Written Answers of 31 July 1997

Wales

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the percentage of local authorities' total expenditure spent on education for each county in Wales for the years(a) 1991–92, (b) 1992–93, (c) 1993–94, (d) 1994–95, (e) 1995–96 and (f) 1996–97, ranked in order from the highest percentage to the lowest.[10865]

  Mr. Hain
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Percentage of local authority expenditure spent on education ranked1

  Per cent.

  1991–92

  Powys

  47

  Mid Glamorgan

  47

  Clwyd

  47

  Gwent

  45

  Dyfed

  44

  West Glamorgan

  43

  South Glamorgan

  42

  Gwynedd

  41

  1992–93

  Clwyd

  47

  Powys

  46

  Gwent

  46

  Mid Glamorgan

  44

  West Glamorgan

  43

  Dyfed

  43

  Gwynedd

  41

  South Glamorgan

  40

  1993–94

  Gwent

  43

  Mid Glamorgan

  41

  Powys

  41

  Clwyd

  40

  West Glamorgan

  39

  Dyfed

  39

  South Glamorgan

  37

  Gwynedd

  36

  1994–95

  Gwent

  43

  Mid Glamorgan

  39

  Powys

  38

  West Glamorgan

  38

  Clywd

  38

  South Glamorgan

  38

  Dyfed

  37

  Gwynedd

  34

  1995–96

  South Glamorgan

  39

  Gwent

  39

  Mid Glamorgan

  38

  Powys

  37

  Clwyd

  36

  418

  Percentage of local authority expenditure spent on education ranked1

  Per cent.

  West Glamorgan

  36

  Dyfed

  36

  Gwynedd

  33

  1996–97

  Pembrokeshire

  41

  Torfaen

  41

  Monmouthshire

  40

  Cardiff

  39

  Caerphilly

  39

  Bridgend

  39

  Flintshire

  38

  Rhondda Cynon Taff

  38

  Powys

  38

  Merthyr Tydfil

  38

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  38

  Carmarthenshire

  37

  Isle of Anglesey

  37

  Newport

  37

  Ceredigion

  37

  Swansea

  36

  Denbighshire

  36

  Neath Port Talbot

  36

  Conwy

  35

  Wrexham

  35

  Blaenau Gwent

  34

  Gwynedd

  33

  1On 1 April 1995, police authorities became authorities in their own right. Prior to that date, police expenditure formed part of county council overall expenditure. For consistency across years, police expenditure has been excluded throughout.

  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. Up to 1995–96 includes county and district services to be consistent with 1996–97 unitary authority figures.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the administration cost for 1996–97 of each of the executive agencies listed in annexe B of the White Paper on a Welsh Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [11931]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The following table sets out the latest available information for those executive agencies listed in annexe B of the White Paper on Welsh devolution:

  Administration costs 1996–97 £million1

  Non-departmental public bodies

  Welsh Development Agency

  20.3

  Development Board for Rural Wales

  3.4

  Land Authority for Wales

  1.8

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  4.3

  Wales Tourist Board

  4.0

  Countryside Council for Wales

  8.9

  Tai Cymru

  2.9

  Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

  1.6

  Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  1.0

  Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

  1.9

  Further Education Funding Council for Wales

  2.4

  Residuary Body for Wales

  0.2

  419

  Administration costs 1996–97 £million1

  Welsh Language Board

  1.1

  Agricultural Wages Committees(there are six regional committees in Wales)

  0.002

  National Museums and Galleries of Wales

  10.4

  National Library of Wales

  4.9

  Sports Council for Wales

  1.0

  Arts Council of Wales

  1.8

  Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales

  1.2

  NHS bodies2

  5 Health Authorities

  17.4

  2 Special Health Authorities

  18.7

  29 Trusts

  129.7

  1 There is no fixed definition of administration costs and the criteria used vary from organisation to organisation.

  2The source of these figures is the 1996–97 unaudited accounts and may change. The audited figures for 1996–97 will be available in August/September.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are employed in each of the executive bodies outlined in annexe B of the White Paper on a Welsh Assembly: what changes to these numbers he envisages following the changes to their status proposed in the White Paper; and if he will make a statement. [11929]

  Mr. Davies
  Details of staff numbers are published annually in "Public Bodies", a Cabinet Office publication, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. I expect that the reforms detailed in the White Paper will lead to efficiencies in the delivery of services, but it is not possible to say precisely at this stage how this will affect staff numbers. This will depend upon decisions yet to be taken by the boards of the bodies concerned, the Welsh Assembly and me.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what savings in administration costs he calculates will accrue from the proposed changes to the executive bodies listed in the White Paper on a Welsh Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [11930]

  Mr. Davies
  I expect that savings in administration costs will accrue from the abolition or merger of five executive non-departmental public bodies, two special health authorities and two training and enterprise councils, because there will be fewer boards, chief executives and so on. But it is not possible to calculate precisely at this stage what the savings will be, because that depends on decisions yet to be taken by the boards of the bodies concerned, the Welsh Assembly and me.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what will be the cost of setting up the information hotline relating to the Welsh Assembly; and if this figure has been included in his Department's estimates of the cost of disseminating information relating to the Welsh Assembly. [12019]

  Mr. Davies
  The telephone helpline cost £13,054.25 to set up. This figure has been included in the published estimates. The Government believe that it is necessary that the public be fully informed of their proposals for a Welsh Assembly, the establishment of which was a key element in the election manifesto.
  420
  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many copies of the White Paper on the Government's proposals for a Welsh Assembly have been printed; what forecasts he has made of their likely sales; what has been the total subsidy towards production of the White Paper to date; and if this figure has been included in his Department's published estimates of the cost of disseminating information relating to the Welsh Assembly. [12020]

  Mr. Davies
  Twelve thousand five hundred copies of the White Paper have been printed. Sales forecasts for White Papers is a matter for the Stationery Office. However, it is my intention that this document should be easily available to anyone throughout Wales. Up to now, I have agreed a subsidy of £17,200. Any additional subsidy—for example, because of particularly high demand—will be a matter for negotiation between my officials and the Stationery Office. It is my intention that costs will remain within published estimates. The Government believe that it is necessary that the public be fully informed of their proposals for a Welsh Assembly, the establishment of which was a key element in the election maniofesto.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will produce a video version of his proposals for a Welsh Assembly carrying subtitles and sign language interpretation. [12002]

  Mr. Davies
  A printed summary of the Government's proposals will be delivered to every household in Wales. This will be supported by television advertising and telephone helpline. I have no plans to produce a separate video.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that all publicly broadcast information in relation to the forthcoming referendum in Wales carries subtitles and sign language interpretation. [11999]

  Mr. Davies
  Television advertising in support of the referendum information campaign will carry Teletext subtitles. I will examine the practicality of also including sign language.

  Roads Programme
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has to build new roads across the Gwent levels; and if he will make a statement;[11902]

  (2) if he will list all continuing plans under the roads programme; and if he will make a statement. [11911]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend announced the broad terms of a strategic review of the trunk roads programme in Wales on 3 July, and we are today publishing a consultation document.

