage local authorities and large landowners to release more land for allotments. [10320]

  Angela Eagle
  The provision of allotment sites is a matter for local authorities, taking into account the demand for sites within their area.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to limit the periods during which allotment plots can be left vacant. [10343]

  Angela Eagle
  Management of allotment sites is a matter for the relevant local authority or parish council, taking into account the demand within the area.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the total amount of money made available to Wales for the home energy efficiency scheme in each of the last two years; how much will be available in the next year; and if he will make a statement. [10243]

  (2) what was the average home insulation grant provided to eligible households in Wales in each of the last two years; and if he will make a statement. [10244]

  Angela Eagle
  In 1995–96 a total of £5.2 million was spent under the home energy efficiency scheme in Wales on grants with an average individual value of £167. The figures for 1996–97 were £3.4 million and £184. This year, I estimate that £3.8 million will be invested through this scheme in improving the energy efficiency of Welsh
  699
  homes occupied by the most vulnerable families. The 1998–99 allocation for the scheme, which I intend to review to make sure that it meets the needs of its customers, will be decided after completion of the Government's comprehensive expenditure review.

  "Planning and Affordable Housing"
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revise circular 13/96: "Planning and Affordable Housing". [10866]

  Mr. Caborn
  Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 "Housing" (PPG3) states that local planning authorities may seek to negotiate an element of affordable housing in respect of new housing developments on a substantial scale. The intention behind this policy was that a site should be large enough to accommodate a range and mix of types of housing. The site thresholds were introduced in circular 13/96 as a way of defining what the Department considered to be a substantial site for the purposes of the policy.

  Since the circular was issued, the Department has been hearing from many local authorities and registered social landlords who argue that the threshold has had the effect of restricting the amount of affordable housing they are able to secure via the policy. I have given careful consideration to the views that have been expressed and, although I accept the principle of the use of thresholds, I have come to the conclusion that there is a case for looking again at the levels at which they were set.

  I can announce today that my Department has issued for consultation proposed revisions to circular 13/96. In particular, we are proposing to lower the thresholds below which local authorities should not seek an element of affordable housing, and to clarify the way in which financial or other contributions should be secured through planning obligations where the parties consider that such contributions towards the provision of affordable housing on a different site are preferable.

  Bus Lanes (Motorcycles)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes in inner-city areas; and what consultations he has held with local authorities on pilot projects. [9303]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Nothing in law prevents local traffic authorities from permitting motorcycles to use bus lanes, although the necessary traffic signs require departmental approval. The Government are interested in experimental projects such as those which have been implemented in Bristol and Reading but are aware that they have generated concerns from cyclists on safety grounds. We will study the evidence from such schemes carefully to assess advantages and disadvantages for motor cyclists and other vulnerable road users, as well as their implications for balanced transport planning.
  700
  I would expect a local authority wishing to undertake a trial scheme to discuss its proposals with the Department at an early stage, and I would look to the authority to make adequate arrangements for before and after monitoring of the effects.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the safety of seat belts designed for car application being fitted to coaches; and what estimate he has made of the prevalence of such practices in the United Kingdom. [10238]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Provided that seat belts are approved to recognised standards and installed correctly, those approved for use on cars may be safely used on other types of vehicle. No information is available on how many coach owners or operators have chosen to fit car seat belts in their vehicles.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessments he has made of the safety aspects of loop-around seat belts not requiring fixed anchorage to seating. [10237]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Loop type seat belts can offer the same level of protection as a seat belt bolted to a fixed anchorage if they are approved to a recognised standard and properly fitted. Such belts should be secured to a part of a seat or the vehicle structure which is strong enough to take a high accident loading, has no sharp edges and positions the belt so that it can be worn properly.

  Roads Programme
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the major maintenance scheme to be undertaken on the trunk road and motorway network during the financial year 1997–98, indicating the likely cost, start and completion dates for each scheme. [10130]

  Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, has asked me to reply to your request to list those major maintenance schemes, to be undertaken on the trunk road and motorway network during the financial year 1997–98, and to give an indication of the likely cost, start and completion dates for each scheme.
  I enclose with this letter a list of those major maintenance projects, that is those costing over £1m, which the Highways Agency intends to undertake this financial year.
  701

  Trunk roads capital roads maintenance Highways Agency's intended programme for 1997–8

  Road

  Repair section

  Area

  Estimated cost (£ million)

  Start

  End

  M1

  Junction 25 to Junction 26

  Derbyshire

  3.500

  October 1997

  November 1997

  M5

  Junction 14 to Junction 15

  Gloucestershire

  2.000

  October 1997

  December 1997

  M5/M6

  Ray Hall Interchange

  Walsall

  3.500

  August 1997

  November 1997

  M6

  Junction 14 to Junction 15

  Staffordshire

  0.650

  July 1997

  August 1997

  M23

  Junction 8 to Junction 9

  Surrey

  4.700

  January 1998

  April 1998

  M25

  Junction 23 to Junction 24

  Hertfordshire

  1.600

  February 1998

  June 1998

  M27

  Junction 8 to Junction 10

  Hampshire

  7.630

  January 1997

  June 1997

  M42

  Junction 3 to Junction 3A

  Warwickshire

  0.670

  June 1997

  August 1997

  M42

  Junction 7A to Junction 8

  Warwickshire

  2.200

  September 1997

  October 1997

  M53

  Junction 9 to Junction 10

  Cheshire

  2.160

  August 1997

  December 1997

  M54

  Junction 5 to Junction 6

  Shropshire

  2.700

  July 1997

  October 1997

  M62

  Junction 11 to Junction 12

  Manchester

  1.232

  September 1997

  November 1997

  A249

  WestMinster to Sheerness

  Kent

  1.000

  September 1997

  December 1997

  In addition the DBFO Company responsible for M40 (Junctions 1–15) has undertaken the following

  M40

  Junction 6 to Junction 8

  Oxfordshire

  n/a

  April 1997

  July 1997

  Derailment (Sidcup)
  Mr. Beard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure adequate standards of railway inspection, maintenance and investment to take account of the findings of Railtrack's inquiry into the derailment at Sidcup station in February. [10233]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Railtrack plc is responsible for inspecting and maintaining its railway infrastructure. It has prepared and had accepted by the Health and Safety Executive a railway safety case, in accordance with the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994. As part of its commitment to its RSC, Railtrack plc has undertaken to comply with Railway Industry Group standards which include standards for inspection and maintenance. HSE'S railway inspectorate monitors Railtrack plc's compliance with Its accepted RSC and enforces health and safety legislation.

  The HSE is aware of Railtrack plc's internal inquiry into the derailment near Bexley station in February. HSE'S own independent technical investigation into the cause of the incident is continuing and its findings will be made public by the HSE in due course.

  Dartford River Crossing
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 June,Official Report, columns 276–77, if he will publish the sensitivity analyses which were made for each of the alternatives for the third Dartford crossing with regard to variations in the base assumptions for the capital cost of the facility and the whether public sector cost of capital; the overrun in capital costs in (a) actual and (b) percentage terms for each of the alternative options would have eliminated the difference between the privately and publicly financed options for each alternative; and what increase in the public sector cost of capital would have eliminated the difference between the privately and publicly financed options for each alternative. [9764]

  Glenda Jackson
  In 1986 the assessment of the Dartford bids was essentially concerned with establishing the extent to which they offered value for money on specified assumptions. The economic costs of the various 702
  options were established so as to compare the net benefits of publicly financed and privately financed schemes. So far as can be established sensitivity tests of the kind postulated in the question were not carried out.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Communicable Diseases
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the conclusions of the Denver summit in respect of the control of communicable diseases; and if he will make a statement. [9641]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Denver summit agreed to promote more effective co-ordination of international responses to outbreaks of infectious diseases and to develop a global surveillance network working through organisations such as the World Health Organisation. There was also a commitment to accelerate AIDS vaccine research, to enhance international scientific co-operation and collaboration, and to ensure that the United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) fulfils its mandate.

  We welcome the commitment to improve international collaboration on the surveillance, monitoring, and research of communicable diseases. The UK has a strong record in combating communicable diseases, both internationally and at home, and this work will continue in the future.

  EU Legations
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the total costs of European Union legations in(a) European Union countries, on a country by country basis, and (b) non-European Union countries for 1996. [10014]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: There are no EU delegations. The Commission has representations in EU member states and delegations in third countries.
  703
  There is no figure readily available showing the running costs of Commission representations separately from those of the Commission's main offices. But as an indication, running costs for the four Commission representation offices in the UK in 1996 were around £1.3 million.

  The budget for the running costs of Commission delegations in 1996 was £152 million.

  Defence Sales
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to increase the transparency and accountability of decisions on defence export licences. [10364]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are committed to increase transparency and introduce more stringent controls over defence exports, including publishing an annual report on UK strategic exports. We will also press for a European register of arms exports to make information on arms exports available at a European level, and work to strengthen the UN Register of Conventional Arms.

  We are considering how best to take forward these commitments.

  Committee of the Regions
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the European Committee of the Regions has met in the last two years; if he will list the attendance record of each of the United Kingdom's representatives on the committee; and if he will make a statement. [9833]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There are usually five plenary sessions of the European Union Committee of the Regions each year.

  The United Kingdom has 24 full and 24 alternate members of the CoR. When a full member is unable to attend, an alternate member may do so. The UK is rarely represented by less than 24 full or alternate members.

  We do not hold up-to-date attendance records for UK members. However, figures provided by the Local Government International Bureau show that for the 10 plenary sessions held up to September 1996 UK members attended as follows:

  Full members

  Attendance

  Dame Elizabeth Anson

  9

  David Bellotti

  9

  Albert Bore

  10

  Lord Bowness

  9

  Simon Day

  8

  Lady Josie Farrington

  8

  Robert Eccles

  11

  George Gill

  10

  Toby Harris

  6(5)

  Christopher Penn

  10

  Dennis Pettitt

  8

  Janet Sillett

  7

  Lord Tope

  9

  Colin Warbrick

  10

  Daniel Coffey

  7

  Charles Gray

  9

  Rosemary McKenna

  9

  704

  Full members

  Attendance

  Duncan McPherson

  8

  Brian Meek

  8(7)

  John Evans

  9

  Lord Kenyon

  10

  Eurig Wyn

  8

  Reg Empey

  10(9)

  Denis Haughey

  9(8)

  In some cases attendance records are incomplete. In these cases the confirmed figure is shown in brackets.

  1 Robert Eccles took up membership during 1996.

  Alternate members

  Attendance

  John Battye

  0

  Kenneth Bodfish

  7

  Peter Cocks

  1

  Doreen Fleming

  1

  Elgar Jenkins

  0

  Fraser Mitchell

  0

  John Morgan

  0

  Sally Powell

  5

  Tony Prior

  0

  Hedley Salt

  0

  Peter Soulsby

  4

  Ian Swithenbank

  0

  Paul White

  3

  Milner Whiteman

  4

  Keith Geddes

  2

  Marcus Humphrey

  2

  Jean McFadden

  1

  Peter Peacock

  1

  Clive Sneddon

  1

  Jill Evans

  3

  Keith Griffiths

  1

  Bill Hughes

  1

  Simpson Gibson

  0

  Sean Neeson

  1

  Figures are based on information provided by the Local Government International Bureau.

  Racism and Xenophobia (Monitoring)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to announce a United Kingdom nomination for the board of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia; and when he estimates the Centre will commence its work. [9923]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We are considering possible candidates and hope to make an announcement as soon as possible. We hope the centre will start work early in 1998.

  Human Rights
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out a three-year timetable for fulfilling United Kingdom reporting obligations under United Nations treaties for the protection of human rights, indicating target completion dates for periodic reports and expected dates for public hearings of the relevant committees. [9924]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The timetable for reporting is determined by the treaty itself or by the respective treaty monitoring committee. The UK's next reports are due on the following dates: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights—ICCPR—June 1999; International
  705
  Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights—ICESCR—June 1999; International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination—ICERD—April 1998; Convention Against Torture—CAT—January 1998; Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women—CEDAW—January 1999; Convention on the Rights of the Child— January 1999. We aim to submit these reports as closely as possible to the due dates except in the case of ICERD where it is proposed to hold submission back until April 1999 so that the report can take account of possible developments in this field that are currently under consideration: the secretariat of the committee is being informed.

  The relevant monitoring committees have not yet given dates for public examinations of these reports, except for the CEDAW committee which has set January 1999 as the date for the examination of the previous and next reports. The ICESCR committee will examine the UK in November 1997, in respect of its latest report submitted in 1996.

  The UK also submits reports in respect of those dependent territories to which particular treaties apply. The due dates are not the same in all cases, but we aim to submit reports under ICERD and CAT together with those of the UK itself. The initial dependent territories' reports under CRC and the latest dependent territories' reports under ICCPR, ICESCR and CEDAW are now overdue but steps are being taken to ensure that these are completed and submitted as soon as possible.

  Non-governmental Organisations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what list he maintains of international and national non-governmental organisation for the purposes of consultation; and which NGOs are included. [9925]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  This Department does not keep a comprehensive list of non-governmental organisations for such a purpose. Each policy department within this Department is, however, aware of and maintains contacts with the non-governmental organisations in its area.

