Written Answers of 30 July 1997

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Sentences
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average sentence for an offender aged over 18 years on a first conviction for a domestic burglary offence according to the most recent figures available; [10860]

  (2) how many offenders aged over 18 years on a third conviction, or on a conviction after three or more previous convictions, for an offence of domestic burglary received a non-custodial sentence according to the most recent figures available; [10862]

  (3) what is the average sentence for an offender aged over 18 years on a third conviction, or on a conviction after three or more previous convictions, for an offence of domestic burglary according to the most recent figures available. [10863]

  Mr. Michael
  The most recent available information comes from a sample of nearly 700 domestic burglars, aged 18 years or over, sentenced in March 1996. Of those with no previous convictions for domestic burglary, 46 per cent. received a non-custodial sentence. The average custodial sentence length for offenders on a first conviction for domestic burglary was 13.9 months. Of those who had at least two previous convictions for domestic burglary, 23 per cent. received a non-custodial sentence; this represents about 1,000 offenders in a full year. The average custodial sentence length for offenders on a third or greater conviction for domestic burglary was 16.8 months.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average sentence for an offender aged over 18 years on a first conviction for a class A drug trafficking offence according to the most recent figures available; [10861]

  (2) what is the average sentence for an offender aged over 18 years on a third conviction, or on a conviction after three or more previous convictions, for a class A drug trafficking offence according to the most recent figures available. [10864]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is not routinely available because class of drug was not recorded for central sentencing statistics before 1993. A special study was carried out on repeat drug offenders sentenced in October to December 1994. For the offenders aged 18 or over in the study, the average custodial sentence length for those convicted of a third or subsequent class A drug trafficking offence was just over four years. First-time class A drug traffickers were not covered by the study.

  Licensing Laws
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the licensing laws to bring opening hours for private clubs into line with those for public houses; and if he will make a statement. [11085]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Opening hours for registered members' clubs are in line with the general permitted hours for licensed premises. I have received no proposals relating to this particular area of licensing, and have no present plans for change.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) to what factors the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate attributed the weight loss in the rabbits found being stored at the Charing Cross and Westminster medical school; [11200]

  (2) what recommendations for changes in procedure at Charing Cross and Westminster medical school have been made by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate; and what action has been taken; [11202]

  (3) what action has been taken by his Department to reappraise the project of cat operations at the Institute of Neurology. [11206]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Between March and June 1996, the inspectorate carried out a full investigation into the allegations concerning the Charing Cross and Westminster medical school and the Institute of Neurology which were made in the National Anti-Vivisection Society's report "Access Denied". We do not have any plans to reopen this matter.

  I understand that the inspectorate was satisfied that the weight loss in rabbits at the Charing Cross and Westminster medical school was a minor transient problem which can occur in any laboratory animal population. Although often considered to be stress related, no precipitating factor was found on this occasion. This was determined to have been an intercurrent problem not induced by any experimental protocol. The problem had been recognised and properly managed by the animal care staff.

  At Charing Cross and Westminster medical school, the inspectorate identified irregularities in the application of approved methods for the humane killing of animals and deficiencies in middle management. The certificate of designation was revoked. A new certificate was issued when the establishment satisfied the Home Office that:

  (a) a list would be maintained of persons competent to kill by schedule 1 methods, and the people listed would be retrained and reminded of their responsibilities under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986;

  (b) suitable standard operating procedures were in place for schedule 1 killing;

  (c) internal controls were in place to prevent the unauthorised killing of animals by other methods;

  (d) changes were made to the day-to-day animal care arrangements to ensure greater communication and clearer lines of management and responsibility between the certificate holder, the director of the animal facility and all other staff involved in animal work.

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  The programme of work involving cats at the Institute of Neurology was reviewed by the Home Office: the science was found to be sound and the protocols were as refined as possible. The standard of performance of the procedures was reviewed and no breaches of licence authorities were found.

  Two post-operative cats had been humanely killed to prevent further suffering. All work was suspended until the cause of the problems could be identified. The named veterinary surgeon had been consulted by the project licence holder at the time and the animals had been appropriately cared for. The causes of the unexpected level of suffering related to technical problems with the procedure. Subsequent changes to the vaccination policy, suggested by the named veterinary surgeon, resulted in no recurrence.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a royal commission on the use of animals in experiments; and if he will make a statement. [11052]

  Mr. Howarth
  We do not consider that a royal commission on the use of animals in experiments is necessary at this time. In the Animal Procedures Committee, the Secretary of State already has an excellent source of independent expert advice on all aspects of the use of animals in scientific procedures. The committee is currently reviewing the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and I expect to receive shortly a report setting out the committee's deliberations made, interim findings and initial recommendations.

  Setting up a royal commission would divert resources from progressing the committee's review, from responding to its recommendations and from other planned Home Office initiatives.

  The Government will work to ensure that the highest possible standards of animal welfare are implemented and that animals are used in scientific procedures only where this is fully justified. We will promote alternatives which replace animal use, which reduce the number of animals used and which refine procedures to minimise suffering.

  We will pursue initiatives across Europe rather than risk exporting animal experiments to countries with less rigorous controls. The measures we take must also be sustainable and must not unnecessarily disadvantage United Kingdom research, medicine and industry or compromise public safety.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the alternatives available to the use of animals in experiments. [11053]

  Mr. Howarth
  The Government will promote alternatives which replace animal use, which reduce the number of animals used and which refine procedures to minimise suffering.

  Section 5(5) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires that applicants for project licence give adequate consideration to the possibility of achieving the objectives of the programme of work using methods which do not use animals. In addition, when assessing licence applications, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate ensures that protocols are refined to minimise the suffering to animals and the number of animals used.
  260
  The Home Office, through the Animal Procedures Committee, sponsors research into alternatives and industry itself has spent millions of pounds each year in the search for alternatives.

  The types of replacement alternatives which are available include the use of human volunteers; computer simulation and mathematical modelling; improved storage, sharing and use of results from previous animal experiments to avoid unnecessary repetition; the use of non-protected animals, micro-organisms or plants; the use of non-living tissue; physical and chemical techniques; and in vitro studies.

  Homosexuality
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the advice he has issued concerning the prosecution of private consensual homosexual acts involving males between the ages of 16 and 18 years. [11268]

  Mr. Michael
  My Department has issued no such advice. Prosecution policy is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, as the head of the Crown Prosecution Service, under the superintendence of the Attorney-General. The law provides restrictions on prosecutions for certain homosexual offences in England and Wales. Under section 8 of the Sexual Offences Act 1967, no proceedings can be instituted except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions against any man for the offence of buggery, or gross indecency with, another man or for aiding, abetting, counselling, procuring or commanding its commission where either of the men were at the time of its commission under the age of 21.

  The Crown Prosecution Service applies two tests before it institutes proceedings. First, it decides whether the evidence affords a realistic prospect of conviction; secondly, if that exists, it decides whether prosecution is in the public interest. Prosecution of those under 18 is not undertaken lightly and is more likely where there is an element of seduction or corruption, coercion or force. Each case would be carefully considered in the light of its own facts.

  Members of the European Parliament
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the election of British Members of the European Parliament by proportional representation. [11488]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government recently announced their intention to introduce legislation this Session to provide for the 1999 elections to the European Parliament to be conducted using a proportionally based regional list system.

  Amsterdam Treaty
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications of chapter 14 of the Amsterdam treaty for the electoral systems in the United Kingdom. [11424]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We do not believe that chapter 14 of the provisional draft treaty of Amsterdam will have an impact on the electoral system in the United Kingdom.
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  We have recently announced our intention to change the electoral system for elections to the European Parliament to a proportionally based list system in time for the elections to be held in 1999.

  National Lottery (Horserace Betting Levy)
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the second report on the impact of the national lottery on the horserace betting levy. [12151]

  Mr. George Howarth
  An update on the impact of the national lottery on the horserace betting levy has been published today. This fulfils an undertaking made during the passage of the National Lottery Bill.

  The paper, which has been prepared by the economics unit of the Home Office, examines continuing trends in off-course betting expenditure, on which the levy is closely dependent.

  The statistical analysis suggests that, in 1996, betting expenditure off-course was about 10 per cent. below the level it would have reached in the absence of the national lottery. Horserace betting accounts for an estimated 70 per cent. of such expenditure, and therefore the levy yield is likely to have been similarly affected. This can be only an approximate figure, and the effect of the lottery may vary over time.

  Crime (Sentences) Act 1997
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which provisions of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 will be implemented; and when. [12152]

  Mr. Straw
  I will implement most of the provisions of the Act, and to the same timetable as envisaged by the previous administration. The provisions of the Act which I will implement are set out, according to the target date of implementation.

  Provisions to be implemented in 1997:
  Automatic life sentence for a second conviction for a serious sexual or violent offence (section 2).
  Mandatory minimum sentence of seven years for a third class A drug trafficking conviction (section 3).
  Technical provisions and consequential changes arising from sections 2 and 3, including the extension of the automatic life sentence provisions to armed forces legislation (sections 1.5, 6, 7, and schedule 4 as they relate to sections 2 and 3).
  New provisions for the release of those sentenced to detention during Her Majesty's pleasure (sections 28 to 33).
  Increase in age limits from 21 to 25 for use of attendance centres for fine defaulters (section 36).
  Abolition of consent requirements for certain community penalties (section 38 and related paragraphs of schedule 4).
  Transfer of prisoners between jurisdictions (Section 41, schedule 1, and relevant paragraphs of schedules 4 and 5).
  Repatriation of prisoners (section 42 and schedule 2).
  Increase in maximum penalty for juveniles convicted of indecent assault on a female (section 44).
  Naming juveniles in court proceedings (section 45).
  Hospital and limitation directions for sentencing mentally disordered offenders, (section 46 and schedule 4, paragraph 12).
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  Power to specify hospital units for detention of mentally disordered offenders (sections 47, 49(2) and 49(4)).
  Movement of conditionally discharged patients between jurisdictions in the United Kingdom (section 48 and schedule 3).
  Extended maximum duration of interim hospital order (section 49(1)).
  Transfer of prisoners to private psychiatric hospitals for treatment (section 49(3)).
  Committals for sentence (section 51 and related paragraphs of schedule 4). This is linked to the plea before venue provision in the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (section 49) which I propose to bring into force at the same time.
  Increase in maximum penalty for indecency with a child (section 52).

  Provisions to be piloted in 1998:
  Community service or curfew order enforced by electronic monitoring for fine defaulters (section 35, and paragraph 10(2) of schedule 4).
  Community service for persistent petty offenders (section 37).
  Disqualification from driving as a penalty (section 39).
  Disqualification from driving for fine defaulters (section 40).
  Curfew order enforced by electronic monitoring for juveniles (section 43).

  Other provisions for which no implementation date has yet been decided.
  New arrangements for crediting time spent in custody on remand in calculation of sentence (sentence 9 and related paragraphs of schedules 4 and 5).
  Disclosure of pre-sentence reports to the prosecution (section 50).
  Application of mandatory minimum sentences for drug trafficking to service law (section 7 as it applies to section 3).

  The previous Administration said that implementation of what became section 4 of the Act would depend on the Prison Service's capacity and available resources. They said, as an "example", that these provisions could be implemented in October 1999. Because the relevant convictions do not count until the section comes into operation, very few people would be subject to the provisions of section 4 until 2001. Against this background, and given current pressures on prison capacity and available resources, it would not be practical to implement section 4 for the present. I shall, however, keep the matter under review.

  I have also decided not to implement the new early release arrangements set out in sections 8, 10 to 26 and related paragraphs of schedules 4 and 5. The same effect can be achieved in a far more clear and straightforward way by ensuring that judges and magistrates spell out in open court what the sentence they have imposed really means in practice. Sections 20 to 21, which deal with extended post-release supervision of violent and sexual offenders, are integrally linked with the other early release provisions and will not be implemented, but I will bring forward in the Crime and Disorder Bill alternative provisions which will provide the additional protection of the public which they were designed to achieve.

  Criminal Justice System
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take on the recommendations of the review of delay in the criminal justice system. [12153]

  Mr. Straw
  The review of delay in the criminal justice system was set up in October 1996 and its report was published on 27 February 1997. Interested parties were then invited to comment on the 33 recommendations in the report. My right hon. and learned Friends the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney-General and I have considered these recommendations, taking account of the responses received, and we have concluded that many of them have the potential substantially to reduce delay without impairing the quality of justice.

  We have therefore decided to accept the following recommendations, making legislative provision, where necessary, in the Crime and Disorder Bill:
  those which are designed to enable straightforward guilty plea cases to be dealt with a day or two after charge, thus restoring the concept of summary justice;
  proposals for improving case management in magistrates courts by allowing certain powers to be exercised by a single justice and to be further delegated where appropriate to clerks to the Justices;
  the proposal that indictable-only cases should begin in the Crown court (subject to arrangements being agreed for dealing with remand hearings, submissions of no case to answer and related matters); and
  some recommendations for procedural changes in the Youth court.

  The recommendations relating to legal aid, which complement many of those provisions, will be considered by my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor in the light of the pervious Government's proposed reforms and Sir Peter Middleton's review of legal aid which is now in progress.

  We are not persuaded that the case for removing defendants' right of election has yet been made out, but since responses to the consultation exercise showed some substantial support for this proposal, we shall consider this question further, with a view to publishing a more detailed consultation paper in due course.

  The Government's response to all the recommendations of the review of delay in the criminal justice system is set out in a document which has been placed in the Library.

  Hong Kong Governor
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Governor of Hong Kong submitted a final report on the discharge of his functions under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990. [12154]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Governor submitted his last report to my right hon. Friend on 20 June. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Data Protection
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish his proposals for the implementation of the EC data protection directive 95/46/EC. [12155]
  264
  Mr. George Howarth
  Copies of the paper setting out the Government's proposals for new data protection legislation will be placed in the Library tomorrow at 10 am.

  Dublin Convention
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Dublin convention. [12156]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The convention determining the state responsible for examining applications for asylum lodged in one of the member states of the European Communities—the Dublin convention—will come into force on 1 September 1997. The convention, which was ratified by the United Kingdom in 1992, provides a mechanism for determining which member state should be responsible for deciding an asylum application made in the European Union.

  Responsibility is determined according to a set of criteria. These include whether the applicant has a close family member recognised as a refugee in another member state; whether another member state has granted the person a residence permit or visa; the location of any illegal entry into the European Union; and the existence of a previous asylum application. The applicant can be transferred under the convention only if the receiving state agrees that it is responsible and if specific arrangements are made for the transfer. In many cases, the receiving state will not be the one from which the applicant embarked. There will be no change to the existing requirement that we must be satisfied that the applicant's life or liberty would not be threatened in the country concerned on account of his race, religion or any other factor; and that he would not be sent on to another state in breach of the 1951 United Nations convention on refugees.

  The convention provides for the exchange of information on asylum applicants with other European Union states. This may include personal information such as fingerprints. The convention requires that such information may be used only for asylum purposes and may be communicated only to the authorities competent to make decisions on asylum cases. Information about the basis of an asylum claim itself may be exchanged only with the permission of the applicant.

  Service Authorities
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make an announcement about the establishment and membership of the service authorities provided for under sections 1 and 47 of the Police Act 1997 to maintain the National Criminal Intelligence Service and National Crime Squad. [12157]

  Mr. Straw
  I have decided to appoint Sir John Wheeler to chair the service authorities. I am delighted that Sir John has accepted this appointment. I have no doubt that his skills and experience will prove invaluable to the service authorities in their task of maintaining the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad, both of which will substantially strengthen our ability to tackle organised and serious crime at national and international level. During his 18 years in
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  Parliament, Sir John chaired a number of committees and groups, including the all-party penal affairs group and the Home Affairs Select Committee.

  In 1990, he was awarded a knighthood for service to the Select Committee. He has been a justice of the peace in London since 1978 and is an active member of the Order of Saint John.

  The other independent members I propose to appoint are Paul Lever and Peter Holland. Paul Lever is chairman of BSM Group plc and of Ashworth hospital authority. He has held senior management positions in major public companies and has considerable experience in the fields of strategic and financial management. Peter Holland is an independent business consultant and is also chairman of Hertfordshire police authority. He has held senior management positions in the Reuters Group, with responsibility for human resource and financial management.

  I am also appointing Maria Callaghan to represent me in my capacity as the police authority for the Metropolitan police district. Miss Callaghan is a member of the Metropolitan police committee, chairs the Calotels Hotel Group and has extensive experience of business management. She holds a bachelor of law degree and has practised as a commercial lawyer.

  These are four of the appointments for core members, of which there are 10 in all, who serve on both service authorities. The six other core members are:

  Member

  Position

  Appointed by

  Councillor Stephen Murphy

  Greater Manchester Police Authority (LAB)

  Police authorities (East and West)

  Councillor Bob James

  West Midlands Police Authority (LAB)

  Police authorities (East and West)

  Councillor Peter Fallows

  West Mercia Police Authority (CON)

  Police authorities (East and West)

  David Veness QPM

  Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police

  ACPO

  David Phillips QPM

  Chief Constable, Kent Constabulary

  ACPO

  John Warne

  Director, Organised and International Crime Directorate, Home Office

  Home Secretary

  The NCIS Service Authority has a total of 19 members. The additional members are:

  Member

  Position

  Appointed by

  Cllr. Ron Fisher JP

  South Yorkshire Police Authority (LAB)

  Police authorities (E and W)

  Cllr. Owen May

  Devon and Cornwall Police Authority (Lib Dem)

  Police authorities (E and W)

  Cllr. Julia Sturrock

  Taysie Joint Police Board

  Police authorities (Scotland)

  Pat Armstrong CBE

  Police Authority for Northern Ireland

  PANI

  Ian Oliver QPM

  Chief Constable, Grampian Police

  ACPOS

  Ronnie Flanagan OBE

  Chief Constable, Royal Ulster Constabulary

  Royal Ulster Constabulary

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  Member

  Position

  Appointed by

  Dick Kellaway

  Chief Investigation Officer, Her Majesty Customs and Excise

  Commissioners for Customs and Excise

  Duncan Macnivan

  Head of Police, Fire and Emergencies Group, Scottish Office

  Secretary of State, Scotland

  John Steele CBE OBE TD DL

  Senior Director, Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State, Northern Ireland

  The National Crime Squad Service Authority has a total of 17 members. The additional members are:

  Member

  Position

  Appointed by

  Cllr. Ken Walker

  Cleveland Police Authority (LAB)

  Police authorities (E and W)

  Cllr. Barry Murray

  South Wales Police Authority (LAB)

  Police authorities (E and W)

  Cllr. Neil Taggart

  West Yorkshire Police Authority (LAB)

  Police authorities (E and W)

  Cllr. Sir. John Grugeon DL

  Kent Police Authority (CON)

  Police authorities (E and W)

  Cllr. Elfyn Williams

  North Wales Police Authority (Lib Dem)

  Police authorities (E and W)

  Cllr. Mrs. Angela Harris DL

  North Yorkshire Police Authority (Lib Dem)

  Police authorities (E and W)

  David Wilmot QPM

  Chief Constable, Greater Manchester Police

  ACPO

  The independent members were selected in line with Nolan principles following the procedures set out by Sir Len Peach in his guidance on public appointments. The police authority members for England and Wales were selected from among the local authority members of police authorities so as to ensure that, as far as practicable, the membership of the service authorities reflects the balance of parties across all local authority members of police authorities.

  Private Security Industry
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that any company supplying security services to his Department should be a member of the self-regulating organisations in the private security industry. [10448]

  Mr. Straw
  Current policy on appraisal of suppliers—including those providing security services—is to include, as best practice, criteria covering membership of self-regulating organisations. We recommend that"proof of enrolment on a professional or trade register, or register of companies in the country in which the supplier is established"
  is obtained. Such membership is not in itself mandatory for prospective suppliers of goods and services to the Home Department. It is one of a range of criteria on which a conclusion will be reached about the suppliers' ability to perform the proposed contract.

  The planned introduction of statutory regulations for the private security industry, which I announced on 15 July 1997, will necessitate a review of our present guidance on supplier appraisal. This will follow a wide consultation exercise with the security industry over the next year.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10732]

  Mr. Straw
  The payment of salaries and wages to staff in the Home Office, its agencies and some non-departmental public bodies is made through the Home Office payroll, which is managed in-house. Payroll services are not provided to other Departments. Funds are disbursed through the payroll for tax, national insurance, voluntary deductions made by staff, attachment of earnings etc. Financial management information is provided to budget managers. The cost of the service in 1996–97 was £3.7 million. Chessington Computer Services Ltd., provide a standard payroll package on licence to the Home Office. A software bureau, SEMA Group, processes the payroll data.

  No management systems were purchased during the year.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [11390]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Victim Support
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much financial support, at current prices, the Government have given to the voluntary organisation, Victim Support, in each year since 1979. [11353]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: In the following table, the annual Home Office grant to Victim Support has been revalued to 1997–98 prices using the gross domestic product deflator.

  Financial year

  Grant £million

  1979–80

  0.014

  1980–81

  0.023

  1981–82

  0.038

  1982–83

  0.031

  1983–84

  0.071

  1984–85

  0.110

  1985–86

  0.212

  1986–87

  0.466

  1987–88

  2.730

  1988–89

  3.977

  1989–90

  5.305

  1990–91

  5.948

  1991–92

  6.695

  1992–93

  8.227

  1993–94

  9.223

  1994–95

  10.866

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  Financial year

  Grant £million

  1995–96

  11.421

  1996–97

  12.003

  1997–98

  12.682

  The previous Government froze the grant to Victim Support at £11.7 million and made it clear that no more money would be forthcoming. However, support for victims is a top priority for us and, in furtherance of that aim, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on Friday 13 June that the Home Office was increasing its grant to Victim Support by £1 million a year, taking it to £12.7 million.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money at current prices has been invested by the Government in closed circuit television in each year since it was introduced. [11351]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: Home Office funding for closed circuit television has been provided through three rounds of the CCTV challenge competition—held in 1994–95, 1996–97 and 1997–98. Some £5 million was awarded to local crime prevention partnerships in round 1; £17.1 million in round 2; and £15 million in round 3. The funds awarded in 1994–5 and 1996–7 are worth £5.4 million and £17.6 million, respectively, at current prices.

  Awards made in round 1 of the competition have all been paid in full. Awards under rounds 2 and 3 are being paid on a basis of need as projects proceed towards implementation. Actual expenditure in 1996–7 was £9.2 million—£9.5 million at current prices.

  Funding for CCTV is available through other programmes such as the single regeneration budget. However, expenditure on CCTV is not identified separately on such programmes.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of recorded crime in each police area in England and Wales in each year since 1992. [11163]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: Information by police force area on the levels of crime in terms of numbers and percentages since 1992 is given in the table.

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  Notifiable offences recorded by the police by police force area

  England and Wales 1992–1996

  Police force area

  Number of offences

  Percentage change

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Avon and Somerset

  175,404

  175,946

  167,975

  152,886

  156,557

  0

  -5

  -9

  2

  Bedfordshire

  59,436

  58,847

  52,501

  51,104

  52,005

  -1

  -11

  -3

  2

  Cambridgeshire

  66,339

  65,807

  61,732

  67,652

  69,532

  -1

  -6

  +10

  3

  Cheshire

  79,491

  80,156

  74,926

  73,202

  66,214

  +1

  -7

  -2

  -10

  Cleveland

  84,312

  78,279

  81,732

  79,719

  78,608

  -7

  +4

  -2

  -1

  Cumbria

  45,336

  43,744

  42,492

  41,230

  39,739

  -4

  -3

  -3

  -4

  Derbyshire

  88,449

  91,454

  85,915

  82,380

  78,896

  +3

  -6

  -4

  -4

  Devon and Cornwall

  114,675

  121,026

  109,396

  102,193

  103,121

  +6

  -10

  -7

  1

  Dorset

  52,238

  52,091

  55,415

  54,582

  49,731

  0

  +6

  -2

  -9

  Durham

  67,315

  67,180

  65,029

  57,817

  51,849

  0

  -3

  -11

  -10

  Essex

  115,062

  114,435

  105,995

  98,097

  100,758

  -1

  -7

  -7

  3

  Gloucestershire

  60,601

  60,985

  60,371

  55,448

  53,675

  +1

  -1

  -8

  -3

  Greater Manchester

  395,195

  364,858

  338,110

  327,994

  327,976

  -8

  -7

  -3

  0

  Hampshire

  153,256

  147,074

  141,272

  134,319

  135,915

  -4

  -4

  -5

  1

  Hertfordshire

  59,129

  56,868

  54,887

  55,891

  54,441

  -4

  -3

  +2

  -3

  Humberside

  128,743

  140,988

  135,826

  128,393

  126,932

  +10

  -4

  -5

  -1

  Kent

  159,881

  161,787

  155,344

  155,251

  147,980

  +1

  -4

  0

  -5

  Lancashire

  132,138

  134,581

  127,300

  124,921

  122,487

  +2

  -5

  -2

  -2

  Leicestershire

  97,468

  99,863

  99,150

  93,607

  94,125

  +2

  -1

  -6

  1

  Lincolnshire

  49,306

  52,664

  47,767

  48,015

  47,077

  +7

  -9

  +1

  -2

  London, City of

  6,768

  5,620

  5,272

  5,727

  4,831

  -17

  -6

  +9

  -16

  Merseyside

  149,672

  142,325

  136,825

  153,385

  145,956

  -5

  -4

  +12

  -5

  Metropolitan Police

  942,876

  910,209

  853,478

  817,082

  841,784

  -3

  -6

  -4

  3

  Norfolk

  66,996

  64,319

  56,075

  51,716

  55,314

  -4

  -13

  -8

  7

  Northamptonshire

  59,550

  59,850

  57,607

  56,524

  57,378

  +1

  -4

  -2

  2

  Northumbria

  224,442

  213,936

  204,057

  194,141

  169,656

  -5

  -5

  -5

  -13

  North Yorkshire

  54,816

  57,967

  62,153

  63,539

  56,919

  +6

  +7

  +2

  -10

  Nottinghamshire

  164,417

  158,960

  152,592

  151,371

  141,307

  -3

  -4

  -1

  -7

  South Yorkshire

  137,336

  157,229

  157,089

  154,293

  151,577

  +14

  +0

  -2

  -2

  Staffordshire

  97,536

  98,421

  93,757

  91,495

  92,155

  +1

  -5

  -2

  1

  Suffolk

  44,721

  43,138

  39,393

  38,233

  37,094

  -4

  -9

  -3

  -3

  Surrey

  53,468

  52,504

  46,783

  44,313

  42,014

  -2

  -11

  -5

  -5

  Sussex

  119,364

  111,876

  107,105

  110,300

  118,086

  -6

  -4

  +3

  7

  Thames Valley

  197,799

  200,356

  186,268

  178,702

  172,194

  +1

  -7

  -4

  -4

  Warwickshire

  44,996

  45,522

  42,592

  38,906

  38,926

  +1

  -6

  -9

  0

  West Mercia

  79,175

  82,832

  83,949

  80,013

  82,254

  +5

  +1

  -5

  3

  West Midlands

  329,260

  330,091

  315,755

  318,087

  317,892

  0

  -4

  +1

  0

  West Yorkshire

  305,264

  301,838

  289,716

  283,938

  268,716

  -1

  -4

  -2

  -5

  Wiltshire

  42,229

  41,611

  38,147

  36,428

  35,911

  -1

  -8

  -5

  -1

  England

  5,304,459

  5,247,237

  4,991,748

  4,852,894

  4,787,582

  -1

  -5

  -3

  -1

  Dyfed-Powys

  28,539

  24,743

  21,602

  19,419

  19,072

  -13

  -13

  -10

  -2

  Gwent

  40,961

  40,008

  38,431

  33,034

  44,572

  -2

  -4

  -14

  35

  North Wales

  49,204

  48,102

  43,451

  41,645

  41,024

  -2

  -10

  -4

  -1

  South Wales

  168,554

  166,165

  157,748

  153,249

  141,578

  -1

  -5

  -3

  -8

  Wales

  287,258

  279,018

  261,232

  247,347

  246,246

  -3

  -6

  -5

  0

  England and Wales

  5,591,717

  5,526,255

  5,252,980

  5,100,241

  5,033,828

  -1

  -5

  -3

  -1

  Alcohol-related Crime
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated cost to the police of alcohol-related incidents and offences in the last year for which figures are available. [11372]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: This information is not collected centrally. The cost to the police of responding to incidents and dealing with offences is a matter for individual chief constables.

  Senior police officers have expressed concern about the level of drink-related incidents and the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth) has recently announced that we will be bringing in a range of measures to tackle the particular problem of young people and alcohol, including a new offence of buying alcohol for unsupervised under
  270
  18-year-olds and clarification of the position on test purchases. The Government will also implement on 1 August the Confiscation of Alcohol Act 1997 which will give the police a discretionary power to confiscate alcohol, or what appears to be alcohol, from under-age drinkers in any public place, or any other place to which the young person had unlawfully gained access.

  Neighbourhood Watch
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes there were in each year since the schemes were introduced. [11352]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: Neighbourhood watch schemes were first introduced in 1982. Statistics relating to the early years of their

  271
  development were not collected systematically. Information is available only from 1991 onwards and is as follows:

  Number

  January to December 1991

  99,149

  January to December 1992

  115,678

  January to December 1993

  130,584

  January to March 1994–95

  143,002

  April to March 1995–96

  153,260

  April to March 1996–97

  161,397

  Police (Wales)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were employed by each of the four Welsh police forces in each year since 1979. [11199]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The information is set out in the table:

  Year

  Police force

  As at March

  Dyfed-Powys

  Gwent

  North Wales

  South Wales

  1979

  910

  965

  1,268

  2,936

  1980

  926

  967

  1,275

  3,056

  1981

  932

  972

  1,293

  3,065

  1982

  920

  964

  1,286

  3,103

  1983

  927

  963

  1,296

  3,091

  1984

  921

  962

  1,290

  3,071

  1985

  910

  964

  1,271

  3,073

  1986

  930

  978

  1,253

  3,066

  1987

  932

  973

  1,286

  3,100

  1988

  917

  979

  1,300

  3,126

  1989

  931

  996

  1,327

  3,102

  1990

  935

  1,008

  1,337

  3,135

  1991

  935

  999

  1,349

  3,137

  1992

  947

  1,009

  1,347

  3,168

  1993

  967

  1,004

  1,360

  3,176

  1994

  965

  993

  1,352

  3,131

  1995

  976

  997

  1,366

  3,014

  1996

  991

  11,044

  1,378

  13,027

  1997

  1,005

  11,243

  1,369

  12,976

  1 As a result of local government re-organisation in Wales on 1 April 1996, 150 police officers were transferred from the South Wales police to the Gwent constabulary.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Asian Initiative
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many and which countries are recipients of aid under the Asian initiative. [9952]

  Clare Short
  The initiative will work in high-priority countries in terms of reproductive health needs. The main recipients are expected to be Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam. Other countries may be included later.

  Yemen
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on future levels of planned aid to Yemen. [11289]
  272
  Clare Short
  The bulk of Britain's development assistance to Yemen is provided through contributions to the World bank and European Community. Our bilateral programme focuses on the Government of Yemen's priorities for economic recovery and includes support for the World bank's programme to regenerate Aden port. Projects funded under the British partnership scheme support local non-governmental organisations and small communities. We are currently reviewing our programme.

  Sex Discrimination
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the countries which have not(a) signed and (b) ratified the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women; what steps her Department is taking to encourage them to do so; and if she will make a staement. [11490]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Unemployed Graduates
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of students who graduated in June 1996 were unemployed in June 1997; and if he will make a statement. [10517]

  Dr. Howells
  The latest data available for unemployment rates of new full-time first degree graduates in the UK are for the academic year 1994–95 which show that 9 per cent. of graduates with known destination were unemployed six months after graduation. Data on the first destinations of graduates for the academic year 1995–96 will be published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency at the end of this month.

  Unemployment among newly qualified graduates has declined annually since 1992 and this decline has occurred in spite of the increased output of graduates from universities and colleges of higher education. The unemployment rate for graduates in the economically active labour force is, however, much lower than this and stood at 4.1 per cent. in 1996. Those with degrees enjoy employment rates significantly higher than those without.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of general national vocational qualification students will be attending higher education institutes from September 1997; and if he will make a statement. [10485]

  Dr. Howells
  Available information on applicants and acceptances to HE courses through the Universities and Colleges Admission Service scheme shows that in 1996 there were 21,308 applicants who had taken either units of the advanced GNVQ or the full award and were applying to higher education institutions HEIs. Of these, 13,090–61.4 per cent.—gained HE places. This compares favourably with 1995, when 5,942 UCAS applicants5–8.5 per cent.-gained places at HEIs out of a total of 10.151. A total of 168 HEIs have accepted advanced GNVQ applicants on to their courses, with 50
  273
  accepting more than 100 such applicants, including 26 with more than 200 and eight with more than 300 GNVQ entrants.

  Student Debt
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will conduct a national investigation into debts owed to universities and other higher educational institutes by graduating students; and if he will make a statement. [10519]

  Dr. Howells
  We have no plans to conduct such an investigation. Money owed to individual institutions is a matter between them and the students concerned.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate his Department has made of levels of average student debt for 2000; and if he will make a statement. [10524]

  Dr. Howells
  A typical higher education student graduating in the year 2,000 having attended a three-year course away from home and outside London would have a total debt of some £4,600 at 1997 prices if he or she took out the maximum available student loan each year. This figure excludes any commercial or family debts, information on which is not collected centrally.

  Students Loans
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of student loans from each year since the scheme's inception remain in(a) arrears and (b) total default at the latest available date; and in what proportion of cases in each year recovery action is being taken. [11473]

  Dr. Howells
  This is a matter for the Student Loans Company. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he proposes to make in respect of expenditure related to the sale of student debt prior to Royal Assent being granted to the Education (Student Loans) Bill. [12219]

  Dr. Howells
  Parliamentary approval to this new service will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Education and Employment: Programmes and Central Services vote, class IX, vote 1. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £1 million will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

  Student Fees
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of providing free tuition for all part-time undergraduates(a) in higher education and (b) on approved further education courses. [11182]
  274
  Dr. Howells
  We estimate that the annual cost of meeting the fees currently paid in respect of(a) all part-time undergraduates in higher education and (b) all students, including full-time students, in further education who currently pay fees would be approaching £300 million and some £200 million respectively. It is not possible to estimate the fee income from all part-time students in further education separately, though it is known to be well in excess of £100 million.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if medical students following courses of between four and six years will be required to make a contribution to their tuition fees throughout their university and hospital training. [11036]

  Dr. Howells
  Under the plans announced by my right hon. Friend in the statement that he made in the House on 23 July, full-time students in higher education would pay up to £1,000 per year depending on parental income. But, as my right hon. Friend also made clear, we shall be considering the need for appropriate measures, such as bursaries for students entering some health and social care professional courses, as well as teacher training courses, given the state's particular interest in securing a continued supply of qualified professionals in these areas. We have invited the views of representative bodies by the end of September.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to make discretionary degree course fees subject to parental means-testing. [10769]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend announced on 23 July the Government's proposals to require full-time undergraduates to make a contribution to tuition fees of up to £1,000, dependent on parental income. The implications of these proposals for students who are not currently eligible for mandatory awards are being considered and will be dealt with in a more detailed policy statement in the autumn.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of employees, in each payband, in the quangos for which his Department is responsible, are of(a) Asian origin and (b) Afro-Caribbean origin. [8962]

  Dr. Howells
  The numbers employed are too small to make percentages by payband meaningful in those executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by this Department and using civil service grades1. Overall, staff of Asian origin represent 3.6 per cent., while those of Afro-Caribbean origin represent 2.9 per cent., of the 1,570 staff. These staff are found across the grades as follows:

  Grade and equivalent

  Number of staff of Asian origin

  Number of Afro-Caribbean origin

  Senior civil service grades

  1

  0

  G6 and equivalent

  3

  0

  G7

  1

  0

  SEO

  4

  3

  HEO

  10

  2

  275

  Grade and equivalent

  Number of staff of Asian origin

  Number of Afro-Caribbean origin

  EO

  19

  14

  AO

  9

  27

  AA

  2

  1

  1 Funding Agency for Schools, Education Assets Board, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Further Education Funding Council, Schools Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Equal Opportunities Commission, Teachers' Training Agency, National Council for Educational Technology, Investors in People UK Ltd.

  Comparable data are not available from the other NDPBs. The latest figures for Remploy Ltd.–11,300 people—are:

  Per cent.

  Grade group

  Afro-Caribbean black

  Asian black

  Shop floor grades

  1

  2

  Staff grades

  1

  1

  Management grades

  0

  0

  Interworkers

  1

  1

  Whole company

  1

  2

  Recent available figures for the Construction Industry Training Board, with 900 staff, and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, with 40 staff, show that 0.4 per cent. of staff were Asian and 0.5 per cent. Afro-Caribbean; 1.35 per cent. of the Student Loans Company, with 295 staff in Glasgow are of ethnic minority origin and occupy supervisory and managerial grades. Statistics are not currently available for the National Council for Vocational Qualifications, with 282 staff and the Centre for Information and Language Teaching with 22 staff.

  Special schools

  Other schools

  Schools identified by OFSTED as requiring special measures during the academic year beginning

  EBD

  Other

  Percentage

  Total

  Primary

  Secondary

  Percentage

  Total

  September 1994

  2

  3

  0.4

  5

  32

  20

  0.24

  52

  September 1995

  14

  9

  1.8

  23

  61

  20

  0.37

  81

  September 1996

  12

  16

  2.3

  28

  117

  26

  0.65

  143

  Student Grants
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what means he will ensure that the removal of higher education maintenance grants will not restrict access for students from lower-income families. [11049]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government recognise that participation in higher education by students from poorer homes is closely related to educational achievement up to 18 years of age. The policies set out in our White Paper "Excellence in schools" should greatly improve educational opportunities for all children.

  The current student support arrangements have not encouraged students from lower-income families to enter higher education. The Government are therefore proposing to replace the existing mixture of maintenance grants and student loans with new system of loans which will be repaid by graduates in work. The new system will be fair and progressive, as repayments will be related to

  Dance and Drama Students
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy to bring forward proposals in his forthcoming White Paper on higher education to reform the system of finance for students of dance and drama; and if he will make a statement. [10815]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government are sympathetic to the position of certain students of dance and drama. They note the recommendations which the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education has made in this area—in particular the need to review the supply of dancers and actors—and in the light of these will consider with interested parties what new arrangements might be put in place once the current interim bursary scheme expires. The Government's response to the committee's report will be published in the autumn.