  The review will be set firmly within the context of the development of a balanced, integrated transport policy for Wales. I intend to take a strategic approach to the process of making decisions on the roads programme, judging proposals—including those relating to the Gwent levels—on the criteria of accessibility, safety, economy and the environment, together with their contribution to the achievement of an integrated strategy.
  421
  Copies of the consultation paper are being sent to interested parties and placed in the Library of the House. It is also available on request from my Department.

  Family Planning Services
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairmen of the Welsh health authorities concerning recent changes in the provision of family planning services; if he will list recent changes in family planning service provision notified to him; and what guidance he has issued to health authorities on the commissioning of such services. [11927]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I have had no consultation with chairmen of health authorities regarding family planning services. Government policy is that people should be free to choose their source of contraceptive advice and that health authorities' family planning services complement rather than duplicate those services provided by GPs. Guidance which reminded health authorities of their responsibilities was issued to the service in Wales in 1990 and reinforced in 1993 by the "Protocol for Investment in Health Gain: Healthy Living".

  Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Ms Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the relationship between changes in the level of provision of family planning services and the number of abortions carried out in Wales. [11928]

  Mr. Griffiths
  The following figures show the general downward trend of abortions in Wales. The increase in the first quarter of 1996 might be attributable to the reaction to publicity about oral contraceptives and thrombosis in October 1995.

  Abortions performed to women resident in Wales

  1988: 7,379

  1989: 7,366

  1990: 7,440

  1991: 7,187

  1992: 6,856

  1993: 6,924

  1994: 6,775

  1995: 6,442

  1996: 7,279

  Abortions performed in Wales

  1995

  1996

  Percentage increase from 1995 figure

  January—March

  1,073

  1,226

  14

  April—June

  1,061

  1,097

  3

  July—September

  1,115

  1,033

  -7

  October—December

  1,107

  1,031

  -7

  St. David's Day
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to have St. David's day made a bank holiday in Wales. [11718]
  422
  Mr. Ron Davies
  The Government have no current plans to change the bank holiday arrangements in the UK. However, I am sympathetic to the sentiment that my hon. Friend expresses and will seek to promote further consideration of this idea within government.

  Business Start-up Scheme
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many unemployed people have qualified for assistance on the business start-up scheme in each of the last five years; and what was the annual expenditure. [12169]

  Mr. Hain
  The information requested for Wales is given in the following table:

  Number of participants1

  Expenditure (£ million)>

  1992–93

  2,077

  4,683

  1993–94

  1,957

  5,174

  1994–95

  1,958

  4,979

  1995–96

  1,593

  4,821

  1996–97

  1,679

  4,703

  Total

  9,264

  24,360

  1At March each year.

  Aberfan
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider restoring to the people of Aberfan the sums taken from them in 1968 towards the cost of removing coal tips above the village. [12269]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have long made clear my view that there should have been no requirement in the first place for a contribution to be made from the disaster fund toward the costs of clearing the tips.

  I am pleased to announce today that I shall be making available a grant of £150,000 to repay the sum originally contributed and to supplement provision in the Aberfan disaster fund and in the memorial charity. My Department will be discussing with the trustees how this money can best be spent for the benefit of the community of Aberfan.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what approach he will adopt when considering applications for sanction by local authorities under sections 19 and 20 of the Local Government Act 1982; and if he will make a statement. [12455]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  As required by the statute, we shall decide each application for sanction on its merits having regard both to our policy on sanction applications and to the circumstances of the individual case concerned. Our policy is to continue the approach previously followed—that the power to sanction should not be exercised too widely. Sanction may be appropriate in those cases where the expenditure is incurred in good faith, but in ignorance of the strict letter of the law, or inadvertently without observance of requisite formalities, or under such circumstances as make it fair and equitable that the expenditure should not be disallowed by the auditor.

  In accordance with our commitment to open government, we will send to the Welsh Local Government Association, the Audit Commission, the Commission for

  423
  Local Administration in Wales and to all local authorities in Wales a departmental note setting out the basis on which applications for sanctions under sections 19 and 20 of the Local Government Finance Act 1982 are to be made and considered. Copies of the note will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as possible.

  Council Tax (Second Homes)
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review the operation of the legislation on council tax discounts for second homes in Wales. [12456]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend and I are aware of the concerns of a number of local authorities about the operation of the legislation on council tax discounts for second homes and have decided to review it in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association.

  Small Firms
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to address the implications of the multilateral agreement on investment for small firms in Wales [10654]

  Mrs. Roche
  The multilateral agreement on investment will be the first multilateral, comprehensive and legally binding investment instrument and will represent a major step towards a global level playing field for investors. It will create the framework which all businesses need to be able to take international investment decisions with greater confidence.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the investigation by the Legal Aid Board's special investigations unit of the applications for legal aid made by a constituent of the hon. Member for Taunton, whose name has been supplied to him. [11615]

  Mr. Hoon
  I do not comment on, or intervene in, the award of legal aid in individual cases. I have, however, been advised by the Legal Aid Board that the investigation of the hon. Lady's constituent's means by the special investigations unit is still in progress.

  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures he is taking to prevent multiple applications to the Legal Aid Board through different regional offices to support unnecessary litigation. [11631]

  Mr. Hoon
  All application forms for legal aid require the applicant to state if they have applied for legal aid before and, if so, to provide details. The declaration to be signed by the applicant makes clear the range of penalties available if the applicant knowingly gives false information or withholds relevant information.

  The Legal Aid Board is introducing a new corporate information system which will give every legally assisted person a unique personal identifier. This will provide
  424
  board staff with the applicant's full legal aid history, preventing applications relating to the same case from being submitted to more than one regional office.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's 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 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. [10733]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Department's departmental pay unit is responsible for collating and inputting data to enable the payment of salaries and allowances to staff of the Lord Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service and the Public Trust Office agencies, and to certain full-time judicial officers and judges. The Department also processes data for the payment of fees and retainers for the clerks to the general commissioners of income tax, the Lord Chancellor's advisory committee on legal education and conduct and staff of the legal services ombudsman's office. The unit also inputs data to enable the payments of some pensions.

  Payments are actually made by Chessington Computer Services Ltd. on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department. It also calculates, deducts and pays income tax and national insurance.

  Payment of fees to part-time judicial officers and certain part-time Lord Chancellor's Department staff are processed by local offices within the Lord Chancellor's Department, with deductions for tax and national insurance. Some offices use manual systems, while others use an in-house accounting package for calculation and payment.

  For the centralised payroll function, the Department uses SPIRE—standard payroll input and retrieval—a software package operated by Chessington on a bureau basis. This permits the Department's payroll staff to input data on payments and deductions direct to the payroll computer at Chessington.

  Staff costs of the Department's pay unit in 1996–97 were £492,952, with £6,817 being spent in postage, training, staff travel and miscellaneous items. Chessington Computer Services Ltd. provided its services at a cost in 1996–97 of £780,867.