  European Parliament
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will describe the oath of allegiance or equivalent declaration taken by UK members of the European Parliament. [10158]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Members of the European Parliament are not required to take an oath of allegiance. Their conduct is in certain respects bound by the European Community 1976 Act concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament. On taking up office they are required to sign a declaration that they do not hold an office incompatible with being a Member of the European Parliament, as et out in article 6 of the 1976 Act. They are also required to make a declaration of their financial interests.

  Hawk Aircraft (East Timor)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the evidence he has received on the use of Hawk aircraft in East Timor since 1983. [10340]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are currently studying all the information available to us in relation to allegations about the use of Hawk in East Timor. No firm conclusions have yet been drawn. Nor have we yet considered whether we could publish the information itself.

  Maritime Limits
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the basis for continued United Kingdom jurisdiction over the six and 12 mile maritime limit after 2002. [9640]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The current restrictions on foreign fishing vessels within our six and 12-mile fisheries limits will continue to apply under Council Regulation 3760/92 until 31 December 2002. The Government are committed to securing their renewal after 2002 under a further regulation. The Prime Minister has received assurances from the President of the Commission that there is unlikely to be any desire to modify present restrictions after 2002.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Offal
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the cost of removal of offal from abattoirs and knackers' yards; and if he will make a statement. [9597]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I have received representations from across the meat supply/disposal chain, from representatives of producers to those of renderers, about the costs of disposal of animal by-products. These generally supported the continuation of Government financial support to the rendering industry.

  I and my agricultural ministerial colleagues have considered the representations put to us very carefully. Having taken into account the impact on the meat industry of withdrawing support, the original purpose of the support and the considerable additional cost of extending it, for which we have no provision in our public expenditure plans, we have concluded that the support should be phased out, as already provided for, by the end of 1997–98 within the existing spending limit of £59 million.

  I am today writing to the president of the NFU and to other industry organisations informing them of our conclusions.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make representations to other EU countries to end the payment of export refunds on the export of live cattle from the EU to the middle east and north Africa; and if he will make a statement. [10296]
  707
  Mr. Rooker
  The Government have no plans to seek an end to the payment of export refunds on live cattle. However, we welcome the fact that the ratio between refunds for live bovines and those for carcase meat has been moving towards favouring meat exports.

  In the longer term, GATT Uruguay round commitments setting progressively decreasing limits on the volume and value of export subsidies are likely to bring further pressure to bear on refund levels. We also wholeheartedly support the current Commission proposal to link the payment of export refunds to the observance of animal welfare conditions.

  Sheep and Goats Order
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the penalties applicable for contravening the Sheep and Goats (Recording Identification and Movement) Order 1996, indicating the number of farmers who have been prosecuted for failing to adhere to the order. [10348]

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee

  Commercial interests

  Non-commercial interests

  Member

  Name of organisation

  Nature of interests

  Name of organisation

  Nature of interests

  Professor J. R. Pattison (Chairman)

  None

  None

  Medical Research Council

  Senior Medical Adviser to the Chief Executive

  Dr. R. G. Will (Deputy Chairman)

  None

  None

  Department of Health

  Grant Holder

  Scottish Home and Health Department

  Grant Holder

  Medical Research Council

  Grant Holder

  European Commission BIOMED

  Programme Grant Holder

  Office International des Epizooties Expert Group on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Related Diseases (1990-present)

  Adviser

  European Union

  Member of the Multi-disciplinary Scientific Committee

  Professor J. W. Almond

  Aplin and Barrat Ltd.

  One-off Consultancy

  Society for General Microbiology (company limited by guarantee and registered charity).

  Director

  Stanger Science

  One-off Consultancy

  Food and Drink Federation

  One-off Consultancy

  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Chairman of the Working Group of the Biology of the spongiform Encephalopathic Programme

  MAFF

  Member of scientific review panels

  Mr. R. Bradley

  Beacon Research

  Adviser

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Adviser

  Taylor By-Products

  Adviser

  Nordima International Trading

  Adviser

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency

  Adviser

  European Natural Sausage Casings Association

  Adviser

  World Health Organisation

  Adviser

  Meat and Livestock Commission

  Adviser

  Office International des Epizooties

  Adviser

  National Dairy Council

  Adviser

  European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products

  Adviser

  Jackson & Walker (Attorneys, Counsellors)

  Adviser

  Kraft Jacobs Suchard

  Adviser

  Committee on Proprietary Medicinal Products

  Adviser

  National Renderers Association Inc.

  Adviser

  Medicines Control Agency

  Adviser

  Fats and Proteins Research Foundation Inc.

  Adviser

  Public Health Laboratory Service

  Adviser

  Meat Industry Forum of South Africa

  Adviser

  Infarmed (Portugal)

  Adviser

  Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN)

  Adviser

  Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens

  Adviser

  National Institute for Biological Standards

  Adviser

  708
  Mr. Rooker
  The penalty for contravening the Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996, is a fine not exceeding £5,000, or, if the offence is committed with respect to more than 10 animals, a fine not exceeding £1,000 for each animal.

  No prosecutions have been made under the order.

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the commercial and non-commercial interests of the members of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. [10809]

  Mr. Rooker
  Members of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee are not required to declare their commercial and non-commercial interests as this is a scientific advisory committee with no trading or financial objectives. However, in the interests of open government, the members of SEAC have been asked for this information and the interests declared are listed in the following table.
  709

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee

  Commercial interests

  Non-commercial interests

  Member

  Name of organisation

  Nature of interests

  Name of organisation

  Nature of interests

  European Commission

  Adviser

  National Governments and individuals especially in Africa, Europe and the Americas

  Adviser

  Professor F. Brown

  None

  None

  None

  None

  Professor J. Collinge

  None

  None

  Wellcome Trust

  Research Grant Holder

  Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council

  Research Grant Holder

  The David and Frederick Barclay Foundation

  Research Grant Holder

  Department of Health

  Research Grant Holder

  European Commission BIOMED Programme

  Research Grant Holder

  Medical Research Council

  Research Grant Holder

  European Commission (DGVI)

  Deputy Chairman of the High Level Group on BSE (The Weissmann Committee) (Final Report completed)

  Professor W. D. Hueston

  Cargill

  Consultant

  Office Internationale des Epizooties

  Adviser

  Hancock-Jaffe Laboratories

  Consultant

  Mullin, Hoard & Brown (Solicitors)

  Consultant

  Food & Drug Administration (USA)

  Adviser

  Cyto Therapeutics

  Consultant

  Dr. R. H. Kimberlin

  Petfood Industry

  Consultant

  European Commission

  Adviser

  Pharmaceutical Industry (world-wide)

  Consultant

  United Nations (Food and Agriculture Organisation)

  Adviser

  Meat and Livestock Commission

  Consultant

  Office International des Epizooties

  Adviser

  National Governments in Europe, Americas and Australasia

  Adviser

  World Health Organisation

  Adviser

  Dr. M. J. Painter

  None

  None

  None

  None

  Mr. D. B. Pepper

  Veterinary Pharmaceutical Industry

  Freelance Consultant

  None

  None

  Veterinary Defence Society Ltd.

  Claims Consultant

  Professor P. G. Smith

  None

  None

  Department of Health

  Grant Holder

  Dr. W. A. Watson

  Sheep farmer

  None

  None

  International consultancy companies

  Occasional consultancy work overseas

  Professor Allen"s commercial and non-commercial interests have not been included in the table as she tendered her resignation from the Committee on 4 December 1996, having accepted the position of Research and Development Director for Northern Ireland.

  Policy Reviews
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each departmental policy review presently in progress or scheduled,(a) a description of the purpose of the review and (b) its expected date of completion. [10188]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: The following reviews have been announced by the Department.

  A review of the case for inoculation as a substitute for rabies quarantine has been announced. It is not yet clear when this will be completed.

  A review of the Milk Development Council has been announced. It is expected to be completed later this year.
  710
  An urgent review of the arrangements for enforcing the rules on the welfare of animals exported live to the continent has been announced. The intention is to introduce as soon as practicable changes which are shown to be necessary .

  A review of salmon and freshwater fisheries policy and legislation has been announced. It is expected to be completed within 18 months.

  A comprehensive spending review has been announced. It is expected to be completed by March 1997.

  Cattle Traceability System
  Mr. Hill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals the Government have for a computerised cattle traceability system; and if he will make a statement. [9119]
  711
  Mr. Rooker
  We intend to introduce such a system as soon as we can. Work is now under way, including discussions on detailed points of implementation with the livestock industry.

TREASURY

  Investors Compensation Scheme
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the administration of the investors compensation scheme with particular reference to the financial services firm Knight Williams and Co.; and if he will make a statement. [9698]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Oversight of the investors compensation scheme is the responsibility of the Securities and Investments Board.

  Windfall Tax
  Mr Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on pension funds of(a) changes to advance corporation tax in the Budget and (b) the introduction of the windfall tax; and if he will make a statement. [7647]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Changes to the corporation tax system announced in the Budget will encourage long-term investment. The windfall tax funds the new deal for young and long-term unemployed, for lone parents and for schools. This is a significant investment in human capital. Pension funds should benefit over the long-term from the improved company performance resulting from the strong and stable economy which this Budget promotes.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received from(a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public concerning his windfall tax proposals. [9887]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Some 30 hon. Members have written attaching constituents' letters. Some 130 letters have been sent direct by members of the public. The vast majority were in favour of the Government's proposals to introduce a windfall tax on the excess profits of the privatised utilities.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, under his proposals in the Finance Bill, any liability to windfall tax can arise(a) in respect of the profits earned by privately owned statutory water companies, and (b) where such companies have been taken over by privatised companies, in respect of any part of the profits attributable to that part of the business which was previously in private ownership. [10146]

  Mr. Robinson
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: The windfall tax applies only to companies previously within the public sector which were privatised by flotation and are subject to economic regulation by statute; that definition excludes water companies which have always been in the private sector. The tax is charged on the difference between the value of the floated company, calculated by reference to profits made in the initial period after flotation, and the value placed on the company at the time of flotation. Where the floated company has produced group accounts, these are used to produce the relevant profit figure.
  712
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Department collates on privatisation exceeding £50 million in other countries of the European Union; what were the premiums on the issue price five years after privatisation; and what windfall taxes were imposed. [10007]

  Mr. Robinson
  No such information is collated.

  Stability Pact
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the United Kingdom has official agreed to join the stability pact set out at Amsterdam in the presidency conclusions; at what point the United Kingdom will be bound by its provisions; and if he will make a statement. [10209]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: The stability and growth pact comprises two regulations and a resolution of the European Council. The first regulation, on the surveillance procedures, comes into force on 1 July 1998; and the second, on the excessive deficits procedures, comes into force on 1 Janaury 1999, in accordance with the timetable for the single currency. The pact creates no new legal obligations on the conduct of the Government's economic policy in view of the opt-out. Sanctions under the excessive deficits procedure cannot apply to the United Kingdom if we do not join the single currency.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the gross domestic products of(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) Wales as a percentage of the United Kingdom gross domestic product in each year from 1979 to 1995. [9984]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Martin Caton, dated 24 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply to your recent question on estimates of Gross Domestic Product for the territories of the United Kingdom for each year from 1979 to 1995.
  Estimates of GDP for Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Standard Statistical Regions of England for the years 1985 to 1995 were published in the article "Regional Accounts 1995 part 1" starting on page 15 of the January/February 1997 edition of Economic Trends, which is available in the House of Commons Library. Data for the whole period 1979 to 1995 are available on the Regional Accounts Database, which can be accessed by the Library.

  National Savings
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what performance targets have been set for National Savings for 1997–98. [10808]

  Mrs Liddell
  National Savings has as its declared objectives: to manage the retail component of the national debt portfolio so as to minimise the combined cost and risk of the total stock of debt and to meet funding needs cost-effectively; to promote Government savings policies in so far as is consistent with the above, and where it is not consistent to make any subsidy visible to Ministers; and to compete in the retail savings sector in a commercial
  713
  manner without distorting the market. During 1997–98 National Savings will be set the following challenging targets:

  (i) To work within the terms of the Funding Remit1 for 1997–98;

  (ii) To manage National Savings so as to deliver its aims within the resources allocated by Parliament;

  (iii) To develop agreed measures with the Treasury for tracking value creation by 31 December 1997;

  (iv) To introduce improved systems and investigate past problems to meet the recommendations in the National Audit Office report on Financial Accounting (HC 9 96/97) by 31 December 1997;

  (v) To improve efficiency by 3 per cent. in 1997–98;

  (vi) To reorganise the Agency with the aim of segmenting purchasing and internal service provision and to develop value for money options for public/private sector partnerships in service delivery;

  (vii) To achieve a 97 per cent. outturn against all National Savings published timeliness targets;

  (viii) To achieve an overall accuracy level of 97 per cent. on those transaction processes that most affect customers (purchases and repayments);

  (ix) To show 95 per cent. of customers surveyed are satisfied or very satisfied with the service received from National Savings;

  (x) To maintain the Investors in People accreditation covering at least 95 per cent. of National Savings' workforce.