  School Standards
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many special schools in England have been identified by Office for Standards in Education as falling or in need of special measures in each of the last three years(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of all special schools; [10352]

  (2) what percentage of schools in England excluding special schools have been identified by Ofsted as falling or in need of special measures in each of the last three years. [10353]

  Mr. Byers
  The figures requested are set out in the table.

  graduates' incomes, which are on average significantly higher than those of non-graduates. Parents in lower income families will not be expected to contribute to the costs of their children's maintenance while they are studying.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of average earnings the standard student grant and loan currently represents; and if he will make it his policy that that proportion is maintained in future years. [11493]

  Dr. Howells
  The support available through maintenance grant and loan to full-time higher education students studying away from home and outside London in academic year 1996–97 represented 18 per cent. of the value of gross national average earnings as at April 1996.

  Future levels of student support will be determined at the appropriate time, taking into account all relevant factors.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what targets he has set the Employment Service for 1997–98; and what plans he has for reviewing these in the future. [12160]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I have today placed in the Library copies of the 1997–98 Employment Service annual performance agreement, which sets out the standards and targets I expect the Employment Service to achieve this year. The new agreement reflects our commitment to helping people, especially those who are at a disadvantage in the labour market, find employment, and stresses that the priority for Employment Service managers this year is to take the necessary steps to prepare for the introduction of the new deal in April next year.

  The Employment Service will have a key role in implementing the new deal, and is at the heart of our efforts to help unemployed people, acting as a gateway to job vacancies and a wide range of initiatives tailored to address each individual's needs. The breadth of ES's current work is reflected in the targets I am announcing today—from placing 1.75 million unemployed people directly into jobs, to helping to ensure that JSA is paid quickly and accurately.

  I am also announcing today a review of ES's targets, including a consultation exercise with those who work with the ES, to make sure that the targets fully reflect this government's commitment to creating a fair and efficient labour market, in which all have the chance to prosper.

  Teachers' Pay
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about teachers' pay in 1997–98. [12158]

  Mr. Byers
  I am today laying before Parliament a second Pay and Conditions Order bringing the provisions of the school teachers's pay and conditions document into force from 1 September 1997. Copies of this order are being sent to local education authorities and the teachers' and employers' organisations.

  The school teachers' pay and conditions document 1997 and the Department's accompanying circular of guidance, "School Teachers' Pay and Conditions of Employment 1997", circular No. 9/97, were published on 18 July following detailed consultation with the teachers' and employers' associations and representatives of governors of voluntary and grant-maintained schools. The document sets out the statutory pay and conditions of employment for teachers in maintained schools in England and Wales.

  Class Sizes (Selby)
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the(a) average and (b) maximum numbers of children in primary school classes in the parliamentary constituency of Selby. [9974]

  Mr. Byers
  The available information is shown in the tables. The information in table 2 puts into context the information on maximum class sizes in table 1.
  278
  The information derives from classes as taught during a single selected period on the census date in January. This can include some unusually large classes. Classes can include nursery as well as infant classes, classes engaged in activities such as physical educations, games, drama, music, singing, watching television or listening to a radio programme, and classes supported by one or more members of the non-teaching staff of the school. Class sizes can be affected by one or more of these factors.

  Table 1: Average and maximum class size for classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in the Selby Parliamentary Constituency in January 1997 (Provisional estimates)

  Average class size

  Maximum class size

  Selby

  27.4

  38

  Table 2: Numbers of classes and pupils by class size for classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in the Selby Parliamentary Constituency in January 1997 (Provisional estimates)

  Sizes of class

  Number of classes

  Number of pupils

  1–20

  27

  403

  21–30

  191

  5,060

  31–35

  89

  2,886

  36–40

  8

  297

  41 or more

  0

  0

  Total

  315

  8,646

  Airborne Stand-off Radar Programme
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the number of jobs which would be created within the United Kingdom through the Ministry of Defence ASTOR programme; and if he will make a statement; [10813]

  (2) what is his estimate of the number of additional jobs which would be created through use of the bombardier global express platform in the ASTOR programme. [10814]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Ministry of Defence aims to place the contract for the ASTOR programme in the next year. Two contractors, Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon E-Systems, have completed the competitive project definition studies for the ASTOR programme and invitations. Final offers for the full development and production phase are currently being prepared, following which the companies' detailed industrial participation proposals will form part of the assessment in awarding the contract.

  Therefore, at this stage of what is a sensitive competition, we cannot speculate about the number of jobs that may be created.

  Bullying
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans he has to reduce the level of bullying in schools; and if he will make a statement; [11462]

  (2) what plans he has to meet World Health Organisation representatives to discuss the (a) causes of, (b) effects of and (c) possible solutions to reduce the incidence of bullying in schools; and if he will make a statement. [11477]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet World Health Organisation representatives to discuss bullying in schools. We are, however, concerned that all schools treat the issue of bullying seriously and take steps to combat it promptly and firmly whenever and wherever it occurs. To that end, our White Paper, "Excellence in Schools" has reminded schools that effective strategies to deal with bullying, developed and implemented by the whole school community including pupils, should form a central part of schools' behaviour policies.

  We are currently looking at what further action we might take to help schools tackle bullying and reduce its incidence. This will include taking more active steps to spread information on good practice in combating the problem.

  Encouragement of Enterprise
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to encourage enterprise among those who have been made redundant or taken early retirement. [9727]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I believe that it is important to ensure that people receive the help they need to become self-employed.

  The Department's expenditure review will set our future priorities for employment and training initiatives to complement the new deal, including the encouragement of enterprise.

  Currently training for work provides support for self-employment. This is part of a wide range of provision to help jobseekers return to work, including those made redundant or who have taken early retirement.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 24 June,Official Report, column 443, if he will list the elected members of local authorities who have places on the boards of TECs. [6301]

  Dr. Howells
  [pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1997, c. 342]: In the list of elected members of local authorities, Mr. Alan Parker' s name was included by error as an elected member of the board of West London TEC.

  As director of education, Mr. Parker is an official of the London borough of Ealing.

  Office for Standards in Education
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what changes he has agreed with the Office for Standards in Education to its inspection procedures. [12163]

  Mr. Blunkett
  As foreshadowed in the White Paper "Excellence in Schools", the chief inspector has agreed to implement a programme of changes arising out of Ofsted's analysis of information collected about contracting, the process of inspection and reports, with a view to securing possible further improvements in consistency, quality and value for money. Ofsted plans to introduce in the year beginning September 1997:a quality standard for contractors which each will have to satisfy in order to gain inspection contracts. This will place considerable requirements on contractors and, where these are not met, Ofsted may cease business with them or reduce their level of activity until satisfied that they have improved. This action will be central to Ofsted's drive to improve the overall quality of inspections;
  contracting arrangements which further reduce bureaucratic procedures and paperwork. These arrangements will also reduce the period of notice to schools of inspection and mean that all schools know the exact date between one and one-and-a-half terms in advance;
  a requirement that team inspectors may inspect subjects or aspects only where they have the relevant expertise and training. Ofsted will organise approved training and accredit inspectors. They will have a register of team members and, with new legislation, the power to remove them from this register if they prove to be incompetent;
  a requirement that the names of team members and the subjects and aspects inspected in a school are included in the published reports. This will increase their accountability and enable Ofsted to identify weak ones;
  a requirement that inspectors should give oral feed-back to all teachers;
  a limit on the proportion of any one day that a teacher can be observed by an inspector. The upper limit will be 75 per cent. of the day with 50 per cent. as the norm. This should reduce the pressure on teachers in small primary schools particularly;
  a requirement that head teachers receive a profile for each teacher of the quality of teaching observed by inspectors. Each teacher will receive the data on their own teaching. This essential management of information should aid schools in identifying very good teachers, those needing further support and those whose competence is seriously in doubt;
  a requirement that the second inspection comments on progress made by the school since the previous inspection. Much of the information will come from the school and its own review systems;
  further guidance on judging standards by providing benchmark descriptors of what is expected of work judged "excellent" through to "very poor", for all subjects;
  annual data summaries for each school, including aggregate inspection data from the previous inspection. Copies of all the summaries will be sent to LEAs along with a summary of data for all the LEA's schools;
  an external person to review handling of complaints about inspection where the complainant remains unhappy with the outcome of the complaint.

  In addition, the chief inspector has agreed to review Ofsted's contracting procedures with the involvement of an external party.
  281
  I believe that this substantive set of actions will further improve inspection. The chief inspector has assured me that he will continue to review the evidence and make further improvements where these are called for.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Drug Abuse
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the President of the Council what progress the Government have made since 2 May in combating drug abuse and related problems. [11835]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I have been working with a wide range of ministerial colleagues to ensure a collective and effective response to a major social problem. Specific initiatives under way across Government include funding 79 local anti-drugs projects under the £2 million drugs challenge fund in England, and related developments in Scotland and Wales; publication of an independent evaluation of drug action teams, which points the way forward for local action against drugs; reversing potential plans for reductions in frontline Customs staff; reinforcing, in the context of the single regeneration budget and elsewhere, the links between tackling drugs and regeneration; planning for the Government's legislative commitment to a drug testing and treatment order; and a cross-departmental review to assess the resources available for action against drugs.

  In addition, the Government are honouring their manifesto commitment to appoint an anti-drugs supremo to co-ordinate our battle against drugs. The special expert adviser post of UK anti-drugs co-ordinator, also known as the "Drug Czar", is being advertised tomorrow on a three year full-time fixed-term contract. We are looking for someone who can bring visible leadership and drive to the fight against drugs, working in partnership with all relevant agencies, communities and individuals. The post-holder will urgently review the overall direction of Government action, and submit proposals for a new strategy for England, while ensuring strategic coherence to the work in the rest of the UK and internationally. She or he will work directly to me as chair of the Cabinet sub-Committee on drugs misuse, and have access to the Prime Minister. We plan to make an appointment in the autumn, following an open selection process which ensures that the best possible candidates make themselves available for a vitally important job.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 30 July. [10316]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning, I had meetings with colleagues and others and later today I shall host a reception at No.10 Downing street.

  Intelligence and Security Committee
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Prime Minister if a decision has been made on the composition of the Intelligence and Security Committee. [12093]
  282
  The Prime Minister
  Following consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and in accordance with section 10 of the Intelligence Services Act (1994) I have appointed the Intelligence and Security Committee as follows:

  The Right Hon. Tom King CH, MP (Chairman)

  Lady Ramsay of Cartvale

  The Right Hon. Alan Beith, MP

  Mr. Kevin Barron, MP

  Ms Yvette cooper, MP

  Mr. Barry Jones, MP

  Mr. Michael Mates, MP

  Mr. Allan Rogers, MP

  Mr. Dale Campbell-Savours MP

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Groups and Committees
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if a list of the parliamentary groups and committees established in compliance with the relevant rules of the House will be placed in the Library. [11415]

  Mrs. Roe
  A new register of all-party and parliamentary groups is currently being compiled; it will be available shortly in the Library for inspection by hon. Members.

  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what measures are being implemented to ensure compliance with the rules for the establishment, designation and operation of parliamentary groups and committees. [11414]

  Mrs. Roe
  The Administration Committee takes the view that the internal arrangements of all-party and parliamentary groups are matters for the groups themselves, provided they are not contrary to the regulations approved by the House on 20 March 1997.

  In order to be formally registered, an all-party or parliamentary group has to give a written understanding that the group will abide by the regulations approved by the House. If any hon. Member believes that a group is in breach of these regulations, I would expect him or her to draw the matter to my attention.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Nolan Committee Records
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reason files relating to the work of the Nolan committee at the Public Record Office are currently closed; and if he will release these files into the public domain. [10407]

  Mr. Hoon
  Two classes of records of the Committee on Standards in Public Life have been transferred to the Public Record Office.
  283
  The first class—Public Record Office reference JN 2—consists of copies of written evidence submitted to the Committee, and is open to inspection, although evidence which concerned individual cases, or which has been found to be potentially defamatory, has been excluded.

  As part of a pilot project to test the feasibility of archiving and making publicly available electronic records, a second class—JN 3—has been transferred to the Public Record Office in electronic form. Those of the records already in the public domain, in particular transcripts of public hearings, have been available in the Public Record Office since 9 May 1997. The other records transferred, including the minutes and papers of the committee, are currently subject to the 30-year rule under the normal provisions of the Public Records Acts. Access to closed records is in the first instance a matter for the Department concerned, in this case the committee.

CABINET OFFICE

  Millennium Experience
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is the budget for the millennium dome project, broken down by(a) category of expenditure and (b) source of revenue. [6129]

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what sums he estimates will be required from business for the millennium experience exhibition; and what assessment he has made of the effects on other millennium exhibition activities of businesses supporting the millennium experience. [6478]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 3 July 1997]: Allowing for inflation and contingencies, the overall cash budget of the new millennium experience at Greenwich and associated national programme will be £758 million. Detailed breakdown of expenditure is subject to contractual negotiation and will be published in the accounts of the New Millennium Experience Co. Ltd. at the appropriate time. Budgeted revenue for the millennium experience will come from £175 million private sector sponsorship and commercial revenue—International Management Group's contract sets a target for sponsorship of £150 million—£168 million is expected from visitor revenue including ticketing and merchandising, and £15 million from the disposal of assets. The original grant of £200 million lottery money from the Millennium Commission will be supplemented as necessary by a further grant from the commission of up to £250 million (gross); £200 million (net).

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Identity Card
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from what budget the funds for the development of a European citizen's identity card for public distribution at the European Parliament were allocated. [9643]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This information is not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member once further inquiries have been made.

  UK-US Space Project
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations between the United Kingdom and the United States preceded the launch by NASA of Cassini. [11050]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Cassini is a joint NASA—European Space Agency project due for launch in October 1997. Most discussion takes place between these agencies. The UK, within ESA, has been fully involved in preparations for these discussions.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Gibraltar. [10810]

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to visit Gibraltar. [11478]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans at present to visit Gibraltar. I am looking forward to my visit in September.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Spanish Government seeking the removal of the restrictions on military and civilian aircraft flying into Gibraltar. [10811]

  Mr. Henderson
  We have already made representations to the Spanish Government about the removal of restrictions on military and civil aircraft and we will continue to do so.

  British Citizens Working Overseas
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of the British embassy and consulate towards British citizens and their families working abroad on permanent or semi-permanent assignments; what priority(a) these individuals and (b) British tourists travelling abroad receive; and if he will make a statement. [11096]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  This Department's consular services offer world-wide protection 24 hours a day seven days a week to all British nationals abroad. The level of help provided and the priority attached to it is judged on a case by case basis depending on the needs of the individual.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on the protection and support of British citizens working overseas for foreign-based companies. [11207]

  Mr. Lloyd
  The protection of British nationals abroad is a front-line responsibility for this Department. Consular staff provide protection 24 hours a day, seven days a week worldwide to all British nationals who need it, irrespective of whether they are working overseas or travelling as tourists.

  Korean Peninsula
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement
  285
  regarding the four-party talks on peace in the Korean peninsula scheduled to begin in Geneva on 5 August. [11296]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We welcome the plans for a preparatory four-party meeting in Geneva and hope it will quickly lead to full four-party talks about peace in the peninsula.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for the latest year for which the information is available the individuals from the Republic of Korea who have had visits to the United Kingdom sponsored by his Department stating in each case whether the airfare or costs in the United Kingdom were met from public funds. [11361]

  Mr. Lloyd
  The following Korean visitors were sponsored by this Department during the financial year 1996–97.

  Air fare and costs in UK met from public funds:

  Dr. Shin Jeong-Shik, President, Korea Economics Institute.

  Mr. Heon-Seok Lee, Assistant Minister for Construction Policy.

  Mr. Kim Keun, Director, International Affairs the Hankyoreh Shinmun.

  Costs in UK met from public funds:

  Mr. Kim Young-Soo, Foreign Editor, Korean Broadcasting System.

  Professor Shin Hee-Suk, Director General, Institute of Foreign Affairs.

  Professor Yong-Tae Kang, President, Korea Technology Society of Water and Waste.

  Mrs. Jeon Jae-Hee, Mayoress of Kwangmyung City.

  Mr. Park Hae-Hyun, Cultural Reporter, the Chosun Ilbo.

  Mr. Kim Kang-Chung, Managing Director and Chief Editor, Munwha Broadcasting Corporation.

  Mr. Kim Byuk-Soo, Editorial Director, Seoul Broadcasting System.

  Some incidental costs in UK met from public funds:

  Mr. Lee Soo-Mok, City Administration Manager, Kwangmyung City.

  Mr. Park Tae-Soo, Information Officer, Kwangmyung City.

  Dr. Kang Moon-Soo, Senior Fellow, Korea Development Institute.

  Dr. Lim Suhng Bin, Senior Research Fellow, Korea Research Institute for Local Administration.

  Mr. Geum Chang-Ho, Researcher, Korea Research Institute for Local Administration.

  Mr. O. Eui-Dong, Director, Planning Bureau, Pusan City.

  Mr. Park Sung-II, Assistant Director, Planning Bureau, Taegu City.

  Mr. Lee Eung-Gil, Assistant Director, Planning Bureau, Inchon City.

  Mr. Lee Kyu-Shik, Special Advisor, Inchon City Council.

  Mr. No Jae-Sook, Director, Planning Bureau, Kwangjoo City.

  Mr. Kim Chung, Special Advisor, Kwangjoo City Council.

  Mr. Lee Kee-Ha, Director, Planning Bureau, Daejun City.

  Mr. Kim In-Kyu, Director, Planning Bureau, Kyonggi Province.

  Mr. Park Won-II, Special Advisor, Kyonggi Provincial Council.

  Mr. Hong Won-Pyo, Assistant Director, Planning Bureau, Kangwon Province.

  Mr. Kim Nam-II, Director, Local Bureau, Kyungsangbuk Province.

  286

  Mr. Suh Jae-Kyu, Director, Planning Bureau, Kyungsangbuk Province.

  Mr. Chun Soo-Sik, Director-General, Planning Bureau, Kyungsangnam Province.

  Mr. Kim Soon-Ik, Special Advisor, Cheju Provincial Council.

  Mr. Huh Dai-Choon, Special Advisor, Cheju Provincial Council.

  Dr. Kwang-Ho Meng, Professor of Preventative Medicine, Catholic University Medical School.

  Dr. Euichul Shin, Instructor, Catholic University Medical School.

  Dr. Hong-Jun Cho, Assistant Professor, Woolsan University Medical School.

  Dr. Yong-Jeon Shin, Instructor, Hanyang University Medical School.

  Dr. Kidong Park, Medical Officer, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.

  Ms Ji-Hoon Yang, Director, Division of Public Health, Cheonam Province.

  Ms Bon-Soon Koo, Assistant Director, Division of Public Health, Kyungsangbuk Province.

  Mr. Man-Soo Kim, Director, Division of Public Health, Pusan City.

  Mr. Cheul-Yong Jin, Division of Medicine and Pharmacy, Seoul City.

  Dr. Hong-Jun Cho, Assistant Professor, Medical College, University of Ulsan.

  Dr. Chay Pyung-Gil, Professor of Public Administration Yonsei University and member of Presidential Policy Planning Commission.

  Dr. Lee Chong-Su, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, Yonsei University.

  Representative Kim Ki-Soo, Representative in Kangwon Province, New Korea Party.

  Mrs. Lee Sang-Ho, Ministry of Home Affairs.

  Professor Park Chong-Kee, Professor of Economics, Inha University.

  Mr. Son Sang-Ik, Researcher, Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade.

  Professor Keun-Hyun Lee, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

  Dr. Lee Ki-Hwan, Lecturer, Korean Maritime University.

  Dr. Kim Si-Soo, Associate Professor, Pukyong University.

  Dr. Chung-Sook Moon, Professor, Department of Consumer Economics, Sookmyung Women's University.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 July,Official Report, column 604, on what day he wrote to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe; and what response he has received. [11146]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We wrote on 18 July. The OSCE replied on 28 July that registration applications could not be lodged during the appeals period. Polling day arrangements for the housebound remained under consideration. But the OSCE lacked the resources required to enable the housebound to vote at home under international supervision.

  Regional or Minority Languages Charter
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government plan to sign the EU charter for regional or minority languages. [11294]
  287
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 28 July,Official Report, columns 30–31.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effect on services of the 1996 review of the BBC World Service. [11104]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The joint FCO-BBC World Service working group will reconvene in the autumn to determine whether the measures it agreed last year to ensure that the continued protection of World Service interests and the maintenance of its special character, style and ethos are functioning satisfactorily. Meanwhile we are monitoring the situation closely.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Indonesia. [11293]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We look forward to pursuing a substantive and broad-based relationship with Indonesia, which reflects the breadth of our bilateral, regional and global interests, and addresses issues of mutual concern, including human rights.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to refuse all export licences for arms sales to Indonesia. [11312]

  Mr. Lloyd
  We have no plans to introduce a general arms embargo on Indonesia.

  China
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit the People's Republic of China. [11295]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  When they met in Hong Kong, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Qian Qichen, invited my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to visit China. My right hon. Friend accepted the invitation and hopes to visit soon.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to publish the first of the reports to Parliament on Hong Kong and the implementation of the Joint Declaration. [11979]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The first such report, covering the period January to June 1997, was published today and a copy has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The report includes a foreword written by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

  I commend the report to the House.

  Overseas Posts (Business Men)
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about increasing the number of business men on short-term attachments at posts overseas. [11980]
  288
  Mr. Robin Cook
  We made a commitment in our business manifesto to improve the focus of our efforts to back British business selling abroad, to enhance the co-ordination of government trade and investment promotion, and to promote business secondments with this Department.

  I am pleased to announce that we have secured a commitment from a number of leading companies to loan members of their staff to this Department to work on specific promotions or projects overseas for periods of a few months. These people will provide valuable expertise to support and promote the activities of the commercial sections of our overseas posts. Each attachment will have a specific focus, such as privatisation projects, inward investment promotion, management of commercial promotions, marketing of UK financial services, or identifying market opportunities in specific sectors.

  I welcome the whole-hearted support for this initiative of the Confederation of British Industry. It has encouraged a number of members to participate from the outset, including British Airways, BOC, ICL, Wimpey, British Aerospace, BT, British Steel, British Nuclear Fuels Ltd., BUPA, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and Glaxo Wellcome. Other companies have expressed a strong interest and I am confident that more attachments will be arranged in the coming months.

  This is a commitment to a rolling programme of attachments to strengthen our partnership with business. In the longer term, we hope that companies will be able to second suitable staff to serve as part of the established commercial teams in overseas posts, and in return provide opportunities for this Department's staff to hone their business skills by hosting secondments.

  European Union
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is the definition of discrimination due to marital status in the burden of proof directive; and if he will make a statement; [11487]

  (2) to which categories of individuals article 3 of the burden of proof directive is directed; and what cost analysis of the directive has been undertaken; [11485]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the Euro-Mediterranean free trade area proposed in the presidency conclusions at Amsterdam; [11481]

  (4) if he will make a statement on the effect of Agenda 2000 on the future allocation of structural funds to the United Kingdom; [11489]

  (5) what reforms of the directorates-general will follow the declaration of the Commission in chapter 16 of the Amsterdam treaty; what effect this will have on (a) foreign affairs representations and (b) the British Commissioners; and if he will make a statement; [11431]

  (6) if the Schengen secretariat and proposed acquis will be subject to the protocol on subsidiarity and proportionality as outlined in the Amsterdam treaty; [11437]

  (7) if he will make a statement on the progressive development of a common defence policy, as expressed in article J.7 of the treaty of Amsterdam; [11435]
  289
  (8) what special representatives he expects to be created under the provisions of the treaty of Amsterdam; [11442]

  (9) in what circumstances the (a) qualified majority voting and (b) unanimity voting procedure would apply to measures under article 209a of the treaty of Amsterdam; and if he will make a statement; [11449]

  (10) what is the maximum length of time a decision may be deferred on the legality of unilateral action undertaken under article 100a of the treaty of Amsterdam; [11453]

  (11) if he will make a statement on the future of the European Coal and Steel Community reserves after 2002; [11483]

  (12) for what reasons the additional fields of competence to the (a) Economic and Social Committee and (b) Committee of the Regions are granted by the treaty of Amsterdam; [11417]

  (13) if he will make a statement on the declaration on implementing powers in chapter 18 of the treaty of Amsterdam; [11419]

  (14) if he will make a statement on the change to the legal base of the Conference of European Affairs Committees, as established in chapter 19 of the Amsterdam treaty; [11421]

  (15) if he will make a statement on the application of the deadlines established in article 189b of the treaty of Amsterdam; [11425]

  (16) if he will make a statement on the procedural and secretarial implications of article 151 of the Amsterdam treaty; [11427]

  (17) what effect article 158(2) of the Amsterdam treaty will have on the selection procedures for (a) the President of the Commission and (b) other Commissioners; and if he will make a statement; [11429]

  (18) what measures will be undertaken by Her Majesty's Government to ensure the transposition of agreed legislation into national law; and what measures he plans to take in respect of the practice of gold-plating European legislation; [11479]

  (19) what will be the consequences of article L of chapter 17 of the treaty of Amsterdam for European Court of Justice monitoring of employment conditions within the European Community institutions; what estimate he has made of their expenditure implications; and if he will make a statement; [11433]

  (20) what scope for preferential use of codes of practice and voluntary conduct rather than legislation is (a) permitted and (b) expected as a consequence of chapter 9 of the treaty of Amsterdam; [11438]

  (21) what will be the role of the Western European Union, under the treaty of Amsterdam, in elaborating EU decisions that have defence implications; [11460]

  (22) what is the definition of participation in democratic transition processes used in the inter-institutional agreement in chapter 12 of the treaty of Amsterdam; [11444]
  290
  (23) if he will make a statement on the implications of paragraph 4 of article 129 of the Amsterdam treaty for domestic policy; [11447]

  (24) what measures have been discussed at European Union level on extending the working time directive; what categories of workers are concerned; when the legislation will be implemented; and if he will make a statement; [11451]

  (25) what effect the burden of proof directive will have on the basis of the common law concept of presumed innocence; and if he will make a statement; [11486]

  (26) if he will make a statement on proposals to include arms export controls in the common foreign and security policy of the European Union; [11482]

  (27) who the British representatives will be on the co-ordinating committee under article K. 8 of the Amsterdam treaty; [11405]

  (28) if (a) committees of inquiry at the European Parliament and (b) petitions to Members of the European Parliament by aggrieved citizenry will be permitted in the area of title VI material under article K.13 of the Amsterdam treaty; [11406]

  (29) what provisions of the Schengen acquis he plans to incorporate into British law in accordance with the protocol incorporating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union in the Amsterdam treaty; what legislation will be required to implement this; and if he will make a statement; [11407]

  (30) if he will supply a list of errata for the Amsterdam treaty text as deposited in the House; [11408]

  (31) what estimate he has made of the cost of British participation at the Schengen round table established at Amsterdam; [11409]

  (32) what is the significance of the reordering of the text in the amended article 2 of the treaty on European Communities according to the new Amsterdam treaty version; [11412]

  (33) if Her Majesty's Government will include British representatives from (a) the Federation of Small Businesses, (b) the Institute of Directors and (c) other business groups and unrepresented trades unions as social partners in respect of the structural funds; and if he will make a statement; [11413]

  (34) what effect article 163 of the Amsterdam treaty will have on the role of the President of the European commission; [11430]

  (35) in which areas the Amsterdam treaty extends the competence of the European Court of Justice; and if he will make a statement; [11432]

  (36) to what the reference to article 3b(2) in the protocol on subsidiarity and proportionality refers; [11434]

  (37) if he will make a statement on the effect of the Amsterdam treaty on (a) OCCAR and (b) its Western European Union-based arms procurement equivalent; [11440]
  291
  (38) in what manner the high representative, as established at the treaty of Amsterdam, will be accountable to (i) the Council of Ministers, (ii) the European Parliament, (iii) national parliaments and (iv) other European Union institutions; [11443]

  (39) what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing the objectives listed in article 129 of the Amsterdam treaty; [11446]

  (40) which parts of the United Kingdom are classified as an island region under chapter 8 of the treaty of Amsterdam; [11450]

  (41) if a directive that follows a Commission opinion on the legality of a unilateral ban imposed under article 100a of the treaty of Amsterdam would be agreed under qualified majority voting; [11454]

  (42) if he will make a statement on the declaration on genetic engineering appended to the presidency conclusions at Amsterdam; [11484]

  (43) what estimate he has made of the costs of implementing the institutional reforms of the treaty of Amsterdam connected with (a) the Committee of the Regions and (b) the Economic and Social Committee; [11418]

  (44) what is his policy in respect of the geographic spread of the seats of the institutions of the European Union; and if he will make a statement; [11420]

  (45) if he will make a statement on the implications of section V of the Amsterdam treaty for attempts by the United Kingdom to negotiate the repatriation of powers from the European Union; [11422]

  (46) what will be the United Kingdom's proportion of total Members of the European Parliament under the treaty of Amsterdam at the entry of those countries for whom entrance to the EU is recommended in Agenda 2000; and if he will make a statement; [11426]

  (47) how unclassified documents are to be released to the public in accordance with article 151 of the Amsterdam treaty; what will be the manner of storage of such documents that are withheld; when the latter documents will be released into the public domain; and which non-governmental and non-Commission bodies will have access to them; [11428]

  (48) if he will list the circumstances in which a member state can ban products on non-trade grounds under article 100a of the treaty of Amsterdam; [11452]

  (49) which social chapter legislation will be acquis by the time the United Kingdom is a voting member on the social chapter; [11480]

  (50) what is the current legal basis on which European Union statistics are produced; [11436]
  292
  (51) what would be the powers of the European ombudsman in respect of the confidentiality of documents under article 191a of the Amsterdam treaty; [11439]

  (52) when the common foreign and security policy will next be reviewed; [11441]

  (53) what assessment he has made of the effect of the early warning unit declaration in the Amsterdam treaty on (i) the confidentiality of state secrets and (ii) the intelligence partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States; and if he will make a statement; [11445]

  (54) if he will make a statement on the status of Welsh under the treaty of Amsterdam; [11448]

  (55) if he will make a statement on the implications of article 6a of the Amsterdam treaty for United Kingdom law in respect of discrimination in the areas covered by the article; [11400]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all subcontractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10740]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for the following functions relating to payroll:collating and processing payments including basic pay, overtime, National Insurance contributions, tax and other deductions;
  arrangements for making payments.

  Chessington Computer Centre is contracted to carry out these functions on our behalf and marks all payments and deductions through the SPIRE—standard payroll input and retrieval—payroll management system. The combined costs of the pay and pay assessment contract at present is £67.96 per payee per annum.

  Sport (Redbridge)
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which elements of the national strategy for sport will be implemented in the London borough of Redbridge; and what plans he has to visit the area. [9514]

  Mr. Banks
  The strategy will be implemented throughout the country, including the London borough of Redbridge, and I hope to have an early opportunity to visit the area to see what is already going on and what opportunities there are for implementing the strategy.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and
  293
  capital work for (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [11388]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's expenditure on computer-related work in 1995–96 was £1,126,000 current and £602,000 capital. In 1996–97, current expenditure was £1,138,000 and capital was £837,000. The budget for 1997–98 is for current expenditure of £1,261,000 and capital expenditure of £549,000. The information systems budget for future years is under review as part of the Department's current spending review process.

  Sport
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government spent on sport in(a) 1978–79 and (b) 1996–97 in current prices. [10824]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: In 1978–79, central Government expenditure on sport to the Great Britain Sports Council was £15.2 million. In 1996–97, total central Government expenditure on sport was £51.61 million. Of this, £46.55 million was allocated to the Great Britain Sports Council and its successors from 1 January 1997, the UK and English Sports Councils.

  Also in 1996–97, £264.78 million was awarded by the English Sports Council to 1,005 sports-related projects from the lottery sports fund.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much financial support(a) in grants, (b) as tax allowances and (c) as other benefits, at current prices, the Government gave to the United Kingdom film industry in each year since 1979; [10827]

  (2) what was the level of Government-supported investment, at current prices, in the United Kingdom film industry in each year since 1979. [10828]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The level of Government support for film in the UK for the years 1979–86 is not available except at disproportionate cost. For the years 1987 onwards, the support was as follows:

  Direct central Government spend on the arts in 1978–79 and 1996–97

  £ million

  Arts organisation

  Grant-in-aid 1978–79

  Grant-in-aid (1996–97 prices)

  Arts organisation

  Grant-in-aid 1996–97

  Grant-in-aid (1996–97 prices)

  Arts Council of Great Britain

  51.8

  159.3

  Arts Council1

  227.4

  227.4

  Crafts Council

  0.8

  2.5

  Crafts Council

  3.25

  3.25

  British Film Institute

  3.5

  10.8

  British Film Institute

  16.5

  16.5

  National Heritage Arts Sponsorship Scheme2

  5.05

  5.05

  Total

  56.1

  172.5

  Total

  252.2

  252.2

  1 Cumulative figure for the Arts Councils of England, Scotland and Wales as ACGB ceased to exist from 31 March 1994.

  2 National heritage arts sponsorship scheme introduced on 1 October 1984.

  294

  £ million

  Year

  Amount

  National Lottery

  1987–88

  19.9

  —

  1988–89

  21.1

  —

  1989–90

  20.6

  —

  1990–91

  20.4

  —

  1991–92

  22.6

  —

  1992–93

  24.37

  —

  1993–94

  26.04

  —

  1994–95

  27.6

  —

  1995–96

  27.13

  20.1

  1996–97

  123.6

  62.69

  1997–98

  223.5

  37.89

  Notes:

  1 Estimated outturn.

  2 Provision.

  3 To date.

  Source:

  BFI/Screen Finance/Screen Digest.

  The level of Government support given as tax allowances and as other benefits is not available except at disproportionate cost.

  Arts Expenditure
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much, in current prices, the Government spent on the arts in(a) 1978–79 and (b) 1996–97. [10826]

  Mr. Fisher
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Central Government funding of the arts in Great Britain in 1978–79, provided through the Arts Council of Great Britain, the Crafts Council and the British Film Institute, amounted to £55.1 million. This is equivalent to £172.6 million in current prices, based on the latest assumptions of the gross domestic product deflators.

  In 1996–97, central Government funding of the arts in Great Britain, provided through the Arts Council of England, of Scotland and of Wales; the Crafts Council; the British Film Institute and the national heritage arts sponsorship scheme, amounted to £252.3 million. Full details are given in the following table.

  There are also other sources of arts funding generated through Government expenditure: either directly, such as through local authorities and the BBC or indirectly, such as through European spending programmes. However, complexities of definition and insufficient data make it difficult to provide reliable funding figures.

  Arts Councils
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what level of Government funding, in the current prices, was provided for the Arts Councils in each year since 1978–79. [10830]

  Mr. Fisher
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Details of central Government funding of the Arts Councils serving England, Scotland and Wales in each year since 1978–79, and at current prices based on the latest assumptions of the gross domestic product deflators, are given in the following table.

  Arts Council Funding 1978–97 to 1996–97

  £ Million

  Year

  ACGB Grant-in-aid

  ACGB Grant-in-aid (1996–97 prices)

  1978–79

  51.8

  159.3

  1979–80

  63.1

  166.3

  1980–81

  71.0

  158.1

  1981–82

  80.5

  163.5

  1982–83

  91.3

  173.1

  1983–84

  96.8

  175.4

  1984–85

  101.9

  175.8

  1985–86

  106.5

  174.2

  1986–871

  135.6

  215.2

  1987–88

  139.3

  209.9

  1988–89

  152.4

  215.3

  1989–90

  155.5

  205.3

  1990–91

  175.8

  214.9

  1991–92

  194.2

  223.2

  1992–93

  221.2

  244.0

  1993–94

  225.6

  241.8

  1994–952

  223.3

  235.8

  1995–96

  229.8

  236.1

  1996–97

  227.4

  227.4

  1 The increase in 1986–87 was mainly an injection of funding in compensation for the loss of GLC and metropolitan authority spending.

  2 The Arts Council of Great Britain (ACGB) ceased to exist on 31 March 1994. In order to give equivalent figures for 1994–95 and after, the table includes DCMS grant in aid to the Arts Council of England and the grant in aid to the Scottish and Welsh Arts Councils from their sponsoring departments.

SCOTLAND

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young people to be covered by the welfare-to-work programme are estimated to require remedial literacy and numeracy assistance. [7929]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 21 July 1997]: This information is not available. Under the new deal initiative, all young people aged between 18 and 24 and unemployed for six months or more will be given guidance interviews and sufficient provision of remedial assistance will be made available to those identified as having literacy and numeracy needs.

  Holyroodhouse Palace
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons are(a) permanently employed and (b) employed on a seasonal and a
  296
  temporary basis at Holyroodhouse palace; what is (i) the annual wages bill, (ii) the range of salaries and (iii) the average salary; and if he will make a statement. [9148]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: There are 22 permanent staff employed by the royal household and funded by Historic Scotland at the palace of Holyroodhouse and six paid for out of the Queen's Civil List.

  For these staff:

  (i) the total wages bill (including national insurance and pension costs) for the year 1996–97 was £513,130;

  (ii) the current range of full-time salaries—excluding national insurance and pension costs—is £8,624 to £33,686;

  (iii) the current average full-time salary—excluding national insurance and pension costs—is £13,009.

  In addition, Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd.—a trading subsidiary of the Royal Collection Trust—employs 13 permanent staff in connection with the opening of the palace to the public and up to 13 temporary posts are created during the busy summer months.

  Historic Scotland employ a number of industrial staff who work on various properties in the Edinburgh area, including the palace of Holyroodhouse. Approximate assessments of the costs associated with their palace duties show that:

  (i) the relevant proportion of the total wages bill—including national insurance and pension costs—for the year 1996–97 was £333,643;

  (ii) the current range of full-time salaries—excluding national insurance and pension costs—is: £8,500 to £16,182;

  (iii) the current average full-time salary—excluding national insurance and pension costs—is £11,075.

  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many days in each of the past 10 years there have been persons in residence in Holyroodhouse palace; if he will say who was resident; and if he will make a statement. [9150]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: The palace of Holyroodhouse has been occupied by members of the royal family and by the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for the following number of days in each year since 1988:

  Year

  Number of days occupied

  1988

  38

  1989

  28

  1990

  28

  1991

  28

  1992

  23

  1993

  32

  1994

  28

  1995

  29

  1996

  26

  1997

  134

  1 Includes visits by members of the royal family planned for the remainder of 1997. In addition, staff of the royal household have been in residence from time to time in connection with their duties.

  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the annual cost of the maintenance at Holyroodhouse palace in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [9149]
  297
  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: The subject of the question relates to operational matters undertaken by Historic Scotland. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Graeme Munro, to arrange for a reply to be sent.