  Solicitors(Complaints)
  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has for the creation of an independent body to adjudicate on complaints against solicitors. [11226]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Department has no plans to create a new complaints handling body. The Office for the Supervision of Solicitors was set up by the Law Society in September 1996 and I agree with the legal services ombudsman that it will take two to three years before the office can be properly judged by results.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department. [11571]

  Mr. Hoon
  As Green Minister for the Lord Chancellor's Department, I am currently revising the Department's environmental strategy and associated action plans. Waste minimisation will be one of the major elements within this strategy.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within his Department. [11572]

  Mr. Hoon
  As Green Minister for the Lord Chancellor's Department, I am currently revising the Department's waste management procedures. The information gathered during this process will be used to measure progress in the reduction of levels of waste in due course.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years. [11573]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information requested is not available. The Lord Chancellor's Department has 417 buildings, each with separate contracts for collection of confidential and ordinary waste. The information could not be determined without incurring disproportionate cost. As Green Minister for the Lord Chancellor's Department, I am currently reviewing the arrangements for collection of waste.

  The existing arrangement is for confidential waste to be collected by specialist contractors. All other waste is collected through local authorities. Paper collected by our confidential waste contractors is either pulped prior to recycling or incinerated to produce electricity. I intend that all our paper waste should be disposed of in this way.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the Crown Prosecution Service's consideration of the unlawful killing of Mr. Shiji Lapite. [11282]

  The Attorney-General
  Following the concerns expressed by the divisional court, the Director of Public Prosecutions has, with my full support, commissioned an inquiry into the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to bring criminal proceedings following the deaths of Shiji Lapite and Michael O'Brien. It will be headed by His Honour Gerald Butler QC and it will inquire into the considerations by the Crown Prosecution Service of the Lapite and O'Brien cases and, more generally, the process and quality of casework decision making in deaths in custody cases.

  His Honour Gerald Butler QC will make such recommendations as appear appropriate and will report to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will then report to me. The report will be made public.
  426
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General what are the terms of reference for the review of the CPS; from what sources evidence and opinions are being sought; and what is the timetable for the review. [12213]

  The Attorney-General
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Gillian Merron) on 12 June,Official Report, columns 533–34.

CABINET OFFICE

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) pursuant to his answer of 28 July,Official Report, column 25, for what reasons he is unable to itemise the journeys undertaken at public expense since 2 May;
  [11804]

  (2) what were the objectives of his recent visit to France. [11811]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I do not propose to disclose the details of conversations, meetings or other engagements undertaken in pursuance of my duties as Minister without Portfolio.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what independent advice he has taken in respect of the environmental impact of(a) the materials and (b) the method of construction identified for the millennium dome. [11878]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company, of which I am sole shareholder, has taken the advice of a wide range of organisations in the construction field. Specifically, the environmental consultant, Battle McCarthy, was commissioned to provide advice on the construction of the millennium dome, including its environmental impact. In preparing its report Battle McCarthy drew on the technical expertise of the dome's architects, the Richard Rogers Partnership, and the consulting engineers, Buro Happold.

  Ministerial Advisers
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the persons who are not established civil servants who advise or assist him in the performance of his ministerial duties indicating their age and previous occupations, the use they make of official accommodation, equipment, facilities, transport and secretarial services, the access they are given to official meetings or unpublished official information, and the person or organisation responsible for their remuneration. [11720]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have nothing further to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 18 July,Official Report, columns 340–41.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11889]

  Dr. David Clark
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore be writing to the hon. Member and will place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Sick Leave
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list for each Department and agency(a) the average days of sick leave, (b) the total days of sick leave and (c) the index figure, taking the civil service average as 100, in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [11504]

  Dr. David Clark
  The information requested is shown in the tables for 1994 and 1995. It is based on figures in the report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service 1995" prepared for my department by the Occupational Health and Safety Agency Ltd. and published last month. Figures for earlier years could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  My Department regularly encourages Departments and agencies to review their approaches to sickness absence management.

  Working days lost through sickness absence 1994

  Average working days lost1

  Estimated number of working days lost2

  Index of average working days lost (Civil Service average=100)

  Civil Service

  9.9

  4,902,000

  100

  Departments/Agencies of > 10,000 staff

  Ministry of Defence

  8.1

  664,300

  82

  Customs and Excise

  8.3

  218,700

  84

  Inland Revenue

  9.6

  614,300

  97

  Home Office

  10.5

  499,500

  106

  Lord Chancellor Department

  10.7

  134,500

  108

  Employment Service

  11.3

  538,300

  114

  Benefits Agency

  12.4

  849,200

  125

  Departments/Agencies of 5,000–10,000 staff

  Department of Trade and Industry

  7.0

  52,700

  71

  Department of Transport

  7.4

  45,700

  74

  MAFF

  8.0

  59,600

  81

  Crown Prosecution Service

  8.7

  58,600

  88

  Scottish Office

  8.8

  53,900

  89

  Employment Department

  10.2

  62,300

  103

  Land Registry

  10.9

  96,100

  110

  Contributions Agency

  11.3

  107,000

  114

  Child Support Agency

  11.6

  65,700

  117

  National Savings Department

  14.3

  84,300

  144

  Departments/Agencies of 1,000–5,000 staff

  Met Office

  4.9

  7,900

  50

  ADAS (MAFF)

  6.2

  10,700

  62

  428

  Working days lost through sickness absence 1994

  Average working days lost1

  Estimated number of working days lost2

  Index of average working days lost (Civil Service average=100)

  HM Treasury

  7.0

  9,600

  71

  HMSO

  7.3

  14,900

  73

  Department of the Environment

  7.8

  35,800

  79

  Department for Education

  8.2

  13,900

  83

  Ordnance Survey

  8.4

  17,600

  84

  Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal

  8.4

  8,600

  85

  Health and Safety Executive

  8.6

  35,600

  87

  Insolvency Service

  8.6

  15,900

  87

  Overseas Development Administration

  8.6

  10,800

  87

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  8.7

  12,100

  88

  IT Services Agency

  8.9

  34,300

  89

  Central Statistical Office

  9.1

  12,500

  92

  Welsh Office

  9.5

  21,500

  96

  Department of Health

  9.7

  47,700

  98

  OPCS

  10.3

  20,700

  104

  Intervention Board

  10.7

  10,700

  108

  Companies House

  12.4

  12,800

  125

  Department of Social Security

  12.7

  38,500

  128

  War Pensions Agency

  12.8

  19,800

  129

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  13.2

  46,200

  133

  Scottish Prison Service (SO)

  13.3

  56,900

  135

  Driving Standards Agency

  14.6

  23,700

  148

  Registers of Scotland

  14.7

  17,100

  148

  Departments/Agencies of 500–1,000 staff

  Natural Resources Institute

  4.8

  2,500

  48

  Nat Physical Lab.

  5.1

  3,500

  51

  Building Research Establishment

  5.2

  3,400

  52

  Office for Standards in Education

  5.3

  2,700

  54

  Central Science Lab.