  1 The funding remit sets out the costs and volume assumption that National SAvings works to. It was published in the Debt Management Report issued in March 1997.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make available the terms of reference for the separate departmental spending reviews making up the comprehensive spending review announced by the Chief Secretary on 11 June. [10807]

  Mr. Darling
  The terms of reference of the departmental and cross-departmental reviews have been placed in the Library today.

  The comprehensive spending review aims to allow the Government to bring public spending programmes into line with its priorities and objectives. It will be truly comprehensive, embracing all items of public expenditure. It will also be focused on the long term, looking at the shape of public spending to the end of the century and beyond.

  Ministers have agreed that they will examine each and every item in his or her Department to consider whether it meets the public interest, whether it contributes to the achievement of the Government's objectives, whether it is the most effective way of achieving those objectives, and whether there is scope for improving efficiency and effectiveness. This will include a thorough look at whether the best use is being made of public assets, with a view to disposing of those which are surplus and which could be used more productively elsewhere and making more use of public-private partnerships.

  The review will be thorough. As well as looking at Departments' spending it will also address issues that stretch across departmental boundaries. There will be several self-standing cross departmental reviews, including reviews of the criminal justice system, the local
  714
  government finance system, the countryside and rural policy and housing. In addition, each Department will examine jointly with other Departments those areas where important issues cut across departmental boundaries, such as aid and trade provision, science and simplifying government.

  This will be a far-reaching look at what the Government spends people's money on. It will ensure that public spending promotes opportunity and employment, investment and fairness. Its conclusions will be the basis for spending plans for the future that reflect our priorities and meet the country's needs.

  Investment Income
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total revenue yield in a full year of the imposition of a tax at the rate of 20 per cent. on the investment income, other than dividends received from United Kingdom resident companies, of pension funds and life assurance companies. [8751]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Using calculations based on my right hon. Friend's assumption an estimate of the full year yield for 1997–98 from a tax at 20 per cent. on the investment income, other than dividends paid by UK companies, of the funds of occupational pension schemes and the pension funds invested by life insurance companies is about £4½ billion. This estimate does not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from such a change. The investment income arising from the UK non-pensions business of life insurance companies is already subject to tax.

  Local Government Finance, Scotland
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 2 July,Official Report, columns 179–80, if he will list the information requested taking account of the changes in the composition of the Scottish block and the price bases to deflate the figures to 1996–97 prices; if he will list the total expenditure over the period at 1996–97 prices; and what this expenditure would have been had no changes been made to the formula. [7805]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 14 July 1997]: Table 1.3 of the "Scottish Departmental Report" (Cm 3614) details the Scottish block in cash terms. The relevant figures at 1996–97 prices for the period 1991–92 to 1997–98 are shown in the table:

  £ million

  1991–92 Outturn

  13,086

  1992–93 Outturn

  13,546

  1993–94 Outturn

  13,970

  1994–95 Outturn

  14,317

  1995–96 Outturn

  14,117

  1996–97 Forecast

  14,015

  1997–98 Plans

  13,322

  Most of the reduction in the final year of this series is accounted for by water debt commutation and by the proposed sales of the student loans book and the Scottish Homes loan book.
  715
  Tables 1.2 and 1.3 of "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses" gives the total expenditure within the control total, by Department form years 1991–92 by Department in cash and real terms (1995–96) respectively. Tables 5.2 and 5.3 detail central Government expenditure within the control total by Department for the period from 1978–79 in cash and real-terms (1995–96 prices) respectively.

  Additional information is not held in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Personal Pensions
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people in Bolton, West who have been mis-sold personal pensions; and how many of these have received compensation. [9687]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No such estimates have been made.

  Banks (Public Funds)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the 10 banks receiving the highest amounts of payment from public funds in the last available year. [9870]

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

  British Nuclear Fuels (Pension Scheme)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will allow BNFL employees who transfer to wholly owned subsidiaries of that company to remain in the Principle non-industrial superannuation scheme. [9215]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 21 July 1997]: No. Primary legislation would be required to allow employees of wholly-owned subsidiaries of BNFL to remain in the PNISS pension scheme. There are currently no plans for such legislation. BNFL has set up and operates its own group pension scheme which closely mirrors the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's principal non-industrial superannuation scheme.

  Spring 1998 Budget
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish a consultative paper in relation to his spring 1998 Budget; and if he will make a statement. [9486]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 21 July 1997]: I will publish a consultative economic paper, which will include an economic forecast, some months in advance of the spring Budget. No decision has been taken yet on the exact timing.

  Public Sector Pay
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effects of the change in the GDP deflator forecasts announced in his Budget on the level of public sector pay increases for 1998–99 and 1999–2000. [9481]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 21 July 1997]: All Departments are reallocating spending within their departmental ceilings as part of the comprehensive spending review.
  716
  The Government's approach to public sector pay is that pay increases must be affordable within agreed spending plans.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Land Mines
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the countries to which Her Majesty's Government are providing assistance on the detection of anti-personnel mines. [9187]

  Clare Short
  We are directly supporting demining activities in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cambodia, Northern Iraq, Laos and Mozambique.

  Additionally, the UK contributes to demining activities funded through the European Commission, the United Nations and the Organisation of American States.

  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what procedures exist for ensuring value for money in commercial contracts between the UNHCR and suppliers. [9414]

  Clare Short
  The UNHCR follows a set of procurement procedures to ensure value for money. Competitive bidding is employed to ensure public accountability, including checks and audits by internal and external bodies.

  Reproductive Health Initiative
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish the terms of the agreement signed on 30 January by the European Commission and the UN Population Fund to launch a reproductive health initiative in Asia. [9839]

  Clare Short
  A copy of the agreement has been placed in the Library.

  Asia Initiative
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the size of the total allocation for the Asia initiative; and for how many years the programme runs. [9872]

  Clare Short
  The EC allocation for the Asia initiative for reproductive health is 25 million ecu—approximately £17 million. A further 5 million ecu is expected to be contributed by beneficiary organisations and through contributions in kind by the United Nations Population Fund, the implementing agency. The programme will run for four years, including one year for inception.

  Employment Advertisements
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how often since 1992 her Department or the former Overseas Development Administration has been responsible for employment advertisements which contained age restrictions upon those who could apply. [9504]
  717
  Clare Short
  An exact analysis of employment advertisements is not available except at disproportionate cost. The Department's policy is to recruit on merit and more than a quarter of professionals recruited since 1992 have been 50 or more years of age.

  EU Aid Funds
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make representations to the European Union against the use of EU aid funds for projects which put the interests of tourism before those of indigenous people in the areas concerned. [9918]

  Clare Short
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: My Department recognises that many indigenous groups suffer grave disadvantage in access to services, economic opportunities and in having their voices heard. We are committed to development which ensures that all local people are fully involved. At the June Development Council, it was agreed that the Commission should develop a policy paper on co-operation with and support for indigenous people. We look forward to helping to take this work forward.

  Kalahari Bushmen
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports her Department has received about plans by the Botswanan authorities to move Kalahari bushmen out of the central Kalahari game reserve; and if she will make a statement. [9919]

  Clare Short
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: My Department is aware of and concerned about the resettlement programme for bushmen living in the central Kalahari game reserve. We have offered to finance a conference in Botswana to discuss these issues with all parties including the bushmen, and to help develop solutions. We would welcome any suggestions the hon. Member might wish to put forward.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many and what percentage of employees in her private office are(a) of Asian origin and (b) of Afro-Caribbean origin. [9574]

  Clare Short
  In my private office, one member of staff is of Asian origin—representing 10 per cent.—the staff and one is of Afro-Caribbean origin—10 per cent.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what grants(a) have been made and (b) are planned to be made in each year to 2001 by the Millennium Commission to (i) Millennium Central, (ii) Birmingham Millennium and (iii) other Millennium celebrations. [6061]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall write to my hon. Friend in my capacity as chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the special advisers in his Department, the Minister to whom each is responsible, the subjects on which they advise, and the number of advisers in his Department in the year up to 1 May. [5357]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  There are two special advisers in my Department, John Newbigin and Julian Eccles, who advise me across the full range of the Department's responsibilities.

  There were two special advisers employed by the previous administration in the year to May 1997, one from 25 March to 10 October 1996, and the other from 2 October 1996 to 6 April 1997.

  Millennium Commission
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what is the overall budget of the Millennium Commission; if he will list the projects which have been earmarked for funding; and how much has been granted to each project; [6124]

  (2) what percentage of awards from the Millennium Commission has been earmarked for projects in each of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England; and what percentage has been specifically earmarked for projects in London; [6125]

  (3) if he will make a statement outlining the basis upon which the merit of an application for funding from the Millennium Commission is defined. [6126]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 3 July 1997]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall write to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Policy Reviews
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list for each departmental policy review presently in progress or scheduled,(a) a description of the purpose of the review and (b) its expected date of completion. [10185]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: In common with all other Departments, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is undertaking a comprehensive spending review which will look across the whole Department at its aims, objectives and spending priorities. That review is expected to be complete by spring 1998.

  The Department is conducting a separate review of film policy, which will explore how to maximise the cultural and economic contribution of the British film industry and is expected to report in February. A review of the national lottery instigated in May has led to the publication, on 21 July, of "The People's Lottery" White Paper. That says that the Director-General of Oflot will be asked to review existing licence application procedures in the light of responses to the White Paper.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service Counsel
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will estimate the financial impact of using salaried counsel employed by the Crown Prosecution Service to represent all its cases in higher courts. [9860]

  The Attorney-General
  No such estimate is available. The Lord Chancellor and the designated judges have still to take a decision on rights of audience for employed barristers.

  Disability Appeal Tribunals
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Attorney-General what discussions he has had with the president of the independent tribunal service concerning the propriety of doctors who carry out medical examinations of disability living allowance claimants for the Benefits Agency being appointed as members of disability appeal tribunals. [10219]

  The Attorney-General
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

DEFENCE

  Fixed Telecommunications System
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the defence fixed telecommunications system. [10868]

  Mr. Spellar
  The previous Government announced on 6 November 1996,Official Report, column 521 that they intended to commence contract negotiations for the defence fixed telecommunications system with the preferred bidder, the INCA consortium led by British Telecommunications plc.

  Contractual negotiations have now been successfully completed and a 10-year contract, based on the principles of the private finance initiative, has been awarded to the consortium. Under the contract, which will be signed tomorrow, ownership of and responsibility for the operation and maintenance of most of the defence fixed telecommunications assets in Great Britain will pass to the private sector. This arrangement will enable the MOD to continue to reach the required levels of performance while benefiting from access to continually evolving technology.

  The contract is worth more than £800 million, which makes it the largest MOD PFI deal so far. Savings to the MOD are estimated to be more than £100 million over the 10-year period of the contract.

  The contractor will perform the work currently undertaken by about 1,200 civilian and service personnel. Where appropriate, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 will apply. Where TUPE does not apply, the MOD will be taking all possible steps to minimise the effect on civilian staff in posts that lapse. Regrettably, the need for some compulsory redundancies among civilian staff cannot be ruled out. Military personnel occupying affected posts will be redeployed to other service duties.

  Married Quarters
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 June,Official Report, column 662, if he is in a position to provide information on the fees paid to National Westminster Markets Ltd. for preparing and completing the asset sale of the Ministry of Defence married quarters estate to Annington Homes. [10936]

  Mr. Spellar
  Fees paid to the National Westminster Markets Ltd. totalled £4,614,000 excluding VAT. This was a combination of monthly fixed-rate time-based fees and a commission of 0.1 per cent. of the sale price achieved for the MOD in excess of £520 million.

  Prisoners of War (Pay Deductions)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision he has made following the review of deductions made from the pay of officer prisoners of war and protected personnel in German and Italian hands during the second world war; and if he will make a statement. [10869]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department has conducted an extensive review of the issue of pay deductions from officer prisoners of war and protected personnel in German and Italian hands during the second world war and the subsequent arrangements for repayment. Overall, the review found no evidence of lack of care, of significant injustice or of grave financial disadvantage. The long and detailed report accepts that there were real difficulties but these were recognised at the time and reasonable steps were taken to minimise them. Accordingly, there is no basis for reopening the issue. I have placed a copy of the full report in the Library of the House.

  I am writing to those individual right hon. and hon. Members who have a constituency interest. Former officer prisoners of war and protected personnel covered by the review and their families who have written direct to my Department will also be contacted to let them know the result of the review. I know and very much regret that the people who have had their hopes raised will be very disappointed. I must conclude that the contemporary evidence does not support the claims that have been made.

  Copies of my foreword to the report are also being placed in the Vote Office.

  Battle Tanks
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the Army's future requirement for a main battle tank and the number to be ordered. [7824]

  Dr. Reid
  On current plans, the Army's requirement for a main battle tank is to be met by procurement of 386 Challenger 2 tanks, which have already been ordered.

  As I made clear in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Conwy (Mrs. Williams) on 10 July, Official Report, column 531, during the strategic defence review there will be no moratorium on defence procurement, and projects where contracts have already been placed will continue. Decisions on major equipment programmes not yet under contract will be considered on their individual circumstances in relation to progress with the review.