  Letter from Graeme Munro to Mr. Norman Godman, dated 30 July 1997:
  In the absence of Graeme Munro, Historic Scotland's Chief Executive, on annual leave I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the maintenance costs of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
  The Secretary of State funds the cost of maintaining the fixed fabric of Holyroodhouse (as distinct from furniture, tapestries, paintings, etc.), together with security costs, the costs of utilities such as electricity, gas and telephones, and limited capital purchases such as equipment and office furniture. The Royal Household funds the costs of administering the Palace for Royal use, and the Royal Collection Trust undertakes the arrangements for public visiting.
  The annual costs falling to the Secretary of State under these headings since 1990–91 are as follows:

  Programme expenditure

  Historic Scotland employee costs

  Total £

  1990–91

  860,833

  288,636

  1,149,469

  1991–92

  723,000

  334,346

  1,057,346

  1992–93

  696,600

  338,530

  1,035,130

  1993–94

  693,215

  337,852

  1,031,067

  1994–95

  897,700

  345,124

  1,242,824

  1995–96

  805,400

  273,909

  1,079,309

  1996–97

  743,700

  288,126

  1,031,826

  1997–98 (estimate)

  734,700

  275,673

  1,010,373

  These figures include all Historic Scotland's expenditure directly related to the Palace apart from central professional and administration costs.The provision of figures for the years preceding 1990–91 (prior to the formation of the Agency), or the separation of maintenance from other costs such as security and utility charges, could not be undertaken without disproportionate effort and cost.I hope that this information is helpful.
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions Holyroodhouse palace has been the setting for public events in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [9151]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: Each year, approximately 14,000 people are invited to some 20 functions given at the palace by the Queen and by the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on Her Majesty's behalf, including garden parties, dinners, receptions and investitures. The place is also used on occasions by other members of the royal family. In addition, the palace was used in December 1992 for the meeting of the European Council under the UK's presidency; in 1994 for a sate visit by the King of Norway; and during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh during October 1997, the Queen will receive Heads of State and other representatives of Commonwealth countries at the palace and will give a dinner and reception for those attending the conference.

  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many tourists have visited Hollyroodhouse palace in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [9164]
  298
  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: The numbr of visitors to the palace of Holyroodhouse in each of the last 10 years was as follows:

  Year ended 31 March

  Number of visitors

  1988

  316,593

  1989

  321,629

  1990

  297,730

  1991

  314,694

  1992

  278,346

  1993

  276,866

  1994

  299,722

  1995

  253,714

  1996

  260,294

  1997

  283,877

  The palace was open on most days of each year, apart from during the visits of HM the Queen and the Lord High Commissioner and a few days of preparation before and after their visits.

  Learning Support Teachers
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many learning support teachers expressed as a full-time equivalent have been provided by each education authority in the current year; and how many were provided over the previous four years by them or their predecessor authority. [9613]

  Mr. Wilson
  The information requested is not held centrally on a comparable basis for each education authority in Scotland at the present time. Information is collected annually as part of the school census about the provision of learning support. An analysis of this data shows that there has been a substantial variation recently from year to year and among education authorities. We strongly suspect that some of this variation is due to differences in the patterns of provision and interpretation of definitions of learning support, rather than differences in the total amount of learning support being provided in each authority. The methods used to collect this information are currently being improved. My Department will be considering with colleagues in education authorities, schools and HM inspectorate how to resolve this issue and collect and publish the information on a more comparable basis.

  Pharmacists (Drug Offences)
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will bring forward proposals to change the law to prevent a pharmacist, who has been disbarred following a professional hearing for offences involving drugs, from continuing his business. [9620]

  Mr. Galbraith
  I do not propose to change the existing legislation controlling the business of a registered retail pharmacy.

  Persons who have been removed from the register of pharmaceutical chemists are not entitled to use the restricted title of "pharmacist" and cannot legally own a pharmacy business in their own name. They may retain an interest in the business by transferring ownership to a partnership or body corporate, but in either case the pharmacy must operate under the personal control of a registered pharmacist.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10735]

  Mr. Dewar
  My Department retains control of the majority of the functions relating to payroll for staff in the Scottish Office and related agencies. The departmental pay section is responsible for arrangements for collating and inputting of all data for staff salaries by means of the SPIRE—standard payroll input and retrieval—management system. The departmental pay section also directly manages the distribution of payslips and control prints, payover of moneys to third parties in respect of tax, national insurance and voluntary deductions and all accounting and reconciliation work. Processing, calculation and payment of salaries via the banks automatic clearing system is undertaken for the Department by Chessington Computer Services Ltd.

  In 1996–97 the costs for these arrangements were £553,473 in respect of services provided by Chessington Computer Services Ltd. and £583,206 in respect of costs for staff employed in the departmental pay section.

  Internet
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure the Scottish Office's web site on the Internet has adequate links to and from the web site of the Central Office of Information; and if he will make a statement. [11004]

  Mr. Dewar
  My Department's web site on the Internet and that of the Central Office of Information are available on the CCTA Government information service site, which gives access to all Government Departments' web sites. My Department's site will remain accessible through this service. It is planned to update the web site shortly, and links will be set up to the web sites of all other Government Departments, including the Central Office of Information. Other Departments will be invited to create reciprocal links.

  EU Languages Charter
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has made to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office concerning the ratification by the United Kingdom of the Council of Europe's charter for regional and minority languages; [10376]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the ratification by the United Kingdom of the Council of Europe's charter for regional and minority languages on the (a) Gaelic and (b) Scots languages in Scotland. [10377]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The Government are examining what the implications of signing and ratifying the charter would be.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time civil servants, on each payband, his Department currently employs. [11068]

  Mr. Dewar
  Pay and grading reviews are currently under way in the Scottish Office and its executive agencies other than the Scottish Prison Service, but have not been completed. Staffing figures, expressed as headcounts, are therefore shown on the basis of standard civil service grades in the table.

  The Scottish Office and its Executive Agencies (excluding SPS) at 1 April 1997

  Grade equivalent

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Senior Civil Service

  145

  10

  Grade 6

  150

  2

  Grade 7

  383

  21

  Senior Executive Officer

  342

  13

  Higher Executive Officer

  707

  42

  Executive Officer

  852

  42

  Administrative Officer

  924

  124

  Administrative Assistant

  938

  108

  Industrial

  305

  —

  Total

  4,746

  362

  As a pay and grading review has taken place in the Scottish Prison Service, it is possible to provide a breakdown by pay band. The headcount information is set out in the table.

  The Scottish Prison Service at 1 April 1997

  Band

  Pay range

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Senior Civil Service

  6

  —

  I

  £33,700-£52,100

  6

  —

  H

  £28,100-£43,400

  30

  —

  G

  £23,500-£35,750

  58

  —

  F

  £17,900-£30,650

  182

  114

  E

  £14,300-£25,550

  563

  —

  D

  £11,450-£21,450

  2,257

  4

  C

  £9,300-£ 16,350

  1,182

  12

  B

  £7,350-£11,450

  190

  10

  A

  £6,150-£9,600

  38

  2

  Total

  4,512

  142

  Forestry
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many forest shops and catering outlets there were, and what their net income was, in 1996–97 in each of the current Forest Enterprise regions; [10722]

  (2) what targets have been set for the number of plans for the management of scheduled ancient monuments agreed with heritage agencies in each of the current Forest Enterprise regions in relation to the objective of conserving the cultural heritage in Forestry Commission forests specified in paragraph 11.9 of the Forest Enterprise corporate plan 1997 to 2000; [10724]

  (3) how many countryside agencies and user groups will be consulted in each current Forest Enterprise region in connection with the review of recreation strategies and resource allocation mentioned in paragraph 9.24 of the

  301
  Forest Enterprise corporate plan 1997 to 2000; and what is the current resource allocation in each of those regions; [10721]

  (4) how many plans for sites of special scientific interest will have to be (a) prepared, (b) maintained and (c) monitored for compliance in each of the current Forest Enterprise regions in order to achieve comprehensive implementation of the management plans referred to in paragraph 10.8 of the Forest Enterprise corporate plan 1997 to 2000; [10723]

  (5) how many visits to Forestry Commission forests and woods were made during 1996–97 by educational institutions in each of the current Forest Enterprise regions; [10711]

  (6) how many "What's On" events, as described in paragraph 12.20 of the Forest Enterprise corporate plan 1997 to 2000, were staged in 1996–97; and how many people attended those events, in each of the current Forest Enterprise regions; [10712]

  (7) with which (a) local authorities, (b) statutory bodies and (c) non-governmental organisations is contact maintained for the purpose of liaison over forest design plans and other management plans, as described in chapter 12 of the Forest Enterprise corporate plan 1997 to 2000, in each of the current Forest Enterprise regions; [10713]

  (8) what is the total combined mileage by the shortest practical road route from each Forest Enterprise forest district to that district's Forest Enterprise regional office under (a) the current five-region structure and (b) the proposed four-region structure; [10714]

  (9) how many full-time equivalent jobs will be lost in Forest Enterprise regional offices in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England under the Forest Enterprise proposal for reducing the number of regional offices; [10715]

  (10) what assessment he has made of the effect on the Forest Enterprise standards of service of its proposal to reduce the number of its regional offices; how compliance to these standards has been measured in the past; and how it is planned to be measured in future; [10716]

  (11) how many timber customers, as defined in paragraph 7.9 of the Forest Enterprise corporate plan 1997 to 2000, there were during 1996–97 in each of the current Forest Enterprise regions; [10717]

  (12) in each of the current Forest Enterprise regions, how many (a) woods are leased to the Forestry Commission, (b) landlords own land leased to the commission and (c) landlords reserve powers over sporting rights on land leased to the commission. [10718]

  (13) with how many sports representative bodies of the kinds referred to in paragraph 9.15 of the Forest Enterprise corporate plan 1997 to 2000 contacts are maintained; and how many permits or licences were issued for specialist sports and activities during 1996–97, in each of the current Forest Enterprise regions; [10719]

  (14) how Forest Enterprise estimates the number of visits made by members of the public to Forestry Commission woods and forests for the purpose of measuring its performance in the terms described in paragraph 9.23 of the Forest Enterprise corporate plan
  302
  1997 to 2000; and how many such visits were made to Forestry Commission woods and forests in 1996–97 in each current Forest Enterprise region. [10720]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The subjects of the questions relate to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise. I have asked its chief executive, Dr. Bob McIntosh, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Bob McIntosh to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 30 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Scotland has asked me to reply to the various Questions you raised about the Forestry Commission.
  I will answer each one by referring to the 5 digit reference which appears against each Question on the Order paper.

  PQ No. 10711
  Data on visits by educational institutions for 1996/97 is not held centrally or regionally. In accordance with the 1997–2000 Corporate Plan, para 12.20, educational visits will be a measure of Forest Enterprise performance in Promoting Public Understanding and Participation. The data will therefore be collated during 1997/98.

  PQ No. 10712
  Data on What's On Events for 1996/97 is not held centrally or regionally. In accordance with the 1997–2000 Corporate Plan, para 12.20, attendance at What's On Forest Events will be a measure of Forest Enterprise performance in Promoting Public Understanding and Participation. Data will therefore be collected during 1997/98.

  PQ No. 10713
  Forest Enterprise produces a wide variety of plans covering a range of topics at forest, regional and national levels. It would not be practicable to assemble a comprehensive list of all the organisations and individuals with whom we liaise in planning the management of Forestry Commission forests.
  However I can give you a list of key contacts as follows:-

  Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee to the Forestry Commissioners including the sub-committees on timber supply and the environment;

  Wildlife and Countryside Link forum of the national conservation and recreation NGOs;

  Biodiversity Challenge Groups of NGOs (RSPB, WWF, Friends of the Earth, Butterfly Conservation and Plant Life);

  Representative groups of the home grown timber processing industry;

  All local planning authorities;

  Countryside Agencies—SNH, EN, CCW, CC;

  Heritage Agencies—HS, EH, CADW;

  Enterprise Companies;

  Tourist Boards.

  Local community groups are involved through local Forest District Environmental Panels. Ways of upgrading local community involvement are currently being developed in line with our Action Plan to improve performance in para 12.22 of the 1997–2000 Corporate Plan.

  PQ No. 10714
  I set out the combined mileage for Regional offices to Forest District offices on the basis of the 31 Forest Districts planned to be in operation after amalgamation from 1.4.98.

  align="center">Current 5 Region Structure

  Combined mileage

  Average mileage

  North Scotland (Inverness)

  652

  72

  South Scotland (Dumfries)

  363

  61

  Wales (Aberystwyth)

  242

  48

  North & East England (York)

  641

  107

  South & West England (Bristol)

  423

  85

  303

  align="center">(b) 4 Region Structure with Bristol as the sole office for England No change in Scotland and Wales

  Combined mileage

  Average mileage

  England (Bristol)

  1,762

  160

  PQ No. 10715
  The number of full time equivalent jobs that will be lost in Forest Enterprise Regional offices as a result of the reduction in Regional offices, will be:

  Proposed reduction

  Scotland (no reduction in offices)

  Nil

  Wales (no reduction in offices)

  Nil

  England

  140.0

  1 The reduction of 40 posts in England will be partly as a result of closure but mostly as a result of delegation of work to Forest Districts and centralization of work to Head Office.

  PQ No. 10716
  The proposal to reduce the number of Regional offices from 5 to 4 will have no effect upon Forest Enterprise's ability to deliver the Standards of Service set out in the 1997–2000 Corporate Plan. Our services are delivered primarily through front-line staff in Forest Districts dealing directly with visitors, customers and suppliers.
  Compliance with the Forest Enterprise standards of service is assessed through the Agency performance measure "Percentage Compliance with the Citizen's Charter Standards Statement". In 1996/97 systems were introduced and staff trained in order to operate this measure from 1997/98.
  The measure comprises three parts:

  Percentage of day visitors using forest recreation facilities who consider the service to be good or very good.

  Percentage of customers using Forest Holidays cabins who consider the service to be good or very good.

  Percentage of payments to suppliers paid in accordance with the relevant terms of trading.

  The 1997/98 Agency target is 90% comprising:

  87.5% satisfaction for forest recreation day visitors

  87.5% satisfaction for Forest Holiday users.

  95% payments to suppliers on time in accordance with the relevant terms of trading

  PQ No. 10717
  The number of timber customers for each of our Regions, as defined in paragraph 7.9 of the Forest Enterprise Corporate Plan 1997–2000, during 1996/97 was as indicated below:

  1996/97

  North Scotland

  36

  South Scotland

  44

  Wales

  80

  North & East England

  75

  South & West England

  99

  Total GB

  275

  1. The UK figure is 59 less than the total for the Regions. This reflects the fact that many merchants trade in more than one Region.

  2. The figures do not include individuals who purchased small amounts of firewood.
  304
  PQ No. 10718
  In answer to parts a. and b. of your question, I set out below the total area of land in each Forest Enterprise Region which is held on lease:

  Hectares

  North Scotland

  4,471.5

  South Scotland

  1,103.5

  Wales

  24,022.8

  North & East England

  40,770.0

  South & West England

  31,172.8

  total Great Britain

  101,540.6

  We do not hold the information centrally by individual wood. In respect of part c. there are general sporting reservations in our titles over the following areas of Forestry Commission land, by Region, to a third party as follows:

  Hectares

  North Scotland

  nil

  South Scotland

  nil

  Wales

  48,100

  North & East England

  23,600

  South & West England

  22,100

  Total GB

  93,800

  PQ No. 10719
  We maintain links with a wide range of sports epresentative bodies at national, regional and forest district level. There are no unique contacts at regional level.
  The main national fora and contacts are:

  Wildlife and Countryside Link forum of countryside and recreation NGOs

  Countryside Recreation Network of statutory agencies

  Outdoor Pursuits Committee of the CCPR (Countryside Council For Physical Recreation)

  Sports Council

  RAC on motor car rallying

  Auto-Cycle Union on motorcycle enduro races

  British Orienteering Federation

  British Horse Society

  Ramblers Association

  Mountaineering Council for Scotland

  British Cycle Federation

  British Cyclecross Federation

  Scottish Cyclists Union

  Welsh Cyclists Union

  There are also many contacts with local sports clubs at the Forest District level.
  I regret we do not hold central records of permits issued for specialised sports.

  PQ No. 10720
  The performance measure referred to in para 9.23 of the 1997–2000 Corporate Plan is one of our Agency performance measures set out on Page 52. This records annual changes to the number of visitors to sample Forestry Commission forests.
  For this measure, counters have been installed at visitor centres, car parks and forest drives in 86 forest locations covering a statistically representative sample of the most heavily visited areas across all Forest Districts. The objective is to measure trends in visitor numbers. 1997–98 will be the first year for measuring these trends.

  305
  In view of the size of the Forestry Commission estate, the number of accessible woods and public access points it is not practicable to physically count all visitors. No definitive records are therefore available for each Forest Enterprise region.
  The Forestry Commission does however participate in the biennial household day visits survey carried out by Social and Planning Research (S & PR) for a consortium of Departments and Agencies. The most recent survey was conducted in 1996. As part of the survey several thousand adults were interviewed at home and asked about the destinations of leisure day trips. They were also asked if a wood or forest formed part of a trip and if so who was the perceived forest owner or manager. The responses were weighted to provide estimates of visits to Forestry Commission forests and woods. On this basis the 1996 S & PR survey estimated that 42 million day visits were made to Forestry Commission forests made up as follows:

  England: 33 million

  Scotland: 6 million

  Wales: 3 million.

  There is no S & PR data for individual Forest Enterprise Regions.
  The 42 million figure is lower than the 50 million visits quoted for the whole Forestry Commission estate in para 9.4 of the 1997–2000 Corporate Plan since the latter also includes holiday visits not undertaken from the family home.

  PQ No. 10721
  Forest Enterprise has no specific list of stakeholders to be consulted on any review we may undertake over the next 3 years. The Corporate Plan sets out current policies, strategies and resouce allocations. This is circulated to over 1,000 people amongst public agencies, local authorities, NGOs, local communities and user groups. We are actively seeking comment from recipients on the broad thrust of strategies in the Corporate Plan. Focus groups will also be contacted to look at particular topics.
  The planned net expenditure on Forest Recreation in 1997–98, by Region, is as follows:

  £ million

  North Scotland

  0.8

  South Scotland

  0.8

  Wales

  0.6

  North & East England

  1.0

  South & West England

  1.8

  Actual net expenditure will depend upon visitor usage, trading conditions in income generating activities and the settling down of the new register of accounts in its first year of operation.

  PQ No. 10722
  Forest shops and catering facilities are provided at most Forest Enterprise Visitor Centres. These are operated in two ways; either by direct district management or by concessions. The 1996–7 data and results relate solely to FE managed forest shops and catering facilities which are usually run on an integrated set of accounts for each centre with shared buildings, services and management costs. The diversity in unit net income reflects the variety of visitor numbers to different forests and the range of facilities provided by Forest Enterprise

  Region

  Number of forest shops/catering Complexes

  Net income (£000)

  North Scotland

  2

  22

  South Scotland

  5

  25

  Wales

  1

  3

  North & East England

  6

  64

  South & West England

  5

  53

  306
  PQ No.10723
  The percentage of SSSIs managed in accordance with plans endorsed by statutory conservation agencies is a Forest Enterprise Agency performance measure. A target of 100 per cent. has been set by the Forestry Commissioners as the proportion of SSSIs with endorsed plans by 31.3.98. This includes preparation, maintenance and monitoring.
  The 1997–98 Agency 'target allocated by Region is as follows:

  Numbers

  North Scotland

  80

  South Scotland

  54

  Wales

  61

  North & East England

  90

  South & West England

  90

  PQ No. 10724
  The percentage of Scheduled Ancient Monuments managed in accordance with plans endorsed by statutory heritage agencies is a Forest Enterprise Agency Performance measure.
  A target of 40 per cent., of 400 has been set by Forestry Commissioners as the number of Scheduled Ancient Monuments to have endorsed plans by 31.3.98. The aim is to ensure that all Scheduled Ancient Monuments on Forestry Commission land have endorsed plans by 31.3.2000. This 1997–98 Agency target has been allocated to Regions as follows:

  Percentage

  Number

  North Scotland

  40

  70

  South Scotland

  43

  52

  Wales

  90

  122

  North & East England

  30

  58

  South & West England

  30

  104

  The varying rates in planned progress between Regions reflects the range of monuments, the variety of plan requirements and the need to pace work in harmony with heritage agency partners.
  I should mention that all monuments with or without beneficial management plans will continue to be safeguarded from potentially damaging operations through check systems in Forest Districts before work commences in any forest area.
  I hope this letter provides the answers you require.
  I am sorry I cannot provide full answers for questions numbers 10711, 10712 and 10719 but you will understand we are putting in place mechanisms to collate this information during 1997/98 which will be available at the time of the annual report for that year.

  Disabled People (Housing)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans his Department has(a) to extend part T planning regulations to residential dwellings and (b) to take other measures to increase the stock of accessible housing for disabled people. [10858]

  Mr. Chisholm
  The Scottish Office is considering proposals to extend the access requirements of part T of the technical standards for compliance with the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 to cover new, converted or adapted dwellings, taking account of cost implications, and comments made during consultations on draft amendments in 1995.
  307
  Community care, including provision of new or converted buildings accessible to disabled people, and adaptations to existing dwellings, is a national housing priority.

  A1
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the maximum and average yearly traffic flows on the Al road at Pencraig Hill; and what proportion of that traffic consists of heavy goods vehicles. [11060]

  Mr. Chisholm
  The average annual daily flow for 1996 was 11,500 vehicles with 20 per cent., 2,300, comprising heavy goods vehicles. This equates in 1996 to a total of 4,197,500 vehicles of which 839,500 were heavy goods vehicles. The peak traffic flow in August was approximately 14,720 vehicles per day. This equates to a total of 456,320 vehicles in August.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his amendment to the Lothian region structure plan stating that dualling of the road to Dunbar is now in hand. [11063]

  Mr. Chisholm
  The modification to the Lothian region structure plan reflects the very considerable progress already made and the work under way in dualling the A1. As my hon. Friend is aware, preparatory work to dual the stage between Haddington and Dunbar will continue within the Scottish Office during the review of the trunk road programme.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of the new bridge at the end of the A1 dual carriageway at Haddington. [11064]

  Mr. Chisholm
  A total of £340,000.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what costs have been incurred on(a) preparing plans, (b) acquiring land and (c) other preliminary work for dualling the A1 road between Haddington and Dunbar. [11065]

  Mr. Chisholm
  As at 30 June 1997, the Scottish Office had incurred expenditure of £1.24 million on preparation work on dualling the section of the Al between Haddington and Dunbar. No expenditure has been incurred to date by the Scottish Office on the acquisition of land or preliminary work.

  Drug Addiction
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are in place for monitoring the use and effectiveness of methadone as a heroin substitute. [11271]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Arrangements for the delivery of substitute prescribing programmes, including monitoring the use and effectiveness of services, are a matter for local consideration in the first instance. The use and effectiveness of substitute prescribing programmes are issues addressed in new national guidance on drug misuse services which has been prepared by my department, discussed with the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse, and is now the subject of wide consultation.
  308
  An additional £1 million is being made available to health boards in this financial year to fund shared care arrangements for drug misusers, which will include monitoring and evaluation of projects.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the use of methadone as a heroin substitute for heroin addicts in Scotland. [11270]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Substitute prescribing, including the use of methadone as a heroin substitute, is a method of harm reduction which has an important part to play in tackling drug misuse in Scotland. It needs to form part of a comprehensive package of care tailored to the individual needs of the drug misuser, which includes counselling and support and supervision of the taking of the drug, to prevent leakage onto the illicit market.

  My Department is issuing detailed guidance on good practice in substitute prescribing to all GPs and relevant health professionals in Scotland.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the expenditure on the provision of methadone to heroin addicts(a) by health board and (b) in total for each of the last 10 years in Scotland. [11272]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information by health board and Scotland for the financial years 1994–95 to 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  The costs shown include the value of ingredients and the cost of fees paid to community pharmacists for dispensing the drug.

  The information is not available in the form requested before 1994–95.

  Cost of methadone prescribing: 1994–95 to 1996–97

  Health board

  1994–95 (£)

  1995–96 (£)

  1996–97 (£)

  Argyll and Clyde

  100,617

  142,918

  206,117

  Ayrshire and Arran

  156,791

  166,850

  251,422

  Borders

  4,875

  5,353

  8,332

  Dumfries and Galloway

  31,710

  48,304

  53,417

  Fife

  30,591

  59,354

  86,943

  Forth Valley

  94,810

  98,901

  113,965

  Grampian

  186,454

  264,363

  269,263

  Greater Glasgow

  1,169,894

  1,620,819

  1,924,393

  Highland

  8,082

  15,337

  15,699

  Lanarkshire

  36,891

  55,309

  85,164

  Lothian

  435,881

  533,992

  631,033

  Orkney

  409

  351

  405

  Shetland

  96

  1,390

  1,712

  Tayside

  253,504

  292,917

  348,973

  Western Isles

  16

  21

  4

  Scotland

  2,510,621

  3,306,179

  3,996,832

  Needle Exchange Services
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the qualification requirements for employees involved in needle exchange services. [11273]

  Mr. Galbraith
  No formal qualification for needle exchange workers exists, but, under the framework of guidance issued by the Scottish Office, such needle and syringe exchange schemes must be supervised by a registered medical practitioner.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ask a Scottish Lord of Appeal in Ordinary to discuss the Lockerbie case with(a) Lord Fraser of Carmyllie, (b) the Lord President, (c) Lord Mackay of Drumadom and (d) the Lord Advocate and report to him. [11129]

  Mr. McLeish
  No.

  Crime and Punishment Act
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which further provisions of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 he intends to implement; and if he will make a statement. [12072]

  Mr. McLeish
  The key objective of our criminal justice policy is to protect the public effectively. It is against this background that we have reviewed the provisions of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997.

  We have already made a commencement order bringing certain provisions of the 1997 Act into force on 1 August—SI 1997/1712 (C.72) (S.128). We intend to bring a further tranche of provisions into force in October, including mandatory minimum sentences for persistent drug traffickers—section 2 of the 1997 Act—and new arrangements for criminal legal aid—part V of the 1997 Act).

  We remain committed to consistency and honesty in sentencing, and will be bringing forward proposals to further these aims. However, we have concluded that the new arrangements for early release contained in part III of the 1997 Act are unsatisfactory and impractical, and we do not therefore propose to implement them in their present form.

  We are not satisfied that section 1 of the Act, which provides for the sentences to be imposed in certain circumstances on repeat violent and sex offenders, as enacted, provides proper protection for the public against these offenders. However, given the seriousness with which we view the issue of repeat offending, we shall be consulting on how best to provide for the appropriate sentencing and improved supervision of such offenders.

  In addition, we shall be taking a range of other steps to deal effectively with offenders and improve public protection. We shall be commencing section 5 of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 to enable the Secretary of State to set up pilot schemes for the electronic tagging of offenders.

  Community-based sentences have an important part to play in punishing and rehabilitating offenders. I am therefore looking closely at the full range of disposals, both custodial and non-custodial, against our objectives of improving public safety, dealing effectively and rigorously with offending behaviour and increasing public confidence in the criminal justice system.

  We will be consulting further on other options in developing a new strategy on criminal justice for Scotland which is tough, effective, workable and coherent.

  Fisheries Research Services
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the key performance targets he has set for Fisheries Research Services for 1997–98. [12073]

  Mr. Chisholm
  For this, the first year as an agency, I have set the following targets.

  Delivery of service

  To carry out a customer satisfaction survey.

  To achieve 70 per cent. of the milestones agreed for R and D projects.

  To maintain, pro rata, FRS's publication output.

  Quality of service

  To submit, as required for accreditation of chemical measurements, the quality manual and documentation to the United Kingdom accreditation service.

  To review the work of the Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory through a visiting group and to report by December 1997.

  Financial targets

  To carry out the agreed Scottish Office programme within the agreed costs.

  To recover full economic costs from external customers.

  To establish the proportional administrative costs of FRS and to compare them with those of other agencies.

  To establish the cost per day of the FRS research vessels and to compare them with those of similar research vessels.

  To establish the unit cost of fish disease inspections and to compare with other similar programmes.

  These various measures or tasks should provide a solid basis for evaluating performance over the medium term, by establishing a time series for certain indicators and by the requirement for regular external scrutiny, whether by customers or scientific peers.

  Scottish Tourist Board
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the forthcoming policy and financial management review of the Scottish tourist board. [12161]

  Mr. Dewar
  As part of the Government's rolling programme of five-yearly policy and financial management reviews of non-departmental public bodies, my Department will conduct a thorough review of the Scottish tourist board during 1997. The first stage of the review will take the form of a prior options study which will include an examination of the scope for discontinuing, privatising, contracting out or transferring to another body some or all of the functions carried out by the board. This study is now under way and I would welcome comments from interested parties. Comments should be sent by 6 October 1997 to:

  Mr. Neil Clement

  The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department

  Area 3-G

  Victoria Quay

  EDINBURGH

  EH6 6QQ

  Referendum Publicity Costs
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the final allocation in 1997–98 for expenditure on publicity in respect of the referendum on a Scottish Parliament. [12162]

  Mr. Dewar
  In 1997–98, £700,000 will made available through voted provision to meet the cost of publicity and other miscellaneous expenditure associated with the referendum on a Scottish Parliament. The provision will be made available through the miscellaneous category in the Scottish Office Home Department vote.

  Parliamentary approval of this new expenditure will be sought in a 1997–98 winter supplementary estimate for the law, order and protective services, police grant and social work services, Scotland vote—class XIII, vote 5. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure will be met by a repayable advance from the contingencies fund.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Charter Unit
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the role of the charter unit in his Department. [9714]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The charter unit is responsible for taking forward the charter programme under our direction. In particular, it administers the charter mark award scheme, provides guidance to public service organisations, and disseminates best practice in public service provision.

  Freedom of Information
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received regarding freedom of information. [9719]

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received regarding freedom of information legislation. [9721]

  Dr. David Clark
  My Department has received representations from more than 70 organisations and individuals, all welcoming the Government's plans for greater openness and a freedom of information Act.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the progress of the White Paper on freedom of information. [9723]

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the proposed White Paper on freedom of information. [9735]

  Dr. Clark
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan).

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the obstacles to the early introduction of a White Paper on freedom of information legislation. [9724]
  312
  Dr. Clark
  The time necessary to prepare fully considered proposals on this integral part of our radical programme of constitutional reform.

  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he will take to study the experience of other countries in developing freedom of information legislation. [9726]

  Dr. Clark
  In developing our proposals for freedom of information legislation we are studying the experience of a number of other countries. I am planning to visit Canada, Australia and New Zealand later this year to look at the implementation and operation of their freedom of information regimes. I also took the opportunity to look at the American experience of freedom of information during my recent trip to the United States of America.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consultations he has had with ministerial colleagues on proposed freedom of information legislation. [9731]

  Dr. Clark
  I have had a number of useful discussions with ministerial colleagues.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if his proposals for freedom of information legislation will apply to(a) British Nuclear Fuels plc and (b) other publicly owned companies. [11227]

  Dr. Clark
  Our intention is that the freedom of information Act will apply not only to central Government Departments and agencies but to the public sector more widely. Details will be set out in the forthcoming White Paper.

  Charters
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to reform the programme of charters. [9720]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson) earlier today.

  Public Services (Elderly People)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what initiatives he is taking to consult elderly people on the use of public services. [9722]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I attended a forum of older people on 8 July. The participants discussed their use of public services, identifying key issues of concern, and ways in which new technology could be used to deliver services to older people. They also commented on an early draft chapter of a booklet we are producing with the Citizenship Foundation, Age Concern and Saga, which will cover rights as they relate to older people.

  Public Services
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he plans to conclude his discussions on the citizens charter; and what are his plans for promoting and developing the quality of public services. [9725]
  313
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  As we have already announced, we will be consulting widely on the future direction of the charter programme. We will take into account the results of this consultation and, of course, the report of the previous Public Service Committee on which the hon. Member sat. I hope that, around the end of this year, we will be in a position to relaunch the programme as an initiative that will make a real difference to the lives of ordinary people.

  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the areas in which the electronic delivery of public services will have the greatest impact. [9728]

  Dr. David Clark
  Information technology will underscore our better government programme, informing all we do as a Government. We intend that electronic delivery systems will have a wide impact on all Government services in every part of the country and will benefit everybody.

  Better Government Programme
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his better government programme. [9729]

  Dr. David Clark
  The White Paper on Better Government will set out how we intend to meet our commitment to rebuild the bond of trust between Government and the people, by opening Government out and by providing accessible services which better match the way that people need live their lives.

  The White Paper will address four challenges for Government as we enter the new millennium:

  Cleaning up politics;

  Getting good results and rooting out waste;

  Listening to the people;

  Working together across institutional boundaries.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidance he has given the Commissioner for Public Appointments regarding his role in relation to reappointments of existing chairpersons of public bodies whose terms of office are or shortly will be due for renewal. [9730]

  Dr. David Clark
  None. The Commissioner for Public Appointments is independent of Government. His code of practice for public appointments procedures, which came into effect on 1 July 1996, states"Reappointments to the same post should not be automatic. The performance of the post-holder should be reviewed. A second reappointment should be exceptional and normally subject to a scrutiny process, including considering other candidates."
  The code is supplemented by detailed guidance for Departments. Copies of the code and guidance are available in the Library.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the Government's future plans for deregulation. [9732]
  314
  Dr. David Clark
  We are committed to ensuring that regulations are simple, helpful and fair. We aim to deliver responsible and responsive regulation for business, particularly small firms, and the citizen. I have appointed Chris Haskins to chair a new better regulation task force and the deregulation unit has similarly been renamed the better regulation unit to reflect the fact that our priority is to get regulation right.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what additional steps he is taking to ensure that food is safe to eat. [9733]

  Dr. David Clark
  At the request of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, I chair the ministerial group on food safety. As part of its work on the establishment of a Food Standards Agency, the group has looked at ways in which we can improve food safety arrangements in the interim. This work has involved a number of Government Departments, principally the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health. Later today, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will make a statement setting out these measures in full.

  Quangos
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his plans to(a) abolish quangos and (b) introduce a significant element of democratic accountability to quangos. [9734]

  Dr. David Clark
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for West Lancashire (Mr. Pickthall) on 18 June,Official Report, column 174, the Government believe that the previous Administration created too many unelected, undemocratic quangos. We have therefore instituted a review of quangos with the aim of reducing overall numbers.

  Last Thursday, Official Report, column 693, in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Bradley), I announced proposals to issue a discussion paper in the autumn, considering how democratic oversight of public bodies might best be enhanced. In the light of consultation, we have brought forward proposals in the White Paper on Better Government to be published later this year.

  Next Steps Agencies
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to improve the accountability of next steps agencies to Parliament. [9712]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  We are considering whether there are any issues that need to be addressed in this area as part of our wider commitment to modernise Government services and make them more responsive.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the number and proportion of(a) Asians and (b) Afro-Caribbeans in each grade in the civil service. [11103]
  315
  Dr. David Clark
  Information on the ethnic origin of civil servants is collected using a voluntary, self-classification, confidential questionnaire. The number

  align="center">Grade Level by ethnic origin

  Grade level

  Afro-Caribbean

  Percentage Caribbean

  Afro-Asian

  Percentage Asian

  Total Respondents

  SCS (1–5)

  13

  0.34

  43

  1.13

  3,819

  6

  18

  0.42

  91

  2.10

  4,325

  7

  82

  0.55

  216

  1.45

  14,906

  SEO

  68

  0.33

  263

  1.28

  20,500

  HEO

  553

  0.84

  736

  1.12

  65,839

  EO

  1,494

  1.54

  2,280

  2.35

  96,929

  AO

  4,275

  2.97

  5,873

  4.08

  14,4099

  AA

  2,212

  3.47

  2,684

  4.20

  63,837

  Other

  5

  0.33

  8

  0.53

  1,505

  Summary information

  8,720

  1.20

  12,194

  2.03

  415,759

  Central Office of Information
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what targets have been set for the Central Office of Information for 1997–98. [12164]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I have set Central Office of Information the following key performance targets for 1997–98:

  to achieve a surplus of £1 million in modified historical cost terms after recovering all costs including interest on borrowings;

  to achieve a further 2 per cent. increase in efficiency as measured by limit cost reduction;

  to achieve an average score of 8.25 out of 10 for the COI customer satisfaction index.

  Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what performance targets he has set for the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency for 1997–98. [12166]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I have set the following key performance targets for the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency for 1997–98:

  to break even on an accruals basis;

  to deliver CCTA services within voted provisions;

  to establish a baseline for operation within the CCTA customer charter;

  to secure savings which will result in a 5 per cent. reduction in the cost of supporting services in 1998–99;

  to achieve 85 per cent. of customers assessing satisfaction with CCTA services at levels one and two of a five-point scale.

  Civil Service College
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what key performance targets he has set for the Civil Service College for the current year. [12165]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The key performance targets for the Civil Service College for 1997–98 are:

  to break-even in accrual accounting terms;

  to earn £1,500,000 from consultancy;

  to attract 1,515 students from the private sector;

  to attract 900 students from the private sector;

  to earn 88 per cent. of students' course evaluation in the highest two of six categories.

  316
  and proportion of Asian and Afro-Caribbean civil servants, by grade equivalents, who have submitted a questionnaire, as at 1 April 1996 is set out in the table.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Parades and Marches
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisations applied to march in Northern Ireland in 1996 more than five times. [9978]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information is not available in the format requested and would incur disproportionate cost to provide.

  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals she has to extend the remit of the Parades Commission to(a) grant special protection for traditional parades and (b) monitor other aspects of local culture in Northern Ireland. [10123]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government have received representations about the remit of the Parades Commission, and is considering extending this remit beyond that recommended by the North report.

  The forthcoming parades legislation will, as proposed by North, provide for the commission to take into account a range of factors including whether a parade is of long-standing. The commission will, in any particular case, weight up all the factors before reaching a conclusion.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many parades were applied for in 1996; how many were perceived as(a) unionist, (b) nationalist and (c) other; and which organisations filed for more than 10 parades in that year. [10125]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information is not available in the format requested and would incur disproportionate cost to provide. I refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) on 29 July 1997,Official Report, column 158.