  6.1

  4,100

  62

  Cabinet Office

  6.8

  4,200

  68

  Planning Inspectorate

  6.9

  4,000

  70

  COI (HMT)

  6.9

  3,600

  70

  ACAS

  8.6

  5,600

  86

  Department of National Heritage

  8.6

  5,200

  87

  Scottish Courts Service

  9.9

  8,000

  100

  Charity Commission

  10.3

  6,700

  104

  Central Vet. Lab.

  10.3

  6,500

  104

  Export Credit Guarantee

  10.9

  5,800

  110

  Paymaster General

  11.6

  9,600

  117

  Departments/Agencies of 200–500 staff

  OPSS

  4.5

  2,000

  45

  Civil Service College

  4.7

  1,300

  48

  Serious Fraud Office

  6.3

  2,100

  64

  Office of Electrical Reg.

  6.5

  1,500

  65

  Northern Ireland Office

  6.7

  1,400

  67

  Government Centre for Information Systems

  6.7

  2,300

  68

  Chessington Computer Centre

  7.5

  3,100

  76

  Scottish Courts Administration

  7.8

  1,600

  79

  Nat. Engineering Lab.

  7.9

  1,900

  80

  PSA

  8.1

  2,400

  82

  Treasury Solicitor Department

  8.7

  3,400

  88

  Historic Royal Palaces

  8.9

  3,900

  90

  Fair Trading Office

  9.5

  4,000

  96

  429

  Working days through sickness absence 1994

  Average working days lost1

  Estimated number of working days lost2

  Index of average working days lost(Civil Service average=100)

  Property Holdings

  9.8

  4,600

  99

  Teachers Pensions Agency

  10.9

  4,000

  111

  General Registers Office (SO)

  11.6

  3,000

  117

  Public Record Office

  11.8

  5,700

  119

  Departments/Agencies of <200 staff

  NHS Estates

  3.5

  400

  35

  Office of Gas Supply

  3.9

  200

  39

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  4.8

  400

  49

  Warren Spring Lab.

  5.0

  300

  51

  Schools Funding Agency

  5.0

  1,000

  51

  Office of Water Services

  5.5

  900

  55

  Telecommunications Office

  5.6

  900

  57

  Government Actuary Department

  5.8

  500

  58

  Government Property Lawyers

  6.1

  800

  62

  Occ. Health Service

  6.4

  600

  65

  Buying Agency

  6.4

  700

  65

  Scottish Prison Service

  6.8

  800

  69

  Scottish Records Office

  6.9

  1,000

  70

  Friendly Societies Register

  7.8

  1,400

  79

  Crown Estate Office

  8.5

  1,700

  86

  RASA(OMCS)

  10.5'

  1,500

  106

  Resettlement Agency

  16.1

  3,200

  163

  Royal Mint

  18.1

  1,000

  183

  Excludes Departments/agencies with fewer than 50 staff.

  2 Source: Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service 1995, OHSA Ltd.

  2 Estimated by OPS from above report.

  Working days lost through sickness absence, 1995

  Average working days lost1

  Estimated number of working days lost2

  Index of average working days lost (Civil Service average=100

  Civil Service

  10.7

  5,125,000

  100

  Departments/Agencies of > 10,000 staff

  Ministry of Defence

  8.9

  709,200

  83

  Customs and Excise

  9.6

  240,400

  90

  Inland Revenue

  10.8

  661,100

  101

  Home Office

  11.3

  540,000

  106

  Court Service (LCD)

  11.6

  127,400

  108

  Employment Service

  12.4

  520,600

  116

  Benefits Agency

  12.7

  872,300

  119

  Departments/Agencies of 5,000–10,000 staff

  Defence Research Agency

  4.7

  40,400

  44

  Department of Trade and Industry

  8.2

  69,600

  77

  Department of Transport

  8.7

  65,500

  81

  MAFF

  9.1

  62,600

  85

  Scottish Office

  9.6

  64,000

  90

  Crown Prosecution Service

  9.7

  64,000

  91

  Land Registry

  10.5

  63,900

  98

  Contributions Agency

  12.5

  71,800

  117

  Child Support Agency

  13.4

  72,200

  125

  National Savings Department

  16.1

  86,700

  150

  430

  Working days lost through sickness absence, 1995

  Average working days lost1

  Estimated number of working days lost2

  Index of average working days lost (Civil Service average=100)

  Departments/Agencies of 1,000–5,000 staff

  Meteorological Office

  5.7

  8,000

  53

  ADAS(MAFF)

  6.2

  7,300

  58

  Ordnance Survey

  8.3

  16,700

  78

  Department of Environment

  8.3

  36,400

  78

  HM Treasury

  8.4

  9,300

  79

  HMSO

  8.5

  19,500

  79

  Overseas Development Administration

  8.6

  18,400

  80

  Health and Safety Executive

  9.1

  40,100

  85

  Central Vet. Lab.

  9.4

  9,500

  88

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  9.4

  12,700

  88

  Insolvency Service

  9.5

  15,600

  89

  IT Services Agency

  9.7

  30,500

  91

  Department of Health

  9.8

  42,900

  92

  Welsh Office

  10.0

  21,400

  93

  DFEE

  10.3

  22,100

  96

  Crown Office and Proc. Fiscal

  10.4

  10,600

  97

  DSS

  10.5

  30,500

  98

  OPCS

  11.4

  21,700

  107

  Central Statistical Office

  11.5

  15,100

  107

  Employment Department

  11.5

  50,800

  107

  Scottish Prison Service

  12.5

  54,000

  117

  War Pensions Directorate

  13.0

  19,300

  121

  DVLA

  13.4

  46,000

  125

  Registers of Scotland

  13.6

  14,800

  127

  Driving Standards Agency

  16.6

  27,800

  155

  Departments/Agencies of 500–1,000 staff

  Transport Research Lab.

  3.7

  1,600

  35

  Natural Resources Institute

  4.0

  1,900

  37

  Office of Public Service

  4.9

  2,700

  46

  Building Research Estab.

  5.6

  3,600

  52

  Central Science Lab.

  5.6

  3,800

  52

  Cabinet Office

  6.9

  4,300

  64

  Ofsted

  7.0

  3,600

  65

  Planning Inspectorate

  7.4

  4,400

  69

  ACAS

  8.1

  5,300

  76

  Lord Chancellor Dept.

  8.7

  7,500

  81

  Dept. of National Heritage

  9.8

  5,900

  92

  Paymaster General Office

  10.5

  7,700

  98

  Charity Commission

  11.3

  6,700

  106

  Scottish Courts Service

  12.1

  10,500

  113

  Intervention Board

  12.6

  12,300

  118

  Companies House

  14.1

  13,800

  132

  Public Trust Office

  14.7

  7,900

  137

  Departments/Agencies of 200–500 staff

  Civil Service College

  4.1

  1,100

  38

  Schools Funding Agency

  4.4

  1,100

  41

  Northern Ireland Office

  5.1

  1.200

  48

  Govt. Centre for Info. Systems

  5.2

  1,500

  49

  Serious Fraud Office

  5.3

  1,800

  50

  Lab. of the Govt. Chemist

  5.8

  1,600

  54

  Treasury Solicitors Dept.