  Equipment Approvals Committee
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the equipment approvals committee will hold its next meeting. [9169]

  Mr. Spellar
  This information continues to be withheld under exemption 7 of the code of practice on access to Government information.

  Submarines
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the terms of reference of the defence review include consideration of additional conventional roles for Vanguard class nuclear-powered submarines. [9407]

  Dr. Reid
  The strategic defence review will examine all aspects of our deterrence requirements to ensure that they fully reflect changing strategic circumstances. However, the Government have no plans to use our strategic deterrent platform in a conventional role.

  Volunteers
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many volunteers aged under 18 years participated in the Gulf war. [9810]

  Dr. Reid
  Fully validated information on the number of British troops who served during the Gulf war, broken down into categories such as reservists and Territorial Army volunteers aged under 18 years, is not currently available. However, work is continuing to improve the quality of these data so that my Department can, in future, provide definitive answers to questions of this type.

  RAF Laabruch and Bruggen
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the running costs for(a) RAF Laabruch and (b) RAF Bruggen (i) in total and (ii) excluding salaries in the last year for which figures are available. [10277]

  Dr. Reid
  The estimated running costs for RAF Laabruch and RAF Bruggen for the financial year 1996–97 are £78.4 million and £90.3 million respectively in total and £20.8 million and £20.4 million respectively excluding salaries.

  National Service Medal
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce a medal for all those who completed national service. [10358]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. member to the reply I gave on 5 June to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley),Official Report, column 222.

  Starstreak Missile System
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will expedite the acquisition of the laser-guided Starstreak missile system as an integral element in the Apache helicopter programme; and if he will resist US attempts to delay its acquisition until the infra-red Stinger missile system is modified and tested in an air-to-air role. [9012]
  722
  Mr. Spellar
  The MOD is currently engaged with the US in a co-operative assessment of the Starstreak missile system in the air-to-air role. Following completion of these trials next year, the Department will assess carefully all the options for meeting the attack helicopter air-to-air requirement and decide the way forward for the UK.

  Armed Forces Medical Service
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to consider the establishment of a single armed forces medical service. [9416]

  Dr. Reid
  Provision of medical support to the armed forces will form part of the strategic defence review. There are no current plans to establish a single armed forces medical service, but any changes that arise from the review will be announced when the review is complete.

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of jobs in the United Kingdom(a) directly and (b) indirectly dependent on the European fighter aircraft project, broken down by (i) parliamentary constituency and (ii) region. [9686]

  Mr. Spellar
  Statistics for defence industry"related employment are collated on a regional basis and figures for parliamentary constituencies are not readily available. Current estimates indicate that there are about 6,000 high technology jobs in the UK directly dependent on the Eurofighter programme, primarily in the north-west and south-west of England, but involving approximately 100 companies in many parts of the UK. At peak production, this figure is estimated to rise to 14,000. Figures for the number of jobs indirectly dependent on the programme are currently unavailable.

  Defence Sales
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates, and with respect to which countries, his predecessors or their representatives have signed agreements or memorandums of understanding with foreign Governments since 1984 relating to sales of defence and defence-related equipment in which repayment was to be made in supplies of oil or gas. [10075]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am withholding this information in accordance with exemptions 1 and 13 of the code of practice on access to Government information.

  Debt Payment
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on the timely payment of debt; and what its record has been on debt payment in the current financial year. [9322]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 18 July 1997]: This is largely a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Bills Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member. The other executive agencies that have responsibilities for payment of bills are also required to comply with departmental policy to pay bills promptly within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is the

  723
  later, where no such terms exists. Information on payment performance for these agencies for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Letter from Mr. I. S. Elrick to Mrs. Theresa May, dated 24 July 1997:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about Departmental debt payment as this matter falls, in the main, within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Bills Agency.
  Departmental policy is to pay bills promptly within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is later, where no such terms exist. Latest figures available for the current financial year show that during the period 1 April to 31 May 1997 the Defence Bills Agency paid 99.1% of bills within 11 days of their acceptance and 100% within 30 days. The Government will publish a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97 in the Autumn.

  Organisation of Joint Armaments Co-operation
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent organisation of join armaments co-operation projects are included in the defence review; and if he will make a statement. [10207]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: The organisation of joint armaments co-operation, more usually known as the Organisme Conjointe de Cooperation en matiere d'armament—(OCCAR)—is in its formative stages. At present, no collaborative projects involving UK participation are managed by the OCCAR.

  The prospective projects involving the UK currently identified for inclusion in the OCCAR framework—the counter battery radar programmes, COBRA; multi-role armoured vehicle, MRAV and the tri-national military satellite communications programme, TRIMILSAT—will be considered according to their individual circumstances and in relation to progress with the strategic defence review.

  Reserve Forces
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current strength of the reserve forces, by type. [9418]

  Mr. Spellar
  [pursuant to his reply, 21 July 1997, c. 401]: I regret there was an error in the figures for the naval services. The correct figures are as follows:

  Strength of the reserves and auxiliary forces 1 April 1997

  Number

  Naval Services

  Regular reserves

  23,100

  Volunteer reserves and auxiliary forces

  3,500

  Army

  Regular reserves

  190,100

  Territorial Army

  57,600

  Royal Air Force

  Regular reserves

  45,300

  Volunteer reserves and auxiliary forces

  1,400

HEALTH

  Medicines (Information)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to maximise public access to information on medicines. [9930]

  Ms Jowell
  We have asked the Medicines Control Agency to examine current policies on access to information about medicines. We will consider, in due course, what further action may be necessary to maximise such access whilst safeguarding legitimate confidential interests. We shall do so, taking account of the forthcoming White Paper on freedom of information and in the context of European Community licensing and control procedures.

  Legal Costs
  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost of legal advice, damages and out of court settlements met by the NHS in defending or resolving claims made by former patients and their families in the most recent year for which figures are available. [9623]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information in the form requested is not kept centrally. Payments made in respect of compensation under legal obligation and clinical negligence/personal injury cases settled out of court in England in 1995–96 are shown in the table.

  £000

  Compensation under legal obligation

  48,730

  Clinical negligence with qualified legal advice

  110,672

  Personal injury with qualified legal advice

  12,925

  Other clinical negligence and personal injury without qualified legal advice

  1,033

  Total

  173,360

  Source:

  1. Annual accounts of district and regional health authorities and the special health authorities for the London postgraduate hospitals.

  2. Annual accounts of NHS trusts.

  Waste and Bureaucracy
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of his powers to tackle waste and bureaucracy within the national health service. [9904]

  Mr. Milburn
  Ministers are able, through the national health service executive, to introduce measures to tackle waste and bureaucracy in the NHS and we have already done so. On 22 May we announced a package of measures including a £100 million reduction in NHS management costs in 1997–98.

  The Audit Commission also has an important role in promoting efficiency in the NHS

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the various appeals related to the recent PFI hospitals announcement will be heard; and when the decisions will be announced. [9784]
  725
  Mr. Milburn
  Representations are currently being considered. I will write to the parties concerned informing them of our decision very shortly.

  Inequalities in Health
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the need for further research on occupationally-based inequalities in health. [10175]

  Ms Jowell
  Research on socio-economic differences in health are usually based on data derived by occupational classifications.

  We have asked Sir Donald Acheson to carry out a review of inequalities in health, which will include occupationally based inequalities in health. In the light of that review the Department will assess the need for further research in this area.

  Year

  Trusts

  Health authorities

  Family health services authorities

  1988–89

  —

  114(212)

  —

  1989–90

  —

  177(212)

  175(90)

  1990–91

  —

  104(211)

  184(90)

  1991–92

  2(57)

  53(206)

  30(90)

  1992–93

  25(126)

  89(199)

  83(90)

  1993–94

  23(292)

  67(167)

  71(90)

  1994–95

  36(419)

  65(121)

  70(90)

  1995–96

  94(433)

  92(115)

  67(90)

  1996–97

  128(429)

  59(100)

  —

  1 The figures for 1989–90 and 1990–91 refer to Family Practitioner Committees.

  1. The figures in brackets identify the total number of trusts/authorities in the relevant year.

  2. Information is from the published accounts except for 1996–97 where the figures are from the Quarter 4 monitoring information.

  3. Trusts were first established in 1991 and there are therefore no figures for earlier years.

  4. Health authority figures for the period 1988–89 to 1995–96 include District, Regional and Special Health Authorities of the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.

  5. The 1996–97 Health Authority figures are for merged health authorities (previously separate District Health Authorities and Family Health Service Authorities).

  6. HA Accounts before 1991–92 are not comparable due to organisational changes.

  7. Figures for earlier years, and in respect of FPCs for 1988–89 are not readily available.

  8. Changes in accounting policies mean that not all years accounts are prepared on a comparable basis.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the increase in funding for the NHS in each of the past 10 years in(a) cash (b) real and (c) percentage terms; and what are those figures for 1997–98. [10087]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  National health service increases in funding

  Year

  Increase in cash (£ million)

  Increase in real terms (1996–97 prices) (£ million)1

  Percentage growth (real terms)1

  1987–88

  +1,495

  +1,036

  4.3

  1988–89

  +1,745

  +889

  3.5

  1989–90

  +1,442

  +206

  0.8

  1990–91

  +2,471

  +1,079

  4.1

  1991–92

  +3,027

  +1,841

  6.7

  1992–93

  +2,617

  +1,712

  5.9

  1993–94

  +971

  +170

  0.6

  1994–95

  +1,629

  +1,259

  4.1

  1995–96

  +1,388

  +564

  1.7

  1996–97

  +1,196

  +313

  1.0

  1997–98

  +1,359

  +285

  0.9

  1 GDP deflator of 2 July 1997.

  726
  The Economic and Social Research Council has recently assessed the need for research on socio-economic inequalities in health. It is currently commissioning a £4 million programme of research. The Department is currently commissioning research which will evaluate steps that the national health service has taken to reduce inequalities in health, including socio-economic inequalities.

  Health Service Funding
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health authorities and NHS trusts were in deficit at the end of the financial year in each of the past 10 years. [10074]

  Mr. Milburn
  The numbers of trusts and health authorities in deficit at the end of each year since 1988–89 were as follows:

  Ophthalmic Surgery
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase the resources available for ophthalmic surgery; and if he will make a statement. [10012]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have just announced an increase in resources for the national health service for 1998–99 of £1.2 billion. It is for health authorities and general practitioner's to use these extra resources to plan and arrange services for their residents, following an assessment of their needs, and to make decisions about the level of resources required for any particular service.

  Health Authorities
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the duties devolved to health authorities under the National Health Service Act 1977. [10177]

  Mr. Milburn
  The roles and responsibilities of health authorities will be considered as part of the Government's plans to replace the internal market.

  Consultant Lists
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors have(a) applied for and (b) been accepted on to specialist consultant lists; and how many are awaiting accreditation. [10068]

  Mr. Milburn
  Since 12 January 1996, the General Medical Council has received approximately 40,000 applications for entry to the specialist register. To date, the names of 29,219 doctors have been entered onto the register. These include both existing specialists and doctors who have completed their specialist training since 12 January. Since 1 January 1997, it has been a legal requirement for a doctor to be entered on the specialist register before taking up a substantive or honorary NHS consultant appointment.

  The system of accreditation by the medical royal colleges was replaced from 12 January 1996 by the introduction of the certificate of completion of specialist training, awarded by the Specialist Training Authority. To date, the STA has awarded 1,589 CCSTs to doctors who have completed their specialist training.

  Medical Negligence (Legal Actions)
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical negligence legal actions have been brought against NHS trusts and health authorities in the last three financial years; and what were the total(a) legal costs involved in defending the actions, (b) legal costs paid out to plaintiffs in the actions and (c) awards made by courts or agreed out-of-court settlements to plaintiffs in the actions; and if he will make a statement. [10083]

  Mr. Milburn
  At present, information on the number of medical negligence legal actions and associated legal costs is not held centrally, although plans are in hand to improve the range and quality of data on clinical negligence. The total amount paid in respect of compensation under legal obligation, and clinical negligence and personal injury cases settled out of court in 1995–96 in England was £173.6 million.

  Community Pharmacies
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish his Department's targets relating to payments to community pharmacy contractors; and if he will make a statement. [10235]

  Mr. Milburn
  A payment representing approximately 80 per cent. of the amount due is paid on the first day of the month following that in which the prescription is submitted for pricing. The remainder is paid on the first day of the following month.

  Infant and Nursery Education
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the different levels of resources available to(a) his Department and (b) the Department for Education and Employment in respect of the achievement of targets relating to (i) infant school class size and (ii) nursery places for four-year-olds. [9905]

  Mr. Byers
  I have been asked to reply.
  728
  The Department for Education and Employment will use the savings from the phasing out of the assisted places scheme, amounting to over £100 million by 2000, and £100 million or more each year thereafter, to secure reductions in infant class sizes; and some £672 million per annum, together with elements of revenue support grant, will be used to secure a nursery education place for all four-year-olds whose parents want one. The Department of Health is not expected to make resources available for these purposes.