  Internet
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will ensure that the Northern Ireland Office's web site on the Internet has adequate links to and from the web site of the Central Office of Information; and if she will make a statement. [11005]
  317
  Mr. Murphy
  My Department is fully committed to using the potential of the Internet as an international communications medium and as an aid to open government. The NIO web site has more than 400 pages of information, regularly updated, on all political developments, security, crime, policing and community relations in Northern Ireland and including all press releases issued. In the period January to July 1997, visits to the site have increased from 1,187 to 25,353 per month.

  A re-design now nearing completion will enhance content, visual appeal, user friendliness and links to and from other sites both within and outside Government, including the CCTA open government site and through it the Central Office of Information.

  Expenditure
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list each increase in spending in excess of £50,000 by sub-heading in the Northern Ireland estimates, which she has approved. [11468]

  Mr. Murphy
  The table lists the specific areas where an increase in spending in excess of £50,000 has been approved in the 1997–98 Northern Ireland main estimates:

  Line

  Net total 1997–98

  Total net provision 1996–97

  Increase £000

  Department of Agriculture Vote 1

  C: Domestic policy—National

  27,801

  17,177

  10,624

  Department of Agriculture Vote 2

  A: Agri-food development services

  17,861

  17,383

  478

  C: Veterinary services

  17,800

  16,823

  977

  G: Fisheries

  5,198

  4,027

  1,171

  J: EU structural funds

  3,694

  3,304

  390

  K: EU Peace and Reconciliation—Dept. Exp.

  6,801

  6,588

  213

  L: Matching funding for EU PRP—Dept. Exp.

  2,265

  2,196

  69

  Department of Economic Development Vote 1

  A: Land and buildings

  30,699

  22,399

  8,300

  B: Promotion

  9,171

  8,858

  313

  C: Assistance to Industry

  7,352

  6,467

  885

  D: Assistance to Industry

  105,291

  95,155

  10,136

  Department of Economic Development Vote 2

  F: Development of Tourism

  13,935

  13,580

  355

  H: Energy and Mineral

  21,267

  16,475

  4,792

  J: EU Peace and Reconciliation—Dept. Exp.

  7,003

  2,574

  4,429

  L: Matching funding for EUPRP—Dept. Exp.

  2,335

  858

  1,477

  M: Matching funding for EUPRP

  2,968

  473

  2,495

  Department of Economic Development Vote 3

  E: EU Peace and Reconciliation—Dept. Exp.

  12,416

  7,598

  4,818

  G: Matching funding for EUPRP—Dept. Exp.

  4,139

  2,486

  1,653

  H: Matching funding for EUPRP

  1,130

  1,026

  104

  Department of the Environment Vote 1

  E: Road passenger services

  11,938

  11,735

  203

  318

  Line

  Net total 1997–98

  Total net provision 1996–97

  Increase £000

  I: Matching funding for EUPRP

  174

  50

  124

  K: Other expenditure

  6,127

  6,000

  127

  Department of the Environment Vote 2

  B: Housing—other expenditure

  2,345

  2,212

  133

  D: Housing grant to NIHE (Public Corp)

  138,000

  136,290

  1,710

  Department of the Environment Vote 3

  A: Water Service

  146,917

  145,399

  1,518

  B: Privatisation

  3,799

  2,499

  1,300

  Department of the Environment Vote 4

  A: Environment and Heritage Service

  21,501

  21,419

  82

  F: Rate Collection Agency

  6,597

  6,397

  200

  G: Ordnance Survey of NI

  5,118

  4,913

  205

  L: Matching funding for EU PRP

  9,349

  2,155

  7,194

  Department of the Environment Vote 5

  A: Fire Services

  43,836

  43,471

  365

  Department of Education Vote 1

  A: Education and library boards—grants in aid

  843,011

  831,458

  11,553

  C: Voluntary and grant integrated schools

  181,343

  168,211

  13,132

  E: CCEA

  8,776

  8,485

  291

  I: Miscellaneous services, Administration and Research

  2,588

  2,384

  204

  J: F E Incorporation

  1,508

  1,000

  508

  X: Matching funding for EU PRP

  4,853

  1,082

  3,771

  Department of Education Vote 2

  A: Pensions, lump sums etc. Teachers Superannation

  39,677

  29,171

  10,506

  Department of Health and Social Services Vote 1

  A: Hospital community H and PSS and family HS

  1,272,324

  1,246,301

  26,023

  C: Family HS (demand led) general medical services

  72,643

  69,907

  2,736

  D: Family HS (demand led) Pharmaceutical services

  149,524

  141,736

  7,788

  E: Family HS (demand led) dental services

  46,555

  42,373

  4,182

  F: Family HS (demand led) ophthalmic services

  10,937

  9,829

  1,108

  H: Welfare foods

  7,202

  7,026

  176

  J: Other centrally financed services

  2,553

  2,261

  292

  K: Additional current advances to HSS boards

  53,000

  44,843

  8,157

  Department of Health and Social Services Vote 3

  E: Special Initiatives

  3,168

  1,382

  1,786

  H: EU PRP—Departmental expenditure

  5,939

  4,683

  1,256

  I: Matching funding for EU PRP—Depart expend

  1,980

  1,561

  419

  K: Matching funding for EU PRP

  2,499

  1,883

  616

  319

  Line

  Net total 1997–98

  Total net provision 1996–97

  Increase £000

  Department of Health and Social Services Vote 5

  A: Benefits including Income Support for Elderly

  1,121,618

  1,055,806

  65,812

  B: Income support—non pensioners and jobseekers

  601,905

  572,669

  29,236

  Department of Health and Social Services Vote 6

  A: Independent living funds

  5,198

  5,077

  121

  B: Housing benefit (Rent)

  270,567

  263,901

  6,666

  C: Discretionary Rent Allowance

  689

  469

  220

  D: Housing benefit (Rates)

  27,910

  26,800

  1,110

  E: Payments into Social fund (Regulated)

  3,564

  3,440

  124

  Department of Finance and Personnel Vote 1

  A: Financial administration and Central Management of CS

  13,322

  13,008

  314

  E: Business Development Services

  8,330

  7,983

  347

  Department of Finance and Personnel Vote 3

  D: Matching funding for the EU PRP

  415

  300

  115

  Northern Ireland Audit Office Vote 1

  A: Northern Ireland Audit Office

  3,645

  3,448

  197

  Parliamentary Ombudsman for NI and NI Commissioner for Complaints Vote 1

  A: Parliamentary Ombudsman for NI and NI Commissioner for Complaints

  587

  515

  72

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many plastic baton rounds were fired between 1 and 14 July in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997; and if she will make a statement [11067]

  Mr. Ingram
  In response to the widespread and serious public disorder during these periods, the number of plastic baton rounds fired between 1 and 14 July 1996 was 8,098 and in the same period in 1997 was 2,510, although the figures for 1997 may be subject to adjustment.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the reasons for the non-reappointment of Geraldine Donaghy to the Southern health and social services board; and if she will review the decision. [11494]

  Mr. Ingram
  Ms Donaghy's four-year period of appointment as non-executive director of the Southern health and social services board expired on 31 March 1997. In reviewing the vacancies in the Southern health and social services board, the Department of Health and Social Services decided to consider the merits of other candidates before making its recommendation to the then health Minister, the hon. Member for Cambridgeshire,320
  North-East (Mr. Moss). This procedure is consistent with the Commisioner for Public Appointments code of practice.

  On becoming Minister with responsibility for the Department of Health and Social Services, my hon. Friend the Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) was presented with a number of candidates rated as suitable for appointment by a panel which included an independent member, constituted under guidelines issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The decision was based on the merits of these individual candidates and there was no reason to review this decision.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the public appointments procedure in Northern Ireland in respect of nominations from the voluntary and community sector to health and social services boards. [11495]

  Mr. Ingram
  The is no statutory requirement that the department of Health and Social Services seek nominations from the voluntary and community sector for appointments to health and social services boards. Appointment opportunities within DHSS bodies are advertised openly and anyone is free to self-nominate and be considered for such appointments. This is in line with the DHSS procedures for public appointments, which follow the Commissioner for Public Appointments' code of practice.

  Industrial Research and Technology Unit
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the industrial research and technology unit for the financial year 1997–98. [12070]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following key targets have been set for the agency for 1997–98:

  1. To maintain new user participation in the near market compete programme at 10 per cent.

  2. To increase the average industry contribution to the compete and start—pre-competitive—programme by 1 per cent.

  3. To achieve full cost recovery for scientific services.

  4. To maintain NAMAS and BSI Accreditations.

  5. To achieve efficiency savings of 3 per cent.

  Prison Service
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Northern Ireland Prison Service intends to publish its 1997 corporate and business plan; and what performance targets have been set for 1997–98. [12071]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Prison Service's 1997 corporate and business plan was published today. For 1997–98 the following key performance targets have been set:

  1. To ensure 100 per cent. security for prisoners in high and top risk categories. To ensure at least 99.5 per cent. security for prisoners in medium and low risk categories.

  2. To ensure that the number of significant security breaches during 1997–98 does not exceed 7.3 per 100 prisoners.

  3. To achieve an average five per cent. improvement in constructive activity hours during 1997–98.

  321

  4. To conduct a further customer satisfaction survey of visitors in each establishment.

  5. To offer sentence planning to all prisoners and young offenders who wish to participate in the scheme and to achieve a 50 per cent. uptake from eligible prisoners.

  6. To ensure that the average cost per prisoner place does not exceed £76,252.

  7. To achieve an average of five days training per member of staff.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Standards Agency
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what responses he has received to the consultation on Professor James's report on proposals for a food standards agency; and if he will make a statement. [11854]

  Mr. John Cunningham
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and I, with the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales, and for Northern Ireland, welcome the excellent response to the consultation on Professor James's report. The Government have received replies from more than 630 organisations and individuals. The responses show that there is widespread support for the proposal to establish a food standards agency which would be a non-departmental public body accountable to Parliament through health Ministers and operating on a basis of openness and transparency; create a clear separation between the responsibilities for regulating food safety and for promoting the interests of food-related industries; promote food safety from "plough to plate".

  Many detailed points were raised in the consultation, which we are now studying further. Our aim is to publish a White Paper in the autumn setting out the Government's response to Professor James's recommendations in the light of the first round of public consultation. The White Paper will itself be the subject of a second consultation and a draft Bill will then be drafted and published. We shall bring the Bill before Parliament as soon as parliamentary time permits.

  It is the Government's intention to establish a shadow food standards commission once the necessary legislation has made sufficient progress through its parliamentary stages. We are also taking a range of measures to improve food safety arrangements in the transitional period before establishment of a food standards agency. The Minister for Food Safety and the Minister for Public Health will take on a joint role in preparing the way for the food standards agency and ensuring maximum protection for the public. They will carry out this day-to-day role in close consultation with their ministerial counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Overall policy co-ordination will rest with the ministerial committee on food safety, chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  A key feature of the transitional arrangements will be developing further the independent advisory committees that advise the Government as a whole on food safety and related matters. The Food Advisory Committee will be given a special role in the handling of food safety issues that go beyond the remit of any one expert committee.
  322
  In addition to these UK-wide measures, the Secretary of State for Health and I are taking specific steps to improve the management of food safety issues in England. A joint food safety and standards group will be formed from the relevant staff in MAFF and the Department of Health from 1 September 1997. The group will be headed by Mr. Geoffrey Podger, a Department of Health official currently seconded to MAFF. The new joint group will report to Ministers in both Departments. In Scotland, all food safety issues are handled by a single team which comes under the responsibility of the Scottish health Minister; in Wales all food safety issues come under the responsibility of the Welsh health Minister; and in Northern Ireland the Department of Health and Social Services has lead responsibility for food safety issues.

  The chief medical officer, Sir Kenneth Calman, will be given a new high level co-ordinating role in the handling of issues of potential public concern about food. Sir Kenneth will have particular responsibility for a new joint MAFF-Department of Health risk communication unit which is to be established and further reinforced by the appointment of an external adviser. This role will be undertaken in consultation with territorial Departments.

  We are also continuing to strengthen our approach to food safety issues taking account of the high priority we give to the protection of public health, the rigorous enforcement of measures designed to protect the public and our commitment to openness, transparency and responsiveness to consumer concerns.

  I am placing copies of all the responses to the consultation on Professor James's report in the Library of the House.

  Veterinary Field Service
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the veterinary field service will become a next steps executive agency; and if he will make a statement. [12068]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I have decided that the veterinary field service should not at present become an executive agency.

  Following an internal review of MAFF veterinary services under the last Government, the VFS structure was streamlined. One recommendation in that review was that the VFS should become a next steps agency. It would be inappropriate to proceed with a move to agency status given the move towards establishing the food standards agency and devolution, which have implications for the state veterinary service.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the dumping of radioactive waste at sea. [12069]

  Mr. Rooker
  My Department and others concerned with the disposal of radioactive waste have undertaken detailed searches of archive records relating to dumping at sea at Beaufort's dyke and elsewhere. Details of the searches carried out so far and the findings of each Department have been placed in the Library of the House.
  323
  Information was found of two further instances of radioactive waste being dumped, or possibly being dumped, in Beaufort's dyke in addition to that reported to the House on 1 July, Official Report, columns 1586–60. The first instance was identified by the Scottish Office from a reference on one paper and relates to a disposal being arranged in 1957 at Cairn Ryan, a port used for the disposal of munitions to Beaufort's dyke, of a damaged closed caesium 137 source. There is no indication of the disposal site or any other information on the form of disposal. The level of radioactivity is described as about one quarter curie.

  The second instance was identified by my Department concerning the dumping in 1976 of about 10,000 tonnes of building rubble and soil from the demolition of the premises of Thorium Ltd., a company that extracted thorium from minerals and left a waste product containing enhanced levels of naturally radioactive material. The authorisation required that the average radioactivity of this demolition material should be less than 10-4 microcuries/gm and was not to exceed 5 x 10-3 microcuries/gm in any part.

  In respect of other locations not previously recognised as dump sites for radioactive waste, the Scottish Office has identified the following information:
  scrap from a Ferranti radioactive valve manufacturing unit was dumped by Ferranti between 1954 and 1957 in the Firth of Forth off North Queensferry. An estimate at the time put this at 7.5 mg of radium bromide at six-monthly intervals;
  advice to UK Time Ltd. in 1949 to dispose of 35,000 luminised dials likely to have contained in total between 25 and 50mg radium either on land or in sealed drums at least 5 miles off shore. A subsequent paper suggests that such dumping continued in the North sea during the 1950s;
  the dumping by ICI Ltd. of two anti-static devices—strontium 90—at the explosives disposal site off the Isle of Arran prior to 1958;
  the dumping in 1963 at Garroch head, on the Clyde, of material from the clear-up of a former radium factory at Balloch.

  In checking these historic records, Departments have in addition identified instances when liquid wastes or sludge containing small amounts of radioactivity were dumped at sea through dispersion into the water column from ships. These disposals were from the naval dockyards at Chatham and Rosyth into the North sea beyond the Thames estuary and the Firth of Forth respectively during the mid to late 1960s and early 1970s; sludges from industrial sources containing enhanced natural radioactivity into the Liverpool bay area, and possibly Morecambe bay and the Humber estuary, during the early to mid 1970s; and mildly radioactive solutions from early experiments at MAFF's Lowestoft laboratory in the North sea in the late 1940s.

  Where possible, these reports are being following up to see whether further information can be obtained.

  On the evidence of the papers that have been examined, I am advised that, even using cautious assumptions, it is estimated that radiation exposures to the public following any dispersal of radioactivity in the sea would give rise to radiation dose levels well within the International Commission on Radiological Protection recommended dose limit and a small fraction of those arising from natural background radioactivity. Nevertheless, I am arranging for the National Radiological Protection Board to make an independent assessment of this information
  324
  and anything further that can be found. In particular, I shall ask it to advise me of the radiological significance of the disposals and on whether there is any need for monitoring over and above that which is already undertaken. I shall report further to the House when I have received the board's advice.

  Cattle Cull
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made on the selective cull; and if he will make a statement. [12074]

  Mr. Rooker
  Since 1 May, progress with the selective cull has substantially improved. In Northern Ireland, the cull is complete except for six animals and any which have been imported from Great Britain. In Great Britain, we have completed nearly half of the natal herd visits. In Scotland, we have completed all of them. In England and Wales, all but a few of the visits have been made to farms with animals in the compulsory years. We have now slaughtered 15,000 animals in the UK—10 times the number that had been slaughtered when we came to office. This is good progress, but we need to do better still.

  We have looked at all our procedures to see what more can be done to speed up. We have recently reached agreement with the Commission that farmers can choose a valuer from a list of valuers drawn up by the Ministry where the valuation is for 10 or fewer animals. Up to now, many owners have opted to have two valuers, which has created problems in arranging valuations and thus slowed down progress with the cull. This new procedure is already being put into practice.

  Now that owners can choose the valuer, I do not consider it necessary to have two valuers for 10 or fewer animals. I therefore propose to amend the BSE Compensation Order 1996 so that the option of having two valuers for 10 animals or fewer is no longer available. We regard this as necessary, particularly to ensure that we make maximum progress with animals that have moved away from their herd of birth and will mainly be dealt with as single animals. Farming and valuers organisations will be consulted on the draft amendments to the order, which in the interests of making speedy progress on the cull I propose to lay and bring into force during the recess.

  It is in everyone' s interests for the cull to be completed as soon as possible. That is the Government's aim and we will continue to look for ways to make faster progress. I hope that farmers will work with the state veterinary service to get through this difficult task as quickly as we can.

  Intervention Board
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the Intervention Board performed against its targets for 1996–97; and what key performance targets he has set the agency for 1997–98. [12075]
  325
  Dr. John Cunningham
  The Intervention Board's performance against its key targets in 1996–97 was as follows:

  Target (per cent.)

  Performance

  Percentage of claims processed within deadlines

  99.0

  85.0

  Percentage of claims processed correctly

  98.5

  199.5

  Cumulative running cost efficiency gains

  2.5

  5.3

  Improvement in index of productivity

  6.0

  3.0

  Ratio of disallowance to European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund funds handled

  0.40

  Not yet known

  To maintain expenditure within vote provision, cash and running cost limits

  —

  Met

  New value for money savings in procurement of goods and services

  6.0

  6.8

  Yield:cost ratio of anti-fraud activities

  3.0:1.0

  1.2:1.0

  1 Results for BSE-related schemes were based on a smaller sample of processed claims because monitoring on the same basis began later in the year.

  In agreement with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland, I have set the following targets for 1997–98:

  Target (per cent.)

  Percentage of claims processed within deadlines

  99.0

  Percentage of claims processed correctly

  98.5

  Cumulative running cost efficiency gains

  2.5

  Improvement in index of productivity

  6.0

  Ration of disallowance to EAGGF funds handled

  0.40

  To maintain expenditure within vote provision, cash and running cost limits

  —

  New value for money savings in procurement of goods and services

  6.5

  Yield: cost ratio of anti-fraud activities

  3.0:1.0

  Vitamin B6
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he took to consult interested parties prior to his announcement of a ban on higher dose vitamin B6 supplements. [10881]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) on 29 July 1997,Official Report, columns 20–21.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he proposes to take to impose a ban on higher dose vitamin B6 supplements. [10882]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government have no intention of imposing a ban on higher dose vitamin B6 products. It has accepted advice from the independent Food Advisory Committee that the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law should be limited to a maximum of 10 mg per daily dose. This limit will be introduced by regulations under the Food Safety Act 1990. However, higher dose products licensed as 326
  medicines for the treatment of specific clinical conditions will continue to be available from pharmacies and on prescription.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all subcontractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10742]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department and its agencies are responsible for collating and processing payments to staff including basic pay, sick pay and payments for excess hours worked, and so on. The Department performs this function for staff in the core Department, the Pesticides Safety Directorate, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. The Department's other agencies—the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, the Meat Hygiene Service, the Central Science Laboratory and the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency—are responsible for their own payroll functions.

  The Department and its agencies use the payroll services contractor, Chessington Computer Services Ltd., which is responsible for making the actual payments and issuing payment advice to staff.

  The Department and its agencies use the Chessington Computer Services management system known as SPIRE—standard payroll input and retrieval. In addition, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science operates a small payroll system for about 30 locally paid industrial staff. There were no extra costs associated with this system in 1996–97.

  The estimated total cost of the Department's, including agencies, payroll systems and processes in 1996–97 was £930,400. This figure does not include costs for the Fanning and Rural Conservation Agency, which was established on 1 April 1997.

  Gyrodactylus Salaris Parasite
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take to prevent the spread of the parasite gyrodactylus salaris into United Kingdom rivers. [11474]

  Mr. Morley
  At the request of the United Kingdom, a safeguard measure was adopted last year by the European Commission prohibiting the import into the UK and Ireland of all live salmonids and requiring all imported salmonid eggs to be disinfected. Although the risk of introducing gyrodactylus salaris on angling equipment or clothing is very low, we also advise all those fishing abroad to ensure that any such equipment or clothing is either thoroughly dried or disinfected before, or on return to the UK.

  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has held with angling organisations regarding the possible spread of the parasite gyrodactylus salaris into United Kingdom rivers; and if he will make a statement. [11475]
  327
  Mr. Morley
  Officials are in regular contact with a range of fishery organisations, including those with angling interests, and both they or I would be willing to discuss the action that we are taking to prevent the introduction of gyrodactylus salaris into the UK.

  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has issued(a) generally, (b) to airports, port authorities and other points of entry to the United Kingdom and (c) to fishermen concerning the need to disinfect clothing and equipment when returning from abroad to prevent the spread of the parasite gyrodactylus salaris into United Kingdom rivers. [11476]

  Mr. Morley
  Advice is already contained in the Fisheries Department's booklet "Combating Fish Disease" which recommends all those fishing abroad to take precautions such as drying or disinfecting equipment to avoid the accidental spread of disease. Following the UK's success in achieving further EU safeguard measures to prevent the introduction of gyrodactylus salaris into the UK and Ireland, this advice is being reinforced by the issuing of specific leaflets.

  Intervention Beef
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tonnes of stewed beef are currently in intervention storage; what plans he has for their distribution to(a) recipients of benefits and (b) asylum seekers not in receipt of benefits; and if he will make a statement. [10725]

  align="center">1996 Arable Area Payments Scheme: payments made by MAFF, by county

  County

  Total cost (a) £

  Minimum payment (b)(i) £

  Average payment (b)(ii) £

  Maximum payment (b)(iii) £

  Avon

  4,709.856.56

  283.15

  11,774.64

  123,170.51

  Bedfordshire

  19,597,320.48

  320,25

  33,103.58

  553,660.21

  Berkshire

  12,175,769.66

  216,17

  45,602.13

  422,019.36

  Buckinghamshire

  17,752,348.30

  253.53

  27,480.42

  542,108.36

  Cambridgeshire

  60,589,535.85

  106.75

  28,472.53

  1,206,662.76

  Cheshire

  7,406,822.23

  242.85

  7,862.87

  368,547.02

  Cleveland

  5,355,734.45

  354.94

  25,026.80

  737,707.49

  Cornwall

  11,975,674.25

  88.60

  6,930.37

  224,672.76

  Cumbria

  4,652,279.00

  175,54

  4,949.23

  114,828.02

  Derbyshire

  10,983,321.95

  213.50

  12,812.35

  180,067.52

  Devonshire

  19,330,196.61

  57.47

  7,237.06

  251,981.94

  Dorset

  17,650,442.81

  287.16

  24,755.18

  407,217.76

  Durham

  13,680,648.94

  349.60

  20,728.26

  845,944.76

  Essex

  59,627,787.51

  221.50

  39,514.77

  1,518,787.76

  Gloucestershire

  26,186,904.07

  306.90

  26,748.63

  464,559.67

  Greater London

  1,446,717.13

  4,296.65

  46,820.22

  250,938.12

  Greater Manchester

  1,500,373.83

  277.55

  10,640.95

  86,408.78

  Hampshire

  34,666,737.76

  273.01

  43,993.32

  564,418.73

  Hereford and Worcester

  29,681,294.79

  76.86

  14,892.77

  314,987.48

  Hertfordshire

  21,368,780.29

  544.42

  44,518.29

  317,883.04

  Humberside

  61,095,190.71

  80.06

  29,557.42

  652,947.47

  Isle of Wight

  2,880.093.98

  405.65

  21,985.45

  196,540.39

  Kent

  36,860,055.84

  85.40

  35,038.08

  490,580.72

  Lancashire

  5,277,508.89

  266.87

  11,181.16

  163,051.01

  Leicestershire

  32,095,569.54

  314.91

  29,177.79

  2,016,524.30

  Lincolnshire

  103,734,277.51

  80.06

  30,790.82

  1,207,130.02

  Merseyside

  2,604,950.92

  621.81

  15,057.52

  100,668.33

  Norfolk

  66,168,770.11

  112.09

  23,023.23

  545,025.98

  Northamptonshire

  37,540,542.75

  400.31

  41,758.11

  585,034.06

  Northumberland

  28,953,072.17

  472.36

  34,426.96

  293,822.26

  Nottinghamshire

  29,431,424.01

  41.29

  29,285.00

  685,280.85

  328
  Mr. Rooker
  The EU surplus food scheme, as laid down by EU regulation 3149/92, as amended, allows member states to remove certain intervention stocks of produce from store and supply it to the poor and needy via charitable organisations. This year, the UK is withdrawing 5,000 tonnes of UK intervention beef from stock and arranging for it to be processed into canned stewed steak and distributed to more than 850 charities, local authorities and other non-profit-making organisations. Individuals eligible to receive the beef will each receive up to eight cans free or for a nominal charge.

  Asylum seekers do not qualify in their own right to receive the food made available under the scheme. This is because eligibility for produce under the scheme had to be limited. In the UK, we have decided, in consultation with the Department of Social Security, to limit the eligibility criteria to those in receipt of income support, family credit, jobseeker's allowance—income-based only—disability working allowance, to the homeless and destitute and to those living in welfare hostels. Asylum seekers falling into any of these eligible groups may receive food under the scheme.

  Arable Area Payments
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each county(a) the total cost and (b) the (i) minimum, (ii) average and (iii) maximum payment made under the arable area payments scheme in 1996. [11319]

  Mr. Rooker
  The following table sets out figures for the total payments received by each claimant on a county basis. Payments are attributed to the county in which the claimant's main holding is situated.
  329

  align="center">1996 Arable Area Payments Scheme: payments made by MAFF, by county

  County

  Total cost (a) £

  Minimum payment (b)(i) £

  Average payment (b)(ii) £

  Maximum payment (b)(iii) £

  Oxfordshire

  38,316,438.90

  70.72

  41,512.93

  587,762.52

  Shropshire

  25,216,768,32

  163.86

  15,750.64

  781,745.97

  Somerset

  14,391,039.60

  276.74

  11,624.43

  175,407.28

  Staffordshire

  14,959,966.24

  335.73

  17,980.73

  282.582.13

  Suffolk

  56,350,015.14

  149.45

  26,923.08

  628,974.97

  Surrey

  4,218,972.44

  337.60

  20,381.51

  172,799.72

  Sussex, East

  9,598,132.74

  370.95

  21,472.33

  217,018.66

  Sessex, West

  15,019,621.67

  282.89

  30,281.50

  852,973.21

  Tyne and Wear

  2,911,625.25

  661,84

  26,469.32

  108,904,93

  Warwickshire

  24,313,437.54

  303.43

  27,660.34

  387,623.82

  West Midlands

  1,668,159.14

  320.25

  17,559.57

  208,962.74

  Wiltshire

  36,319,698.82

  242.85

  35,364.85

  364,971.01

  Yorkshire, North

  62,744,184.79

  424.33

  43,434.85

  838,677.97

  Yorkshire, South

  12,962,208.55

  250.99

  24,319.34

  230,836.52

  Yorkshire, West

  7,167,520.43

  277,55

  18,665.42

  28,972.16

  Brewing Industry
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the brewing industry in respect of bootleg imports from EU member states; and what response he plans to make. [11491]

  Mr. Morley
  My ministerial colleagues and I have been fully briefed by industry representatives about the impact on brewing and pubs of cross-border shopping. The issues here are primarily for the Chancellor, who announced a review of these matters in the Budget speech.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Export Licences
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 21 July,Official Report, column 448, if she will list the other equipment, including weapons systems, covered by the six other export licences granted in respect of Hawk aircraft to Indonesia on (a) 19 December 1995 and (b) 22 November 1996. [10447]

  Mrs. Roche
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library. Inquiries are being made as regards the release of the information under the non-statutory code of practice on access to Government information and, since confidential information is involved, the consent of the company is being sought for the disclosure of that information.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her current policy for licensing defence exports. [10641]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the hon. Member to the announcement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 26–29, of the outcome of the review of the criteria used in considering applications for licences to export conventional arms.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many defence export licence applications were awaiting final Government approval on(a) 1 April, (b) 1 May, (c) 1 June and (d) 1 July. [10759]
  330
  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The management data on the processing of licence applications by the Export Control Organisation are compiled on the basis of four-week periods rather than monthly, and by management unit rather than by the type of goods.

  Accordingly, I am not able to give the position on precisely these dates as regards applications for licences to export goods entered under part III of schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994—commonly known as the military list. However, I can give the following information on applications for individual licences to export controlled strategic goods, including goods on the military list.

  Number of applications for individual export licence awaiting a decision

  Number

  5 April 1997

  1,702

  3 May 1997

  1,822

  31 May 1997

  1,844

  27 June 1997

  2,007

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences have been issued to Alvis since 1990 in respect of Indonesia, stating in each case the date of the licence and the type of equipment covered by it, including the numbers of each type. [10342]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 24 July 1997]: I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library. Inquiries are being made as regards the release of the information under the non-statutory code of practice on access to government information and, since confidential information is involved, the consent of the company is being sought for the disclosure of that information.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many licence applications for arms and equipment exports to Indonesia are awaiting approval; if she will list the types of equipment and categories involved in the licence applications; and when she expects the decisions on the applications to be taken. [10575]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: At 24 July, a decision had not yet been reached on 59 applications for licences for the export of a wide range

  331
  of goods controlled under part III of schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order. The time taken to reach a decision will vary from case to case, and will depend on the time required for consultation with other Departments.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the Government's policies regarding the use of solar photovoltaic technology; and if it is included in her Department's review of renewable energy policies. [11459]

  Mr. Battle
  Government support for solar photovoltaic technology will certainly form part of the review of policy on new and renewable energy. In the meantime, we will continue with the research, design and development work under the Department's new and renewable energy programme, which is assessing PV technology, for example by monitoring a number of large-scale installations, such as the Ford factory roof at Bridgend and the Doxford offices at Sunderland. We are also supporting the deployment of PV in 100 schools and colleges across the country through the £2.5 million foresight "SCOLAR" initiative.

  Business Links
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the(a) time scale and (b) cost of developing and Internet site for business links. [10586]

  Mrs. Roche
  The business link national Internet site was launched on 25 October 1996. The cost of the development of the site to the DTI will total £180,000 over a period of three years up until 13 October 1999.

  The Government are developing an Internet-based enterprise zone, which will provide small and medium firms with a one-stop access point to Internet sites which provide the most appropriate and authoritative business-related information and sources of further support to meet firms' needs, including the business link network. The Government will be providing up to £200,000 for initial development of the site funded from existing resources. On-going management and enhancement will be undertaken on a fully commercial basis and we expect to be able to launch the site in the autumn.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of funding provided by the Government for the business links network in 1996–97. [10633]

  Mrs. Roche
  The total amount of funding provided to the business link network in 1996–97 was £114.6 million. This comprised £41.1 million for business link development and £73.5 million for the delivery of business link services.

  British Citizens Working Abroad
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what regulations exist to ensure good practice by international recruitment agencies placing British citizens in jobs overseas; and what remedies are what remedies are available to 332
  British citizens recruited in this way in the event of breach of contract or wrongful dismissal by the employers. [11209]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Agencies operating within England, Scotland and Wales are governed by the Employment Agencies Act 1973. The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 1976 in particular impose responsibilities on agencies that place workers aborad. Similar legislation applies in Northern Ireland.

  In the event of breach of contract by an overseas employer, including wrongful dismissal, remedies may be provided by local law. Contractual rights may also be enforceable in the UK courts, particularly if the contract was made under English law.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what safeguards exist to ensure fair treatment of British citizens recruited in the United Kingdom to work abroad by foreign-owned companies. [11208]

  Mr. McCartney
  Employment protection legislation generally applies to employees who ordinarily work in the UK, although some provisions have wider application. Employees covered by this legislation are therefore able to pursue their statutory rights in British courts or industrial tribunals. Employees who ordinarily work outside the UK must generally look to the law and legal system of the country in which they work for protection.

  Trade Associations
  Mr. Page
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of trade associations participating in the latest benchmarking exercise had established national vocational qualifications for their sector; and of those which had not, what percentage were in the process of establishing national vocational qualifications. [11399]

  Mr. Battle
  I regret that this precise information is not available. However, the benchmarking exercise showed that nearly half, 48 per cent., of the participants determined the skills requirements of their sector, and over three quarters, 77 per cent., worked with the relevant organisations to ensure training needs are met.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentages of all trade associations are classified as(a) small, (b) medium and (c) large by the breakdown of subscription income used in the recent trade associations benchmarking exercise. [11398]

  Mr. Battle
  The information is as follows:

  Size of association

  Subscription income

  Percentage of sample

  Small

  £1–£200,000

  24

  Medium

  £200,000–£1 million

  46

  Large

  £1 million+

  30

  Mr. Page
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons a copy of "The Trade Associations' Performance", a report of a benchmarking exercise of trade associations published in May, has not been placed in the Library. [11397]
  333
  Mr. Battle
  I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library today.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many trade associations refused to take part in the recent benchmarking exercise of trade associations' performance. [11396]

  Mr. Battle
  The Association of British Insurers, which managed the exercise on behalf of DTI, wrote to all UK trade associations on its database inviting them to take part. In the event, 135 elected to do so. The total number approached is not immediately available.

  International Airport, Gaza
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what facilities and advice are available to United Kingdom companies wishing to participate in the development of the Palestinian international airport at Gaza. [11290]

  Mrs. Roche
  The development phase, including the provision of equipment, of the airport is now complete, but the commercial section of the British consulate-general at Jerusalem and the country desk in the DTI are available to offer detailed advice as further opportunities arise.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1992–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and whether he will make a statement. [11376]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: A programme of projects and other activities are running within the core DTI which aims to resolve the problems facing its IT systems as a result of the year 2000 date change. The following sums from departmental budgets have been approved to meet the cost of this programme:

  1997–98: £1,460,000

  1998–99: £986,000

  1999–2000: £254,000.

  The sum approved for 1999–2000 relates to monitoring activities necessary after the completion of remedial work in April 1999.

  The Department's next step agencies have programmes of their own which they are funding.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–2000; and if she will make a statement. [11379]

  Mr. Griffiths
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: Total estimated expenditure on computer-related work for the years in question by the core DTI, excluding next steps agencies, is as follows:

  align="right">£000

  Capital

  Current

  Total

  1995–96

  16,269

  11,222

  27,491

  1996–97

  15,789

  13,032

  28,821

  1997–98

  12,268

  13,562

  25,830

  334

  align="right">£000

  Capital

  Current

  Total

  1998–99

  11,777

  11,687

  23,464

  1999–2000

  11,703

  11,687

  23,390

  Figures for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are forecasts, as allocations for these years have not yet been agreed.

  Employers' Liability Insurance
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make it her policy to require the inclusion of the insurer responsible for employers' liability insurance in each company's annual report; and if she will make a statement. [10523]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am aware of concern about employees unable to trace the insurer responsible for employer's liability insurance where a company has gone into liquidation. We are taking forward work on possible options for dealing with this problem as part of our current review of employers' liability legislation. The solution suggested is one of those under consideration. The Law Commission is also considering third party rights against insurers where the insured has become insolvent and will be issuing a consultation document in the autumn.

  Energy Taxation
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Minister will handle European negotiations over common energy taxation. [10459]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: I have been asked to reply.

  The lead rests with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

WALES

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department. [11556]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Waste reduction is already an established and important aspect of my Department's strategy to enhance its environmental performance.

  Annual Welsh Office green housekeeping action plans feature various schemes and initiatives which are improving efficiency and reducing adverse environmental effects. In particular, substantial quantities of waste paper, aluminium cans, toner cartridges, plastics, old wooden pallets and polythene packaging are being recycled.

  The Welsh Office is committed to making its waste work and looking to do even better in future. Welsh Office staff are regularly encouraged to improve performance in this area, including the minimisation of waste at source.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years. [11558]
  335
  Mr. Davies
  Waste paper recycling was introduced in the Welsh Office at the end of 1992. The quantities of paper recycled by my Department in each of the four years since are:

  1993–94: 37,900 kg

  1994–95: 24,640 kg

  1995–96: 104,380 kg

  1996–97: 104,800 kg

  Expectations for the current financial year are higher and a target of 140,000 kg has been set.

  Information relating to the proportion of waste paper recycled is not held centrally.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within his Department. [11557]

  Mr. Davies
  My Department has a range of targets in place aimed at reducing the amount of waste it sends to landfill. This year, the Welsh Office aims to recycle 140,000 kg of waste paper, 7,500 aluminium cans and 600 printer toner cartridges. Old wooden pallets and polythene packaging, which have previously gone to landfill are now sent for recycling. More recently, the Welsh Office has introduced a new scheme for the collection of plastic cups, which is directing around 25,000 of these items away from landfill each months.

  Arable Area Payments
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many payments were made under the arable area payment scheme in 1996(a) £0 to £1,000, (b) £1,000 to £2,000, (c) £2,000 to £3,000, (d) £3,000 to £4,000, (e) £4,000 to £5,000, (f) £5,000 to £10,000, (g) £10,000 to £20,000, (h) £20,000 to £50,000, (i) £50,000 to £100,000 and (j) over £100,000. [11316]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  During 1996–97, the Welsh Office made arable area payments to 2,359 farmers, with the payments breaking down as follows:

  (a) £0 to £1,000 = 453

  (b) £1,000 to £2,000 = 504

  (c) £2,000 to £3,000 = 334

  (d) £3,000 to £4,000 = 299

  (e) £4,000 to £5,000 = 387

  (f) £5,000 to £10,000 = 95

  (g) £10,000 to £20,000 = 171

  (h) £20,000 to £50,000 = 101

  (i) £50,000 to £100,000 = 11

  (j) over £100,000 = 4.

  Public Health Initiative
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the public health initiatives planned by his Department in(a) Clwyd, South and (b) Wales. [10955]
  336
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Initiatives specific to the Clwyd, South area will be a matter for North Wales health authority.