  6.9

  2,800

  64

  Office of Electrical Reg.

  7.1

  1,700

  66

  431

  Working days lost through sickness absence, 1995

  Average working days lost1

  Estimated number of working days lost2

  Index of average working days lost(Civil Service=100)

  Chessington Computer Centre

  8.2

  3,300

  77

  Office of Fair Trading

  8.4

  3,400

  79

  Historic Royal Palaces

  8.6

  3,500

  80

  General Register Office(SO)

  9.4

  2,200

  88

  Property Holdings

  9.9

  4,200

  93

  Export Credit Guarantee

  10.3

  4,900

  96

  COI (HMT)

  10.6

  5,000

  99

  Public Record Office

  10.6

  4,900

  99

  Departments/Agencies of <200 staff

  Ofgas

  3.9

  300

  36

  NHS Estates

  5.4

  500

  50

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  5.8

  400

  54

  Government Actuary Department

  5.8

  500

  54

  PSA

  5.8

  600

  54

  Ofwat

  6.1

  1,00

  57

  Crown Estate Office

  6.5

  1,200

  61

  Telecommunications Office

  7.1

  1,100

  66

  Monopolies and Mergers Comm.

  7.1

  500

  66

  Scottish Record Office

  7.5

  1,100

  70

  Government Property Lawyers

  8.5

  1,100

  79

  Occ. Health and Safety Agency

  8.6

  800

  80

  Buying Agency

  8.9

  1,000

  83

  Nat. Engineering Lab (DTI)

  9.4

  1,500

  88

  Scottish Courts Admin.

  9.8

  1,500

  92

  RAS

  10.8

  1,600

  101

  Friendly Societies Register

  11.8

  2,00

  110

  Resettlement Agency

  17.2

  1,600

  161

  Excludes Department/agencies with fewer tha 50 staff.

  1 Source:Analysis of sickness Absence in the civil Service 1995,OHSA Ltd.

  2 Estimated by OPS from above report.

  Next Steps Agencies
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the next steps agencies which have regional administrative structures. [11363]

  Dr. David Clark
  The next steps agencies which have regional administrative structures are listed:

  Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency

  Central Office of Information

  Coastguard

  Court Service

  Defence Dental Agency

  Defence Estate Organisation

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

  Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency

  Defence Secondary Care Agency

  Defence Vetting Agency

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  Driving Standards Agency

  Employment Service

  Employment Tribunals Service

  Farming and Rural Conservation Agency

  432

  Forensic Science Service

  Highways Agency

  HM Land Registry

  HM Prison Service

  Insolvency Service

  Marine Safety Agency

  Meat Hygiene Service

  Medical Supplies Agency

  Medicines Control Agency

  Ministry of Defence Police

  NHS Estates

  Ordnance Survey

  Property Advisers to the Civil Estate

  Radiocommunications Agency

  Social Security Benefits Agency

  Social Security Child Support Agency

  Social Security Contributions Agency

  Specialist Procurement Services

  The Buying Agency

  United Kingdom Passport Agency

  Valuation Office

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency

  Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans his Department has to extend benefits currently enjoyed by spouses of members of the principal civil service pension scheme to partners of members who are the same sex or a common law spouse. [11829]

  Dr. David Clark
  Any extension of benefits would have a cost and could be made only if there is a willingness on the part of scheme members to meet the cost in full.

  Civil Servants (Alleged Wrongdoing)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) on how many occasions a civil servant who has reported alleged wrongdoing under the civil service code has reported the matter in writing to the Civil Service Commission; [11814]

  (2) on how many occasions since the introduction of the civil service code a civil servant has reported alleged wrongdoing. [11813]

  Dr. David Clark
  Where a civil servant believes that he or she is being required to act in a way which would be in breach of the Civil Service Code, he or she should report the matter internally in accordance with departmental procedures. If the civil servant involved believes that the response is not a reasonable one, he or she may report the matter in writing to the civil service commissioners.

  Two appeals falling within the terms of the civil service code have been investigated by the civil service commissioners and upheld. Details are provided in the commissioners' annual report for 1996–97. A third approach is still the subject of internal departmental procedures. A fourth was resolved within the Department before it became clear whether it fell within the terms of the code.
  433
  Information on the number of cases raised under the code, and settled internally within Departments without reference to the commissioners, is not held centrally.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cattle Cull
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates his Department has made of the number of over-30-months scheme cattle in Kent requiring incineration over the next three years. [10355]

  Mr. Rooker
  A designated abattoir in Kent has been awarded a contract to deal with those animals coming forward for slaughter under the scheme in Kent and the neighbouring counties, notably Sussex and part of Hampshire. It is estimated that 25,000 animals over 30 months of age from these counties will be slaughtered in Kent each year. It is not possible to give an estimate of the numbers which will be incinerated over the next three years because the majority of animals being slaughtered under the scheme at the present time are being rendered prior to disposal. However, a carcase incineration facility may be established adjacent to the over-30-months scheme abattoir in Kent which will offer significant efficiencies.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average weight of cattle slaughtered under the over-30-months cattle slaughter scheme; and what proportion of the cattle slaughtered under the scheme exceeded that average weight. [10159]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The average weight of cattle slaughtered under the over-30-months slaughter scheme is 595 kg.

  Sixty-three per cent. of cattle presented under the scheme weighed more than 595 kg

  Dr. Lewis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle weighing(a) between 560 kg and 609 kg, (b) between 610 kg and 659 kg,(c) between 660 kg and 709 kg,(d) between 710 kg and 759 kg and (e) over 760 kg live weight have been slaughtered under the over-30-months cattle slaughter scheme during 1997. [10160]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The information requested is as follows:

  Live weight(kg)

  Number of cattle presented liveweight

  Number of cattle presented deadweight

  560–609

  29,500

  48,135

  610–659

  22,809

  39,849

  660–709

  12,929

  29,699

  710–750

  5,813

  19,827

  Over 760

  4,744

  27,120

  Beaufort's Dyke
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Dr. Moonie) of 1 July,Official Report, columns 158–59, what radioactive waste has been dumped in the Rockall or Rockall trough areas, other than
  434
  that already reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency and listed in IAEA-TEC Doc. 558, March 1991.
  [11357]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am not aware of any dumping of radioactive waste in those areas other than those reported in the IAEA document and carried out in 1951 and 1953. The search of archive records referred to in my reply of 1 July was in relation to areas not previously recognised as sites for the disposal of radioactive waste.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he expects to publish the remit of a food standards agency; [11325]

  (2) what will be the composition of the membership of the proposed food standards agency. [11326]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government will publish a White Paper in the autumn setting out their detailed proposals for a food standards agency in the light of pubic consultation on Professor Philip James's report.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the Meat Hygiene Service to be incorporated into a new food standards agency. [11324]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government are considering all aspects of the structure and remit of the proposed agency, including the question of meat hygiene enforcement, in the light of consultation on Professor James's report. It will publish detailed proposals in a White Paper in the autumn.