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the quinquennial review of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work; and if he will make a statement. [10587]

  Mr. Boateng
  [pursuant to his reply, 23 July, c. 599]: Three contextual matters for the review of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work should be included. A full text of my announcement including these three matters is as follows:

  The Department, in collaboration with the Scottish Office, Welsh Office and Department of Health and Social Services Northern Ireland, will conduct a thorough review of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work. The review, which is now due as part of the regular five-yearly examination of non-departmental public bodies, will take the form of a prior options study. It will assess the extent to which the functions of the council are necessary for the achievement of the Government's policies and consider, with particular regard to the importance of securing the best value for money, the scope for rationalisation, privatisation, contracting out, market testing or transferring all, or part, of its functions to another body. We will consult widely with all parties who have an interest in the work of the council.

  The review will have regard to and take account of:

  the implications of the Government's National Training Organisation initiative for the personal social services sector;

  the recommendations of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education—the Dearing Report;

  the Government's plans for the training of probation officers;

  the Government's proposals for devolution in Scotland and Wales, and

  the Government's intention to establish a General Social Services Council.

  To minimise uncertainty, we expect this fundamental review to be completed by the end of October. Throughout, the Government's objective remains to ensure that quality services are delivered through a workforce trained and qualified to appropriate levels of competence. Nothing must get in the way of achieving that objective.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans the Government have to reduce the bureaucracy connected with the regulation of small businesses. [9982]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I have been asked to reply. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 2 July,Official Report, column 279.

  British Airways Disputes
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions her Department has had with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service concerning the disputes at British Airways. [8598]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  My Department speaks regularly to ACAS about issues of common interest. My officials are aware that ACAS has been pursuing its independent role in seeking to assist the parties in the British Airways disputes and have kept in touch with progress.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had in respect of the multilateral agreement on investment; and if she will make a statement. [9901]

  Mrs. Roche
  This Government are working hard for a successful conclusion to the negotiations on a multilateral agreement on investment. In addition to regular contact with other Government Departments, there has been contact with representatives of business, labour, environment and other non governmental organisations. As part of the MAI outreach programme the UK has taken an active part in discussions with developing countries with an interst in the agreement.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many overseas visits to promote British exports she and her departmental Ministers have made since 2 May; how many such visits are planned for the remainder of 1997; and how many visits were undertaken by her Department during the year ending 1 May. [10132]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Since 2 May, my colleagues and I have made five overseas visits promoting British exports. At this stage, a further seven visits are planned for the remainder of 1997. During the year ending 1 May 1997, Ministers in the Department undertook 28 trade promotion-related visits. In addition to this, officials in my Department undertake regular overseas visits to promote UK trade and investment overseas. Information on these visits could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what instructions she has issued to Ministers in her Department relating to restriction on their overseas travel. [9763]

  Mrs. Beckett
  My colleagues and I are fully committed to our responsibility to promote trade and investment and appreciate the importance of overseas visits as one 730
  method of fulfilling this responsibility. However, I have agreed with my colleagues that ministerial visits will be undertaken only if and when fully justified.

  Hawk Aircraft (East Timor)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the evidence she has received on the use of Hawk aircraft in East Timor since 1983. [10341]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her today by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett).

  Consumer Education and Information Scheme
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 11 July,Official Report, column 649, if she will list each consumer education and information scheme funded by the Government and the amount of funding in the current year. [9475]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 18 July 1997]: I have inherited no budget specifically for schemes as such.

  Minster for Competition and Consumer Affairs
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what payment the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs or his staff have received for his articles in Travel Weekly. [9879]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 21 July 1997]: None. Prior to 1 May, payments were made to my researcher and these were declared in the Register of Members' Interests.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what occasions the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs met(a) Stelios Hasi-Ioannou and (b) other members of Easyjet management; what was the purpose of each meeting; and where they took place. [9818]

  Mr. Griffiths
  [holding answer 21 July 1997]: I am not aware of Stelios Hasi-Ioannou.

  However, I have met Mr Haji-Iannou on four occasions. In 1996, when he spoke at the Association of British Travel Agents convention; and in 1997 on three occasions—at the British travel industry hall of fame dinner, at lunch with the president of ABTA and others, and socially with one of his management colleagues when I attended the Institute of Travel and Tourism conference in Athens.

  Hazardous Chemicals
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the companies licensed to produce(a) thionyl chloride, (b) ethyl succinyl chloride and (c) propane phosphoric dichloride. [8973]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 17 July 1997]: Propane phosphoric dichloride is not know to my Department, although propane phosphonic dichloride is known. The production of this chemical, as well as of thionyl chloride and ethyl succinyl chloride, does not require a licence.
  731
  My officials advise that thionyl chloride is manufactured in the UK by three companies, ethyl succinyl chloride by one company and propane phosphonic dichloride by two companies, and that further information is available from the Chemical Industries Association Internet site, "Sourcerer"— http://www.sourcerer.co.uk.

  Advisers
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the(a) special advisers and (b) outside advisers to Ministers in her Department, indicating if each (i) receives a salary, (ii) has an office with clerical-secretarial support and (iii) can claim expenses. [8994]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 17 July 1997]: Dan Corry and Sheila Watson are salaried special advisers, who can claim expenses according to DTI rules. Lord Hollick is an unpaid special adviser, who does not claim expenses. They share a private secretary and a personal secretary. I also seek a range of external advice from a wide variety of sources.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the single currency on the interests of British business. [7554]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17 July 1997,Official Report, columns 244–45.

  BP
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received from BP since her appointment. [8972]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 17 July 1997]: Personally, none. However, Ministers and officials in the Department have frequent contact with major UK companies such as BP and will have discussed a range of issues with them since the election.

WALES

  Welsh Office Budget
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his proposals to compensate for the real term reductions in the Welsh Office budget for 1997–98. [8428]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 July to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce)Official Report column 208.

  Stationery
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on stationery provision in respect of paper items in each of the last five years. [8870]
  732
  Mr. Ron Davies
  Information in the form requested is not held centrally. The cost of my Department"s stationery provision, which includes the cost of all paper items, in each of the last five years is as follows:

  1992–93: £508,320

  1993–94: £560,868

  1994–95: £455,118

  1995–96: £470,598

  1996–97: £509,968

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of whether the stated economic benefits of the proposed Cardiff Bay barrage constitute imperative reasons of overriding public interest under article 6(4) of the EC habitats and species directive (92/43/EEC). [8653]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have reviewed the content of the discussions between my Department and the European Commission on this subject. The Commission has accepted that the measures proposed by the Government would meet the requirements of article 6(4) of the habitats directive.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what estimate he has made of the number of staff who will remain responsible to him after the establishment of a Welsh Assembly; and what percentage of the total number of Welsh Office staff this will represent; [8914]

  (2) what plans he has to establish a staff commission for his Department, following the establishment of a Welsh Assembly. [8915]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have set out my proposals for the staffing of the Welsh Assembly in the White Paper "A Voice for Wales" which was published on 22 July.

  Referendum
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to homeless people voting in the referendum on devolution. [8931]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  People living in Wales will be able to vote in the Welsh Assembly referendum if they are included in the local government electoral register in Wales. It is for electoral registration officers to determine whether an individual qualifies for inclusion in the register.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many civil servants there are in total on each pay band in his Department. [9573]
  733
  Mr. Ron Davies
  The following is the information:

  Grades

  Number of pay bands within grade

  Number of staff within grade

  Senior Civil Service

  10

  63

  Principal Nursing Officer

  1

  0

  Nursing Officer

  1

  4

  Grade 6 and equivalents

  3

  18

  Grade 7 and equivalents

  4

  145

  SEO and equivalents

  8

  119

  HEO and equivalents

  11

  296

  EO and equivalents

  9

  505

  AO and equivalents

  7

  566

  AA and equivalents

  4

  561

  Industrials and MSG

  8

  134

  GLS and student placements

  1

  7

  Some of the paybands within a grade may have no population, but that information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what percentage of employees, in each pay band, in the quangos for which his Department is responsible, are of(a) Asian origin and (b) Afro-Caribbean origin. [9572]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what percentage of employees in his private office are(a) of Asian origin and (b) of Afro-Caribbean origin. [9571]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The information requested would breach confidentiality as it would allow the identification of individuals.

  Clwydian Community Trusts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to improve the morale of employees in the Clwydian community trusts. [9941]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The morale of staff in any organisation is a matter for its managers. The Government's intention to abolish the internal market and damaging inter-trust competition will, however, lead to a situation where staff can concentrate on their vocations rather than wasteful and unnecessary activity.

  Internet
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to expedite the construction of his Department's web site; if he will ensure that priority is given to access to press notices and that adequate links to and from the web site of the Central Office of Information are included; and if he will make a statement. [9843]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) on 26 June 1997,Official Report, column 625. I confirm that my Department's press notices will appear on the Welsh Office Internet site
  734
  on the day of publication and that there will be a Hypertext link with the Central Office of Information web site. In addition there will be a dedicated site featuring information relating to the referendum for a Welsh Assembly.

  European Committee of the Regions
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to change the Welsh representation on the European Committee of the Regions; and if he will make a statement. [9834]

  Mr. Hain
  The term of office of the current three Welsh members of the Committee of the Regions and their alternates, like all UK members, will expire on 25 January 1998. The Government will be considering in due course the question of appointments after that date.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to consult on proposals to modify the current compulsory competitive tendering regulation and guidance; and if he will make a statement. [10937]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Welsh Office officials will be writing tomorrow to local authorities and other interested parties with our proposals to modify the current CCT regulations and guidance. This follows a short review carried out by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Welsh Office in consultation with the Local Government Association.

  The Government are committed to ensuring the delivery of cost-effective quality services in local government. To this end, the proposals are designed to make the CCT statutory framework more consistent with the principles of best value. They are also intended to provide an incentive for authorities to take the voluntary route to competitive tendering and significantly reduce many of the prescriptive elements of CCT.

  Full details of these proposals are contained in a consultation paper which will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as possible. We will also be consulting on revised guidance on good tendering practice which will promote fairness and transparency in procurement decisions. A draft will also be placed in the Library of the House.

  The Welsh Office and local government in Wales are committed to developing the duty of best value. To take this initiative forward, we have agreed that a project group will be established to develop this important policy. The group will be co-chaired by the Welsh Office and the Welsh Local Government Association and will include representatives from the Audit Commission, Wales TUC and Wales CBI.

  In developing this policy in Wales, the project group will build upon the work already undertaken by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Scottish Office and apply it to the circumstances of Wales. Its first report should be available by mid-August.

  I will make a further announcement once I have considered this report.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of employees, in each pay band, in the quangos for which her Department is responsible, are of(a) Asian origin and (b) Afro-Caribbean origin. [9578]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  There is no statutory requirement on employers to maintain personnel records about the ethnic origin of their employees. Moreover, the recruitment and employment of staff in non-departmental bodies are generally operational matters for each individual body. The information requested is not therefore formally maintained by Northern Ireland Departments.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of employees in her private office are(a) of Asian origin and (b) of Afro-Caribbean origin. [9577]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The figures for employees in my London private office are two of Asian origin 16.7 per cent., and one of Afro-Caribbean origin, 8.3 per cent. It is not possible to provide the information requested in respect of employees in my Belfast private office. Staff in Northern Ireland are not monitored in respect of ethnic origin, but the Department will be reviewing monitoring polices to take account of the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 when it is implemented.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants there are in total on each pay band in her Department. [9579]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Northern Ireland civil service is currently undertaking a review of its pay and grading structures and no decision has yet been taken on revised pay bands.

  The table has been prepared on the basis of the current pay bands. The left-hand side shows the numbers of staff in the senior civil services in the pay band ranges set out in £5,000 bands, and, the right-hand side, the numbers of general service and analogous grades below the SCS in the relevant pay bands. The figures are full-time rates of basic salary, excluding allowances.

  The figures for the general service include a number of specialist grades which, although analogous, have a higher maximum point on the particular pay range. For some specialist grades, this pay lead may result in the maximum point being up to 10 per cent. higher than that for the analogous general service grade.
  736
  The figures cover all NICS staff and include a number of home civil service staff who work in the Northern Ireland Office.

  Number of staff in each pay range/band

  Grade (or analogous)

  Pay range band (£)

  Number of staff in grade

  Senior Civil Service

  105,000+

  1

  100,000–105,000

  —

  95,000–99,999

  1

  90,000–94,999

  —

  85,000–89,999

  1

  80,000–84,999

  3

  75,000–79,999

  3

  70,000–74,999

  4

  65,000–69,999

  14

  60,000–64,999

  19

  55,000–59,999

  23

  50,000–54,999

  75

  45,000–49,999

  78

  40,000–44,999

  28

  Below 40,000

  6

  Total

  256

  Unified Grade 6

  29,844–50,261

  268

  Unified Grade 7

  26,154–40,909

  867

  Deputy Principal

  19,611–30,371

  1,501

  Staff Officer

  15,839–21,491

  2,403

  Executive Officer Grade I

  13,324–18,639

  3,399

  Executive Officer Grade II

  11,323–15,839

  3,453

  Administrative Officer

  9,080–12,735

  7,782

  Administrative Assistant

  7,166–10,735

  5,049

  Total

  24,722

  Marches (Leaked Document)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether a restricted circulation copy of the leaked internal Government document on marches was made available to the Anglo-Irish secretariat; if the proposed inquiry into the leaked document will be authorised to investigate Irish civil servants and Irish Ministers associated with the Anglo-Irish secretariat in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [9188]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The leaked internal document dealing with marches was copied to the British side of the Anglo-Irish secretariat. In common with established practice regarding protectively marked British material, it was not made available to the Irish side, so no question of involving Irish Ministers or civil servants arises.