  At the all-Wales level, there are many public health initiatives under way, and proposed, to prevent ill health. Primary prevention initiatives including the Welsh child health surveillance programmes, for example, play a vital role in monitoring the health and development of children. The childhood vaccination and immunisation programme represents one of the most effective public health interventions currently available. At very little cost, lifelong protection can be provided against infectious diseases—the health burdens of which can be enormous.

  Public education campaigns are under way, including national campaigns dealing with a full range of public health issues such as smoking, diet, physical activity, substance misuse and healthy sexual behaviour. In particular, the "Back to sleep" campaign aimed at reducing the number of cot deaths has been very successful.

  A wide range of legislation is in place to control the incidence of food-borne diseases and the Government are committed to protecting the public health through additional measures to ensure the safety of food, including the establishment of a food standards agency. Specific research initiatives under way including all-Wales projects aimed at reducing the number of cases of food poisoning and levels of infections acquired during hospital stays, are progressing well.

  Secondary prevention measures including the early detection of breast and cervical cancers, for example, through screening programmes available in Wales, have significantly improved chances of survival from these diseases.

  In my statement on 7 July, I made reference to the progress made with the 1989 strategic intent and direction for the NHS in Wales and the Welsh health survey in 1995. Subsequently, a streamlined set of health targets were announced by the Secretary of State for Wales on 10 June. These include prevention initiatives to reduce deaths from cancer of the lung, breast and cervix. Other target areas include coronary heart disease and stroke. We have also asked health authorities to draw up plans to reduce accident and suicide rates and to work to improve the quality of life of patients with a number of painful conditions.

  All these initiatives, both existing and proposed, will continue to be afforded a high priority to provide the greatest possible health benefits for the people of Wales and ensure that health strategies address the adverse effects on health of social, economic and environmental factors.

  Education Revenue Accounts
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will rank Welsh education authorities in order of percentage share of budget devoted to education revenue accounts for each of the last five years. [10750]
  337
  Mr. Hain
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Revenue expenditure as a percentage of total authority expenditure on education (ranked)1

  Per cent.

  1992–93 outturn

  Gwynedd

  97.0

  Mid Glamorgan

  97.0

  Clwyd

  96.0

  Dyfed

  96.0

  West Glamorgan

  96.0

  Gwent

  95.0

  South Glamorgan

  94.0

  Powys

  91.0

  1993–94 outturn

  Mid Glamorgan

  98.0

  Gwynedd

  98.0

  Dyfed

  97.0

  Gwent

  97.0

  West Glamorgan

  97.0

  South Glamorgan

  95.0

  Clwyd

  95.0

  Powys

  93.0

  1994–95 outturn

  Gwynedd

  98.0

  Mid Glamorgan

  97.0

  Gwent

  97.0

  Dyfed

  96.0

  West Glamorgan

  95.0

  Clwyd

  95.0

  Powys

  95.0

  South Glamorgan

  93.0

  1995–96 budgets

  Gwynedd

  97.0

  Gwent

  97.0

  Dyfed

  96.0

  Mid Glamorgan

  96.0

  Powys

  95.0

  Clwyd

  93.0

  South Glamorgan

  93.0

  West Glamorgan

  92.0

  1996–97 budgets

  Blaenau Gwent

  99.7

  Gwynedd

  98.0

  Cardiganshire

  98.0

  Isle of Anglesey

  98.0

  Wrexham

  98.0

  Monmouthshire

  98.0

  Swansea

  97.0

  Denbighshire

  97.0

  Torfaen

  97.0

  Rhondda Cynon Taff

  97.0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  96.0

  Pembrokeshire

  96.0

  Caerphilly

  95.0

  Newport

  95.0

  Bridgend

  95.0

  align="center">Rural Wales SPD 1994–99—EAGGF approvals to date

  EAGGF grant approved £

  Sponsor

  Development of Agriculture and Forestry

  Agri-tourism

  Countryside enhancement

  Total

  ADAS

  482,500

  —

  243,500

  726,000

  AnturTeifi

  115,861

  —

  —

  115,861

  Antur Waunfawr

  —

  —

  8,250

  8,250

  ATB Landbase

  423,064

  —

  —

  423,064

  338

  Revenue expenditure as a percentage of total local authority expenditure on education (ranked)1

  Per cent.

  Powys

  95.0

  Conwy

  95.0

  Carmarthenshire

  94.0

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  93.0

  Cardiff

  93.0

  Flintshire

  92.0

  Neath Port Talbot

  92.0

  1 Higher and further education colleges transferred out of the local authority sector on 1 April 1992 and 1 April 1993 respectively and this may affect patterns of expenditure before and after these dates.

  Contaminated Land
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to lay new regulations under the Environment Act 1995 concerning contaminated land in Wales. [10446]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  We hope to make an announcement shortly of how we propose to proceed with the implementation of the contaminated land provisions in part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, inserted by section 57 of the Environment Act 1995.

  Gwent Tertiary College
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales by whom Mr. Cyril Lewis was appointed to carry out the investigation of Gwent tertiary college; what the terms of reference were for his investigation; how long Mr. Cyril Lewis's appointment is for; how much he is being paid; and what companies or individuals are being used as consultants in the investigation. [10328]

  Mr. Hain
  Mr. Cyril Lewis was appointed by the governors of Gwent tertiary college further education corporation to carry out the investigation of the college. The investigation's terms of reference, and Mr. Lewis's employment conditions are matters for the governors, who have also appointed Ernst and Young as financial consultants.

  EAGGF
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total sum allocated to Wales under the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund for the last complete year for which figures are available, indicating how the fund was distributed; and what amount was given to each applicant. [10493]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Details on EAGGF approvals to date under the rural Wales objective 5(b) programme, 1994 to 1999, and the Leader II programme, 1995 to 1999, by sponsor and measure is provided as follows. It is not practicable to provide information for a particular year.
  339

  align="center">Rural Wales SPD 1994–99—EAGGF approvals to date

  EAGGF grant approved £

  Sponsor

  Development of Agriculture and Forestry

  Agri-tourism

  Countryside enhancement

  Total

  Brecon Beacons National Park

  15,000

  —

  161,450

  176,450

  British Waterways

  —

  —

  45,422

  45,422

  CCTA

  909,145

  —

  —

  909,145

  CCW

  73,250

  —

  1,089,375

  1,162,625

  Ceredigion County Council

  284,000

  —

  —

  284,000

  Coed Cymru

  790,500

  —

  —

  790,500

  Coleg Meirion Dwyfor

  301,314

  —

  —

  301,314

  Coleg Powys

  46,724

  —

  79,175

  125,899

  Cymad

  20,550

  35,000

  —

  55,550

  DBRW

  275,100

  —

  —

  275,100

  Dyfed Wildlife Trust

  238,060

  —

  —

  238,060

  ECL

  3,000

  —

  —

  3,000

  FCA Limited

  36,848

  —

  —

  36,848

  Games Conservancy Trust

  156,000

  —

  —

  156,000

  Glasfryn Forestry and Fencing

  35,121

  —

  —

  35,121

  Glynllifon Border Leic. Breed Group

  48,815

  —

  —

  48,815

  Groundwork Merthyr and Cynon

  —

  156,000

  —

  156,000

  Gwynedd County Council

  91,074

  10,000

  3,500

  104,574

  Gwynedd Training

  30,823

  —

  —

  30,823

  Llangorse Riding Centre

  —

  299,928

  —

  299,928

  Llysfasi College

  592,000

  —

  122,688

  714,688

  Menter A Busnes

  745,426

  —

  —

  745,426

  Mentor Mon

  54,000

  —

  —

  54,000

  Mr. J. C. Williams Ellis

  —

  25,000

  —

  25,000

  National Trust

  174,215

  —

  135,065

  309,280

  Pembroke Machinery Ring

  100,500

  —

  —

  100,500

  Pembrokeshire Business Initiative

  141,000

  —

  —

  141,000

  Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

  —

  15,000

  —

  15,000

  Pembrokeshire College

  —

  —

  104,878

  104,878

  Powys County Council

  —

  61,500

  —

  61,500

  Powys Rural Training Partnership

  118,200

  —

  —

  118,200

  Primestock Products Cymru

  76,350

  —

  —

  76,350

  RSPB

  —

  —

  402,178

  402,178

  Shared Earth Trust

  —

  —

  104,651

  104,651

  Snowdonia National Park

  —

  —

  599,500

  599,500

  Snowdonia Woodland Trust

  —

  —

  99,904

  99,904

  SPARC

  147,630

  —

  —

  147,630

  Wales Young Farmers Club

  33,200

  —

  37,150

  70,350

  Welsh Black Cattle Society

  245,312

  —

  —

  245,312

  WFPL

  497,080

  —

  —

  497,080

  WTB

  —

  425,000

  —

  425,000

  Total

  7,301.662

  1,027,428

  3,236,686

  11,565,776

  align="center">Leader II Programme 1995–99—EAGGF approvals to date

  EAGGF grant approved £

  Sponsor

  Acquisition of skills

  Rural development programme

  Transnational activities

  Total

  ACT

  8,172

  15,421

  —

  23,593

  Antur Teifi

  —

  160,050

  33,044

  193,094

  Cadwyn

  3,583

  41,167

  —

  44,750

  Cymad

  —

  75,500

  —

  75,500

  Menter Mon

  8,750

  118,850

  —

  127,600

  Menter Powys

  2,500

  197,400

  8,000

  207,900

  Menter Preseli

  20,080

  72,263

  720

  93,063

  SPARC

  —

  —

  2,082

  2,082

  Total

  43,085

  680,651

  43,846

  767,582

TREASURY

  Long-term Care Insurance
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to regulate the marketing of long-term care insurance. [12080]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In December 1996, my predecessor issued a consultation document on proposals to regulate the marketing of long-term care insurance under the Financial Services Act 1986. These proposals were designed to complement proposals by the then Secretary of State for Health set out in his document "A new partnership for care in old age".

  The Government do not intend to implement the previous Government's draft Bill on a partnership scheme. We feel that this was only a partial solution designed to help a relatively small number of people and that what is needed is a more fundamental and wide-ranging review of all the options.

  In view of this, the Government intend, as set out in their manifesto, to examine provisions for long-term care for the elderly. The Government will make a further announcement on this once the form and content of that examination have been settled.

  These policy developments have important implications for the balance of argument for and against early action to regulate the marketing of long-term care insurance. The broader policy debate is likely to have fundamental implications for the future of this market and for its regulation. It is my decision, therefore, that it would be premature to proceed now to amend the scope of the Financial Services Act 1986. Once the broader policy debate has been taken forward, I shall consider carefully the implications for the regulation of marketing of long-term care insurance.

  In the interim, I shall of course monitor the market closely for evidence of significant risks to consumers and will take appropriate action if that is warranted.

  Office for National Statistics
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Office for National Statistics performed against its key targets in 1996–97. [10385]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Office for National Statistics' performance for 1996–97 is described in the agency's annual report and accounts, which is being laid before the House and published today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  The ONS achieved eight out of its nine key targets, with the ninth, relating to release of publications in accordance with its publications plan, being partially achieved. Targets for 1997–98 and ONS's business strategy are set out in the "ONS Business Plan 1997–2000", which was published in March. Together, these will ensure continuing improvements in its performance in 1997–98.

  Ministry of Defence Budget
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the purchasing power of the Ministry of Defence budget for the next three years resulting from his revised estimates of inflation. [7567]
  342
  Mr. Darling
  The comprehensive spending review, which was announced on 11 June, is addressing priorities across all Government expenditure both in the medium term and long term. The strategic defence review, which was announced on 28 May, will be integrated with the wider comprehensive spending review.

  EMU Information Campaign
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will request EU funding to finance his information campaign on economic and monetary union. [10952]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government are considering whether to request European Community funding to help finance the task of informing UK businesses about the practical implications of economic and monetary union which would arise whether or not the UK joins the single currency.

  Oil Seed Rape Fuel
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the advantages of reducing the excise duty on fuel made from oil seed rape; and what representations he has received on this subject. [10491]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have made no such assessment.

  I have received one representation on this subject.

  Personal Equity Plans
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will change the rules governing PEPs to allow PEP holders who have investments in unlisted securities market companies which migrated to the alternative investment market—AIM—following the closure of the unlisted securities market to continue to hold these investments in their PEP. [10367]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No. AIM shares may qualify for the tax reliefs available for investment in unlisted companies.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many registered voters in Scotland presently pay income tax at the standard rate or above; [10127]

  (2) how many registered voters in Scotland do not pay income tax at the standard rate or above. [10126]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is not possible to identify which taxpayers are registered to vote.

  General Government Expenditure
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the reduction in real general Government expenditure in 1997–98 and 1998–99 consequential on the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" projected increase in the gross domestic product deflator. [8140]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 11 July 1997]: In the last Budget, general Government expenditure increased in

  343
  cash terms by £0.4 billion in 1997–98 and by £4.1 billion in 1998–99 compared with the projections in the 1996 Budget. In 1995–96 prices, using the latest GDP deflator forecasts, there was a real reduction of £2.6 billion in 1997–98 and £1.5 billion in 1998–99.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the legal base for use of qualified majority voting in the creation of an action programme for the enhancement of administrative co-operation between the indirect tax authorities in the European Community, as detailed in COM (97) 175; and what representation he has made in respect of its use in this respect. [10200]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: The European Commission has proposed that the legal base for this action programme—the FISCALIS programme—should be article 100a of the treaty establishing the European Community, so making it a matter for co-decision with the European Parliament and qualified majority voting in the Council.

  The UK remains firmly committed to unanimity as the basis for Community-level decision making on all substantive tax matters.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government would be prepared to join the economic and monetary union at the presently prevailing value of the pound; and if he will make a statement. [11336]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: It would be premature to speculate on an appropriate rate for joining EMU. The Chancellor does not propose to make a statement.

  Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what circumstances the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe is able to handle matters relating to tax. [10426]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 24 July 1997]: The Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe has a project-based portfolio in the Treasury which may include some tax issues. However, arrangements are in place to ensure that the Minister is not involved in issues that could give rise to conflicts of interest.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people receiving tax relief for private medical insurance who will not renew their current policies as a result of the Budget measure to terminate such tax relief. [10305]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 24 July 1997]: No firm estimates are available of the number of people receiving tax relief who will not renew their current policies as a result of the Budget measure.

  Value Added Tax (Businesses)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many VAT-registrable businesses there were in the United Kingdom in each year since 1979. [10838]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Customs does not hold information on the number of VAT-registrable businesses in the United Kingdom in each year since 1979. However, the number of businesses actually registered for VAT in the UK in each financial year since 1983 was as follows:

  Financial year

  Registered businesses

  1983–84

  1,433,100

  1984–85

  1,458,900

  1985–86

  1,477,400

  1986–87

  1,505,500

  1987–88

  1,554,000

  1988–89

  1,623,866

  1989–90

  1,710,106

  1990–91

  1,745,097

  1991–92

  1,677,829

  1992–93

  1,632,013

  1993–94

  1,593,770

  1994–95

  1,579,869

  1995–96

  1,573,620

  1996–97

  1,595,271

  Nationalised Industries
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total net external financing limit at current prices of Britain's nationalised industries in each year since 1974. [10919]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: External financing limits were introduced in 1976. Outturn performance against an EFL is recorded as the external financing requirement. The total EFR for the nationalised industries in each year since 1976–77 in current prices is provided in the table.

  Total external financing requirements of nationalised industries in 1996–97 prices

  £ billion

  1976–77

  8.71

  1977–78

  4.84

  1978–79

  7.07

  1977–80

  6.89

  1980–81

  6.48

  1981–82

  4.61

  1982–83

  4.06

  1983–84

  4.12

  1984–85

  6.73

  1985–86

  2.78

  1986–87

  0.55

  1987–88

  0.29

  1988–89

  -0.64

  1989–90

  1.23

  1990–91

  4.22

  1991–92

  4.33

  1992–93

  4.83

  1993–94

  3.86

  1994–95

  1.05

  345

  Total external financing requirements of nationalized industries in 1996–97 prices

  £ billion

  1995–96

  -0.36

  1996–97

  0.48

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what subsidy was paid to each of the nationalised industries between 1974 and their year of privatisation. [11344]

  Mr. Robinson
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The external financing requirement of a nationalised industry has been used since its introduction in 1976 as the consistent measure of financial support an industry requires to supplement income from its trading activities. The EFR is a measure of the cash needed by the industry to fund investment and meet costs not covered by revenue. As such, it is only an indirect measure of subsidy. Information presented on this basis has been available since 19767–97. Table 3.11 of the "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1997–98", Cm 3601, lists EFRs from 1978–79 and 1982–83 onwards. The EFRs for key nationalised industries from 1976–77, unless otherwise indicated, to privatisation are as follows:

  £ billion

  British Coal

  16.2

  British Gas

  1-3.6

  BNOC

  0

  British Steel

  6.0

  British Airways

  0

  British Rail

  11.1

  British Shipbuilders

  1.3

  British Telecommunications from 1981–82

  1-1.0

  Electricity, England, Wales and Scotland

  1-3.8

  Water, from 1978–79

  2.2

  1 A negative EFR represents a net benefit to the public finances.

  Public Sector Debt
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average level of public sector debt as a percentage of gross domestic product in(a) 1974–75 to 1978–79 and (b) 1979–80 to 1996–97. [10883]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The average level of net public sector debt from 1974–75 to 1978–79 was 55 per cent. of gross domestic product. The average from 1979–80 to 1996–97 was 40 per cent. of GDP.

  Business Taxes
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the percentage of gross domestic product constituted by business taxes for(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany, (c) France and (d) Italy in each year since 1974–75. [10894]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The information requested is shown in the table.

  align="center">Taxes on business as a percentage of GDP

  1975

  1980

  1985

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  United Kingdom

  8.5

  9.9

  10.3

  9.7

  9.3

  8.6

  8.0

  8.0

  Germany

  9.2

  9.9

  10.1

  9.4

  9.8

  9.7

  9.6

  9.5

  346

  align="center">Taxes on business as a percentage of GDP

  1975

  1980

  1985

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  France

  14.8

  16.4

  17.3

  17.0

  16.9

  16.8

  16.8

  16.8

  Italy

  11.3

  11.1

  11.9

  13.3

  13.1

  13.8

  13.6

  12.8

  Notes:

  (1) Taxes on business include corporate taxes, employers social security contributions, taxes on payroll, taxes on property and other taxes.

  (2) Prior to 1990 data available on a five-year basis.

  Source:

  Revenue Statistics, 1965–1995, OECD (1996 Edition).

  Computers (Century Data Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 23 July,Official Report, column 590, on the year 2000 problem, what estimate he has made of the cost in respect of computer systems in non-governmental public bodies and other government bodies for which Government Departments have responsibility; and if he will make a statement. [11369]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 29 July]: The fully costed plans that Government Departments are producing by October 1997 will include any areas of the wider public service, including non-departmental public bodies and other Government bodies for which Ministers have sponsorship responsibilities.

  Building Societies
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what policy action he is considering to avoid demutualisation of building societies adding to consumer demand in 1997–98 and 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [11337]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: We have received a number of representations suggesting steps that the Government might take to deter further demutualisations of building societies. The Government are committed to the benefits of the mutual building society and the opportunities for choice for the consumer. However, a number of UK representatives raise difficult issues of principle because they could frustrate the will of the members, or significantly reduce the board's accountability to them. Nevertheless, we are keeping the situation under review.

  Contingency Reserve
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when(a) initial and (b) final decisions will be taken on the allocation of the contingency reserve for (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [11342]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: Decisions on the allocation of the reserve for any particular year are taken in the course of that year as the circumstances requiring use of such funds arise.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of the contingency reserve set in each Budget since 1980 for the succeeding financial year
  347
  (a) in nominal terms and (b) as a percentage of total general Government expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [11371]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The figures are given in nominal terms in the table. The coverage of the reserve has varied with the definition of the control aggregate. For example, in 1990–91, the planning total was redefined to exclude self-financed expenditure by local authorities. In 1993–94, this was in turn replaced by the control total, which included all local authority expenditure but excluded cyclical social security spending and privatisation proceeds.

  Year

  Reserve (£ billion)

  As percentage of GGE

  1981–82

  1.6

  1.3

  1982–83

  1.7

  1.3

  1983–84

  1.5

  1.1

  1984–85

  3.0

  2.0

  1985–86

  3.0

  1.9

  1986–87

  4.5

  2.7

  1987–88

  3.5

  2.0

  1988–89

  3.5

  2.0

  1989–90

  3.5

  1.7

  1990–91

  3.0

  1.4

  1991–92

  3.5

  1.5

  1992–93

  4.0

  1.5

  1993–94

  4.0

  1.5

  1994–95

  3.5

  1.2

  1995–96

  3.0

  1.0

  1996–97

  2.5

  0.8

  1997–98

  2.5

  0.8

  1998–99

  2.8

  0.9

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present size of the contingency reserve for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–00, what allocations out of these reserves have so far been approved, and if he will make a statement. [11341]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The reserve announced in November 1996 for 1997–98 was £2.5 billion. The main estimates included allocations of £200 million from the reserve to Departments and the summer supplementary estimates included allocations of a further £52 million. The reserve for 1998–99 will be £2.8 billion, reflecting the Chancellor's decision to allocate an extra £1 billion to schools and £1.2 billion for the NHS from the £5 billion reserve set in the November 1996 Budget. The reserve for 1999–00 was set at £7.5 billion in the November 1996 Budget, but the size of the control total and the reserve will be decided as part of the comprehensive spending revenue now underway.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [11368]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The estimated expenditure, for the years required, on
  348
  computer-related current and capital work, including the salaries of specialist staff, is as follows:

  align="right">£000

  Current

  Capital

  Total

  1995–96

  3,130

  4,995

  8,125

  1996–97

  2,812

  3,833

  6,645

  1997–98

  4,538

  2,200

  6,738

  1998–99

  2,528

  1,901

  4,429

  1999–00

  2,484

  2,088

  4,572

  Inflation
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the merits of targeting inflation on the RPIY basis instead of on the RPIX basis; and if he will make a statement. [11373]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: RPIX inflation is now a well-understood and accepted measure, RPIY has the property of excluding indirect taxes, which is useful for some purposes, but it does not measure prices actually paid in the shops and it does not measure what inflation would be in the absence of indirect tax changes. It is also less widely used and less well understood. On balance therefore, the Government decided that RPIX was the better target, but the Bank of England will continue to monitor RPIY in its "Inflation Report".

  Road Haulage Industry
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the tax concession and subsidies from public funds available to the road haulage industry; [11115]

  (2) if he will estimate the net subsidy from public funds to the road haulage industry in the last year for which figures are available. [11116]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: None. Neither subsidies not tax concessions are available to the road haulage industry.

  Air Passenger Duty
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the advantage of waiving air passenger duty on domestic flights to Northern Ireland and offshore islands. [10803]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: It would be illegal, under EU law, to waive air passenger duty on domestic flights to Northern Ireland and offshore islands.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the total amount collected in the last financial year from air passenger duty; and how much was collected from(a) domestic scheduled services, (b) international scheduled services and (c) charter services. [10802]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The total revenue collected for air passenger duty in the last financial year–1996–97—was £356 million. We do not have information on revenue from scheduled, international and charter services separately.

  Earnings
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the take-home pay at current prices of a married couple with two children with the husband on national average male earnings in(a) 1978–79, (b) 1996–97 and (c) estimated for 1997–98. [10893]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Estimates are given in the table.

  align="center">Take-home pay for a one earner married couple with two children under 111

  £ per week

  1978–79

  73.45

  1996–97

  312.30

  1997–98

  328.80

  1 Assuming full-time male average earnings, on adult rates for all occupations. Take-home pay is net of child benefit.

  Shareholders
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the number of individuals owning shares in each year since 1979. [10885]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: I refer the hon. Member to the then Central Statistical Office, now the Office for National Statistics, report on share ownership at 31 December 1994 published by HMSO and available from the Library of the House.

  VAT (Auctions)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what powers the European Commission intends to take the United Kingdom to court over VAT on auctioneers' fees; [11308]

  (2) on what date he was notified of the intention of the EU Commission to initiative proceedings against the United Kingdom on VAT on auctions of art, antiques and other items sold at auctions. [11307]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The EC Commission announced its decision to initiate the first formal stage of proceedings in a press release issued on 24 July.

  If the EC Commission eventually decides to take the matter to the European Court of Justice, it would do no so under article 169 of the EC treaty.

  Excise Duty (Beer)
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the excise duty on beer as a proportion of the price of beer in each year from 1974–75 to 1997–98. [11259]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The table following shows excise duty as a percentage of the price of a pint of bitter in licensed premises, for years up to 1997.

  A forecast for 1998 is not available.
  350

  Years

  Duty as percentage of price

  1974–75

  28.1

  1975–76

  26.2

  1976–77

  25.0

  1977–78

  23.1

  1978–79

  20.8

  1979–80

  20.7

  1980–81

  24.7

  1981–82

  25.1

  1982–83

  24.8

  1983–84

  23.3

  1984–85

  23.2

  1985–86

  22.1

  1986–87

  21.3

  1987–88

  20.8

  1988–89

  19.5

  1989–90

  18.9

  1990–91

  18.1

  1991–92

  17.7

  1992–93

  17.6

  1993–94

  16.2

  1994–95

  16.1

  1995–96

  15.6

  1996–97

  15.1

  The figures relate to April/May for years up to and including 1993 other than 1979, where the July price has been used. From 1994, the percentage relate to January each year.

  Carbon Tax (Aviation Fuel)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to introduce a carbon tax on aviation fuel. [10801]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: I have no such proposals to make at present.

  GDP Growth
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average rate of annual gross domestic product growth in each member of the G7 group of nations over(a) 1974 to 1979, (b) 1979 to 1996, (c) 1975 to 1981, (d) 1981 to 1992 and (e) 1992 to 1996. [10886]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Philip Hammond, dated 30 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on average rates of annual growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in each member of the G7 group of nations.
  The Office for National Statistics only collects information on UK GDP.
  As regards each member of the G7 group of nations such information as is available is published in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development publication National Accounts, detailed tables, volume 1, 1997 edition, which is available in the House of Commons Library. Part five of this publication contains GDP volume growth tables, by country, for a run of years.

  Abortions
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many abortions were performed and what
  351
  was the abortion rate by age group for each year since 1990. [11328]

  Mrs. Liddell
  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. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, dated 30 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent parliamentary question on the number of abortions since 1990.
  The information for England and Wales residents is available in the OPCS/ONS Abortion Statistics publication, Series AB Nos. 17–22, 1990–95. Similar information for 1996 is published in the ONS Monitor Series AB 97/4, Legal abortions in England and Wales 1996. These publications are available in the House of Commons Library.

DEFENCE

  Hunting
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will announce which officials will conduct the review of hunting on Ministry of Defence land; [7917]

  (2) when he will announce who will give evidence to those conducting the reviews (a) of hunting on MOD land and (b) of hunting on Forestry Commission land. [7865]

  Mr. Spellar
  The investigation into hunting with hounds on Ministry of Defence land, and the consequences of stopping such hunting, is being carried out by officials in the Defence Estate Organisation. This is an internal review which will take into account those representations received from all interested parties.

  The review of hunting on Forestry Commission land is a matter for the Forestry Commission.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which officials will be involved in the review of hunting on his Department's land; [8847]

  (2) who will be invited to give evidence to his review of hunting on his Department's land. [8846]

  (3) when he expects to publish the conclusions and evidence of the review of hunting on Ministry of Defence land. [8840]

  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the review of hunting on his Department's land will be completed; what is the composition of the body undertaking it; and what are its terms of reference. [8728]

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) who will give evidence to the review of hunting on his Department's land; [10286]

  (2) which officials will carry out the review of hunting on his Department's land; [10283]

  (3) what factors led him to conduct a review of hunting on his Department's land. [10285]
  352
  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave today to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock).

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations he has received from(a) supporters and (b) opponents of hunting on the subject of hunting on Ministry of Defence land; and if he will list them. [8839]

  Mr. Spellar
  A substantial number of representations has been received both from supporters and from opponents of hunting on Ministry of Defence land. In the absence of their permission to do so, I do not propose to list the names of those individuals who have made such representations.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much he estimates the review of hunting on Ministry of Defence land will cost his Department. [8845]

  Mr. Spellar
  The review of hunting on Ministry of Defence land and the consequences of stopping such hunting is being conducted by MOD officials as a part of their continuing duties.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what representations he has received from farmers with land adjoining Ministry of Defence land concerning co-operation agreements if hunting is banned; [8841]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the armed services if co-operation agreements with farmers of land adjoining Ministry of Defence land were withdrawn following the banning of hunting. [8842]

  Mr. Spellar
  We have received a number of representations from those with land adjoining or near Ministry of Defence land, concerning continued co-operation with the Military if a decision were taken not to renew licences for fox hunting with hounds on Ministry of Defence land.

  We greatly value the excellent relations the armed forces have with landowners throughout the country, and are assessing these responses as part of the review currently being conducted.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons a review of hunting on his Department's land has been commenced; and when it will be conducted. [8844]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Government came into power with a commitment to allow a free parliamentary vote on hunting with hounds. Against this background, we wish to ascertain the extent to which Ministry of Defence land is used for hunting and what the consequences would be of ending such use. This investigation is not yet complete, but taking full and proper account of the legal issues involved and the fact that it would be wrong to anticipate the outcome of the parliamentary process, the current situation will be allowed to continue. Licences for fox hunting on Ministry of Defence land for the 1997–98 hunting season will be renewed on application. These will be limited to hunts which have traditionally held such
  353
  licences and the scope and area covered by the licences will not be extended. These licences will contain a termination clause on one month's notice.

  Defence Companies
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are taken to safeguard matters of national security in United Kingdom subsidiaries of foreign-owned defence companies. [11205]

  Mr. Spellar
  Every defence contractor needing access to information or material marked "confidential" or above requires the appropriate security clearance. A subsidiary of a foreign-owned company must ensure that no foreign national will have access to such information without the approval of my Department. At least 50 per cent. of its UK-resident directors must be UK nationals and the number of foreign nationals transferred from the parent company to work in the UK subsidiary must not be excessive, having regard to all the circumstances. My Department must be satisfied that the arrangements that are made meet UK national security requirements and is assisted in coming to a determination by the Security Service.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account is taken in procurement decisions of the ultimate ownership of the bidders. [11204]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is one of the many factors which are taken into consideration when procurement decisions are made.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the conclusions of phase 1 of the strategic defence review under the code of practice on access to official information. [11086]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer the right hon. Member to my reply of 28 July,Official Report, column 75.

  Equipment Exhibition
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will cancel the invitation to the three Indonesian generals to attend the Royal Navy and British Army equipment exhibition at Farnborough in September 1997. [8907]

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will refuse permission for representatives of the Indonesian Government to attend the Farnborough arms fair. [11137]

  Mr. Spellar
  No. It is well understood by all those who attend RNBAEE that the Government consider licence applications for defence exports on a case-by-case basis. Attendance at the exhibition does not imply that we will license the export of any equipment to any particular country.

  Duke of York's Royal Military School
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Duke of York's Royal Military School for 1997–98. [12206]
  354
  Mr. Spellar
  The chief executive has been set the following key targets for 1997–1998:

  1. To achieve 100 per cent. of GCSE passes at grade A* to G.

  2. To achieve five or more GCSE passes at grades A* to C for 78 per cent of candidates.

  3. To achieve 88 per cent. of A-level passes at grades A to E.

  4. To achieve three or more A-level passes at grades A and E for 80 per cent. of candidates.

  5. To achieve 34 per cent. of A-level passes at grades A and B.

  6. To achieve 100 per cent. award rate for GNVQ advanced and BTEC national diploma courses.

  7. To achieve places in higher education for 70 per cent. of sixth form leavers.

  8. To achieve a pupil per capita cost of £12,6331.

  9. To generate income of £427,000.

  10. To achieve 250 applications for September 1998 intake.

  1Based on MoD Land and Property valuations as at 1 January 1996.

  Service Children's Education
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for Service Children's Education for 1997–98. [12217]

  Mr. Spellar
  The chief executive has been set the following key targets for 1997–98:

  1. Exceed UK LEA average of pupils gaining A* to C grades in five or more subjects at GCSE by 2 per cent.

  2. Exceed UK average percentage pass rate at grades A* to C by 1 per cent.

  3. Maintain an overall percentage pass rate for GNVQ intermediate level at 91 per cent.

  4. Exceed UK average pass rate at standard attainment tasks and tests—SATS—at each of ages seven, 11, and 14 in English, Maths and Science by 2 per cent.

  5. Implement the SCE elements of the MOD scheme(s) for the provision of nursery education overseas from September 1997 for a trial/pilot scheme.

  6. To achieve a percentage reduction in real terms in pupil per capita costs—measured against total agency resource costs—of 2.5 per cent.

  7. Achieve an index of satisfaction with service children's education within the Army wives continuous attitude survey above 352.

  8. Ensure percentage of inquiries and/or requests answered within 10 days of receipt is at least 85 per cent.

  Naval Manning Agency
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Naval Manning Agency for 1997–98. [12210]

  Dr. Reid
  The chief executive of the Naval Manning Agency has been set the following key targets for 1997–98:

  1. Greater than 93.7 per cent. of officer billets to be filled.

  2. Greater than 94.1 per cent. of Naval rating/Royal Marine other ranks billets to be filled.

  3. Total strength of naval personnel measured as three year average to be within 1 per cent. of the set requirement.

  4. Greater than 60 per cent. of officers to receive more than 4 months notice for change of employment.

  5. Greater than 98 per cent of ratings/other ranks to receive more than the specified notice for change of employment.

  6. The number of occurrences where minimum time ashore criteria are not met to be fewer than 150 per year.

  355

  7. To achieve a progressive annual 10 per cent. reduction in the number of manpower gaps within the scope of the agency's control.

  8. To conduct two bench-marking exercises per year.

  9. To produce trial accruals-based accounts for the period 2 July 1996 to 31 March 1997.

  10. To produce full accruals-based accounts from 1 April 1997.

  Queen Victoria School
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Queen Victoria School for 1997–98. [12218]

  Mr. Spellar
  The chief executive has been set the following key targets for 1997–1998:

  1. To maintain the staying on rate at school for S4 to S5 at a minimum of 68 per cent. based on a three-year trend.

  2. To maintain the percentage of pupils obtaining at least five credit awards at standard grade at 2 per cent. above the average for all Scottish presentations, based on a three-year trend.

  3. To maintain a percentage of the presentations at higher grades achieving A to C at least equal to the Scottish average based on three-year trend.

  4. To complete the review in all 5–14 subjects by March 1998 in the second phase of planning and development of the 5–14 national programme.

  5. To complete the audit requirement for learning support throughout the whole school and modify the school development plan accordingly.

  6. To implement measures resulting from the audit of teaching and learning in S4 and S5/S6.

  7. To continue with the dynamic programme of measures to ensure a satisfactory report from the welfare inspector required by the Children(Scotland) Act 1995.

  8. To prepare appropriate senior staff in the process of conducting individual teacher staff appraisal coupled with subject reviews for introduction by March 1999.

  9. To have successfully completed the second phase of admission of girls by March 1998.

  10. To implement recommendations of the prep working group by March 1998.

  11. To achieve pupil per capita cost of £17,420 by March 1998.

  12. To generate commercial income to the school of £20,000 per annum.

  Naval Recruiting and Training Agency
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency for 1997–98. [12208]

  Dr. Reid
  The chief executive of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency has been set the following key targets for 1997–98:

  1. Recruiting and initial training: To deliver personnel to the trained strength—or to other training organisations—within 10 per cent. variance from the tasked requirement;

  2. Customer satisfaction: To obtain a customer satisfaction rating of at least 83 per cent.

  3. Career and pre joining training: To maintain success rates of 95 per cent. in career training, and 97 per cent. in examined pre-joining training.

  4. Royal naval reserve: To increase the strength of the RNR to at least 2,950 by 31 March 1998.

  5. Resources: To retain tasked capacity while operating NRTA within its cash provision.

  356

  6. Competing for quality: To achieve net benefits of £4.5 million from the partnering arrangement with Flagship Training Ltd.

  7. Management information and reporting: To implement the training pipeline management information system by July 1997, to complete the information systems infrastructure project by December 1997, and to implement project capital initial capability by March 1998.

  8. HM Treasury Accounts Direction: To include satisfactory dummy auditable accounts in the agency annual report for financial year 1996–97, in preparation for meeting the Treasury accounts direction for financial year 1997–98.

  Disposal Sales Agency
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Disposal Sales Agency for 1997–98. [12205]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since its launch in October 1994, the Disposal Sales Agency has achieved over £340 million in gross sales receipts and has made significant efficiency savings. The following key targets set for the chief executive for this financial year have a continuing focus on receipts, for improvement in the services provided by the agency.

  1. To achieve disposal sales income of £48 million from Government-to-Government sales of surplus capital equipment and stores.

  2. To achieve disposal sales income of £30 million from commercial sales of MOD's surplus items.

  3. To offer the agency's disposal service to the wider public sector market to secure £2 million in sales income on behalf of new non-MOD customers.

  4. To expand the agency's disposal services to cover waste disposal for MOD and the wider public sector market—to undertake market research, selection of approved contractors and the placement of appropriate contracts by 31 March 1998.

  5. To introduce new agency information technology systems and trial link to IT storage and marketing contractor by 30 September 1997.

  6. To secure investors in people accreditation by 31 March 1998.

  7. To achieve key targets and other management actions within cash budgetary allocation of £3.5 million.

  Regimental Museums
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the public funding of regimental museums. [7114]

  Mr. Spellar
  The funding of regimental and corps museums was reviewed in 1995. This led to a decision to reduce the funds allocated to museum operation by 12.7 per cent. from April 1998. Since then, an Army museums panel has been constituted whose responsibilities include reviewing the allocation of public funds that are applied to the operation of regimental and corps museums.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he or his Department have had with the Department of National Heritage concerning attracting a wider range of sources of funding for regimental museums. [7115]

  Mr. Spellar
  An Army museums panel has been established with responsibility for guiding policy for
  357
  regimental and corps museums. The panel includes representation from the Museums and Galleries Commission, and the Department of National Heritage. The panel as a whole considers opportunities for alternative sources of funding including bids to the heritage lottery fund. Three regimental museums have so far obtained HLF funding.

  Army Personnel
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what figure for personnel in the Army will be used as the benchmark under the current defence review. [11088]

  Dr. Reid
  The strategic defence review will decide upon the size and structure of the Army in accordance with what is needed to meet our nation's interests and commitments. There is no benchmark figure for the strength of the Army in relation to the review.