  Arable Area Payments Scheme
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many payments were made under the arable area payments scheme in 1996 of(a) £0 to £1,000, (b) 1,000 to £5,000,(c) £5,000 to £10,000,
  (d) £10,000 to £15,000, (e) £15,000 to £20,000, (f) £20,000 to £25,000, (g)£25,000 to £30,000,
  (h) £30,000 to £40,000, (i) £40,000 to £50,000, (j) £50,000 to £75,000, (k) £75,000 to £100,000, (l) £100,000 to £200,000, (m) £200,000 to £500,000, (n) £500,000 to £1 million, (o) £1 million to £1.5 million and (p) £1.5 million to £2 million. [11314]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The following table sets out the payments made to each claimant by the Ministry under the 1996 arable area payments scheme in the bands requested.

  Size band

  Number of claimants

  (a) £0 to £1,000

  2,728

  (b) £1,000 to £5,000

  15,255

  (c) £5,000 to £10,000

  4,718

  (d) £10,000 to £15,000

  4,707

  (e) £15,000 to £20,000

  3,482

  (f) £20,000 to £25,000

  2,664

  (g) £25,000 to £30,000

  1,996

  (h) £30,000 to £40,000

  3,074

  (i) £40,000 to £50,000

  1,973

  (j) £50,000 to £75,000

  2,837

  (k) £75,000 to £100,000

  1,357

  (l) £100,000 to £200,000

  1,487

  (m) £200,000 to £500,000

  327

  435

  Size band

  Number of claimants

  (n) £500,000 to £1 million

  27

  (o) £1 million to £1.5 million

  4

  (p) £1.5 million to £2 million

  1

  In addition, one claimant received payments totalling over £2 million.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many payments of £1 million or more were made under the arable area payments scheme in 1996. [6300]

  Mr. Rooker
  [pursuant to his reply, 1 July 1997,c. 158]: Six.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste in his Department. [11539]

  Mr. Morley
  Under the Department's action plan for green housekeeping, there is a requirement on all our sites to minimise the generation of waste. So far, it has not been considered appropriate to set specific targets in what is a diverse and changing departmental estate. Although the scope for setting targets remains under consideration, a series of formal environmental audits of our laboratory sites is planned for later in 1997–98.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years. [11540]

  Mr. Morley
  This information is not available. Paper recycling schemes are in operation at many of the Ministry's 230 sites and the responsibility for handling such schemes is decentralised. At our London headquarters buildings, 37 tonnes of good-quality waste paper was recycled during 1996–97, which considerably exceeded expectations.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department. [11538]

  Mr. Morley
  A waste minimisation strategy already forms part of the Department's action plan for green housekeeping, with the objective of reducing the amount of waste produced, encouraging recycling schemes and reusing materials. A leaflet and notices have been issued to all staff and local campaigns have been undertaken to encourage participation, including exhibitions, presentations and the introduction of schemes for recycling paper, tin cans and other materials.

  Pigs (Gas Stunning)
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of the advice he received from the Farm Animal Welfare Council on the carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs. [11827]

  Mr. Morley
  I have placed in the Library a copy of the letter from the Farm Animal Welfare Council dated 1 May 1997. This says that the council would like MAFF to encourage the industry to develop superior stunning and 436
  killing methods which move away from stressful handling and that these should make use of non-aversive gas mixtures. FAWC in its letter further recommended that the industry should concentrate on the use of argon to induce anoxia and that high concentrations of carbon dioxide in air should be phased out as systems using alternative gas mixtures became commercially available.

  We have commissioned commercial trials using alternative gas mixtures and the next steps we take will depend on the results of these.

  We also await formal proposals from the European Commission to add alternative gas mixtures to the permitted methods for stunning animals.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for the refurbishment of ministerial offices in his Department; and what is the estimated cost of the works and date of completion. [11870]

  Mr. Morley
  The current Ministry building in Whitehall which houses ministerial offices is in need of major renovation within the next few years. Ministers, and about 76 officials, will therefore move by the end of November to MAFF offices in Nobel house, Smith square.

  Details on costs for this move and associated redecoration works were included in the reply given to the hon. Member for Romsey (Mr. Colvin) on 28 July, Official Report, columns 23–24.

  Vegetable Oils
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to this answer of 23 July,Official Report, column 639, concerning research into use of crops yielding vegetable oils, if he will list the principal research projects his Department is funding, indicating the cost of each to public funds. [11820]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is as follows:

  Project title

  Total cost(£)

  Genetic engineering of oilseed rape to produce products of defined acyl variation and low downstream processing

  320,697

  Oilseed rape seed loss-improving strength of pods by using engineering fracture analysis of genetically diverse pods

  348,000

  Genetic improvement of oilseed rape for reduced susceptibility to pod shatter

  607,193

  Regulation of pod shatter in oilseed rape

  190,210

  A knowledge based assessment of rapeseed oil as a pesticide adjuvant

  243,261

  Vegetable oils with specific fatty acids

  87,840

  Pesticide adjuvants from vegetable oils

  68,092

  Cost benefit assessment, including life cycle analysis, of oils produced from UK-grown crops compared with mineral oil

  192,754

  Comparative field trils of alternative UK road transport fuels

  33,520

  Linseed agronomy

  1,015,216

  Cattle Traceability
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Mr. Marsden) of 19 June,Official Report, column 286, on cattle traceability, when he expects to implement a system which meets the Florence precondition on cattle traceability. [11637]

  Mr. Rooker
  We believe that the cattle passport system, introduced on 1 July 1996, fulfils the Florence precondition on cattle traceability in Great Britain. However, a computerised system will improve cattle traceability still further, and is required under recent EU legislation which applies to all member states.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what actions his Department is taking to proceed with(a) the export certified herds scheme and (b) the date-based scheme. [12199]

  Mr. Rooker
  On 24 July, my officials discussed both schemes with the EU Commission. As a result, further clarification is to be provided on the date-based scheme. In line with the Florence agreement, the Commission will be putting both schemes to its scientific advisory committees.

  State Veterinary Service
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many veterinarians are currently employed in the State Veterinary Service; and if he will make a statement on the future of the State Veterinary Service with particular reference to his plans for a food standards agency; [11780]

  (2) what plans he has to conduct open consultation with interested organisations in respect of proposed changes to the State Veterinary Service. [11781]

  Mr. Morley
  At 1 July 1997, the number of veterinarians employed in the State Veterinary Service within the direct line command of the chief veterinary officer was 306.15 full-time equivalents and includes permanent, fixed-term and casual appointees. This total excludes 13 veterinary posts recently transferred to the MAFF food safety and standards group on 2 June 1997 in preparation for the creation of a foods standards agency. It has been decided that the veterinary field service—the operational arm of the SVS—should not at present become an executive agency and I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Savidge) on 30 July,Official Report, column 322. The Government's proposals for a food standards agency will be published in a White Paper in the autumn. The White Paper will provide interested bodies with a further opportunity to comment on the organisation and remit of the new agency, including any implications it may have for the State Veterinary Service.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11899]
  438
  Mr. Morley
  Current commitments from the central information technology budget to resolve the year 2000 computer problem are:

  (a) 1997–98: £2,500,000

  (b) 1998–99: £1,400,000

  (c) 1999–2000: £750,000

  making a total of £4,650,000. Further expenditure—to take the figure up to an estimated £7 million in total—is expected as detailed plans are finalised over the coming month.