  Private finance Initiative
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will make a statement on the implications of the PFI for public service employees; [9770]

  (2) if the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 apply to staff involved in a project under the PFI. [9773]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  If the outcome of a PFI is the transfer to the private sector of an undertaking—within the meaning of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981—TUPE will apply.
  737
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to establish a Northern Ireland consultative forum of employers, trade union and Department of Education, Northern Ireland representatives to examine the application of the PFI in the education sector in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [9800]

  Mr. Worthington
  The Department of Education has already consulted widely about the application of PFI in the education sector, and will continue to do so. I have no plans to establish a consultative forum for this purpose.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the terms of reference of the joint Police Authority for Northern Ireland and RUC working group established to tackle the imbalance in the number of women and Catholics in the force; and when it is expected to report. [9921]

  Mr. Ingram
  The first meeting of the joint RUC and Police Authority for Northern Ireland working group to address the under-representation of women, Roman Catholics and minority groups within the RUC has been set for late July. At this meeting, formal terms of reference and the time scale for completion of the work will form part of the discussion.

  Human Rights
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the recommendations contained in a report of the public hearings in Washington DC organised by the House International Relation Sub-Committee on Human Rights into the protection of human rights in Northern Ireland and if she will make a statement. [9926]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have not yet seen the report and the recommendations of the House International Relations Sub-Committee on Human Rights. When I have seen the report and studied the recommendations, I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of that letter in the Library.

  Business Development Service
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key performance targets have been set for the Business Development Service in 1997–98. [10726]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Business Development Service is a next steps agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel. It provides business support services in the areas of telecommunications—voice and data—management services, training, information technology and systems services and other central business facilities to Government Departments, their executive agencies and the wider public sector in Northern Ireland, where best value for money is achieved by central provision of the service.

  I have set the agency the following targets for 1997–98:

  at least 85 per cent. of customers to be satisfied with the service that they have received;

  at least 85 per cent. of customers to be satisfied with the way in which services were provided to them;

  738

  an efficiency saving of 8 per cent. to be achieved in total running costs over the allocation for 1996–97; and

  the Business Development Service to be positioned to recover from its customers the costs of all its services, commencing 1 April 1998.

  Copies of the agency's corporate and business plans for 1997–98 to 1998–2000 will be placed in the Library.

  Water Service
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key performance targets have been set for the Water Service in 1997–98. [10727]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  For 1997–98, the following key performance targets have been set for the Water Service:

  1. To achieve 98.2 per cent. compliance with drinking water standards set in the Water Quality Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994.

  2. To achieve 67 per cent. compliance with the sewage treatment works discharge standards set by the Environment and Heritage Service.

  3. To ensure that fewer than 0.8 per cent. of properties experience unplanned interruptions to water supplies lasting greater than 12 hours.

  4. To issue substantive replies to 90 per cent. of written complaints within 15 working days of receipt.

  5. To deliver water at a unit cost of 53p per cubic metre.

  6. To treat sewage at a unit cost of 46p per cubic metre.

  7. To maintain expenditure within cash limits and to approved budget plans.

  8. To achieve efficiency gains of 3 per cent. on running costs expenditure.

  The targets are included in the Water Service's 1997–98 corporate-business plan, a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

  Statistics and Research Agency
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency for the financial year 1997–98. [10767]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  For 1997–98 the following key performance targets have been set for the agency:95 per cent. of key government users of the agency surveyed rating its overall service as satisfactory or better, with 40 per cent. rating it as very satisfactory.
  95 per cent. of registered non-government users of the agency surveyed rating its overall service as satisfactory or better, with 30 per cent. rating it as very satisfactory.
  To produce no fewer than 45 statistical publications and 12 ad hoc research publications during 1997–98.
  80 per cent. of NISRA readers rating key publications as satisfactory or better, with 40 per cent. rating them as very satisfactory.
  To complete a comprehensive census test of 9,000 households in Northern Ireland by July 1997.
  To process 98 per cent. of postal and personal applications for general register office certificates within eight and three working days respectively.
  To reduce by 2 per cent. the unit cost of producing civil registration certificates by the general register office.
  To achieve a minimum 3 per cent. efficiency saving.
  739
  Full details are set out in the agency's corporate and business plan, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House before the summer recess.

  Jury Trials
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to increase the number of jury trials in Northern Ireland. [7306]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 17 July 1997]: In Northern Ireland, for good reason, trials of terrorist offences are conducted without a jury. The Government are currently examining the existing procedures for designating offences as "terrorist" and they will change the procedures in due course if they consider there to be a good case for doing so.

  Debt Payment
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary for Northern Ireland what is the policy of her Department on the timely payment of debts; and what is her Department's record on the payment of debts in the current financial year. [9526]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 18 July 1997]: The policy of the Northern Ireland civil service and the Northern Ireland Office on the timely payment of debts is the same as for Great Departments. NI Departments are signed up to the NI CBI prompt payment code and are committed to the current target that no Department should fall below 95 per cent. attainment for prompt payment of undisputed bills.

  The prompt payment consolidated statistics for NI Departments for the first quarter of the current financial year are not yet available. The statistics for the last period of 1996–97 show that 99.3 per cent., met the policy target.

  Heterosexuals and Homosexuals
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors determined the present age of consent for heterosexuals and homosexuals in Northern Ireland; and what are the reasons for, and origins of, the differences from those in Great Britain. [10150]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: The age of heterosexual consent was raised from 16 to 17 years by the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1950. The then Minister of Home Affairs accepted a recommendation in the report of the Lynn committee, "The Protection of the Young and the Treatment of Young Offenders", that the age of consent be raised to 17 years. The Government are not aware of any public pressure of demands from within Northern Ireland to lower the age or consent to 16 years.

  The age of homosexual consent was reduced from 21 to 18 years, for the United Kingdom, by section 145 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people over the last two years were convicted of consensual sexual offences relating to(a) 16-year-olds and (b) 17–year-olds; and if she will indicate how many cases involved (i) heterosexual and (ii) homosexual acts. [10151]
  740
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: The information is not available in the form requested. However, in 1995 and 1996, 16 and nine persons, respectively, were convicted of unlawful and carnal knowledge of a girl under 17. The figure for 1995 includes one 17-year-old and, for 1996, one 17-year-old and one 16-year-old. Information is not available about the ages of persons convicted of, or involved in, homosexual offences.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions Review
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the bodies and individuals who have been invited to participate in the pensions review. [10215]

  Mr. Denham
  We shall be engaging in an extensive level of public consultation to ensure that everyone with an interest can contribute to the pensions review. As part of this process, I wrote on 17 July to a large number of bodies and individuals representing pensioners, employers, employees, consumers, pensions experts and others, inviting contributions to the review. The distribution is shown on the following list.

  The list is not meant to be exhaustive and letters will be sent to others on request. We would welcome contributions from any individuals or organisations with an interest in helping us to address the major pensions challenges that we have inherited. The widest possible consultation is essential if we are to achieve a wide and non-partisan consensus on the future for pensions.

  The National Pensioners' Convention will be playing a specific and central role in the review to ensure that views of today's pensioners are at the heart of the review process. The NPC will be passing details of the review to all its delegates so that they have the fullest opportunity to contribute.

  Following the end of the initial consultation period on 31 October 1997, there will be a period of further work and consultation after which the Government will prepare proposals for publication and further consultation in the first part of 1998.

  Members of Parliament/House of Lords

  All MPs

  Spokesmen in the House of Lords

  Pension Industry/Employer Representatives

  Association of Pensioner Trustees

  Association of Consulting Actuaries

  Association of Unit Trusts and Investments

  Association of Friendly Societies

  Association of British Insurers

  Association of Pension Lawyers

  Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia

  Association of Investment Trust Companies

  Auditing Practices Board

  Bank of England

  British Insurance and Investment Brokers Association

  Chartered Insurance Institute

  Chartered Institute of Taxation

  Confederation of British Industry

  Corporation of Insurance and Financial Advisers

  Engineering Employers Federation

  Engineers and Managers Association

  Faculty and Institute of Actuaries

  Federation of Small Businesses

  741

  Friendly Societies Commission

  Independent Financial Advisors Association

  Industry Wide Pension Schemes Group

  Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

  Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland

  Institute of Management

  Institute of Directors

  Institutional Fund Managers Association

  Insurance Brokers Registration Council

  Investment Management Regulatory Organisation

  Joint Working Group on Occupational Pensions

  Law Society of Scotland

  Law Society

  Life Assurance Association

  National Association of Pension Funds

  Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority

  Pensions Compensation Board

  Pensions Ombudsman

  Pensions Management Institute

  Personal Investments Authority

  Securities and Futures Association

  Securities and Investment Board

  Society of Financial Advisers

  Society of Pension Consultants

  SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice) Working Group

  The Association of Corporate Trustees (TACT)

  The Pensions Advisory Service

  Commercial Organisations

  Abbey National

  Allied Dunbar

  Barclays Bank plc

  British Airways

  Colonial Unity Trust Bank

  Commercial Union

  Eagle Star

  Equitable Life

  Godwins Ltd.

  Halifax

  Hartshead Pensikons

  ICI

  IFA Promotion

  Legal and General

  Lloyds Bank plc

  M and G Group plc

  Marks and Spencer

  Midland Bank plc

  Nat West Group

  Nationwide Building Society

  Nestle UK Ltd.

  NPI

  Pearl Assurance

  Pension Store

  PPP Lifetime Care plc

  Pro-Share

  Prudential

  Rentokil Initial

  Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance

  Royal Bank of Scotland

  J. Sainsbury

  Save and Prosper

  Scottish Widows

  Scottish Amicable

  Scottish Equitable

  Scottish Life

  Skandia Life

  Standard Life

  Storehouse plc

  Sun Life

  The Post Office

  Virgin Management

  Virgin Group Ltd.

  Willis Corroon

  Winterbourne Trustee Services Ltd.

  742
  Academic experts/Think Tanks/Individuals

  Institute of Fiscal Studies

  Policy Studies Institute

  Social Market Foundation

  Social Security Advisory Committee

  Centre for Policy Studies

  Politeia

  Adam Smith Institute

  Fawcett Society

  Fabian Society

  Institute for Public Policy Research

  Professor Robert Walker, Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University

  Social Policy Research Unit, York University

  Pensions Institute, Birkbeck College, University of London

  National Institute of Economic and Social Research

  Lombard Street Research Ltd.

  School of Social Sciences, University of Bath

  Dr. Andrew Sentence, London Business School

  Professor John Gray, Jesus College, Oxford

  Professor George Yarrow, Hertford College, Oxford

  Professor Tony Atkinson, Nuffield College, Oxford

  Professor Roy Goode, St. John's College, Oxford

  Dr. Corelli Barnett, Churchill College, Cambridge

  Professor David Marsland, Brunel University College

  Professor Townsend, Bristol University

  Ruth Hancock, Age Concern Institute of Gerontology, Kings College, University of London

  Citizen's Income Trust

  Mr. Tony Lynes

  Mr. George Taylor

  Heather Joshi, Social Statistics Research Unit, City University

  Sara Arber, Surrey University

  Ceridwen Roberts, Family Policy Studies Unit

  Sue Ward, Independent Pensions Research Group, Northern Pensions Research Group

  Sir Michael Partridge

  Martin Werth, Munich Reinsurance Company

  Bryn Davies, Union Pension Services Ltd.

  Carnegie UK Trust

  Mr. Carroll, PAPRI

  Mr. Brian Holden

  Trades Unions

  TUC

  AEEU

  CCSU

  GMB

  GPMU

  MSF

  NCU

  NFU

  NUT

  PTC

  RCN

  TGWU

  UNISON

  USDAW

  Pressure/Consumers Groups/Churches etc.