  Mr. Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has taken to retain, recruit and re-enlist service personnel to fill vacancies in the Army. [11087]

  Dr. Reid
  The Army has a number of initiatives in place to ensure that personnel of the right quality are retained in the service in sufficient numbers. This includes retention bonuses to target specific groups of soldiers where retention problems have been identified, for example in the Household Cavalry, the Royal Armoured Corps, the Royal Artillery and the infantry. In addition, re-enlistment bounties are available to ex-regular soldiers in the above regiments and corps who agree to rejoin the active list. A recruiting bounty is also payable to serving soldiers in the arms with particular recruiting difficulties, who sponsor a recruit to join their regiment or corps.

  Recruiting for the Army is a continuous process, but from time to time, campaigns are undertaken to target specific population groups. At the present moment, there is an enhanced summer advertising campaign in progress, which is aimed at 16 and 17-year-olds who have just left school. Other measures planned and approved are the Army Foundation college, due to open in September 1998, and the Scotland school leavers scheme, due to begin its first course in January 1998. This scheme is a short-term measure to address the acute manpower shortages in the Scottish infantry. Both these schemes are aimed at 16-year-old school leavers and will provide a good grounding in core skills in the NVQ/SCOTVEC schemes, as well as basic military training. In addition, I have approved the retention of 41 high street Army careers information offices until at least 2000. Further measures are being considered.

  Mark 2 Chinook
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what problems have been reported to his Department with the mark 2 Chinook helicopter since 1993. [11203]

  Mr. Spellar
  We regularly receive service bulletins from the manufacturers of the aircraft and its engines which identify potential, or actual, technical problems.358
  Appropriate action is taken to respond to this advice. No major problems have been reported since the aircraft entered service with the RAF in November 1993.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what trials his Department is conducting to investigate the operational safety of the mark 2 Chinook. [11201]

  Mr. Spellar
  All trials are aimed at ensuring that an aircraft is safe for operational use. For the Chinook HC Mk2, flight trials are currently taking place, or are planned, to extend the operational capability of the aircraft within the manufacturer's cleared flight envelope and to evaluate new equipments.

  Injured Service Personnel
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel in the(a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) RAF have invalided out due to injuries received during non-combatant duties in the last 10 years. [10433]

  Dr. Reid
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Royal Navy

  Army

  Royal Air Force

  1987

  64

  121

  12

  1988

  57

  160

  29

  1989

  70

  182

  18

  1990

  36

  132

  16

  1991

  21

  55

  17

  1992

  24

  122

  18

  1993

  26

  139

  12

  1994

  64

  213

  23

  1995

  98

  390

  46

  1996

  106

  482

  59

  1. Figures are for calendar years and are as at 25 July 1997.

  2. Army figures include Gurkhas.

  Service Colleges
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is(a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of the annual defence budget of (i) amalgamating the Royal naval college Greenwich and the Army staff college Camberley, and (ii) establishing and running the Joint Service Command and Staff College at Bracknell until its move to a permanent site at Watchfield, Wiltshire. [8192]

  Dr. Reid
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Press Releases
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much her Department spends on biking press releases to(a) hon. Members and (b) other individuals or groups, each time her Department issues a press release; how many such press releases were issued by her Department (i) in the period 1 May to 1 July and

  359
  (ii) in the period 1 January to 1 March; and if she will review her Department's use of couriers to deliver press releases and investigate the possibility of using fax or e-mail. [8815]

  Mr. Field
  [holding answer 17 July 1997]: The Department of Social Security's press releases are made available to hon. Members and to the media via the Central Office of Information's news distribution service. NDS's delivery mechanisms include a newswire service which, among others, supplies press releases to the parliamentary online information service, which can be accessed by all Members of Parliament and peers, hand deliveries, fax and postal services, online databases and a widely accessed world wide web site.

  These methods are used either singly or in combination to ensure the most cost-effective methods are used to reach the relevant target audiences and to suit the nature of the documents—for example, whether press releases are dispatched on their own, or accompanied by reports, consultation documents and so on. No separate costing is available for the hand delivery service alone.

  The Department also runs its own mailing list for press releases for organisations such as welfare rights and charities. This is a postal service.

  The number of press releases issued from 1 May to 1 July was 52 and from 1 January to 1 March was 66.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances(a) carers can claim invalid care allowance about the age of 65 years and (b) eligible carers below the age of 65 years can postpone their receipt of invalid care allowance until they reach the age of 65 years or above. [10857]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government recognise the valuable contribution made by carers to providing community care. Benefit provision is aimed at helping to maintain the income of someone who gives up the opportunity of full-time work to provide care on a regular and substantial basis to a severely disabled person.

  One of the qualifying conditions for invalid care allowance is, therefore, that a person has not attained pensionable age. Payments of ICA may continue beyond age 65, if entitlement was established before that age. There is no provision for people to postpone receipt of the benefit.

  We are committed to a review with the objective of reducing poverty and welfare dependency and promoting work incentives. Provision for disabled people and their carers will form part of that review.

  Employee Relocation Allowances
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to extend the scope of national insurance contributions to employee relocation allowances. [12159]

  Mr. Denham
  As part of looking for areas in which tax and national insurance could be brought closer together, it 360
  has become necessary to examine the national insurance liability of some relocation expenses. Subject to Parliament's approval of regulations, from 6 April 1998, national insurance contributions will be collected on those relocation allowances that do not qualify for tax relief.

  In the large majority of cases, national insurance contributions are currently not collected on the relocation allowances paid by employers. By comparison, some allowances do not qualify for any tax exemption whatsoever, while some do. For example, the allowances on which tax is payable include those for additional housing costs incurred if the employee moves to a higher cost area. Other allowances such as legal and estate agents' fees, stamp duty and removal expenses are exempt from tax up to a maximum of £8,000 for each relocation.

  This change will bring the two systems closer together over these payments while recognising the important differences between them. The new rules will exclude from national insurance contributions only those allowances that could qualify for tax relief as listed in tax legislation.

  This is a fairer way of dealing with the national insurance position on these allowances which are paid to the approximately 120,000 employees who receive help from their employers in work-related moves every year.

  The extra revenue to the national insurance fund will amount to about £50 million a year once the charge is fully in place. The fund pays for all contributory benefits. These benefits are extremely important to the people who receive them, including some of the nation's poorest pensioners, and we must ensure that employers and employees pay their fair share.

  To assist employers with relocations already planned, these changes will not affect employees who start a job in a new location before 6 April 1998 or their employers. The current treatment will continue to apply for all their relocation payments.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has for the refurbishment of ministerial offices in her Department; and what is the estimated cost of the works and date of completion. [11876]

  Mr. Field
  There are currently no plans for refurbishing ministerial offices in this Department.

  Pensions Review
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Government's review of pension provision will include(a) occupational and (b) personal pensions. [11821]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government are committed to support and strengthen the existing framework for occupational pensions, and to create a new framework of secure, flexible and value-for-money stakeholder pensions for those who do not have the opportunity of contributing to a second pension, either because they lack the resources
  361
  or because they do not have access to a decent second scheme. We also recognise that personal pensions, appropriately regulated, will remain a good option for many.

  The review of the central areas of insecurity for elderly people announced on 17 July by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will include all aspects of the basic state pension and its value and second pensions, including occupational pensions, personal pensions and state earnings-related pension scheme.

  Benefits Agency (Leeds Offices)
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) for how many hours each Benefits Agency office within the Leeds metropolitan district was open for advice to members of the public during a full working week in May 1997; and what were the comparable figures for May 1996; [10671]

  (2) what was the average number of visits by members of the public at each Benefits Agency office in the Leeds metropolitan district during the period April to June 1997; and what were the comparable figures for April to June 1996. [10672]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We will streamline services to provide better, simpler more efficient services to claimants and other customers. Queries on operational matters are for the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, Peter Mathison. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Gunnell, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the Benefits Agency offices within the Leeds Metropolitan District.
  The information available is shown in the attached tables. The BA district in Leeds has offices at Leeds East, North, North-West, South and West. There has been a BA presence, offering advice and information to unemployed customers, in Employment Service Jobcentres since the introduction of Job Seekers Allowance in October 1996.
  The caller offices in Otley, Rothwell and Morley were closed on 31 Janaury 1997 and the opening hours in Leeds East, South and West were
  extended on 24 February 1997.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  align="center">Benefits agency Leeds district office opening hours

  May 1996

  May 1997

  Branch offices

  Leeds East

  35½

  36

  Leeds South

  35½

  36

  Leeds West

  35½

  36

  Leeds North West

  36

  36

  Leeds North

  36

  36

  Caller offices

  Otley

  13

  —

  Rothwell

  30

  —

  Morley

  31¼

  —

  Employment service jobcentres

  Otley

  —

  36

  Rothwell

  —

  35

  Morley

  —

  35½

  Guiseley

  —

  36

  Pudsey

  —

  37

  362

  align="center">Benefits agency Leeds district office opening hours

  May 1996

  May 1997

  Seacroft

  —

  36

  Stanningley

  —

  36

  Hunslet

  —

  36½

  Dysons

  —

  36½

  Eastgate

  —

  36½

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Average number of visits from public in the benefits agency Leeds district April to June 1996 and 1997

  Average number

  Callers April—June 1996

  Leeds East

  5,910

  Leeds South

  12,948

  Leeds West

  3,294

  Leeds North West

  24,588

  Leeds North

  4,809

  Callers April—June 1997

  Leeds East

  35,028

  Leeds South

  1,564

  Leeds West

  2,863

  Leeds North West

  3,766

  Leeds North

  4,819

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  1 This figure includes callers to the Rothwell and Morley caller offices

  2 This figure includes callers to the Otley caller office.

  3 This figure includes 1,152 BA callers to the Employment Service jobcentres.

  Benefits Fraud Hotline
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer on the benefits fraud hotline of 10 July,Official Report, column 591, if the weekly figure for benefit savings of £35 million relates to savings over a 12-month period; and if she will make it her policy in future answers to use the term "weekly benefit" only in circumstances where it is defined in the text. [11111]

  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is to restore confidence in the benefits system by tackling fraud and ensuring value for taxpayers' money. Questions on Benefits Agency operational matters are the responsibility of the chief executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if the weekly figure for benefit savings of £35 million, referred to in my reply dated 9 July 1997, relates to savings over a 12 month period, if she will make it her policy in future answers to use the term weekly benefit only in circumstances where it is defined in the text.
  The £35 million weekly benefit savings have been generated since the launch of the Hotline on 5 August 1996 up to the end of May 1997, and relates to a ten month period. For the eleven month period up to the end of June 1997 the cumulative savings figure was £41.91 million. Weekly benefit savings are calculated by taking the difference between the amount incorrectly paid to an individual and the correct amount of benefit due, following intervention of the fraud officer. This amount is multiplied by 32. Based on research

  363
  which mainly covered Income Support, 32 weeks is the average length of time a claim would have continued if the fraud had not been detected. This multiplier is currently applied to all benefits.
  I apologise this was not made clear in my previous reply.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Pensions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the increase required in class 1 contribution rates in each year up to 2000–01 if the basic pension were uprated in line with average earnings, relative to the contributions required for price-uprating, assuming that other contribution rates are increased by the same percentage. [10568]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: The information is in the table.

  Percentage increase in national insurance contribution rates1

  1998–99

  1999–00

  2000–01

  Employee Class 12

  0.1

  0.2

  0.4

  Employer Class 1 and Class 1A2

  0.1

  0.1

  0.2

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Notes:

  1 Calculations are based on the 1997 Budget economic assumptions.

  2 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 0.1 per cent.

  1. It has been assumed that the cost for all benefits whose rate is the same as the basic state pension, i.e. widow's benefit and the long-term rate of incapacity benefit would rise accordingly.

  2. The split of rates between employee and employer contributions was achieved by considering that for an employee on average earnings for a full-time adult, the increase in contributions paid by an employee would be the same as the increase paid by the employer.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of allowing pensioners to draw their state pensions from the age of 60 years. [7547]

  Mr. Denham
  It is estimated that the cost of allowing all pensioners to draw their full retirement pension from age 60 would be around £9 billion a year. When changes in incapacity benefit and income-related benefits are taken into account, the net cost would be around £7 billion.

  The review of pensions announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will consider all aspects of the basic state retirement pension. However, the Government have no plans to put forward proposals for lowering state pension age.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are in respect of 2000–01, and are in 1997–98 prices. They assume the change takes effect from April 2000, with no phasing.

  2. The expenditure effects on the national insurance fund have been estimated by the Government Actuary's Department. The income-related benefit offsets have been calculated using the 1997–98 policy simulation model based on the 1994–95 family resources survey and the 1997–98 prices, benefits and earnings levels, and calibrated to the forecasts underlying the 1997 departmental report.

  3. Underlying assumptions are that everyone will claim their pension entitlement at 60, and that there will be no behavioural effects—for example, the economic activity and income other than retirement pensions of individuals in benefit units who gain remains constant.

  4. Effects on national insurance contributions, rebates and tax have not been taken into account.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the effects of the reduction in income support levels for lone parents to be introduced in April 1998 on the diet and living standards of the children of lone parents remaining on income support. [10768]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Existing recipients of the lone parent rate of the family premium in income support will not be affected as the benefit changes will affect only lone parents making new claims. It is not possible to assess accurately the effect of the reduction in income support levels on the diet and living standards of the children of those lone parents who will make a new claim for income support: individual lone parents will chose to spend their income support in different ways. The best way we can help lone parents to improve significantly their living standards is to help them move into work. That is why we have set up the new deal to help them to do this. Lone parents in work are, on average, £50 a week better off than they are out of work.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has received from organisations representing lone parents about(a) the level of income support for lone parents and (b) the level of child benefit for lone parents; and if she will place copies of such representations in the Library. [10770]

  Mr. Bradley
  Representations about the proposed changes to lone parent benefits were made by a wide variety of organisations, including those representing lone parents, to the Social Security Advisory Committee; the same points have been raised in regular discussions between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and lone parent organisations. These representations were reflected in the Social Security Advisory Committee's report, which was published on 30 July together with the Government's response as Command Paper 3713. However, lone parent organisations recognise that work offers lone parents the best way to improve their standard of living, and have welcomed the new deal for lone parents.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which her Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10744]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Department of Social Security's payroll function is carried out in-house using an integrated pay and personnel computer system. The networked system is available across the Department for the operation of payroll and personnel management through local personnel units. A database, holding details of employee accounts, shares a mainframe computer with the Department's main benefit processing systems. All DSS staff salaries are paid by the system either monthly or weekly directly into bank accounts via automated credit transfer.
  365
  Management of personnel unit operations rests separately with each individual executive agency and department headquarters. An external supplier, Harvest Ltd. has responsibility for Contributions Agency personnel operations. It was the successful bidder in a market test exercise. All other personnel operations are in-house.

  Payroll support services, for all agencies, are operated by the Benefits Agency under a joint venture agreement. The central administration, technical support units and IT operations are run from the Department's Newcastle offices. The BA contracts the Information Technology Services Agency for system running, maintenance and support. ITSA in turn manages a series of contracts with external providers of IT services that cover the whole range of administration and benefits systems which the DSS operates. Payroll IT operations form a small part of these total contracts. The external service providers for the Department's IT services, including payroll, are EDS, Sema Group and Bull Systems.

  The pay and personnel system is part of the Department's financial and management information system—FAMIS—which also includes its administrative accounting systems. The payroll and personnel element of FAMIS was developed entirely in house, by the BA and ITSA, over a three-year period and has been operating successfully for four years. It now supports six separate pay, grading and reward structures, one for each agency and department headquarters. The system is also responsible for tax and national insurance administration for all DSS staff.

  There are no direct, on-going, co-operation arrangements in place for payroll with other Departments apart from standing arrangements for employee transfers between Departments.

  Because FAMIS has been designed to support both pay and personnel functions within the Department by the use of a common data base and IT processes, it is not possible to provide costs that solely relate to payroll processing. The information in the following table relates to central business and IT process costs to support both payroll and personnel activity in the Department.

  align="center">DSS expenditure on payroll 1996–97

  align="right">£ million

  Function

  Labour costs

  IT costs

  Record maintenance and main payroll functions including ACT, tax and national insurance calculation and payment

  1.46

  1.36

  Annual pay awards (6)

  0.31

  0.30

  Business support/helpline

  0.72

  —

  Pay re-calculation processing and appeals including recovery action on overpayments

  0.84

  —

  Computer system support

  —

  0.47

  Total

  3.33

  2.13

  Mortgage Interest Claimants
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many housing benefit and income support for 366
  mortgage interest claimants have had their benefit reduced because of non-dependent charges for those with gross weekly incomes of (a) less than £78, (b) between £78 and £115.99, (c) between £116 and £151.99, (d) between £152 and £199.99 (£152 plus for income support—jobseekees allowance only claimants), (e) between £200 and £249.99 and (f) £250 or more. [10595]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Our objective is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives. We will develop a system that supports work, savings and honesty.

  Information is not yet available in relation to the income bands requested, which relate to April 1997 benefit rates. The latest information available for housing benefit is that for May 1995 and for income support mortgage interest is that for August 1996. This information is set out in the table and relates to the gross income bands in force at the relevant times.

  align="right">Number

  All housing benefit cases with non-dependant deductions May 1995

  136,000

  Number of non-dependant deductions

  140,000

  Gross income < £74.00

  19,000

  Gross income £74.00-£110.99

  26,000

  Gross income £ 111.00-£ 144.99

  32,000

  Gross income £145.00 and over

  62,000

  The data refer to the number of housing benefit recipients who have non-dependants in work and the number of actual non-dependants with gross income within each band.

  Number

  All income support mortgage interest cases with non-dependant deductions (August 1996)

  32,000

  Number of non-dependant deductions

  4,000

  Gross income < £76.00

  29,000

  Gross income £76.00-£113.99

  4,000

  Gross income £ 114.00-£ 149.99

  4,000

  Gross income £150.00 and over

  8,000

  Notes:

  The lowest income band shown in the income support tables includes deductions made at the lowest fixed rate where the non-dependant is on income support or their gross weekly earnings have not been specified.

  Sources:

  1. Income support quarterly statistical inquiry August 1996.

  2. Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample taken at the end of May 1995.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will provide a breakdown of the(a) age, (b) gender, (c) race and (d) household type of claimants who have their housing benefit or income support for mortgage interest reduced because of non-dependent charges. [10594]

  Mr. Bradley
  Our objective is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives. We will develop a system that supports work, savings and honesty.

  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table. The latest date information is available for housing benefit is May 1995; for income support it is August 1996. Information on gender and race for housing benefit claimants and on race for income support mortgage interest claimants is not available.

  367

  align="center">All housing benefit recipients with non-dependent deduction—May 1995

  Age of claimant

  All cases

  Lone parent

  Single without dependents

  Couple with dependents

  Couple without dependents

  All cases

  1301,000

  184,000

  32,000

  62,000

  24,000

  Under 25

  5,000

  3,000

  1,000

  —

  —

  25 to 59

  140,000

  67,000

  30,000

  23,000

  20,000

  60 and over

  157,000

  114,000

  1,000

  38,000

  4,000

  1 Figure refers to the total number of housing benefit recipients with non-dependants attracting deductions.

  align="center">All income support mortgage interest recipients with non-dependant deductions—August 1996

  Age of claimant

  All cases

  Lone parent

  Single without dependants

  Couple with dependants

  Couple without dependants

  All cases

  32,000

  5,000

  12,000

  6,000

  8,000

  Under 25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  25 to 59

  23,000

  5,000

  8,000

  5,000

  5,000

  60 and over

  9,000

  —

  5,000

  1,000

  4,000

  align="center">Male income support mortgage interest recipients with non-dependant deductions—August 1996

  Age of claimant

  All cases

  Lone parent

  Single without dependants

  Couple with dependants

  Couple without dependants

  All cases

  17,000

  1,000

  3,000

  5,000

  8,000

  Under 25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  25 to 59

  12,000

  —

  3,000

  5,000

  4,000

  60 and over

  5,000

  —

  1,000

  1,000

  4,000

  Female income support mortgage interest recipients with non-dependant deductions—August 1996

  Age of claimant

  All cases

  Lone parent

  Single without dependants

  Couple with dependants

  Couple without dependants

  All cases

  14,000

  5,000

  9,000

  —

  1,000

  Under 25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  25 to 59

  10,000

  5,000

  5,000

  —

  —

  60 and over

  4,000

  —

  4,000

  —

  —

  Note:

  Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand and may not sum due to rounding.

  Sources:

  1. Income support quarterly statistical inquiry, August 1996.

  2. Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries taken at the end of May 1995.

  Social Security Benefits
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the numbers and proportion of unemployed persons who are not in receipt of any social security benefit. [10434]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  In 1995–96, there were on average about 600,000 persons who were unemployed and not receiving any social security benefit excluding child benefit. This represents about one in four of the total number of persons unemployed. Approximately 70 per cent. of these had working partners or shared a household containing at least one working person.

  The Government believe that work is the best form of welfare for people of working age. Our welfare-to-work objectives are to provide work incentives, reduce poverty and welfare dependency and strike a new balance between responsibilities and rights.

  Note:

  An approximation to the International Llabour Organisation definition of unemployed was used.

  Cervical Spondylosis
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has received in 368
  respect of making cervical spondylosis an industrial disease in respect of train drivers and if she will make a statement. [10652]

  Mr. Denham
  No such representations have been received.

  I am advised on matters relating to the industrial injuries scheme, and in particular on the prescription of diseases, by the independent Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, which continually monitor all publications and research on occupational health matters. I understand that the council found no scientific evidence of a strong occupational link between this disease, which is common in the general population, and any particular occupation.

  Widow's Benefits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for widow's benefits have been refused in the last year because the claimant's marriage was polygamous. [10290]

  Mr. Denham
  The Benefits Agency does not keep records of the number of claims for widow's benefits which have been rejected because the claimant's marriage was polygamous.

  Sponsored Immigrants
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will introduce proposals to allow sponsored immigrants to claim benefits in the event of their sponsorship agreement breaking down. [10289]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for income support have been refused since 5 February 1996 on the ground that the claimant is a sponsored immigrant. [10287]

  Mr. Bradley
  From May 1996 to April 1997, 129 claims for income support from sponsored immigrants were refused.

  Source:

  Clerical management statistics (not validated).

  Employment Advertisements
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how often since 1992 her Department has been responsible for employment advertisements which contained age restrictions upon those who could apply. [9510]

  Mr. Denham
  Records of recruitment exercises are available only as far back as 1994. The Department has not used aged restrictions in employment advertisements at any time sine 1994 but in practice does not recruit staff over age 60. This is because the normal retirement age for most grades in DSS is age 60.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to enable the disabled to enter part-time employment without loss of the mobility component of disability living allowance. [10398]

  Mr. Denham
  Work is the best form of welfare for people of working age. Disabled people in receipt of disability living allowance can work either full or part-time with no loss of benefit.

  Local Exchange Trading Systems
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer on 26 June,Official Report, column 640, regarding the role of local exchange trading systems in areas of high employment, what are the benefit rules relating to the treatment of LETS; and if she will make a statement. [9906]

  Benefits agency

  Contributions agency

  Information technology services agency

  War pensions agency

  Pay band

  Number of staff

  Pay band

  Number of staff

  Pay band

  Number of staff

  Pay band

  Number of staff

  £6,943-£13,474

  58,762

  £7,150-£16,300

  2,779

  £8,261-£18,711

  1,394

  £7,217-£13,628

  872

  £11,895-£ 18,053

  18,729

  £9,450-£22,350

  5,577

  £17,111-£27,711

  701

  £11,663-£18,321

  305

  £15,147-£27,118

  2,721

  £15,650-£29,600

  540

  £26,211-£50,607

  99

  £15,986-£30,246

  42

  £25,343-£58,377

  420

  £23,200-£54,300

  47

  £25,466-£50,972

  6

  Child support agency

  DSS headquarters

  Independent statutory bodies

  Pay range

  Number of staff

  Pay range

  Number of staff

  Pay range

  Number of staff

  £7,150-£11,350

  1,509

  £7,279-£l 1,759

  187

  £7,279-£l 1,759

  409

  £9,050-£13,900

  5,007

  £9,222-£14,404

  342

  £9,222-£14,404

  457

  370
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Participation in a local exchange trading system scheme is regarded as work for the purposes of jobseeker's allowance and income support. The credits received are taken into account as actual earnings. Family credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit treat LETS credits in same way.

  Neither jobseeker's allowance nor income support are payable to people who work for, on average, 16 hours or more a week–24 hours for partners of people receiving income-based jobseeker's allowance or income support.

  Where a person spends less than 16 hours a week on LETS activities, the credits are taken into account as earnings subject to the appropriate disregard—normally £5 a week. Any expenses wholly and exclusively defrayed for the purposes of the LETS activity, together with an amount in respect of tax and national insurance contributions, can also be deducted from the earnings.

  People claiming unemployment-related benefits must also continue to satisfy the labour market requirements of being available for and actively seeking work. Under jobseeker's allowance, people must normally be available for a minimum of 40 hours a week, but can stipulate their own pattern of availability with the employment officer—within reasonable limits. For jobseekers participating in LETS, this means that they must either be prepared to give up the LETS work to take up a full-time job, or be able to move the LETS activities to avoid any conflict; or be available in accordance with a pattern of work which gives them reasonable prospects of securing employment, while avoiding conflict with their LETS activities.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many civil servants there are in total on each payband in her Department. [9585]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is in the tables.

  Senior civil service (including pay range for permanent secretaries)

  Pay band

  Number of staff

  £38,760-£60,890

  54

  £42,740-£68,540

  20

  £47,120-£77,110

  7

  £52,020-£86,700

  16

  £57,020-£91,800

  3

  £62,420-£97,210

  1

  £68,340-£102,940

  4

  £74,660-£109,040

  0

  £81,600-£115,570

  1

  £91,800-£157,590

  1

  371

  Child support agency

  DSS headquarters

  Independent statutory bodies

  Pay range

  Number of staff

  Pay range

  Number of staff

  Pay range

  Number of staff

  £11,550-£22,600

  2,173

  £11,755-£22,523

  395

  £11,755-£22,523

  210

  £15,800-£27,700

  363

  £14,074-£26,349

  351

  £16,140-£26,349

  138

  £19,750-£32,600

  85

  £20,187-£32,058

  129

  £20,187-£32,058

  25

  £25,250-£41,750

  26

  £26,677-£43,933

  185

  £26,677-£43,933

  8

  £28,800-£51,050

  8

  £27,278-£53,669

  58

  £27,278-£53,669

  1

  1. Where national and London pay bands exist the national scale has been used to determine the minimum and the London scale the maximum.

  2. Pay bands have not been introduced in the Child Support Agency, DSS headquarters or the independent statutory bodies; their tables show pay ranges for civil service grades.

  3. Figures for the senior civil service are additional to those shown elsewhere.

  4. Includes all staff on payroll as at 17 July 1997.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of employees, in each payband, in the quangos for which her Department is responsible, are of(a) Asian origin and (b) Afro-Caribbean origin. [9584]

  Mr. Bradley
  The information is in the tables.

  align="right">Number and percentage

  Payband

  Number of employees of Asian origin

  Number of employees of Afro-Caribbean origin

  Independent tribunal service

  £11,544-£17,869

  3 (2.97)

  4 (3.96)

  £9,041-£13,546

  9 (2.71)

  13 (3.93)

  £7,136-£11,439

  10 (3.7)

  13 (4.81)

  Central adjudication services

  £7,279-£10,989

  1 (7.69)

  1 (7.69)

  Pensions ombudsman

  £19,791-£27,394

  1 (10)

  0

  £11,544-£ 17,869

  1 (50)

  0

  £9,041-£ 13,546

  2 (67)

  1 (33)

  £7,464-£l 1,439

  1 (100)

  0

  Occupational pensions regulatory authority

  £15,824-£22,351

  2 (8.33)

  0

  Income Support
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence she has obtained of work disincentives for people on income support seeking(a) part-time work and (b) full-time work topped-up by family credit; and if she will make a statement. [8198]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  A number of studies have been carried out, both by the Department of Social Security and by research organisations, which have looked at possible disincentives to work, for example, studies into the effects of the unemployment and poverty traps. We have studied the findings carefully. The circumstances of lone parents seeking work, for example, were explored in the Department's research "Moving off Income Support:Barriers and Bridges", published last year and this helped develop our proposals for a new deal for lone parents. The report established that a significant obstacle for lone parents moving in to work was the cost of child care and we are addressing this with our national child care strategy and with the recently announced enhancements to the child care disregard, which are the first steps in our 372
  programme of helping parents to have access to affordable, good-quality child care if they are to balance work and family life successfully. The new deal for lone parents will be important in our continuing evaluation of barriers to work. We want to make it worth while for people to make the transition into work and ensure a fair return on extra earnings once they are in work. We believe work is the best form of welfare for people of working age.

  Modernising the social security system is a key priority of the Government and Martin Taylor, chief executive of Barclays plc, has been appointed to spearhead a Whitehall task force on tax and benefits. The task force will deliver the Government's pledge to streamline and modernise the system to fulfil the objectives of promoting work incentives, reducing poverty and welfare dependency, and strengthening community and family life.

  Child Support Agency
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many parents with care of children currently have benefit reductions made under the Child Support Act regulations concerning penalties for failure to co-operate with the CSA; and what has been the total amount of the benefit not paid for this reason in 1997 to date. [10664]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We think it right that lone mothers should co-operate wherever possible in requesting maintenance for their children from the father.

  The latest available information is from August 1996, which shows that around 16,000 parents with care in receipt of income support were subject to a benefit reduction for failure to co-operate with the Child Support Agency without good reason. It is not yet possible to assess the total amount of benefit withheld since April this year but, over 1997–98 as a whole, it is estimated that the value of reduced benefit directions in income support will be around £15 million

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much extra the Child Support Agency is budgeting to spend on its telephone operations in 1997–98. [7559]

  Mr. Bradley
  We expect the Child Support Agency to provide an efficient and effective service to all its clients throughout the child support assessment process. We are looking for substantial and sustained operational improvements from the agency, in particular on getting more maintenance paid, reducing the backlog and improving customer service.

  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.
  373
  Letter from Faith Boardman to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 29 July 1997
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency budget for telephone operations during 1997–98.
  At the present time access to the Agency can be made by means of the National Enquiry Line, Client Helplines, or by direct dial to Child Support Officers in the Child Support Agency Centres and associated Field Offices.
  The National Enquiry Line occupies a central location and is available to anyone who has a general enquiry about the Agency. The Agency has a target for answering general enquiries under its Charter Standards: we aim to answer enquiries within 20 seconds during normal working hours. Performance against this standard was 64 per cent. during 1996–97.
  A Client Helpline is available in each of the six Centres to deal with clients' case specific enquiries. The Agency has had no target which covers this area, but it is clear that this is an area where the service offered by the Agency has not fully met its customers needs and we are currently looking at the definition of the targets.
  I am committed to improving this and plans are in place to improve the service. In 1996–97 the Agency spent £2.2 million on running costs for its telephone system; it is anticipated that £2.7 million will be spent in 1997–98. Overall, the Agency focus is on providing a more efficient and accessible telephone service for clients making best use of its existing resources.
  The Agency plans to employ staff to work a wider more flexible range of working patterns over six days a week. This will provide more opportunities for customers to contact the Agency and vice versa, and will enable the Agency to deliver a better standard of customer service through greater use of the telephone. The Agency has also recently initiated an Early Positive Customer Contact project which will increase the use of the telephone by Agency staff at an early stage in our dealings with customers. The aim is that much more of our business will be conducted over the telephone rather than by correspondence, giving customers more opportunity to raise any issues or concerns earlier than at present.
  I am very conscious that there are still far too many justified complaints about the standards of basic customer contact and the service we provide. Over the next few years, I am committed to bringing high quality levels of performance to every part of our operation as a matter of routine, thereby reducing the number of complaints received and enhancing the public perception of the Agency.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Benefit Claimant Inquiries
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which companies have been contracted by the Benefits Agency to handle queries from claimants in the London region in respect of delays in responding to claimants' inquiries. [9173]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  One of our key aims is to improve the service provided to claimants and other customers and, where appropriate, by awarding contracts. The current policy on the criterion against which contracts are awarded to companies following tender exercises is value for money. Both quality and whole-life cost are taken into account.

  No companies have been contracted by the Benefits Agency to handle queries from claimants in the London region in respect of delays to customers' inquiries. Queries on operational issues are for Peter Mathison, the
  374
  chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter frotn Peter Mathison to Mr. John McDonnell, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking which companies have been contracted by the Benefits Agency (BA) to handle queries from claimants in the London region in respect of delays in responding to claimants' enquiries.No companies have been contracted by the BA to handle queries from customers in the London region in respect of delays in responding to customers' enquiries.Contracts in the London region have been awarded for post opening, switchboard operations, security and general facilities management. Where switchboard operations have been contracted out, the company is responsible for directing the telephone calls to the appropriate section. Only BA staff respond to customers' enquiries.I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Pensions and Overseas Benefits Directorate
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how long it takes the pensions and overseas branch to process claims for(a) retirement pensions from those claiming in (i) India, (ii) Pakistan, (iii) Bangladesh, (iv) Australia, (v) South Africa and (vi) Jamaica. [10293]

  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is to improve the service provided to claimants and other customers. Queries on Benefits Agency operational matters are the responsibility of Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how long it takes the Pensions and Overseas Benefits Directorate to process claims for Retirement Pension and Widow's Benefit for those claiming in (i) India, (ii) Pakistan, (iii) Bangladesh, (iv) Australia, (v) South Africa and (vi) Jamaica.
  The information is not available in the format requested as statistics are not available by individual country. Such information as is available is shown in the table below:

  Year ending 31 March 1997

  Target

  Achievement

  Retirement pension

  65 per cent, in 95 days

  76 per cent.

  95 per cent, in 300 days

  97 per cent.

  Widows benefit

  65 per cent, in 185 days

  83 per cent.

  95 per cent. in 640 days

  98 per cent.

  The Pensions and Overseas Benefits Directorate handles claims from customers living in over 230 countries around the world. These claims can take longer to clear than their Great Britain counterparts because confirming life event details, such as births, marriages and deaths, is often not straightforward and documentation which is readily available in the UK can take longer to obtain from other countries.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what recent representations she has received regarding the all-work test; [9776]
  375
  (2) what response the Government have made to the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux report published in March entitled, "An Unfit Test". [9775]

  Mr. Denham
  A number of representations have been received regarding the incapacity benefit all-work test from groups representing disabled people, other interested organisations and individuals affected. I have also seen the recent report by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. Some important issues have been raised which will be considered in the context of the general review of social security. Our aim is to provide a system that helps those who can to become financially independent, and focus support on those who cannot.

  It is important that the test for incapacity benefit commands confidence as a fair system that appropriately assesses whether an individual is capable of work for benefit purposes.

HEALTH

  Private Sector NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish a breakdown of the £500 million spent by health authorities and trusts with the private sector; [6833]

  (2) if he will give a breakdown of expenditure by health authorities and trusts in the private sector in the last year for which figures are available. [11028]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Insulin Pen Needles
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's current policy concerning charges for the provision of diabetic needles by(a) general practitioners and (b) health authorities and trusts; what guidance it provides about such charges; and if that policy and guidance are under review. [9559]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: If a general practitioner prescribes, as part of general medical services, a diabetic needle that is listed for the purposes of section 41 of the National Health Service Act 1977, it will be dispensed as part of pharmaceutical services and will attract a prescription charge. The same is true for needles issued to hospital out-patients on prescription by hospital doctors. Under the National Health Services (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 1989, as amended, people with diabetes mellitus—except where treatment is by diet alone—are exempt from all prescription charges, including any which would relate to the prescribing of needles.

  If a general practitioner himself provides diabetic needles to a patient as part of general medical services, he can make no charge. Likewise, under section 1 of the 1977 Act, health authorities and trusts must not charge for services and equipment, except where the legislation expressly indicates that a charge should be made. In all other cases, including diabetic needles, where a health authority or trust—taking account of resources, needs and clinical priorities locally—decides that a piece of equipment should be provided as part of national health
  376
  service treatment, it should be provided free of charge. The Department of Health reminded health authorities and trusts of this in executive letter EL(92)20, issued in March 1992. The policy on provision of equipment by the national health service has not changed since then and is still under consideration.

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 July,Official Report, column 414, on GP prescribing of insulin pen needles, what matters (a) have so far been considered and (b) remain to be considered in his review of insulin pen prescription; and if he will make a statement. [10473]

  Mr. Milburn
  All relevant aspects of this issue are being considered.

  Bad Debt
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the amounts of bad debt and claims abandoned for each health authority in each region broken down by category for the last five years. [10423]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list of trusts in each region which(a) have and (b) have not subscribed to the clinical negligence scheme for trusts, indicating the cost of each annual premium. [10410]

  Mr. Milburn
  The latest information will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the incidence of NHS trusts and health authorities rearranging their provisions for medical negligence in seeking to meet the costs of closing deficits by the end of the current financial year; and what restrictions he intends to introduce.[11136]

  Mr. Milburn
  No such estimate has been made.

  National health service trusts and health authorities are expected to make provision in their annual accounts for clinical negligence claims in accordance with directions issued by the Secretary of State. NHS trusts and health authorities in managing their finances should plan for future settlement of claims and ensure that funds are in place for this purpose.

  Surplus Property
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS surplus properties are currently occupied and utilised by NHS trusts; and what is their value. [10419]

  Mr. Milburn
  About 240 properties which are expected to become surplus over the next 10 years, and which have been retained by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, are currently occupied by national health service trusts. These properties, managed by the NHS executive's regional offices, form part of the future land sales programme, and have an approximate open market value of £450 million.

  Health Visitors and District Nurses
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representation he has received about the extension of direct employment by GPs of health visitors and district nurses; and what plans he has to consult the relevant professional organisations in respect of this trend. [10484]

  Mr. Milburn
  The personal medical services pilot scheme enables different models of contracting to be developed and tested by nurses, health visitors and general practitioners. At present, those members of the national health service family who wish to enter into a personal medical services pilot from 1 April 1998 are invited to submit an application to their health authority by 1 November. We have discussed the implementation of the personal medical services pilots with all the relevant professional organisations and have asked officials to continue working closely with them.

  Loughborough General Hospital
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the successful completion of a private finance initiative project to replace Loughborough's general hospital; and if he will make a statement. [10555]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Health Service Executive is expecting to receive a revised full business case from Fosse Health NHS trust for the scheme to replace Loughborough's general hospital under the private finance initiative in autumn 1997. The FBC will then be considered for approval.

  As a "small-scale" scheme—within NHS executive regional office delegated limits of £10 million—this scheme will not be affected by the prioritisation exercises for the major acute schemes announced on 3 July.