  Costs will be met from existing public expenditure survey provision. The Department is working in line with guidance published by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency; detailed and costed plans will be supplied by the end of October 1997.

  Fishing
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which articles and subsections of articles of Council regulation 3760/92 will automatically continue after 2002; and what is the relevant legal text which substantiates their continuation. [12190]

  Mr. Morley
  All of Council regulation (EEC) No. 3760/92 apart from article 6 continues automatically until the Council decides to change it. The provisions on access restrictions within six and 12-mile limits are exceptional in that they automatically end on 31 December 2002, but the Government are committed to securing their renewal thereafter.

  Article 21 of the regulation says that it entered into force on 1 January 1993. With the exception of article 6, no date is specified in the regulation for any part of it to expire. It therefore continues sine die until the Council decides otherwise.

  Camphill Devon Community Ltd.
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to make a decision on the eligibility of Camphill Devon Community Ltd. for a farm and conservation grant; and if he will make a statement. [12168]

  Mr. Morley
  The claim for grant from Camphill Devon Community Ltd. has raised a number of questions concerning the eligibility of the investment on which grant is being claimed under the farm and conservation grant scheme. However, we hope to have resolved these questions shortly.

  Performing Animals
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the quarantine arrangements for travelling zoos and circuses involving performing animals. [12084]

  Mr. Rooker
  Each animal subject to the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 and imported into Great Britain from outside the British Isles is required to be quarantined for six months. In each case, the physical arrangements of the quarantine premises for containing the animal have to be shown to be satisfactory.

  Rams' Horns
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the British Stickmakers Guild about the classification of rams' horns as animal offal; and if he will make a statement. [10556]

  Mr. Rooker
  [pursuant to his answer, 28 July 1997, c.24]: I have received representations from the British Stickmakers Guild about the classification of rams' horns as animal offal.

  Under the Heads of Sheep and Goats Order 1996, the heads—excluding the tongue—of sheep and goats of any age other than those born, reared and slaughtered in Australia and New Zealand must be disposed of as specified waste material. This would include the horns if still attached to the head. However, horns themselves are not considered to be a risk, provided they are removed without breaking into the cranial cavity in order to ensure that there is no risk of contamination with brain material.

  Fisheries (Rockall)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the potential fish catches and stocks in the 60,000 sq miles of ocean around Rockall; and what funding the Government have made available in the last 20 years to research and develop the potential of these waters. [11581]

  Mr. Chisholm
  I have been asked to reply.

  I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what licensing arrangements currently apply to fishing operators in the 60,000 sq miles of Atlantic ocean around Rockall; how many(a) British and (b) Spanish fishing vessels operate there; and what estimate he has made of the number of British vessels with the capacity to fish waters of these depths. [11577]

  Mr. Chisholm
  I have been asked to reply.

  United Kingdom vessels fishing within the current Rockall fisheries zone must be in possession of a UK fishing licence, while vessels from other EC member states are subject to their own national licensing and management arrangements. All such vessels are subject to quota restrictions and western waters effort ceilings where appropriate. This will remain the case following the redrawing of British fisheries limits.

  Landings information held by the fisheries departments shows that, in 1996, 46 British vessels operated in the waters affected by the change. Comparable information for Spanish vessels is not held by the fisheries departments.

  Information on the number of vessels capable of fishing in deep waters around Rockall is not held centrally.

  Vitamin Supplements
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has further to 440
  review the scientific evidence relating to the safety of vitamin B6 supplementation; and if he will make a statement. [11719]

  Mr. Rooker
  The scientific evidence relating to the safety of vitamin B6 has been reviewed by Department of Health's independent Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment—COT—on two separate occasions. I have every confidence in the ability of the COT and in the quality of its advice and I have no plans to invite it or any other body to undertake a further review.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the dangers to public health of higher dose vitamin B6 supplements. [10956]

  Ms Jowell
  The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment—COT—has considered the toxicity of vitamin B6 on two occasions. The committee reviewed the scientific papers published in national and international journals and noted reports of peripheral sensory neuropathy in humans. There was evidence of nerve damage in animals. It recommended that the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements be limited to 10 mg per day. This recommendation applies to supplements sold under food law.

  In the light of the COT's recommendation, the Medicines Control Agency's Committee on Safety of Medicines reviewed vitamin B6 containing medicinal products and recommended that those sold on the general sales list—GSL, that is, those freely available to the public—should be limited to 10 mg, while those above 10 mg and below 50 mg should be available under the supervision of a pharmacist while those of 50 mg and above should be available under the supervision of a doctor—prescription only medicines.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has evaluated into the number of deaths or cases of adverse health reactions in the last 10 years in America arising from higher dose vitamin B6 supplementation; and if he will make a statement. [10942]

  Ms Jowell
  The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment—COT has considered the toxicity of vitamin B6 on two occasions. Lists of the references from national and international scientific journals which it considered are lodged in the Library. Following its consideration, the COT published a statement on 4 July 1997. Officials have no specific information on adverse health reactions to higher dose vitamin B6 products in America, but in the years 1987–96 the UK yellow card adverse drug reaction—ADR—reporting scheme administered by the Medicines Control Agency has received a total of 42 reactions associated with products containing only vitamin B6.

TREASURY

  Foreign Income Dividends
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about his proposals to abolish foreign income dividends; and if he will make a statement. [8928]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 21 July,Official Report, column 445. We have received several representations from United Kingdom-owned companies that obtain a high proportion of their profits from overseas, and as my hon. Friend the Paymaster General stated in Standing Committee on the Finance Bill on 22 July, we welcome their views and shall find a way froward that balances the interests of the Exchequer with those of the companies involved.

  Windfall Tax
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on the future use of windfall taxes. [11472]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The windfall tax is a one-off tax.

  Indirect and Corporate Taxation
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the proposals contained in CSE (97) 1 final 9000/97 relating to(a) the elimination of significant distortion in the area of indirect taxation and (b) the longer-term need to look at further elements of corporate taxation. [9652]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 21 July 1997]: The Government welcome the commitment by member states to consider measures to eliminate significant distortions in the area of indirect taxation. In particular, we are keen to see progress on alcohol and tobacco duties where significant cross-border trade is distorted by varying rates of duty.