  Abbeyfield Society

  Age Concern

  Age Concern Cymru

  Association of Retired Persons over 50 (ARPO5O)

  Campaign for Pension Fund Democracy

  Care Forum Wales

  Carers National Association

  Consumers Association

  COPAS (Confederation of Occupational Pensioners Association)

  Disability Alliance

  Disability Wales

  Disability Income Group

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Help the Aged

  Joseph Rowntree Foundation

  743

  NACAB

  National Federation of Post Office and BT Pensioners

  National Federation of Women's Institutes

  National Federation of Consumers Groups

  National Council of Women

  National Consumer Council

  Office of Fair Trading

  PARITY (formerly Campaign for the Equalisation of State Pension Age)

  Pensioners Voice

  Pensioners Rights Campaign

  Plain Language Commission

  Plain English Campaign

  Public Service Pensioners Council

  Royal National Institute for the Blind

  T and G Retired Members Association

  VOICES (Voluntary Organisations involved in caring in the elderly sector)

  Wales Council for Voluntary Action

  Wales Assembly of Women

  Wales Pensioners

  Welsh Consumer Council

  Women's National Commission

  Church of England

  Roman Catholic Church

  The Chief Rabbi

  Church of Scotland

  The Church in Wales

  Local Government Bodies

  Audit Commission

  Bradford City Council

  CIPFA

  Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

  County and District Councils (England and Wales)

  County and County Borough Councils in Wales

  Environment Agency

  LIBA

  Local Government Association

  London Borough Councils

  London Pensions Fund Authority

  MPO

  Scottish Regional, District and City Councils

  Society of County Treasurers

  Society of Metropolitan Treasurers

  South Yorkshire PTA

  South Yorkshire Pensions Authority

  South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

  Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

  The Town Clerk, City of London

  UKSC/LGMB

  Welsh Local Government Association

  Welsh Association of Health Authorities and Trusts

  West Midlands PTA

  Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

  Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council

  Other Government Departments/Bodies

  No. 10 Policy Unit

  DTI

  HM Treasury

  Department of Health

  Inland Revenue

  Scottish Office

  Welsh Office

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  LCD

  Environment

  MOCOP—(public service pensions committee)

  Government Actuary

  Agricultural Wages Board

  Office of Public Service: Better Regulation Unit Civil Service Pensions Division

  744
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the members of the pensions review team. [10217]

  Mr. Denham
  The pensions review team is led by me as the Minister with responsibilities for pensions, supported by a small group of officials. In keeping with our commitment to manage within current cash plans, the cost of the pensions review will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs limit.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if copies of the papers prepared for the meetings convened by her between October 1996 and April 1997 to prepare for the pensions review have been supplied to the pensions review team; and if she will place copies of them in the Library. [10218]

  Mr. Denham
  I am making the papers prepared for the series of meetings held before 1 May available to officials in the Department's pensions review team. The wide-ranging review of pensions that we promised in the manifesto was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 17 July,Official Report, columns 239–41.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the terms of reference are of the group of pensions experts who have been asked to report on the state of pension provision in the United Kingdom and future trends; which experts have been invited to be members; what their qualifications are; what remuneration they will receive; and which of them have expertise relating to state pensions. [10216]

  Mr. Denham
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has appointed Tom Ross of Alexander Clay and vice-president of the National Association of Pension Funds to chair the group of pensions experts. We shall announce further details of the expert group, including the group's terms of reference and the names of the experts, soon.

  Disability Appeal Tribunals
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions she has had with the president of the independent tribunal service concerning the propriety of doctors who carry out medical examinations of disability living allowance claimants for the Benefits Agency being appointed as members of disability appeal tribunals. [10221]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  On 9 July, we introduced the Social Security Bill which will modernise the delivery of social security, including the appeals system. This Bill provides for the Lord Chancellor or Lord Advocate in Scotland to appoint all tribunal members in the future. Medical members will be appointed in consultation with the chief medical officer.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the president of the independent tribunal service regarding the propriety of doctors, but is satisfied that the current procedures in place for the appointment of members of disability appeal tribunals do not give rise to any conflict of interest.
  745
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what proportion of appeals to social security, disability and child support appeal tribunals an oral hearing is requested. [10220]

  Mr. Bradley
  On 9 July 1997, we introduced the Social Security Bill which will modernise the delivery of Social Security. This Bill contains measures to provide a simpler and more efficient appeal system.

  The information is set out in the table.

  Appellants requesting an oral hearing

  21 October 1996–30 June 1997

  per cent.

  Social security appeal tribunals

  38

  Disability appeal tribunals

  68

  Child support appeals

  35

  All figures are estimates.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the parent-plus pilot schemes to help lone parents obtain work have been cancelled. [10306]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government launched their new deal for lone parents on 21 July. This will provide help with moving into work, for initially up to 40,000 lone parents in England, Scotland and Wales. From October 1998, help will be offered to half a million lone parents whose youngest child is over five.

  The Budget included £200 million over the life of this Parliament to fund the new deal for lone parents and improvements in help with child care costs. We will not therefore be proceeding with parent-plus.

  Pensions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the annual value of the basic pension for a single person in each year from 1997–98 to 2039–40, at 1997 prices, if it is uprated in line with average earnings, assuming that earnings rise in real terms by 2 or 1.5 per cent. per annum. [10114]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is in the table.

  Annual value of standard rate category A retirement pension, at 1997–98 prices

  Year

  Real earnings growth of 1.5 per cent. per annum (£)

  Real earnings growth of 2.0 per cent. per annum (£)

  1997–98

  13,247.40

  13,247.4

  1998–99

  3,296.10

  3,312.35

  1999–00

  3,345.55

  3,378.60

  2000–01

  3,395.75

  3,446.15

  2001–02

  3,446,70

  3,515.05

  2002–03

  3,498.40

  3,585.35

  2003–04

  3,550.90

  3,657.05

  2004–05

  3,604.15

  3,730.20

  2005–06

  3,658.20

  3,804.80

  2006–07

  3,713.05

  3,880.90

  2007–08

  3,768.75

  3,958.50

  2008–09

  3,825.30

  4,037.65

  2009–10

  3,882.70

  4,118.40

  2010–11

  3,940.95

  4,200.75

  2011–12

  4,000.05

  4,284.75

  2012–13

  4,060.05

  4,370.45

  2013–14

  4,120.95

  4,457.85

  2014–15

  4,182.75

  4,547.00

  2015–16

  4,245.50

  4,637.95

  746

  Annual value of standard rate category A retirement pension, at 1997–98 prices

  Year

  Real earnings growth of 1.5 per cent. per annum (£)

  Real earnings growth of 2.0 per cent. per annum (£)

  2016–17

  4,309.20

  4,730.70

  2017–18

  4,373.85

  4,825.30

  2018–19

  4,439.45

  4,921.80

  2019–20

  4,506.05

  5,020.25

  2020–21

  4,573.65

  5,120.65

  2021–22

  4,642.25

  5,223.05

  2022–23

  4,711.90

  5,327.50

  2023–24

  4,782.60

  5,434.05

  2024–25

  4,854.35

  5,542.75

  2025–26

  4,927.15

  5,653.60

  2026–27

  5,001.05

  5,766.65

  2027–28

  5,076.05

  5,882.00

  2028–29

  5,152.20

  5,999.65

  2029–30

  5,229.50

  6,119.65

  2030–31

  5,307.95

  6,242.05

  2031–32

  5,387.55

  6,366.90

  2032–33

  5,468.35

  6,494.25

  2033–34

  5,550.40

  6,624.15

  2034–35

  5,633.65

  6,756.65

  2035–36

  5,718.15

  6,891.80

  2036–37

  5,803.90

  7,029.65

  2037–38

  5,890.95

  7,170.25

  2038–39

  5,979.30

  7,313.65

  2039–40

  6,069.00

  7,459.9

  1 Actual.

  1. The convention of rounding the standard weekly rate of Retirement Pension (RP) to the nearest 5p at each uprating has been applied.

  2. The figures in columns 2 and 3 represent the appropriate weekly rate multiplied by 52.

  3. The figures for 1997–98 are based upon the actual RP standard rate.

  4. From April 1998–99 onwards the standard RP rate has been uprated in line with the assumptions requested.

  Benefits Agency (Wales)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the current status of the document, "Benefits Agency (Wales), Blueprint for the Future." [10939]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government have new priorities for improving the delivery of social security, and we shall not be proceeding with the separate Welsh strategy set out in the blueprint for Wales.

  We are determined to overhaul the service that we have inherited, to develop a modern integrated system that is simpler, streamlined and more efficient, and that strikes the right balance between people's rights and responsibilities.

  We shall be looking at service provision to ensure that an equitable service is provided for all. This may be best achieved through a flexible approach, involving partnerships with other service providers, perhaps using other facilities on a casual basis or by using officers to visit customers in their homes or elsewhere. This is part of the Government's approach to getting public service agencies to work more effectively together. Concentrating staff in this way can improve the accuracy of work and can also bring efficiency gains. We are, however, clear that our strategy will continue to require a network of offices in which staff can speak to an advisor, as well as locations where customers can get access to information through direct-access kiosks.
  747
  The Government have promised to live within the budget set by the previous Administration and I have told staff to look for ways of improving efficiency and improving customer service.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who have been denied incapacity benefit due to their inability to fulfil the all work test have also been denied jobseeker's allowance because they cannot fulfil the requirements of the jobseeker's agreement(a) in the Durham area and (b) in England. [7656]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are committed to a review of the objective of reducing poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives. We want to develop a system that supports work, savings and honesty. One of our first steps is to focus on helping people off welfare and into work. Support for sick and disabled people will form part of the review. The administration of incapacity benefit and jobseeker's allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Gerry Steinberg, dated 23 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people who have been denied Incapacity Benefit (IB) due to their inability to fulfil the all work test (AWT) have also been denied Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) because they cannot fulfil the requirements of the jobseeker's agreement (a) in the Durham area and (b) in England.
  The information is not available in the format requested as statistics are collated by Benefits Agency (BA) District. The number of customers who failed the IB AWT during 1996/97 in the BA Districts of North and South Durham, which include the offices at Bishop Auckland, Chester-Le-Street, Darlington, Durham, Peterlee, Seaham and Stanley, was 4,000. The total number of customers who failed the IB AWT in England in 1996/97 was 140,000. These figures exclude a small number of clerical cases or disallowances where customers did not return IB questionnaires or attend examinations.
  Information relating to the number of people who have been denied JSA because they could not fulfil the requirements of the jobseeker's agreement is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. You may be interested to know that this information, from May 1997 onwards, will be available towards the end of the year in the JSA Quarterly Statistical Extract.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Unemployment Forecasts
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons the(a) unemployment and (b) total cost of cyclical social security is forecast to 2002; and what reasons this date is different from the date to which unemployment is forecast. [6837]

  Mr. Darling
  I have been asked to reply.

  There is no published forecast of unemployment, in line with conventions adopted by previous Governments. For the purposes of prudent planning of public finances, expenditure plans assume that unemployment remains at present levels, in line with long-established convention used before the 1996 Budget, and approved by the National Audit Office.
  748
  Latest forecasts of cyclical social security for the period 1997–98 to 1998–99 are set out in table 4.6 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 2 July 1997. They are based on the assumption that UK unemployment will be flat at its recent level of 1.65 million—para 4.28. In the absence of spending commitments for future years, three variants for medium-term projections of total general Government expenditure were published in table 4.7, although cyclical social security was not shown explicitly.

  The November 1996 FSBR gave projections to 1999–2000 based on the economic assumptions of the public expenditure survey—given on page 117. Projections for 2000–01 and 2001–02, the two years beyond the survey period, were based on illustrative unemployment assumptions.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Sixth Forms
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the criteria used by his Department in determining whether a secondary school not currently having a sixth form can successfully apply for one. [8614]

  Dr. Howells
  All proposals for changes to schools will be considered on their individual merits, taking account of all relevant considerations, including the effect on other schools and colleges in the area. In the case of proposals to add sixth forms, we will have particular regard to whether there is a need for additional provision in the area, whether the provision will be delivered at reasonable cost, and whether the proposed curriculum would be appropriate for the needs of students and parents and would be likely to improve the staying-on rate in the area.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on changes to funding arrangements for sixth form colleges; and if he will introduce a standard unit of resource for 16 to 18-year-olds. [8622]

  Dr. Howells
  The funding of sixth form colleges is a matter for the Further Education Funding Council. We currently have no plans to introduce a standard unit of resource for all 16 to 18-year-olds.

  Welfare to Work
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he will take to ensure the quality of the provisions under the Government's welfare-to-work plans. [8620]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  We intend, throughout the design and implementation of our welfare-to-work provision, to define clear standards of quality designed to meet the needs of our clients. We will set in place mechanisms to ensure that the Employment Service and its partners share and deliver those standards rigorously and consistently.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the training requirements expected of employers who participate in the welfare-to-work programme. [8627]
  749
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Under our new deal for young people, we will expect employers to provide, or release participants for, one day's training or its equivalent each week, leading towards an accredited qualification. We are making £750 available per person, on top of all other costs, for this purpose.

  We will be working in partnership with employers, training and enterprise councils and other key organisations to ensure that the training is of high quality.

  Evesham College
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will visit Evesham college to discuss its funding; and if he will make a statement. [8621]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit the college. It is for the Further Education Funding Council for England to allocate funds to individual colleges.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of state for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the application of the principle of zero tolerance to local education authorities. [8623]

  Mr. Byers
  As the "Excellence in Schools" White Paper explains, LEAs must demonstrate to their own schools, to parents and the local electorate and to the Department that they are doing a good job in improving their schools. The Government expect all LEAs to play their part in driving up standards.