  Heart Bypass Surgery
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been referred for heart bypass surgery in each health authority in the last three years. [10662]

  Mr. Boateng
  The latest available figures show the number of heart bypass operations carried out in each health authority which has a cardiac surgical unit, during the years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95. The tables show this information. Information on patients referred for treatment is not collected and data for actual treatment received are collected retrospectively.

  Estimated number of Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs), where main operation K40-K44 (OPCS4R code) was performed, by Health authority of treatment, NHS hospitals, England 1994–95

  Number

  A32 Tees DHA

  96

  A35 Newcastle and North Tyneside DHA

  782

  B11 East Riding DHA

  586

  B61 Leeds DHA

  478

  C03 Leicestershire DHA

  730

  C12 Sheffield DHA

  943

  DO1 Cambridge DHA

  1

  D09 Huntingdon DHA

  1,122

  E09 Hillingdon DHA

  686

  E20 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow DHA

  391

  E21 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster DH

  1,335

  F35 East London and The City DHA

  2,389

  F37 Camden and Islington DHA

  635

  378

  Estimated number of Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs), where main operation K40-K44 (OPCS4R code) was performed, by Health authority of treatment, NHS hospitals, England 1994–95

  Number

  G24 Bexley and Greenwich DHA

  412

  G26 South East London DHA

  1,108

  H07 Mid Downs DHA

  1

  H17 Merton Sutton and Wandsworth

  265

  J22 Southampton and South-west Hampshire HC

  831

  K41 Oxfordshire DHA

  739

  L10 Bristol and District DHA

  548

  M07 North Staffordshire DHA

  435

  M17 Coventry DHA

  840

  M25 South Birmingham DHA

  611

  N21 Liverpool DHA

  804

  P20 North West Lancashire DHA

  82

  P26 Manchester DHA

  286

  England

  17,136

  Notes:

  Data in this table are grossed for both covered and unknown/invalid clinical data.

  The following operation codes have been used:

  K40 Saphenous vein graft replacement of coronary artery.

  K410 Other autograft replacement of coronary artery.

  K42 Allograft replacement of coronary artery.

  K43 Prosthetic replacement of coronary artery.

  K44 Other replacement of coronary artery.

  Source:

  Department of Health, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES).

  Estimated number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs), where main operation K40-K44 (OPCS4R code) was performed, by health authority of treatment, NHS hospitals, England—1993–94

  Number

  A03 South Tees DHA

  29

  A13 Newcastle DHA

  758

  B11 East Riding DHA

  608

  B61 Leeds DHA

  671

  C03 Leicestershire DHA

  732

  C12 Sheffield DHA

  677

  D09 Huntingdon DHA

  852

  E09 Hillingdon DHA

  634

  E21 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster DH

  601

  F35 East London and City DHA

  924

  F37 Camden and Islington DHA

  507

  G11 Greenwich DHA

  417

  G26 South East London

  1,356

  H12 Wandsworth DHA

  708

  J22 Southampton and SW Hants DHA

  709

  K41 Oxfordshire DHA

  799

  L10 Bristol and District DHA

  479

  M07 North Staffordshire DHA

  412

  M17 Coventry DHA

  852

  M25 South Birmingham DHA

  658

  N21 Liverpool DHA

  701

  P02 Blackpool, Wyre, Fylde DHA

  75

  P11 Central Manchester DHA

  57

  P12 South Manchester DHA

  176

  T05 National Heart and Lung Hospital

  1,069

  T07 Hammersmith and Queen Charlottes

  400

  England

  15,863

  Notes:

  Data in this table are grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data.

  The following operation codes have been used:

  K40 Saphenous vein graft replacement of coronary artery.

  K41 Other autograft replacement of coronary artery.

  K42 Allograft replacement of coronary artery.

  K43 Prosthetic replacement of coronary artery.

  K44 Other replacement of coronary artery.

  Source:

  Department of Health, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES).
  379

  Estimated number of Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs), where main operation K40-K44 (OPCS4R code) was performed, by Health authority of treatment, NHS hospitals, England—1992–93

  Number

  A04 East Cumbria DHA

  1

  A13 Newcastle DHA

  809

  B13 East Yorkshire Health Authority

  629

  B61 Leeds DHA

  460

  C03 Leicestershire Health Authority

  627

  CO8 Nottingham DHA

  3

  C12 Sheffield DHA

  460

  D09 Huntingdon DHA

  565

  E08 Harrow DHA

  1

  E09 Hillingdon DHA

  603

  E14 Riverside DHA

  1

  E17 Parkside DHA

  330

  F10 The City and Hackney DHA

  460

  F12 Tower Hamlets DHA

  604

  F22 Bloomsbury and Islington DHA

  414

  G11 Greenwich DHA

  465

  G13 West Lambeth DHA

  566

  G14 Camberwell DHA

  124

  G15 Lewisham and North Southwark DHA

  477

  H12 Wandsworth DHA

  759

  J10 Dorset DHA

  1

  J22 Southampton and South-west Hampshire DHA

  648

  K41 Oxfordshire DHA

  713

  L10 Bristol and District DHA

  456

  M07 North Staffordshire DHA

  348

  M17 Coventry DHA

  759

  M25 South Birmingham DHA

  575

  N21 Liverpool DHA

  605

  P02 Blackpool Wyre and Fylde DHA

  211

  P11 Central Manchester DHA

  52

  P12 South Manchester DHA

  268

  T05 National Heart and Lung Hospital

  1,041

  T07 Hammersmith and Queen Charlottes

  454

  England

  14,488

  Notes:

  Data in this table are grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data.

  The following operation codes have been used:

  K40 Saphenous vein graft replacement of coronary artery.

  K41 Other autograft replacement of coronary artery.

  K42 Allograft replacement of coronary artery.

  K43 Prosthetic replacement of coronary artery.

  K44 Other replacement of coronary artery.

  Source:

  Department of Health, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES).

  Heart Disease
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each health authority, the numbers of those suffering from heart disease who are(a) male and (b) female in the most recent 12-month period. [10661]

  Ms Jowell
  The only accurate information on heart disease relates to death rates rather than to numbers of those affected. Tables and graphs showing the latest mortality rates from coronary heart disease by health authority are contained in the Public Health Common Data Set for England 1996, volume 1, copies of which are available in the Library.

  However, in the 1994 health survey for England, one quarter of the people interviewed considered themselves to have some form of cardiovascular disorder, and 6 per cent. of men and 4 per cent. of women reported having had a heart attack or angina.

  Oral Contraceptives
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many teenage girls have suffered adverse medical consequences as a result of being prescribed oral contraceptives in each of the last five years. [10486]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information available from the yellow card scheme for adverse reaction reporting is shown in the table. The scheme is voluntary for doctors, dentists, coroners and hospital pharmacists and not all adverse drug reactions are reported. A report of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the drug, other factors may be contributory.

  Numbers of suspected adverse reactions reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicines from 1 Janaury 1992 to 31 December 1996 in teenage girls prescribed oral contraceptives in the United Kingdom

  Year

  Number of adverse drug reaction reports1 in teenage girls where an oral contraceptive was a suspect drug

  1992

  36

  1993

  31

  1994

  20

  1995

  34

  1996

  22

  1 Each report relates to one patient.

  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is his Department's policy on the prescription of oral contraceptives to girls aged under 16 years without their parents' knowledge or consent; [10602]

  (2) what guidelines his Department has issued on prescription of oral contraceptives to teenage girls under the age of 16 years; [10601]

  (3) what monitoring is undertaken to ensure adherence to his Department's guidelines on the prescription of oral contraceptives to teenage girls. [10487]

  Ms Jowell
  In March 1986, health circular HC(86)1 was issued to health authorities giving guidance on the provision of contraceptive advice and treatment to young people under 16, and to the circumstances in which such advice and treatment can be given without parental knowledge or consent. The circular sets out the criteria upon which a doctor or health professional must be satisfied before prescribing contraception. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  The Department of Health's guidance, and professional advice produced by organisations such as the BMA, make it clear that doctors must try to persuade a young person who is unwilling to allow parents or general practitioners to be informed of the importance of doing so. The General Medical Council has also issued guidelines for GPs on this issue. We will be discussing with the health professions and voluntary sector the development of standards to build upon good practice in contraceptive advice and treatment for young people.

  Care Definitions
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 July,Official Report, column 430, for what reasons he is unable to define (a) top quality primary care (b) continuing care and (c) mental health in (i) quantitative and (ii) qualitative terms. [11054]

  Mr. Milburn
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 8 July at column 429, in which we defined the characteristics of top quality care.

  Cervical Smear Tests
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) cervical smear tests were performed, (b) abnormalities were discovered and (c) colposcopies were performed at the end of the last three years; and what estimate he has made of the number of lives saved as a result. [10806]

  Mr. Boateng
  The available information for the years 1993–94 to 1995–96—the latest available—is given in the tables. The Department of Health does not collect figures on the number of colposcopies performed.

  (a) Number of cervical smears examined by pathology laboratories in England

  align="right">Thousands

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1994–96

  Number of cervical smears examined by pathology laboratories

  4,477

  4,505

  4,593

  Source:

  Form KC61

  (b) Number of abnormalities discovered

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Number of abnormal test results1

  328

  353

  361

  Notes:

  1 Inadequate smears are excluded. Abnormal results are all tests which did not shown as negative.

  The number of deaths from cervical cancer (England) fell from 1,532 in 1992 to 1,256 in 1995 (Source: Office for National Statistics).

  Source:

  Form KC61.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available.
  [10731]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department has a contract with Chessington Computer Services Ltd. to provide a full on line payroll service using the standard payment input and retrieval system. This service costs £500,000 per year. The Department's pay unit inputs all data to the system and provides an inquiry service to staff. The cost of this service in 1997–98 is £321.365.

  Health Authorities (Local Accountability)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make health authorities more accountable to local communities. [10757]

  Mr. Milburn
  Those appointed to serve on health authority boards, in the future, will be more representative of the community they serve. They will have to live in the area, show a commitment to the national health service and will include more users of the NHS, carers and people from the voluntary sector who can speak with a community voice.

  Nominations for these posts will be sought from local authorities and local Members of Parliament as well as through advertisements to be placed in the autumn.

  Essential Small Pharmacy Scheme
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of the essential small pharmacies scheme on the numbers of rural pharmacies; [11151]

  (2) how many pharmacies in England received payment under the essential small pharmacy scheme in (a) 1994 and (b) 1997 broken down into (i) metropolitan boroughs, (ii) shire counties and (iii) London; [11149]

  (3) what proposals he has to support rural pharmacies. [11150]

  Mr. Milburn
  The essential small pharmacy scheme exists to provide financial support to pharmacies located more than 1 km from the next nearest pharmacy and which dispense fewer than 18,636 national health service prescriptions in a year. Rural pharmacies can take advantage of the scheme.

  The pharmacies in the scheme are split into metropolitan boroughs and shire counties as set out in the table.

  30 September 1994

  30 September 1996

  England and Wales

  283

  276

  England

  257

  249

  of which located in:

  Metropolitan boroughs

  34

  36

  Shire counties

  197

  179

  London

  26

  34

  Wales

  26

  27

  Community Nurses (Transport Allowance)
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the uprating of transport allowances to community nurses. [11467]

  Mr. Milburn
  Allowances for national health service staff on national terms and conditions of service are set by the General Whitley Council for the NHS which
  383
  consists of management and staff side representatives,The council has no plans at present to increase these allowances, which are reviewed annually.

  Health Service Expenditure
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the level of health

  align="center">Health expenditure

  align="right">£000

  Region

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Northern

  1,654,441

  1,667,915

  1,625,681

  1,834,342

  1,922,756

  1,975,788

  Yorkshire

  1,897,024

  1,908,545

  1,971,506

  2,082,642

  2,207,164

  2,254,133

  Trent

  2,352,359

  2,370,817

  2,459,676

  2,586,300

  2,766,696

  2,889,449

  East Anglian

  1,020,235

  1,036,598

  1,080,732

  1,117,149

  1,177,201

  1,209,022

  North West Thames

  2,002,319

  2,008,209

  2,029,999

  2,207,220

  2,309,131

  2,345,558

  North East Thames

  2,363,970

  2,369,077

  2,388,128

  2,498,782

  2,582,445

  2,659,714

  South East Thames

  2,116,228

  2,116,221

  2,144,195

  2,323,880

  2,387,509

  2,437,249

  South West Thames

  1,703,160

  1,718,522

  1,691,941

  1,840,442

  1,917,278

  1,914,335

  Wessex

  1,444,796

  1,481,857

  1,496,302

  1,626,081

  1,701,846

  1,787,140

  Oxford

  1,166,629

  1,180,398

  1,202,070

  1,308,099

  1,364,260

  1,381,495

  South Western

  1,711,902

  1,744,496

  1,803,272

  1,907,288

  1,979,662

  2,061,574

  West Midlands

  2,628,077

  2,689,836

  2,800,994

  2,910,973

  3,039,145

  3,096,282

  Mersey

  1,330,474

  1,337,632

  1,390,558

  1,456,967

  1,531,795

  1,560,497

  North Western

  2,260,197

  2,234,973

  2,319,583

  2,403,029

  2,498,066

  2,568,840

  align="center">Health expenditure

  align="right">£000

  Region

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Northern and Yorkshire

  4,306,507

  4,457,663

  Trent

  2,966,426

  3,081,765

  Anglian and Oxford

  2,893,234

  3,010,874

  North Thames

  5,106,882

  5,322,736

  South Thames

  4,513,941

  4,769,425

  South and West

  4,040,864

  4,161,999

  West Midlands

  3,264,462

  3,441,572

  North West

  4,356,636

  4,492,029

  Source:

  Annual accounts of regional and district health authorities (England); annual accounts of family practitioner committees 1988–89 to 1990–91) and family health services authorities (1991–92 to 1995–96) (England).

  Note:

  1. The latest available figures are for 1995–96.

  2. The figures have been adjusted to 1997–98 prices.

  3. The figures are not directly comparable across all years due to changes in the organisational structure and different accounting policies.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will circulate to each hon. Member a copy of his letter on NHS break-even duties and trust deficit three-year bridging arrangements as set out in his letter of 15 July to trust directors of finance and health authorities. [11858]

  Mr. Milburn
  Copies of the letter have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement of the level of health service inflation for the financial years(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1996–97. [11045]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department of Health does not calculate health service inflation.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the impact on baseline expenditure planned for the NHS in 1998–99 of the increase in its gross 384
  expenditure at current prices in each of the regions in the United Kingdom in each year since 19979. [11165]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The figures available are shown in the tables. It is not possible to provide a regional analysis prior to 1988–89.

  domestic product deflation from 2.5 per cent. to 2.75 per cent.; and what percentage this figure constitutes of the planned increase in NHS spending in 1998–99; [11043]

  (2) what is the cost effect on his planned increase in NHS spending for 1998–99 of the change in the GDP deflator to 2.75 per cent. [11035]

  Mr. Milburn
  At the time of the November 1996 Budget, the gross domestic product deflator was forecast at 2 per cent. for 1998–99, and the previous Government planned a 0.25 per cent. real terms increase in expenditure on the national health service in England for that year. At the time of the July 1997 Budget, the Chancellor revised the gross domestic product deflator forecast to 2.75 per cent. for 1998–99.

  To maintain the previous Government's planned real terms increase in national health service expenditure in 1998–99 to take account of the change in deflator would have cost £258 million. This is just 14.5 per cent. of the Chancellor's planned increase of £1,775 million in expenditure on the national health service in 1998–99 following the July Budget, which allocated an extra £1 billion to the national health service in England, giving 2.35 per cent. real terms growth.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to paragraph 5.57 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98", what are the assumptions for efficiency savings for the financial year 1998–99. [11855]

  Mr. Milburn
  Decisions on the allocation between programmes of the additional resources for the national health service as announced in the Budget, and the related efficiency savings, have not yet been taken.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he expects to save by reducing the administration and management costs of running the NHS in England for the financial years(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02. [11037]
  385
  Mr. Milburn
  We have set targets to reduce the costs of managing the national health service by £100 million in 1997–98. This represents a significant investment into direct patient services and away from bureaucracy, in line with our commitment to ensure that more of every pound spent in the NHS goes on frontline patient services.

  The NHS Executive is working with the NHS to assess the scope for further reductions in the costs of managing the NHS in 1998–9 and beyond.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will express management and administrative staff costs for the financial years(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1997–98 as a percentage of total NHS expenditure. [11041]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information for 1997–98 is not available. The most recent information is set out in the table.

  Expenditure on the salaries and wages of general and senior managers and administration and clerical staff costs as a percentage of total revenue (HCHS) expenditure

  align="right">£000

  Expenditure 1992–93 (cash prices)

  Expenditure 1992–93 (1995–96 prices)

  Expenditure 1995–96 (cash prices)

  General and Senior Managers

  497,625

  534,449

  789,507

  Administrative and Clerical

  1,506,163

  1,617,619

  1,643,200

  Total G and S/A and C

  2,003,788

  2,152,068

  2,432,707

  Total revenue (HCHS) expenditure

  21,265,487

  22,839,133

  23,889,923

  Percentage of total HCHS spend on general and senior managers

  2.3 per cent.

  2.3 per cent.

  3.3 per cent.

  Percentage of total HCHS spend on administrative and clerical staff

  7.1 per cent.

  7.1 per cent.

  6.9 per cent.

  Percentage of total HCHS spend on general and senior managers and administrative and clerical staff

  9.4 per cent.

  9.4 per cent.

  10.2 per cent.

  Notes:

  1. Salaries and Wages figures are based upon gross costs and include Employers NI and Superannuation costs.

  2. The figures given are for hospital and community health services only. Family health services authorities and other health bodies are excluded as comparable figures are not collected centrally.

  Source:

  1. Annual financial returns of regional and district health authorities and the special health authorities of the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.

  2. Annual financial returns of NHS Trusts.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates he has made of the effect on NHS expenditure in 1998–99 from the ending of payable tax credit to exempt institutions. [11360]

  Mr. Milburn
  The withdrawal of advance corporation tax credits has no effect on national health service expenditure. I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 14 July 1997, column 1.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the additional cost to the NHS in 1998–99 of an overall pay settlement under which wages and salaries rose by 1 per cent. above the gross domestic product deflator. [11274]

  Mr. Milburn
  None.
  386
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the administrative cost of the internal market of the NHS in 1996–97. [11276]

  Mr. Milburn
  There are no official estimates of the additional costs associated with the internal market, but independent commentators have in the past suggested a figure of £1.5 billion.

  The Government's job now is to ensure that effective action is taken to root out unnecessary bureaucracy to ensure that more of every pound spent in the national health service goes on front-line patient services.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what amount of his recently announced increase in NHS spending for 1998–99 will be available for capital expenditure. [11277]

  Mr. Milburn
  Decisions on the allocation between programmes of the additional resources for the national health service announced in the Budget have yet to be decided.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the incidence of the use of moneys from the emergency contingency funds of NHS organisations in closing the deficits by the end of the current financial year; and what restrictions he intends to introduce; [11130]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the incidence of inter-trust health authority brokerage arrangements for the transfer of cash to meet the cost of closing deficits by the end of the current financial year; and what restrictions he intends to introduce; [11131]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the incidence of the rescheduling of debt payments by local NHS organisations to regional NHS executive organisations in seeking to meet the cost of closing deficits by the end of the current financial year; and what restrictions he intends to introduce. [11135]

  Mr. Milburn
  Whatever contingency funds are kept by national health service organisations are a matter for the management of the organisations concerned.

  The inter-year flexibility arrangements—otherwise known as brokerage—which apply to trusts and health authorities do not address the issue of income and expenditure deficits. Their purpose is to ensure maximum use of the cash resources made available to the NHS as a whole in the financial year. Where appropriate, the external financing limits of trusts and the cash limits of health authorities forecasting cash underspends are reduced and those of other trusts and health authorities requiring temporary in-year assistance with their cash flow are increased. These transactions are normally reversed the following year. These arrangements work well and there are no plans to restrict them.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the scale of the use of GP fundholder savings in helping health authorities and trusts meet closing of deficit requirements by the end of the current financial year; and what restrictions he intends to introduce. [11132]

  Mr. Milburn
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him today.
  387
  Fundholders may voluntarily return to their health authority savings which they do not wish to spend. There is no system in place to enable fundholders to give their savings to trusts to meet deficits.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the scale of the exercise and what restrictions he intends to introduce in the case of the downward revaluation of NHS assets so as to reduce the 6 per cent. return on assets requirements in seeking to meet the costs of closing deficits by the end of the current financial year by NHS trusts. [11133]

  Mr. Milburn
  There is no exercise under way or planned to restrict or systematically reduce the valuation of national health service assets or the requirements to make a 6 per cent. return on them. Health authority allocations and trust prices have already been set on the basis of estimated capital charges for 1997–98 and there are no plans to change them.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the incidence of, and what restrictions he intends to introduce in the case of, the use of recovery strategy by health authorities and NHS trusts that carry forward deficits for(a) two and (b) three years that would otherwise have to be terminated by the end of the current financial year. [11134]

  Mr. Milburn
  In the normal course of events, health authorities and trusts can be expected to run small surpluses and deficits which even out over a run of years. Health authorities and trusts which have significant financial problems are required to draw up robust recovery plans for approval and monitoring by the National Health Service Executive. These recovery plans are kept under regular review.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure is planned by each health authority on(a) non-NHS purchases, (b) extra-contractual referrals and (c) medical negligence claims. [10422]

  Mr. Milburn
  I shall write to the hon. Member in due course with such information as is available.

  Melatonin
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to stop the sale of naturally occurring melatonin in health food shops; what representations he has received calling for chemical equivalents to be available on prescription; and what assessment he has made of the differences between the two products; [11629]

  (2) what proposals he has for making melatonin available as a dietary supplement without prescription. [11582]

  Mr. Milburn
  Melatonin, whatever its source, is an unlicensed medicinal product and available in the United Kingdom only on prescription. It is not a dietary supplement and the Medicines Control Agency has taken action to prevent its unlawful sale or supply in health food shops. If an application for a marketing authorisation for melatonin as a medicinal product is received, the MCA will assess the product in accordance with the law.

  Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1997
  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1997. [11826]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Government have commissioned an independent and fundamental review of the current operations of the five statutory bodies created by the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1997—the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting and the National Boards for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting in the four countries of the United Kingdom.

  Independent Advisory Panel
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the independent advisory panel has determined the methods it will use to assess services within its terms of reference; and if he will make a statement. [11046]

  Mr. Milburn
  The independent advisory panel has been asked to report by the end of October. We expect it to inform us at that stage of the methods that it has used to assess services. The panel is independent. We do not expect to make any statement on its work until we have had an opportunity to consider its findings.

  NHS Efficiency Task Force
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the NHS efficiency task force will report; and if he will make a statement; [11059]

  (2) how many meetings the NHS efficiency task force will be holding in 1997–98; [11026]

  (3) how many times the national health service efficiency task force has met; [11030]

  (4) if he will make a statement on the measures of efficiency which the NHS efficiency task force will use to determine whether its recommendations lead to improve patient care. [11029]

  Mr. Milburn
  The task force will not produce a formal report, but its initial findings are expected to be available in the autumn. The task force met on 12 June. Individual task force members will work with Ministers and officials to take forward specific areas of work. The effectiveness of the task force will be measured by the short-term savings it is able to make in the national health service without detriment to patient care.

  Ministerial Absences
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for himself and each of his Ministers the dates when they plan to be absent from his Department's London office during the months of August and September. [11032]

  Ms Jowell
  Ministers are required to be available for Government business at all times. Subject to this overall requirement, they may take leave as and when Government business permits, and during this time a duty Minister is always available.

  NHS Planning
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of the targets and standards listed on pages 17 to 21 of "Priorities and Planning Guidance for the NHS 1997–98" he plans to amend. [11024]

  Mr. Milburn
  A new priorities and planning guidance for the NHS will be published in due course. The Government will be publishing a Green Paper in the autumn outlining proposals for the new public health strategy.

  NHS Land and Buildings
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give a breakdown of the land and buildings currently owned by the NHS. [11027]

  Mr. Milburn
  The buildings owned by the national health service occupy around 315,750,000 sq m on around 16,500 hectares of land owned by the NHS.

  Trust

  Consortia

  Constituent companies

  Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

  Pentland

  Tarmac PFU Ltd.

  United Medical Enterprise Ltd.

  Tarmac Service Master Tarmac Construction Ltd.

  Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare NHS Trust

  Octagon Healthcare Ltd.

  John Laing Group Plc Serco

  North Durham Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  Consort Healthcare

  Balfour Beatty

  Initial Healthcare

  Royal Bank of Scotland

  South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust

  United Healthcare

  Taylor Woodrow

  Healthcare Group

  Total Facilities Management

  Calderdale Healthcare NHS Trust

  Catalyst Healthcare

  Bovis

  British Linen Bank

  RCO/Bovis Building Management

  Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust

  Health Management Group

  AMEC

  Building and Property Facilities Management Ltd.

  Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mercia Healthcare Ltd.

  Alfred McAlpine

  W. S. Atkins

  Gardner Merchant

  Norweb

  Wellhouse NHS Trust

  No Consortium Name

  Siemens

  Bouygues Construction UK

  Bateman Healthcare Services Healthgate Ltd.

  Worcester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Catalyst Healthcare

  Bovis

  British Linen Bank

  RCO/Bovis Building Management

  Bishop Auckland Hospitals NHS Trust

  No Consortium Name

  HCDA

  Shepherd Construction Ltd.

  Compass Bateman

  Siemens

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust

  Atcare

  Alfred McAlpine

  W. S. Atkins

  United Utilities

  Sutcliffe Granada

  South Tees Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  Aqumen

  Shepherd Construction Ltd.

  Mowlem Facilities Management Ltd.

  Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust

  The Hospital Company

  Tarmac Construction Ltd.

  Tarmac Servicemaster

  United Medical Enterprises Ltd.

  Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust

  United Healthcare

  Healthcare Group

  Taylor Woodrow

  Total Facilities Management

  Initial Healthcare Services

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the timetable of project targets for each of the major hospital PFI schemes selected to continue towards financial close under the first prioritisation exercise announced on 3 July. [11039]

  Mr. Milburn
  The selected private finance initiative schemes will have the objective of reaching an early and acceptable financial close over the next 18 months. Officials are now preparing programmes and milestones for these schemes.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which companies or consortiums are involved in each of the major hospital PFI schemes selected under his Department's first prioritisation exercise announced on 3 July. [11038]

  Mr. Milburn
  The consortiums and the constituent companies for the 14 major acute sector hospital PH schemes selected to continue towards financial close under the first prioritisation exercise are as follows:
  391
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the time table for construction for the Dartford and Gravesham and the Norfolk and Norwich PH hospital projects. [11040]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare national health service trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS trust are working with their private sector partners to the following timetables for the construction of new hospitals under the private finance initiative:

  Start on site

  Completion

  Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare NHS Trust

  Spring 1998

  Spring 2001

  Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

  August 1997

  Autumn 2000

  Clinical Services
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which clinical procedures currently do not meet his Department's clinical effectiveness criteria published in 1996. [11025]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department of Health does not maintain lists of clinical procedure which have been judged to be "effective" or "ineffective".

  Health professionals must use research knowledge about potential effectiveness, their knowledge of the patient, and own professional judgment in order to decide what treatment to provide for any particular patient within their own particular circumstances. Some interventions will be appropriate for certain conditions, but inappropriate for others. The Department, in partnership with the health professions, sponsors a wide range of programmes which aim to bring forward the best possible research-based professional advice and make it available to the NHS.

  The Government intend that the NHS should concentrate on the quality and success of treatment, so that effectiveness of services, and outcomes for patients, will become the standards by which we measure the performance of health services.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement listing for each health authority(a) the clinical services which they purchase, (b) the amount spent on each service and (c) the amount spent per patient for each clinical service purchased in the last year for which figures are available. [11031]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on the national health services purchased under these headings is not held centrally.

  Road Traffic Accident Costs
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional revenues he estimates will accrue to the NHS in 1997–8 from the recovery of moneys made by trusts under the terms of the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997. [11042]

  Ms Jowell
  None. The Road Traffic Reduction Act does not give revenue-raising powers to national health service trusts.
  392
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if income received by an NHS trust from the recoupment of road traffic accident costs is repayable to purchasing authorities. [11279]

  Ms Jowell
  No, but trusts must take income from this source into account when setting the prices they charge to health authorities and general practitioner fundholders.

  Community Mental Health Nurses
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community mental health nurses were employed in the NHS in each year since 1979. [10904]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The number of community mental health nurses employed by the NHS in each year since 1981—the earliest year for which figures are available—is shown in the table.

  NHS hospital and community health services nursing staff in the community psychiatric area of work1 England, at 30 September each year

  Whole time equivalents

  Year

  Nursing staff in the community psychiatric area1

  1981

  1,080

  1982

  1,270

  1983

  1,430

  1984

  1,880

  1985

  2,310

  1986

  2,530

  1987

  2,770

  1988

  3,080

  1989

  3,380

  1990

  3,600

  1991

  3,760

  1992

  4,210

  1993

  4,320

  1994

  4,760

  19952

  7,980

  19962

  10,530

  Notes:

  1 Includes qualified, unqualified and other nursing staff working in the community psychiatric area of work.

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

  Figures are rounded to the neared 10 whole-time equivalents.

  Source:

  Department of Health non-medical work force census.

  NHS Cleaning, Catering and Laundry Services
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS spent on cleaning, catering and laundry services in(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1996–97. [11275]

  Mr. Milburn
  For England, the information requested is available only for 1993–94, as shown in table 1, as a result of decisions by Conservative Ministers. In subsequent years, expenditure on cleaning cannot be separately identified and information on catering and laundry is confined to expenditure on external contracts as contained in table 2. Data for 1996–97 are not yet available.
  393

  Table 1: Expenditure by health authorities and NHS trusts on cleaning, catering and laundry services 1993–94—England

  Total £000

  Cleaning

  426,745

  Catering

  446,219

  Laundry

  164,693

  Table 2: Expenditure by health authorities and NHS trusts on external contract catering and laundry services—England

  £000

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Catering

  57,740

  50,939

  60,250

  Laundry

  24,367

  30,047

  34,581

  Source:

  1. The annual financial returns of NHS trusts.

  2. The annual financial returns of district and regional health authorities, and the special health authorities of the London Postgraduate teaching hospitals.

  Prescription Fraud
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish his estimates of the savings which will result from his efficiency scrutiny report into prescription fraud. [11278]

  Mr. Milburn
  We shall publish estimates of savings later this summer, once a full assessment of the recommendations has been completed.

  Dental Services
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the spending on(a) NHS dentistry and (b) directly employed NHS community dentists for each of the last five years. [11091]

  Mr. Milburn
  Expenditure on general dental services, the main element of national health service dentistry, and the community dental services in England between 1992–93 and 1996–97 is given in the tables. For the CDS in 1994–95 and 1995–96, we have only information provided by NHS trusts on their expenditure on paediatric dental community services. Information for 1996–97 will not be available until the end of the year.

  align="center">Table 1: General dental service: Expenditure1 on NHS dentistry from the year ending 1992–93 to 1996–97

  Expenditure on general dental services, England

  align="right">£ million

  Year

  Gross expenditure

  Net expenditure

  1992–93

  1,306

  911

  1993–94

  1,222

  855

  1994–95

  1,279

  896

  1995–96

  1,290

  908

  1996–972

  1,323

  940

  1 Figures are based on appropriation accounts (cash) data. Net expenditure shows cost after taking account of patient charge income, net of refunds.

  2 Data for 1996–97 is provisional.

  394

  Table 2: Expenditure on the community dental service from year ending 1992–93 to 1993–94

  Expenditure on community dental services, England

  £ million

  Year

  Expenditure

  1992–931

  75.8

  1993–941

  78.5

  1 The figures include all expenditure on clinical dentists and medical anaesthetic staff together with technical dental and secretarial support staff. It also includes staff expenses, drugs, other medical supplies, and all furniture and equipment. Based on annual financial returns of regional and district health authorities, and NHS trusts.

  align="center">Table 3: Expenditure on the paediatric dental community service from year ending 1994–95 to 1995–96

  Expenditure on paediatric dental community service, England

  £ million

  Year

  Expenditure

  1994–951

  84.0

  1995–961

  88.4

  1 The figures include all expenditure on surveillance, investigation and treatment of dental disease in the community. It also includes overheads. The figure excludes dental health education and costs of fluoridation.

  Ministerial Engagements
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list for himself and each of his Ministers(a) the official engagements, meetings and functions to which they are currently committed until the end of the year, (b) the dates of these engagements, (c) the activity the Ministers will be carrying out and (d) if a speech is being made; [11034]

  (2) if he will publish a list of the organisations he and each of his Ministers are committed to meeting between now and the end of the year; and when these meetings will take place. [11033]

  Mr. Dobson
  Ministers attend a variety of meetings, throughout the year which are all subject to confirmation. It would be open to misunderstanding and therefore potentially misleading to provide provisional details of meetings which may or may not take place.

  Tobacco Duty
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health implications of the introduction of a banding of tobacco products duty related to their nicotine content; and if he will promote the introduction of such banding. [11269]

  Ms Jowell
  Given the recognised dangers of cigarettes, the best advice for smokers must always be to give up.

  We recognise that for many this is a difficult option, and how best to limit the addictive properties of cigarettes will be considered, together with all other aspects of harm reduction, in the preparation of the Government' s tobacco control strategy.

  Hove General Hospital
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he was informed of the closure of Hove general hospital by Brighton Health Care NHS trust; and if he will discuss this matter with the chief executive of the trust. [10789]
  395
  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The closure of Hove general hospital is part of the plan to redevelop the Royal Sussex county hospital agreed following public consultation in 1991, and approved by Ministers in March 1994. We understand that the services currently provided at the hospital will be provided from the new polyclinic in Hove and Brighton general hospital.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients waited over a year for hospital treatment in each year since 1979. [10907]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Information on patients waiting over a year for treatment on either an ordinary or day care basis at national health service hospitals in England is given in the table. The first information available for day cases was for 31 September 1987.

  Number of patients waiting more than 12 months as at 31 March:

  Ordinary admissions

  Day cases

  All in-patient cases

  Total number waiting

  1979

  185,195

  —

  —

  752,422

  1980

  196,983

  —

  —

  664,919

  1981

  180,774

  —

  —

  628,333

  1982

  175,554

  —

  —

  622,480

  1983

  198,546

  —

  —

  726,186

  1984

  194,614

  —

  —

  692,945

  1985

  171,197

  —

  —

  674,453

  1986

  161,326

  —

  —

  673,107

  1987

  162,273

  —

  —

  687,945

  1988

  182,161

  25,764

  207,925

  876,246

  1989

  193,952

  29,359

  223,311

  922,676

  1990

  175,777

  32,083

  207,860

  958,976

  1991

  145,109

  24,652

  169,761

  948,243

  1992

  69,000

  11,585

  80,585

  917,717

  1993

  45,195

  11,682

  56,877

  994,974

  1994

  46,404

  18,104

  64,508

  1,065,369

  1995

  21,750

  10,444

  32,194

  1,044,051

  1996

  3,686

  890

  4,576

  1,048,029

  1997

  20,732

  10,476

  31,208

  1,158,004

  Consultant Geriatricians
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultant geriatricians were employed in the NHS in each year since 1979. [10903]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The latest available information is shown in the table.

  Whole-time equivalent of hospital medical consultant geriatricians in England at 30 September each year from 1979 to 1995

  Year

  Whole-time equivalent

  1979

  350

  1980

  370

  1981

  390

  1982

  400

  1983

  410

  1984

  420

  1985

  440

  1986

  480

  1987

  440

  1988

  460

  1989

  470

  1990

  490

  396

  Whole-time equivalent of hospital medical consultant geriatricians in England at 30 September each year from 1979 to 1995

  Year

  Whole-time equivalent

  1991

  510

  1992

  530

  1993

  550

  1994

  600

  1995

  640

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  2. Data for 1996 are not yet available. We expect to have information available in September/October.

  3. The census is a snapshot at 30 September each year.

  Source:

  The Medical and Dental Workforce Census 30 September 1979 to 1995.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Shadow Tolling
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 July,Official Report, column 494, when he expects to be able to make an announcement on the outcome of the development work on shadow toll payment mechanisms. [10681]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 22 July,Official Report, column 494.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 July,Official Report, column 494, if he will announce whether the development work on payment mechanisms for possible application to the A40 west London approach and A13 Thames gateway design, build, finance and operate projects has been successful at the same time as he announces the results of the accelerated review. [10678]

  Ms Jackson
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport announced on 28 July the decisions reached on the accelerated review. As part of that statement, he announced that the A40 west London approach scheme had been cancelled and that the A13 Thames gateway DBFO would go ahead. The development work on the payment mechanisms for the A13 is not yet complete and will be announced in due course.

  Rail Cancellations
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of scheduled rail services were cancelled in each year since 1979. [11359]
  397
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: My Department holds information relating to the last five years. Trains booked to run, and trains actually run, for the five years ending 31 March 1997 were as follows:

  Year ending

  Trains booked

  Trains run

  Cancelled

  31 March 1993

  2,827,200

  2,790,400

  36,800 (1.30 per cent.)

  31 March 1994

  3,178,600

  3,141,600

  37,000 (1.17 per cent.)

  31 March 1995

  3,183,800

  3,144,800

  39,000 (1.22 per cent.)

  31 March 1996

  3,413,900

  3,374,000

  39,900 (1.17 per cent.)

  31 March 1997

  3,558,000

  3,525,600

  32,400 (0.91 per cent.)

  Source:

  DETR. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100 trains. Figures relate to scheduled domestic passenger services only. "Cancelled" trains are those which did not run at all, and do not include trains which terminated early, omitted certain station calls, or suffered extensive delay.

  Rail Network (Assaults)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the total number of assaults on(a) staff and (b) passengers on trains in each train operating company area in each of the last five years; [11464]

  (2) what was the total number of assaults on (a) staff and (b) passengers at stations in each train operating company area in each of the last five year. [11465]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information is not available in the format requested. However, the tables detail the number of notifiable assaults on staff and passengers on trains and at rail stations for 1994–95, 1995–96, and 1996–97, broken down by British Transport police area. Figures for previous years are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  align="center">1994–95

  BTP Area

  Public

  Staff

  London North

  190

  43

  North East

  44

  15

  Scotland

  140

  60

  North West

  124

  29

  Midlands

  25

  17

  South West

  39

  9

  London South

  258

  49

  London Underground

  346

  88

  Total

  1,166

  310

  align="center">1995–96

  BTP Area

  Public

  Staff

  London North

  175

  27

  North East

  33

  4

  Scotland

  118

  43

  North West

  92

  32

  Midlands

  26

  20

  South West

  38

  16

  London South

  293

  46

  London Underground

  298

  58

  Total

  1,073

  246

  398

  align="center">1996–97

  BTP Area

  Public

  Staff

  London North

  176

  30

  North East

  59

  11

  Scotland

  120

  40

  North West

  91

  23

  Midlands

  37

  8

  South West

  42

  7

  London South

  330

  48

  London Underground

  266

  47

  Total

  1,121

  214

  Assaults comprise grievous bodily harm, wounding and actual bodily harm offences only.

  London Underground (Accidents)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) fatal, (b) serious and (c) minor injuries were suffered by (i) passengers and (ii) employees of London Underground in each of the last 10 years. [11463]

  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  Information for the period 1987–95 was provided in a written answer to the hon. Member on 22 Janaury 1996,Official Report, column 23, based on statistics from London Underground. The reporting arrangements were changed in 1995 and statistics are no longer collected in the same manner. Information for financial year 1995–6—from "Railway Safety—HM Chief Inspector of Railways' report on the safety record of railways in Great Britain for 1995–96" copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library—is provided in the table.

  align="center">Injuries on the London Underground

  Fatal

  Serious

  Minor

  Total

  Passengers

  2

  39

  1,986

  2,027

  Employees

  0

  42

  408

  450

  Other

  0

  1

  5

  6

  Trespassers

  4

  4

  0

  8

  Suicides

  20

  8

  1

  29

  Total

  26

  94

  2,400

  2,520

  Figures for 1996–97 are currently being prepared and will be published by the Health and Safety Executive in the next few weeks.

  Bus Services
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce measures to regulate bus services to prevent bus companies from reducing services in order to increase profits. [10583]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Such matters will be considered as part of our review of bus policy announced by the Minister of Transport on 25 June.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed withdrawal of the 726 bus route. [11332]
  399
  Ms Jackson
  I understand that the proposal to withdraw the service is currently the subject of consultation, but this is an operational matter for London Transport Buses.

  Stagecoach plc
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the(a) services and (b) staff conditions provided by Stagecoach plc from (i) the Stroud parliamentary constituency and (ii) elsewhere. [10584]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Since 1 May, my Department has received 28 letters about Stagecoach bus services—of which four came from members of the public in my hon. Friend's constituency—and four letters, of which two came from my hon. Friend's constituency, about the staff conditions of Stagecoach group bus operators.

  Stagecoach does not operate any railway services to Stroud but, since 1 May, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising has received 59 letters about rail services provided by South West Trains Ltd. and Island Line Ltd., which are part of the Stagecoach group, and four letters about staff conditions. In addition, a further 38 letters have been received regarding restrictions on the carriage of bicycles on new rolling stock which is to be introduced.

  Marchioness Incident
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to hold a public inquiry into the sinking of the Marchioness. [11320]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are considering the case for a public inquiry into the disaster. I will be meeting representatives of the Marchioness Action Group next month to discuss their request for a full and open inquiry. An announcement will be made as soon as a decision is reached.

  Bus Fuel Duty
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of the bus fuel duty rebate on the provision of an extensive bus transport network; [11265]

  (2) what plans he has to restore the full rate of rebate in respect of bus fuel duty; [11266]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the future of the bus fuel duty rebate. [11267]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I shall be considering all aspects of support for the bus industry with Treasury colleagues as part of the development of an integrated transport policy.

  Public Transport Use
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what means he intends to increase the number of journeys made on public transport. [11331]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Promoting the use of public transport needs to take place within the context of the integrated transport policy that the Government are developing. This is why an important part of the fundamental review of transport which my Department is currently taking forward is to examine ways of increasing the use of public transport, and or providing genuine choice to meet people's transport needs.

  A42/M42 (Subsidence)
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent mining subsidence caused the damage being repaired currently on the A42/M42; and what is the total cost of this work. [11318]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Paddy Tipping, dated 30 July 1997:
  The Minister for Transport in London has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary question about the A42/M42.
  The A42 runs through a mining area and some settlement was expected. The cost of levelling the road is about £500,000. Further settlement is possible.

  Heathrow Airport
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received relating to opportunity slots at Heathrow. [11138]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Since May, my Department has received two letters about opportunity slots, both from operators of business aircraft.

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, transport and the Regions what is his Department's policy towards opportunity slots at Heathrow. [11139]

  Ms Jackson
  The allocation of all slots at Heathrow is the responsibility of the slot co-ordinator, Airport Co-ordination Ltd., which is currently reviewing procedures for opportunity slots in conjunction with the airport operator Heathrow Airport Ltd. I will write to the my hon. Friend in due course on the Department's role.

  Railway Stations
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many stations were open for passengers in(a) each of the last five years, (b) 1987, (c) 1982 and (d) 1977. [11574]
  401
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Number of stations open for passengers in Great Britain

  Number

  1977

  2,358

  1982

  2,369

  1987–88

  2,426

  1992–93

  2,482

  1993–94

  2,493

  1994–95

  2,506

  1995–96

  2,514

  1996–97

  2,515

  From 1985 onwards, station numbers were recorded at the end of the financial year.

  align="center">Route open for traffic: Great Britain

  align="right">Miles or percentage

  1977

  1982

  1987–88

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Route open for passenger traffic

  8,958

  8,932

  8,889

  8,882

  8,898

  8,924

  9,323

  9,344

  All routes:

  11,170

  10,708

  10,360

  10,272

  10,277

  10,281

  10,358

  10,358

  of which electrified

  2,341

  2,332

  2,582

  3,052

  3,088

  3,089

  3,208

  3,216

  Percentage

  21.0

  21.8

  24.9

  29.7

  30.0

  30.0

  31.0

  31.0

  Change in electrified route on the previous year

  20

  14

  0

  15

  36

  1

  119

  8

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the potential for combined heat and power after 2000. [12242]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government are committed to increasing the UK's combined heat and power capacity beyond the previous Administration's target of 5,000 MW by 2000. A detailed review of the potential for CHP, carried out for my Department by the environment technology support unit, has now been published, and I will be placing a copy in the Library. The ETSU review indicates the cost-effective potential for CHP in industry, commerce and the public sector as being between 10,000 and 17,000 MW, depending on the assumptions made on future energy prices, users' required rate of return on investment, and other factors. The review does not cover additional CHP in the housing and community heating sectors, or the growth in renewable fuelled CHP, both of which are being separately reviewed.

  The Government are now reviewing their detailed CHP target for 2010, and will be consulting the Combined Heat and Power Association and others with an interest. They will make further detailed announcement as part of the new UK climate change programme, to be developed after the Kyoto conference.

  Environmental Impact Assessment
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to implement directive 97/11/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment; and if he will make a statement. [11981]

  Rail Electrification
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was(a) the number of route miles open to passenger traffic on rail and (b) the total number of route miles on rail in (i) each of the last five years, (ii) 1987, (iii) 1982 and (iv) 1977; what percentage was electrified; what was the number of route miles electrified since the previous year; and what are the estimated figures for the next two years. [11575]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is shown in the table. No estimates are available for the next two years.

  Mr. Caborn
  The amended environmental impact assessment directive must be implemented by 14 March 1999. The new directive clarifies and amplifies the existing provisions for environmental assessment. It provides a useful tool for the proper assessment of any significant environmental effects of development. It also gives the public greater access to environmental information about such significant projects, enhancing local democracy and ensuring that the decision-making process is open and understood.

  I am pleased to announce today the start of the consultation exercise on the principles of implementing the new directive into the town and country planning and other consent systems in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our aim in implementing the directive is to ensure that the process is beneficial in both environmental and economic terms. We are making a number of specific proposals for implementation which will further this aim while still maintaining the flexibility of the current system.

  Copies of the consultation paper have been sent to other Government Departments and to a wide range of business, government and environmental organisations. I have also placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Comments on the Government's proposals should be made to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions by 1 October 1997.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which Government projects have been subjected to an environmental impact assessment since 1 May. [10943]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Environmental impact assessment is a term used for various types of assessment under a wide range of regulatory regimes. For projects subject to environmental assessment under directive 85/337/EEC on
  403
  the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment—the EIA directive—since 1 May, no Government projects have come forward which require EA under three of the implementing regimes for which my Department is responsible: Highways (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations; Harbour Works (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations; and the Transport and Works (Applications and Objections Procedure) Rules. Information is not yet available for this period for planning applications under the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations.

  Opencast Coal Extraction
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish a consultation paper on planning policy for opencast coal extraction; and if he will make a statement. [11978]

  Mr. Caborn
  We have published a consultation document on the review of planning policy for opencast coal today. This consultation paper, which deals with England only, seeks views on the issues raised by the 10-point plan for opencast coal, which we prepared when in opposition, and the options for change. In the light of responses to this consultation, the Government will decide what changes to policy guidance could and should be implemented in interim planning guidance, which would better be accommodated in a full review, planned for 1998, of minerals planning guidance note No. 3—coal mining and colliery spoil disposal—and whether any legislative changes are necessary. I intend that this should be a short but thorough inquiry to remove any uncertainty. Copies of the consultation document will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, North and Leith (Mr. Chisholm), expects to publish shortly an equivalent paper for Scotland.

  Oslo and Paris Convention
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the(a) scope and (b) time scale of the review on the Government's environmental policies on issues relevant to the Ospar Commission. [11865]

  Angela Eagle
  The review of the UK positions on the issues to be discussed within the Ospar Commission covers all issues relevant to conclusions to be reached by the Commission. It will be completed in time to provide guidance for the UK representatives in those negotiations.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advantages of lifting the United Kingdom reservations on the Ospar draft objectives relating to(a) the continuous reduction of discharges of hazardous substances to the maritime area, (b) the continuous reduction of discharges of radioactive substances to the maritime area and (c) the prohibition of the dumping of offshore oil installations in the maritime area. [11859]
  404
  Angela Eagle
  UK reservations on aspects of these instruments are all covered by the review of the UK positions on the issues to be discussed within the Ospar Commission. As I told my right hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 23 July,Official Report, column 623, I shall write to that hon. Member outlining any major changes on which we decide, and will place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House. I will also send a copy of the letter to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor).

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which civil servants are dealing with the review of the Government's environmental policies on issues relevant to the Ospar commission. [11860]

  Angela Eagle
  All those civil servants who normally deal with the issues concerned.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which other(a) Government Departments and (b) organisations his Department is consulting in the review of the Government's environmental policies on issues relevant to the Ospar commission. [11866]

  Angela Eagle
  The review of the UK positions on the issues to be discussed within the Ospar Commission is to provide guidance for the representatives of the UK Government in those negotiations. All Government Departments with an interest are therefore being consulted. We are also taking into account such views as have been expressed by other organisations.

  Radioactive Waste (Edmonton)
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what amount of radioactive waste was handled by the Edmonton waste incinerator in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997; and what monitoring procedures are in place at the incinerator to monitor levels of radioactivity. [11044]

  Angela Eagle
  The disposal of radioactive waste is regulated in England and Wales by the Environment Agency under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. I understand that the agency has neither received an application for authorisation nor issued an authorisation under the Act to dispose of radioactive waste at the Edmonton waste incinerator.

  British Waterways Board
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report published in January 1994 on the British Waterways Board. [11628]

  Angela Eagle
  The British Waterways Board has now made its third and final response to the report. I am placing a copy in the Library of the House.

  Disabled Access
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what actions his Department will take to ensure that renovations carried
  405
  out by the release of capital receipts as proposed in the Local Government Finance (Supplementary Credit Approvals) Bill take into account the access needs of disabled people.[10859]

  Mr. Raynsford
  It will be for individual local authorities to determine their local needs and priorities when they apply resources released under the capital receipts initiative. When an authority decides to use resources to support new provision by registered social landlords, that development must meet the Housing Corporation's scheme development standards. These set out minimum requirements for new developments: all passenger lifts must be accessible to those in wheelchairs; new developments for the elderly must take account of their increasing accessibility needs; and properties built for wheelchair users must conform to standards agreed with the National Wheelchair Housing Association Group.

  Planning Decision (Cockermouth)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce a decision in relation to supermarket planning matters in Cockermouth. [10634]

  Nick Raynsford
  The Secretary of State expects to be able to announce his decision in respect of the four separate proposals for new large food stores in Cockermouth shortly.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce further environmental quality standards for the discharges of dangerous substances into controlled waters. [11852]

  Mr. Meacher
  A consultation paper proposing environmental quality standards for 13 dangerous substances, as defined in directive 76/464/EEC on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances

  Percentage of owner-occupied dwellings: End December: By standard statistical region in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom

  Region/Country

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  North

  46.0

  46.9

  47.7

  49.8

  51.1

  52.0

  53.0

  54.0

  55.2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  54.6

  56.0

  56.4

  57.8

  58.6

  59.2

  60.0

  60.9

  61.9

  East Midlands

  57.3

  59.0

  59.8

  61.3

  62.4

  63.1

  64.0

  65.0

  66.1

  East Anglia

  57.9

  58.2

  58.8

  60.1

  61.1

  62.1

  63.2

  64.4

  65.7

  Greater London

  48.5

  49.5

  49.8

  50.7

  51.5

  52.2

  53.0

  54.0

  54.9

  South East (excluding London)

  62.2

  63.8

  64.5

  65.6

  66.6

  67.6

  68.5

  69.5

  70.7

  South West

  63.2

  63.2

  63.9

  65.0

  65.9

  66.6

  67.5

  68.4

  69.6

  West Midlands

  55.8

  57.0

  57.4

  58.8

  59.9

  60.8

  61.5

  62.3

  63.4

  North West

  58.6

  59.3

  59.8

  61.0

  61.9

  62.4

  63.0

  63.8

  64.5

  England

  56.6

  57.7

  58.2

  59.5

  60.5

  61.3

  62.2

  63.2

  64.3

  Wales

  59.3

  59.5

  62.6

  64.2

  65.2

  66.0

  66.7

  66.7

  67.8

  Scotland

  35.3

  35.6

  36.4

  37.7

  39.1

  40.5

  41.8

  43.1

  44.6

  Northern Ireland

  51.9

  52.7

  54.0

  55.3

  56.8

  57.8

  59.9

  60.7

  62.1

  United Kingdom

  54.7

  55.4

  56.4

  57.7

  58.7

  59.6

  60.5

  61.5

  62.6

  Region/Country

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  North

  56.5

  58.0

  60.0

  60.4

  60.6

  60.8

  61.2

  61.3

  61.5

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  63.2

  64.5

  65.2

  65.3

  65.3

  65.3

  65.4

  65.3

  65.5

  East Midlands

  67.5

  68.7

  70.0

  70.1

  70.2

  70.2

  70.4

  70.4

  70.6

  East Anglia

  67.3

  68.0

  68.2

  68.3

  68.4

  68.6

  68.9

  68.8

  69.0

  Greater London

  55.9

  56.8

  57.4

  57.3

  57.2

  57.2

  57.3

  57.0

  57.0

  406
  discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community, was issued by my Department in March. It is planned to bring regulations containing these standards before the House shortly. In addition, I have today placed in the Library of the House a consultation paper proposing standards for a further 21 dangerous substances. These substances are:

  4-chloro3–-methyl-phenol

  2-chlorophenol

  2,4-dichlorophenol

  2,4 D (ester and non ester)

  1,1,1-trichloroethane

  1,1,2-trichloroethane

  bentazone

  benzene

  biphenyl

  chloronitrotoluenes

  demeton

  dimethoate

  linuron

  MCPA

  mecoprop

  mevinphos

  naphthalene

  omethoate

  toluene

  triazaphos

  and xylene

  Owner-occupied Housing
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of homes in(a) each region of the United Kingdom and (b) the United Kingdom as a whole were owner-occupied in each year since 1979. [11304]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The latest available estimates, as at end December for each year, are provided in the table.
  407

  Region/Country

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  South East (excluding London)

  72.1

  73.0

  73.3

  73.2

  73.2

  73.3

  73.5

  73.4

  73.5

  South West

  71.1

  72.1

  72.3

  72.2

  72.2

  72.3

  72.4

  72.3

  72.4

  West Midlands

  64.8

  66.1

  66.7

  66.9

  66.9

  67.1

  67.4

  67.4

  67.7

  North West

  65.4

  66.4

  67.0

  67.2

  67.3

  67.4

  67.7

  67.6

  67.8

  England

  65.6

  66.6

  67.1

  67.2

  67.2

  67.3

  67.5

  67.5

  67.6

  Wales

  69.1

  70.5

  70.8

  70.9

  71.0

  71.1

  71.1

  71.1

  71.3

  Scotland

  46.7

  49.1

  51.2

  52.4

  54.1

  55.5

  56.9

  57.9

  1—

  Northern Ireland

  62.8

  64.0

  65.3

  66.1

  66.8

  67.8

  2—

  68.6

  1—

  United Kingdom

  64.0

  65.2

  65.8

  66.0

  66.2

  66.4

  2—

  66.8

  1—

  1 Figures are not yet available.

  2 Tenure split not available.

  Water and Sewerage Companies (Investment)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has been invested in the water and sewerage systems by each water and sewerage company in each year since 1987. [11195]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: Information on water and sewerage companies' investment since privatisation in 1989 is available in the report on the financial performance and capital investment of the water companies in England and Wales published annually by the Office of Water Services. The annual "Waterfacts", published by the Water Services Association, has shown figures for capital expenditure by water and sewerage companies and, before privatisation, by water authorities. Copies of both these publications are in the Library. Expenditure by water authorities included sums spent on some functions, including pollution control, flood protection and land drainage, which in 1989 were transferred to the National Rivers Authority.

  Hybrid Wolves
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what conditions his Department places upon the breeding and keeping of hybrid wolf dogs; [11095]

  (2) what regulations are in place to monitor the selling of hybrid wolf dogs; [11099]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the impact on public safety of the keeping of hybrid wolf dogs in residential areas; [11100]

  (4) what studies his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the breeding of hybrid wolf dogs. [11101]

  Angela Eagle
  The keeping of wolf hybrids is controlled under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. Under the Act, a licence is required to keep such animals. The issuing of licences and the day-to-day administration of the Act are the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

  A licence can be issued only if a local authority is satisfied that it would not be against the public interest on grounds of safety or nuisance; that the applicant is a suitable person to hold a licence; that the proposed accommodation ensures that the animal will not escape, and is suitable from an animal welfare point of view. In issuing licences, local authorities may require restrictions
  408
  on the movement of the animal from the premises specified in the licence, and impose any other condition which they consider appropriate.

  The 1976 Act contains no provisions relating to the breeding or sale of wolf hybrids, and the Department has not undertaken any studies into their breeding. However, in replying to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 9 July 1997, Official Report, column 496, I indicated that the Department will be considering whether further guidance under the Act is required.

  Planning Process
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce statutory time limits for the planning process; and if he will make a statement. [11070]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Article 20 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995 already specifies the time periods within which planning decisions should be taken and we have no plans to amend this aspect of the legislation. The responses to my Department's recent consultation paper on development plans confirmed the difficulty of setting a statutory timetable for the development plan process which would be appropriate to all authorities. However, certain parts of the process are already subject to time limits and we are considering the scope for extending this. We are also looking at the possibility of requiring authorities publicly to set target timetables for the adoption of their plans, for which they would be accountable locally.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he proposes to improve the procedures involved in taking planning decisions. [11069]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We are currently considering what steps might be taken to speed up the planning process and will be announcing our conclusions in due course.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the number of changes of use that occur within use categories in planning terms. [10880]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Under section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, changes of use within individual use classes are not development, do not require planning permission and are therefore not recorded.
  409
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will allow objectors the right of appeal in planning matters. [10879]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have no plans to extend the right of appeal to third parties in planning cases. It is for elected local authorities to act in the general public interest when determining planning applications. Planning legislation already provides extensive opportunities for members of the public and interested organisations to comment on both draft development plans and individual planning applications.

  Plastic Silage Wrap
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take measures to increase the quantity of waste silage wrap which goes for recycling. [11148]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath) on Monday 28 July 1997,Official Report, column 48. In addition, we are looking to see what further measures could be taken to increase the quantity of waste silage wrap which is recycled.

  Dry Stone Walls
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to(a) prevent the destruction and (b) encourage and improve maintenance of dry stone walls in England and Wales. [11153]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Ms Jackson) on 9 July 1997,Official Report, column 495. Responsibility for dry stone walling in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Estates Renewal Challenge Fund
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many council estates have benefited from the estates renewal challenge fund. [10928]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Sixty-nine estates have received £316 million of funding under rounds 1 and 2 of the estates renewal challenge fund.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, by year, the number of applications for consent to release organisms genetically modified for ampicillin resistance that have been(a) granted and (b) rejected for the purposes of (i) field testing and (ii) marketing. [10975]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Since the coming into force of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992, (i) seven applications to field test genetically modified organisms with the ampicillin-resistance gene, whether the gene be functional or not, have been granted a consent and, (ii) no applications for consent to market GMOs with
  410
  ampicillin-resistance gene have been received in Great Britain. The numbers by year for the field testing are as follows:

  Year

  Granted

  Rejected

  1993

  11

  0

  1994

  0

  0

  1995

  11+1

  0

  1996

  2

  0

  1997

  11+1

  0

  Applications marked 1 had a functional ampicillin resistance gene.

  Methyl Bromide
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to tighten controls on the use of methyl bromide. [10967]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: EC regulation 3093/94 places a freeze on the production and consumption of methyl bromide at 1991 levels from 1995, and requires a further 25 per cent. cut from 1998. The Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer requires all developed countries to phase out methyl bromide by 2010, with cuts of 25 per cent. in 2001 and 50 per cent. in 2005.

  The controls on methyl bromide under the Montreal protocol will be reviewed at the ninth meeting of the parties in September. At the Environment Council in June, Environment Ministers agreed that the controls should be strengthened and that the European Community should propose that the phase-out date for developed countries should be advanced to 2005 subject to exemptions for critical uses. The Community will also propose that there should be an interim cut of 50 per cent. in 2001.

  Emissions
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the change in United Kingdom levels of emissions of(a) chlorofluorocarbons and (b) sulphur dioxide since 1979. [10980]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Total UK emissions of sulphur dioxide have decreased from 5,553,000 tonnes in 1979 to 2,365,000 tonnes in 1995, a reduction of 57 per cent.

  No information is collected on the level of emissions of CFCs, but information is held on the level of consumption. The earliest data are from 1986, when UK consumption was 58,357 tonnes. This decreased to 1,702 tonnes in 1995, a reduction of 97 per cent.

  Environmental and Nature Conservation Bodies
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the role of environmental and nature conservation statutory bodies; which bodies will be subject to review; what will be the nature of the review; and what plans he has to consult non-governmental environmental organisations for their views. [10944]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the news release issued by the Deputy Prime Minister on 24 July about the reviews being undertaken by the Department,
  411
  which includes reviews on the environment, and countryside and rural policy. Copies of the news release have been placed in the House Libraries. Officials conducting the reviews will be interested to receive the views of outside bodies.

  Lorries (Noise Pollution)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to control noise pollution arising from refrigeration units on lorries. [10878]

  Angela Eagle
  Manufacturers of refrigeration equipment are aware of the nuisance these devices can cause and I understand that noisier separate engines are slowly being replaced with more advanced systems which can be considerably quieter.

  Traffic commissioners have powers when considering applications for operator licences to impose operational restrictions on a licence to minimise disturbance and, in certain circumstances, may refuse a licence.

  Under part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, as amended by the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993, local authorities have wide-ranging powers to prevent or abate noise nuisance which is prejudicial to health or a common law nuisance and which is emitted from vehicles, machinery and equipment in the street. If a local authority officer judges a problem complained about to be a "statutory nuisance" then he must serve an abatement notice on the person responsible or, where that person cannot be found, by placing the notice on the vehicle. Failure to comply with the terms of a noise abatement notice can result in substantial penalties.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10729]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department authorises Chessington Computer Services Ltd., through its standard payroll input and retrieval system—SPIRE—to undertake the full range of payroll functions covering all staff including those in next steps agencies and, until 1 August those in the Government Office for the Regions.

  My Department also carries out payroll work on behalf of the Office of the Rail Regulator and the London Regional Passengers Committee. Total costs in 1996–97, inclusive of internal and Chessington charges, were £2.04 million.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 July,Official Report, column 624, if he will provide an exemplification for each local authority of the revenue support grant they would receive in 1998–99 based on the figures for local government published in
  412
  the Red Book and adjusted by the Budget, applying the distribution methodology used in the 1997–98 settlement. [10953]

  Mr. Raynsford
  It is not possible to provide direct exemplifications in the manner requested. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made stated additions to net total standard spending and net aggregate external funding in the Budget. However, no decision has yet been made on the level of revenue support grant for 1998–99. A decision on the level of revenue support grant for 1998–99 will be announced later this year.

  Millennium Experience (Land Decontamination)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures(a) have been taken and (b) will be taken to decontaminate the land which is planned to be developed for the Millennium Experience at Greenwich; and what estimate he has made of the cost of these measures. [10596]

  Angela Eagle
  Under the terms of the conveyance of the site, British Gas, the original owners, has completed the statutory decontamination of the site of the dome to the requirements of the Environment Agency and the London borough of Greenwich. British Gas contractors are now undertaking the statutory decontamination of the balance of the exhibition site and this work should be completed in October 1997. The cost of the decontamination is borne entirely by British Gas and is commercially confidential.

  English Partnerships has completed the development remediation of the site of the dome and will let a contract in August to complete the development remediation of the balance of the exhibition site. English Partnerships' current forecast expenditure on development remediation of the exhibition site is £13 million.

  Lophelia Pertusa
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will draw up a species action plan for the conservation of lophelia pertusa. [10657]

  Angela Eagle
  The UK biodiversity group is currently reviewing the species and habitats for which further national biodiversity action plans should be prepared. It is expected to provide its advice to Government in the autumn.

  Water Savings Trust
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to implement the recommendation made by the Environment Committee in its report on water conservation and supply—first report, HC 42, 1996–97, concerning the establishment of a water savings trust. [10648]

  Angela Eagle
  Water companies are under a duty to promote the efficient use of water by their customers and have prepared water efficiency plans to implement that duty. In addition, the Government have recently established the environmental task force, which may have a role to play, for example through the installation of water-saving devices and promotion of water efficiency. The Government are keen that all complementary
  413
  avenues, including the possibility of a water saving trust, are investigated, but do not envisage offering any assistance at this stage.

  Housing Sites
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will encourage local authorities to identify brown-field sites for new housing wherever possible; and if he will make a statement. [10525]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government already encourage local authorities to reuse previously developed land for housing wherever possible. Some of these sites arise from redevelopment opportunities which cannot always be foreseen, which means that they cannot always be identified in advance. It is therefore important that local planning authorities have clear policies in their development plans that encourage the reuse of previously developed land for housing, particularly within urban areas. This is also an issue that was raised by respondents to last November's Green Paper on household growth; we are currently considering all the responses received.

  Oil Extraction (Atlantic Frontier)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications of his policy and targets in respect of carbon dioxide emissions for proposals to extract oil in the Atlantic frontier area. [10658]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government have set themselves challenging domestic target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. from 1990 levels by 2010 and we are currently looking at the policy options which could contribute towards that target.

  The most recent projections for carbon dioxide emissions, published in energy paper No. 65, take account of likely developments in oil and gas production in the United Kingdom. In 1995, carbon dioxide emissions from oil and gas production accounted for 3.5 per cent. of national carbon dioxide emissions. Any oil production which might take place in the Atlantic frontier is not expected to result in a significant increase or decrease in national carbon dioxide emissions.

  Out-of-town Developments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of future planning applications for out-of-town developments; and if he will make a statement. [10606]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government's planning policy guidance on this issue remains as set out in PPG6: Town Centres and Retail Developments and PPG 13: Transport.

  Multilateral Investment Agreement
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the latest draft of the multilateral agreement on investment with the Government's policies on sustainable development. [10655]
  414
  Angela Eagle
  The Government are working hard for a successful conclusion to the negotiations on a multilateral agreement on investment. Our objective is to achieve an agreement with the highest possible standards of investor protection, liberalisation of investment regimes, and effective dispute settlement. But this Government would not agree to an MAI which damages our commitments to sustainable development, environmental protection and core labour standards. We shall therefore continue to work to ensure that these commitments are properly reflected in the agreement.

  Waterway Speed Limits
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost of changing waterway speed limits and speed limit signs to metric measurements to(a) public funds, (b) the owners of motor boats and cruisers on the Broads and (c) the Broads Authority. [10336]

  Angela Eagle
  No nationwide assessment has been made. The Broads Authority estimates the total costs of changing its speed limits and signs to metric would be some £54,000. Since the cost of operating the Broads Authority's navigations is financed by users, these costs would be recovered from boaters via their licence fees.

  Leasehold Valuation Tribunals
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress on the reform of leasehold valuation tribunals. [10241]

  Ms Armstrong
  Service charge disputes are renowned for causing distress and misery to many leaseholders who have, in the past, had to go to court to challenge unreasonable charges, risking unknown and potentially high costs.

  From 1 September, leaseholders will be able to apply to the 11 leasehold valuation tribunals, which will use their specialist professional expertise towards settling these disputes. Leaseholders' risks of incurring large legal bills will also be limited, because the tribunals do not award costs. Applicants will, however, have to pay a fee of up to £500 for each application, although the tribunals will have a discretion to require the other party to the dispute to reimburse this fee.

  As well as challenging service charge bills for costs already incurred by the landlord, leaseholders will now be able to challenge works which are proposed. Landlords too will be able to seek a determination that the costs or scope of the proposed works are reasonable before they start spending money.

  Bad management is a continuing problem for tenants of flats, who will now also be able to apply to the tribunal instead of the county court for the appointment of a new manager, if the tribunal is satisfied that the landlord has determined, or is likely to demand excessive service charges, or that he has failed to comply with a relevant provision of one of the three approved codes of management practice available.

  National Sustainable Development Plan
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to introduce an annual national sustainable development plan; and if he will make a statement. [8673]

  Angela Eagle
  Defining objectives and indicators, and reporting on them, will be an important element of the Government's approach to sustainable development, and we will be considering how to do so in ways which are regular, transparent and accessible.

  Offshore Supplies Office
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the members of the board of the Offshore Supplies Office; and which companies they represent. [8989]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Offshore Supplies Office was renamed the Oil, Gas and petrochemicals Supplies Office but has retained the acronym "OSO". The OSO is advised by a board drawn from the private sector and appointed by Ministers in line with Nolan procedures. Board members give their advice as individuals and do not formally represent their employers.

  The following is a list of board members and their employers:

  Sir Ian Wood CBE, Chairman and Managing Director, John Wood Group Plc.

  Sir Alan Cockshaw, Chairman, AMEC Plc.

  Paul Barron, Managing Director, Industrial Gas Turbine Group, European Gas

  Turbines Ltd.

  John Blythe, Chairman and Chief Executive, Foster Wheeler Ltd.

  Tom Cardale, Managing Director, Consolidated Supply Management Ltd.

  Rodney Chase, Chief Executive Officer, BP Exploration Company Ltd.

  Dr. Chris Fay, Chairman and Chief Executive, Shell UK Ltd.

  John Hood, Managing Director, Weir Pumps Ltd.

  Alasdair Locke, Chairman, Abbot Group

  David Moorhouse, Chief Executive, Kvaerner John Brown

  David Varney, Chief Executive, BG Plc

  Health and Safety (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of prosecutions which the Health and Safety Executive has brought against each local authority in England in the last three years; and how many have resulted in convictions. [3252]

  Angela Eagle
  [pursuant to her reply, 12 June 1997, c. 520–22]: In the three years from 1993–94 to 1995–96 the Health and Safety Executive prosecuted local authorities in England 63 times for 92 alleged breaches of health and safety law and secured 87 convictions. Details from HSE's records are shown in the table. This table
  416
  supersedes that given in the answer to this question on 12 June. Figures for the year April 1996 to March 1997 are not yet available.

  Summary of prosecutions—local authorities in England 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96

  Local authority

  Occasions prosecuted

  Breaches alleged

  Convictions

  Wealden District Council

  1

  1

  1

  East Sussex County Council

  1

  1

  1

  London Borough of Islington

  1

  1

  1

  St. Edmundsbury Borough Council

  2

  3

  3

  Norwich City Council

  1

  2

  2

  Stevenage Borough Council

  1

  1

  1

  Salford Metropolitan Borough Council

  1

  1

  1

  Lancaster City Council

  1

  1

  1

  Sunderland City Council

  1

  2

  2

  Avon County Council

  1

  1

  1

  Somerset County Council

  1

  1

  0

  London Borough of Southwark

  1

  2

  1

  City of Birmingham

  1

  1

  1

  Bromsgrove District Council

  2

  2

  2

  Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

  1

  1

  1

  Harrogate District Council

  1

  1

  1

  Manchester City Council

  2

  3

  3

  Durham County Council

  1

  1

  1

  South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

  1

  2

  2

  Gateshead Borough Council

  1

  1

  1

  Cleveland County Council

  1

  1

  1

  Lancashire County Council

  1

  1

  1

  Hertfordshire County Council

  3

  7

  7

  Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

  1

  1

  1

  Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

  2

  2

  2

  Corporation of London

  2

  4

  4

  Elmbridge Borough Council

  1

  1

  1

  Surrey County Council

  1

  2

  2

  London Borough of Harrow

  1

  4

  4

  London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

  1

  1

  1

  London Borough of Tower Hamlets

  1

  1

  1

  St. Helens Metropolitan Borough Council

  1

  3

  2

  Berkshire County Council

  1

  2

  2

  London Borough of Greenwich

  1

  1

  1

  London Borough of Hackney

  1

  1

  1

  Tameside Metropolitan District Council

  1

  2

  2

  Cornwall County Council

  1

  1

  1

  London Borough of Haringey

  2

  2

  2

  London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

  1

  1

  1

  Colchester Borough Council

  1

  1

  1

  London Borough of Redbridge

  1

  1

  1

  Bedford Borough Council

  1

  3

  3

  Wrekin District Council

  1

  2

  1

  Nottingham City Council

  1

  1

  1

  Newark and Sherwood District Council

  1

  1

  1

  Humberside County Council

  2

  4

  3

  Liverpool City Council

  1

  1

  1

  London Borough of Enfield

  1

  2

  2

  Uttlesford District Council

  1

  2

  2

  Sandwell Metropolitan District Council

  1

  2

  2

  London Borough of Hillingdon

  1

  2

  2

  Grimsby Borough Council

  1

  1

  1

  Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

  1

  1

  1

  Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

  1

  1

  1

  Totals

  63

  92

  87

  Baltic States: Military Assistance
  Baltic States: Military Assistance
  Cyprus: Treaties
  Cyprus: Treaties
  Former Yugoslavia: Indicted War Criminals
  Former Yugoslavia: Indicted War Criminals
  Anglo-Faroese Delimitation Talks
  Anglo-Faroese Delimitation Talks
  Human Rights Abuses: Imposition of Sanctions
  Human Rights Abuses: Imposition of Sanctions
  Foreign Affairs Mission Statement: Saudi Response
  Foreign Affairs Mission Statement: Saudi Response
  UNITA
  UNITA
  Anti-Drug Initiatives
  Anti-Drug Initiatives
  Intelligence and Security Committee
  Intelligence and Security Committee
  Privy Counsellor's Oath
  Privy Counsellor's Oath
  Royal Courts of Justice: Wheelchair Access to Courts
  Royal Courts of Justice: Wheelchair Access to Courts
  Wheelchair Access to Courts in the RCJ
  Wheelchair Access to Courts in the RCJ
  Motability: Grants for Alterations
  Motability: Grants for Alterations
  Asylum Seekers: Costs of Support
  Asylum Seekers: Costs of Support
  Employment Levels
  Employment Levels
  NCIS and the Internet
  NCIS and the Internet
  NCIS and NCS: Chairman and Members
  NCIS and NCS: Chairman and Members
  Hong Kong: Governor's Final Report
  Hong Kong: Governor's Final Report
  Dublin Convention
  Dublin Convention
  Horserace Betting Levy: Impact of National Lottery
  Horserace Betting Levy: Impact of National Lottery
  Data Protection Legislation Proposals
  Data Protection Legislation Proposals
  Crime (Sentences) Act 1997: Implementation
  Crime (Sentences) Act 1997: Implementation
  Delay in the Criminal Justice System: Response to Review
  Delay in the Criminal Justice System: Response to Review
  Food Standards Agency: Response and Consultation
  Food Standards Agency: Response and Consultation
  Gyrodactylus Salaris
  Gyrodactylus Salaris
  Vitamin B6 Supplements
  Vitamin B6 Supplements
  Vitamin B6 Supplements: Adverse Reactions
  Vitamin B6 Supplements: Adverse Reactions
  Vitamin B6: Limit in Dietary Supplements
  Vitamin B6: Limit in Dietary Supplements
  Vitamin B6: Scientific Evidence for Limiting Supplementation
  Vitamin B6: Scientific Evidence for Limiting Supplementation
  Veterinary Laboratories Agency: Annual Report and Accounts
  Veterinary Laboratories Agency: Annual Report and Accounts
  BSE Selective Cull
  BSE Selective Cull
  Intervention Board: Performance and Key Targets
  Intervention Board: Performance and Key Targets
  Radioactive Waste: Dumping at Sea
  Radioactive Waste: Dumping at Sea
  Veterinary Field Service
  Veterinary Field Service
  Government Reviews
  Government Reviews
  Government Secure Intranet
  Government Secure Intranet
  Windfall Tax: Impact
  Windfall Tax: Impact
  Pension Funds and ACT
  Pension Funds and ACT
  Lockerbie Investigation
  Lockerbie Investigation
  Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979: Review
  Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979: Review
  Asylum: Withdrawal
  Asylum: Withdrawal
  MMR Immunisation and Autism
  MMR Immunisation and Autism
  Human Rights and Biomedicine Convention: Consultation
  Human Rights and Biomedicine Convention: Consultation
  Opencast Coal Extraction
  Opencast Coal Extraction
  Blackwall Tunnel Closures
  Blackwall Tunnel Closures
  Chewing Gum as Litter
  Chewing Gum as Litter
  Marine Special Areas of Conservation
  Marine Special Areas of Conservation
  Discharges of Dangerous Substances into Controlled Waters
  Discharges of Dangerous Substances into Controlled Waters
  Partnership for Peace Exercises: Funding
  Partnership for Peace Exercises: Funding
  Gulf War Illness: Group Captain Coker's Findings
  Gulf War Illness: Group Captain Coker's Findings