  Where it appears that an LEA is failing, the Secretary of State may direct the Office for Standards in Education to undertake an immediate inspection. If that inspection confirms the failings, it may be necessary for the Secretary of State to intervene, either by directing LEA officers or by enabling others to perform some functions until the LEA has demonstrated its capacity to resume its full responsibilities.

  Youth Employment
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has had from small business representatives about his proposals to provide employment for young people. [8624]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for North-west Leicestershire (Mr. Taylor).

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what role further and higher education colleges will play in delivering his proposals for providing employment for young people. [8633]

  Dr. Howells
  Further and higher education have a vital role to play in delivering the skilled work force we will need in the next century. We have a wide range of proposals for improving young people's participation in high quality education and training, including the new deal and Target 2000. Our new deal for young unemployed people will start across the whole country next April. Under the new deal people who do not have basic qualifications will have the opportunity to undertake 750
  full-time education or training. Participants on this option may undertake courses lasting up to 12 months, which will give them time to gain an accredited and useful qualification.

  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultation he is undertaking on his proposals for providing employment for young people. [8634]

  Mr. Smith
  There will be three national design workshops, two in London on 24 and 30 July and one in Birmingham on 28 July. There will also be 24 regional consultation meetings and these will be followed by extensive local consultation on partnerships to deliver the new deal.

  Work Permits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to reform the work permit system. [8625]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  There are no proposals at present to reform the arrangements for considering work permit applications. Criteria for approval of work permits are kept under review in the light of developments in the labour market. Of course, I should be interested in any observations my hon. Friend may wish to offer to improve existing arrangements.

  University for Industry
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent discussions he has had about proposals for a university for industry. [8626]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton).

  Higher Education (Low-income Families)
  Dr. Lynda Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to assist people from low-income families into and through higher education. [8628]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government's preferred approach to future funding arrangements for higher education includes continuing access to free tuition for students from lower-income families, no parental contributions from lower-income families and repayment of future maintenance loans on a basis related to income after graduation. But, as the report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education makes clear, the main factor determining access to higher education is the level of educational attainment up to age 18, the policies which my right hon. Friend has set out in the schools White Paper are designed to increase educational attainment in school and thereby encourage wider access to higher education.

  Schools (Parental Choice)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his policy on parental choice in schools. [8629]
  751
  Mr. Byers
  We want as many parents as possible to be able to send their children to their preferred school. But we recognise that where one school is more popular than another some parents will be disappointed. The White Paper "Excellence in Schools" explains that schools will work in partnership with each other and with the local education authority to develop helpful and timely information for parents and common timetables for applications.

  Investors in People
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many small businesses have been recognised as investors in people. [8630]

  Dr. Howells
  On 1 June, 2,849 in the UK organisations with fewer than 50 employees were recognised as investors in people.

  Rural Schools
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's policy in respect of the current network of rural schools. [8632]

  Mr. Byers
  Our policies are designed to raise standards in all schools, wherever they are situated, and we are currently consulting about the best means to do this. All proposals for changes to rural schools that come to the Department for decision will be considered on their individual merits, taking into account all the consequences of the proposals. We recognised the important role played by rural schools and will want to adopt policies which reflect this.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the(a) benefits and (b) costs of merging TECs and chambers of commerce. [9683]

  Dr. Howells
  In June 1995, this Department commissioned Pieda plc to evaluate the impact of mergers between training and enterprise councils and chambers of commerce. Pieda reported its findings to the Department earlier this year. It concluded that the merged organisations the study looked at"appear to be well on the way to creating a much stronger and more influential business led organisation in the areas concerned."
  The study did not identify any major disbenefits of merger.

  The report will be published on 11 August and a copy put in the House of Commons Library.

  Ex-offenders
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has for agreeing a protocol on the employment of ex-offenders with the main employer organisations and the trade unions. [10256]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Employers are encouraged to consider all applicants on their merits, including ex-offenders; those released from prison have early access 752
  to appropriate DfEE programmes. We have no proposals for a protocol with employers organisations and trade unions; nor have we received any.

  Veterinary Science Students
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will review the need of veterinary science students for supplementary maintenance grant in respect of additional weeks spent on work experience as part of their training during the summer vacation period; and if he will make a statement. [9774]

  Dr. Howells
  The National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education has been considering possible future arrangements for student support—including supplementary maintenance grants—and is due to report shortly. The Government will set out their proposals in the light of the committee's recommendations.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what has been the average yearly pay rise for principals of further education colleges in Greater London since 1993; [9167]

  (2) what has been the average yearly pay rise for lecturers in further education since 1993 in Greater London. [9168]

  Dr. Howells
  This information is not held centrally. As from incorporation on 1 April 1993, further education corporations assumed responsibility for their own finance and organisation, including the appointment, dismissal, redundancy and conditions of service generally of their staff.

  School Standards
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list his main proposals for raising standards in schools. [8631]

  Mr. Byers
  The White Paper "Excellence in schools", published on Monday 7 July, sets out in detail the Government's proposals for raising standards in schools and summarises what we aim to achieve over the lifetime of this Parliament. Copies have been sent to all Members of Parliament and are also available in the Library.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what role local education authorities will have in supporting schools to raise standards. [8612]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave earlier to my hon. Friends the Members for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Helen Jackson) and for Wyre Forest (Mr. Lock).

  General Teaching Council
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will be consulting on the establishment of a general teaching council. [11047]

  Mr. Byers
  A consultation document has been published today, setting out options for the role and composition of a general teaching council. We envisage the council having a key role to play in promoting high
  753
  standards of teaching, and in raising the status and morale of the teaching profession. We are seeking views by October from teachers and a wide range of other interested parties. A copy of the consultation document has been placed in the Library.

  Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1994
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to revise the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1994. [11048]

  Dr. Howells
  Revised Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations will be laid before Parliament to add a requirement of being settled in the United Kingdom under the immigration laws to the existing conditions of residence in Great Britain, the United Kingdom and islands, the United Kingdom, England and Wales and England for the purpose of student fee classifications by institutions and the rules of candidate eligibility for certain awards and studentship which may be adopted by education authorities and other specified bodies. These changes and others are described fully in a policy briefing sheet issued today by the Department for Education and Employment, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many civil servants there are on each pay band in his Department. [8963]

  Dr. Howells
  The number of civil servants by grade level in the Department of Education and Employment at 1 June 1997 was:

  Number

  Administration Assistant

  546

  Administration Officer

  1,119

  Executive Officer

  1,074

  Higher Executive Officer

  937

  Senior Executive Officer

  374

  Grade 7

  424

  Grade 6

  41

  Senior Civil Service

  106

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what proposals he has to reduce the running costs of the special educational needs tribunal; [10019]

  (2) what plans he has to introduce changes to the special educational needs appeals process; [10020]

  (3) if he will reduce the number of appeals administered by the special educational needs tribunal. [10021]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We will consult widely on the special educational needs appeals process, as part of an extensive consultation on SEN, through a Green Paper to be published in September. As part of that, we shall be looking to improve arrangements for conciliation between parents and local education authorities, so that fewer appeals need to come to the tribunal. That should in due course reduce pressure on tribunal running costs.
  754
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will estimate the average cost of a special educational needs tribunal hearing, including indirect costs borne by his Department; and if he will estimate the average cost of processing an appeal sent to the special educational needs tribunal; [10017]

  (2) if he will estimate the average cost of processing parental appeals concerning special educational needs statements for (a) local education authorities in 1993–94 and (b) the special educational needs tribunal in 1994–95. [10018]

  Ms Morris
  The budget for the tribunal is held by the DfEE, but the Department has no involvement in special educational needs tribunal hearings. For the 1995–96 financial year, the SEN tribunal president has estimated that the average cost to the tribunal of a hearing is about £820 and the average cost of processing an appeal, including hearing costs, is about £730. The discrepancy is due mainly to something approaching 50 per cent. of appeals being withdrawn before reaching a hearing. It is not possible to offer meaningful averages for the cost of processing appeals in the 1994–95 financial year.

  The Department has no information about the cost to LEAs of SEN appeals processed by local education authorities in 1993–94.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many appeals to the special educational needs tribunal were heard during the latest year for which figures are available; and in how many of these appeals there were parents or other witnesses representing the child for whom the appeal was being held; [10024]

  (2) in respect of how many cases of appeals to the special educational needs tribunal the wishes of the parents were upheld; and in how many of these cases witnesses were present for the appellant. [10025]

  Ms Morris
  Between September 1995 and August 1996, the special educational needs tribunal conducted 903 hearings, 111 of which were preliminary hearings at which parties to the appeal were not normally present. Parents were present at the remaining 792 hearings. In the same period, parents' appeals were upheld, either in full or in part, in 620 cases. The tribunal does not collect data on the number of witnesses who attend hearings.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many appeals to the special educational needs tribunal(a) followed a rejected appeal to the local education authority responsible for the education of the child concerned and (b) took the place of an appeal to the relevant local authority in the last year for which data are available. [10022]

  Ms Morris
  The special educational needs tribunal came into existence on 1 September 1994 when it replaced local education authorities as the body responsible for hearing SEN appeals. Appeals after that date came direct to the tribunal. We have no information about whether any appeals heard by the tribunal had been conducted by LEAs prior to that date.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the total expenses paid for the latest year for which figures are available for hearings of the special educational needs tribunal(a) for

  755
  members of the appeals panel and (b) for parents and other witnesses of those children whose appeals are being held. [10023]

  Ms Morris
  Members of the tribunal were paid £425,000 in the 1995–96 financial year to cover fees and expenses. In the same period, parents were paid £3,000 and parents' witness, £13,000.

  Social Work Courses
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of recent changes to the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations for vocational courses involving work experience and a work placement on the take-up rate for places on two-year certificate of qualification in social work courses; and if he will make a statement. [10153]

  Dr. Howells
  Further to the previous reply I gave to the hon. Member on 24 June 1997,Official Report, column 446, only sandwich courses leading to the DipHE (social work) will be affected by the recent changes to the provisions for sandwich courses in the regulations, DipHE (social work) courses are offered by 54 institutions in the United Kingdom, with about 6,000 students in attendance. Not all these students will hold mandatory awards. On the evidence provided so far to the Department by the Central Council for the Education and Training of Social Workers, no course has yet been discovered that has clearly been affected by the new provisions.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Unmarked Graves
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps are taken, when burial grounds are sold to private developers, to ensure that the location of unmarked graves is not lost. [9858]

  Mr. Bell
  Under the Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978 parishes are required to maintain a burials register—including that of unmarked graves—for each Church of England burial ground in the parish. Such records as exist regarding the location of unmarked graves would be preserved even in the event of a disposal of the burial ground concerned. Where the Commissioners make a scheme under section 30 of the Pastoral Measure 1983 enabling the secular development of a surplus burial ground it is the responsibility thereafter of the new owner—initially usually the Diocesian Board of Finance—to ensure that the provisions of section 65 and schedule 6 to the Measure regarding the disposal or otherwise of human remains are complied with.

  The Secretary of State for the Home Department is also involved in this procedure whereby the removal of any remains and their new point of burial have to be recorded by the owner in a certificate in a prescribed manner and deposited at the General Register Office. Where a burial ground is being disposed of with a redundant church similar provisions apply.

  Government Offices for the Regions
  Government Offices for the Regions
  Seat Belts: Correct Adjustment
  Seat Belts: Correct Adjustment
  Industrial Performance Benchmarking
  Industrial Performance Benchmarking
  Questions for Written Answer
  Questions for Written Answer
  Privy Council Judicial Committee
  Privy Council Judicial Committee
  NHS Waiting Lists
  NHS Waiting Lists
  Smoking-related Deaths
  Smoking-related Deaths
  Smoking: Statistics
  Smoking: Statistics
  Equal Opportunities Commission
  Equal Opportunities Commission
  Huntingdon Life Sciences: Investigation
  Huntingdon Life Sciences: Investigation
  Cookham Wood Secure Training Centre
  Cookham Wood Secure Training Centre
  Secure Training Order
  Secure Training Order
  Treaty of Amsterdam: Effect of Article K7(7)
  Treaty of Amsterdam: Effect of Article K7(7)
  Exceptional Risk Prisoners: Visits
  Exceptional Risk Prisoners: Visits
  Prison Service Resources
  Prison Service Resources
  Student Loans
  Student Loans
  Sterling: Appreciation
  Sterling: Appreciation
  Pension Values
  Pension Values
  Administrative Decisions: Publication of Reasons
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  Crown Copyright
  Crown Copyright
  BSE and the Rendering Industry
  BSE and the Rendering Industry
  Angling: Cruelty to Fish
  Angling: Cruelty to Fish
  Prisoners of War: Review of Pay Deductions
  Prisoners of War: Review of Pay Deductions
  Trident and UK Nuclear Arsenal
  Trident and UK Nuclear Arsenal
  Gulf War: Chemical Weapons
  Gulf War: Chemical Weapons
  Gulf War: Biological Agents
  Gulf War: Biological Agents
  Anti-personnel Landmines
  Anti-personnel Landmines
  Reactor Grade Plutonium: Use to Construct Nuclear Device
  Reactor Grade Plutonium: Use to Construct Nuclear Device