  Privatised Industries
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount at current prices paid in taxes by privatised firms(a) in the most recent year for which figures are available and (b) since 1979. [10920]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Corporation tax paid by formerly publicly owned companies since 1987–88 is as follows:

  Year

  £billion

  1987–88

  1.5

  1988–89

  1.6

  1989–90

  1.5

  1990–91

  2.1

  1991–92

  2.3

  1992–93

  2.3

  1993–94

  1.9

  1994–95

  2.5

  1995–96

  2.9

  1996–97

  2.7

  Release of earlier figures would infringe taxpayer confidentiality.
  442
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue the formerly nationalised industries have contributed to the Exchequer since privatisation. [11340]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and Poole, North (Mr. Fraser) regarding Exchequer receipts of corporation tax paid by formerly publicly owned companies.

  Nationalised Industries
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the annual profits and losses of the nationalised industries in current prices for each year between 1974 and 1997. [11350]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 29 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. John Bercow, dated 31 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 the annual profits and losses of the nationalised industries in the current prices for each year between 1974 and 1997.
  I regret to say that estimates of profits/losses of the nationalised industries are not produced.
  For the National Accounts, the nationalised industries are classified within the Public Corporations sector. As of April 1997, the nationalised industries were as follows:

  Briish Coal Board

  Magnox Electric

  British Railways Board

  London Region Transport

  Highlands Islands Airports

  British Nuclear Fuels

  Post Office

  Civil Aviation Authority

  British Waterways Board

  Caledonian MacBrayne

  The Public Corporations sector also contains many other bodies, e.g. NHS trusts, the BBC, Channel 4, and urban development corporations. The composition of the sector has changed significantly, over the period from 1974, particularly with privatisations.
  The National Accounts definition of the United Kingdom profits, losses of Public Corporations is entitled to the gross trading surplus (this is gross of depreciation). It would be possible to construct gross trading surplus aggregates for the nationalised industries from 1991 to 1996 only, but this would be at disproportionate cost. Data before 1991 are unavailable.
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) does not publish data for the gross trading surplus of the Public Corporations sector as a whole. This series goes back to 1946 but is affected by breaks due to sectoral reclassifications, including privatisation, nationalisation and the establishment of NHS trusts. I attach a table of the data from 1974 to 1996. This data, from 1986 onwards, will appear in the 1997 edition of United Kingdom National Accounts which is being published on 8 August. Gross trading surplus data for 1997 are not yet available.
  443

  Gross trading surplus of public corporations

  Year

  Current prices (£ million)

  1974

  2,561

  1975

  3,094

  1976

  4,505

  1977

  5,095

  1978

  5,466

  1979

  5,710

  1980

  6,309

  1981

  7,974

  1982

  9,502

  1983

  10,004

  1984

  8,511

  1985

  7,262

  1986

  8,213

  1987

  6,993

  1988

  7,554

  1989

  5,951

  1990

  3,426

  1991

  1,410

  1992

  1,699

  1993

  2,438

  1994

  2,698

  1995

  4,230

  1996

  3,959

  BSE
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the figures contained in table 5A.4 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98," showing projected United Kingdom expenditure on BSE for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [11186]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The provision made for expenditure on BSE remains as in that table, supplemented by a further £0.2 billion spread over 1996–97 and 1997–98 in respect of the selective cull of animals most at risk of developing BSE announced on 16 December 1996, Official Report, column 632. The actual outturns will depend on a variety of factors, including some policy decisions that have not yet been taken.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the net benefit to the United Kingdom at today's prices in each year as a result of the budget rebate of 1984. [11234]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the abatement agreed at Fontainebleau. The table sets out the information requested.

  Value of UK's abatement, in current prices(£million)

  1985–86

  1,346

  1986–87

  2,131

  1987–88

  1,713

  1988–89

  2,260

  1989–90

  1,739

  1990–91

  2,247

  1991–92

  2,791

  444

  Value of UK's abatement, in current prices (£million)

  1992–93

  2,198

  1993–94

  2,519

  1994–95

  1,740

  1995–96

  1,620

  1996–97

  2,418

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the net level of United Kingdom contributions to the European Community for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement; [11306]

  (2) if he will update the figure for the estimated net United Kingdom contribution to the European Community budget for 1998–99, in table 5A.4, page 123, of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98", incorporating the impact of developments at the European Union budget negotiations on 24 July; and if he will make a statement. [11612]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The Government's expenditure plans take account of the plans of the previous Government for the forecast of the trend in the United Kingdom's net contributions to the European Community budget; as published in the previous Chancellor's departmental report on his smaller departments, Cm 3617. The forecasts are as follows:

  1997–98:£2,750 million

  1998–99:£3.000 million

  1990–2000:£3,400 million

  The Treasury will revise the forecasts in due course. As the Community budget for 1998 has not yet been finalised, there is no reason at this stage to update these forecasts.

  Generalised System of Preferences
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive the European Commission's report on the abuse of the generalised system of preferences. [10141]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: The European Commission has indicated that its study on the post-clearance recovery of customs debts associated with preferential customs schemes—including the generalised system of preferences—will be published in the early autumn.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of United Kingdom businesses affected by claims to retrospective duties arising from irregularities found in origin certificates issued by developing countries under the generalised system of preferences. [10143]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: In the 12 months ending 30 June 1997, some 70 UK businesses were notified of a duty liability as a result of invalid claims to preferential rates of duty under the generalised system of preferences.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of outstanding
  445
  duty arising from the irregularities found in origin certificates issued by developing countries under the generalised system of preferences. [10142]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: Approximately £1,600,000 duty is outstanding in respect of irregularities found in the past five years in origin certificates issued under the generalised system of preferences.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that an agreement made between Bangladesh and the EC concerning invalid origin certificates under the generalised system of preferences does not disadvantage United Kingdom businesses. [10144]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: Importers in a number of member states have received invalid origin certificates from Bangladesh. Her Majesty's Customs and Excise will seek to ensure that action taken in respect of these documents is consistent throughout the Community and it will continue to press for a fair and equitable solution to the problem.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers the Treasury will have to ring-fence itemised expenditure under the process described in paragraph 1.22 of the White Paper on a Welsh Assembly; and if these powers will extend to the determination of individual subheads within the estimates. [10707]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The allocation of the budget assigned to Wales will be at the discretion of the Welsh Assembly, as it is at present a matter for the Secretary of State for Wales.

  European Central Bank
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's policy towards an independent European central bank. [11822]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Budget (Environmental Impact)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish a green book on the environmental implications of the next Budget. [11861]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo), on 10 July, Official Report, column 1062.

  Tobacco Duty
  Mr. Swinney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce banding for the tobacco products duty on cigarettes related to their nicotine content; and if he will make a statement. [11313]
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: EC law requires that all cigarettes sold within a EU member state shall be subject to the same rate of excise duty. It would not therefore be possible to band tobacco products duty in this way.

  Financial Services (Distance Selling)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce legislation on the distance selling of financial services. [11784]

  Mr. Darling
  None. The Government will of course consider any draft directive covering distance selling of financial services which may be proposed by the European Commission. However, no such draft has been issued.

  Travel-to-work Areas
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will amend the travel-to-work area boundaries to coincide with the new local government boundaries; and if he will make a statement. [11218]

  Dawn Primarolo
  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. David Marshall, dated 30 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to your recent question on travel-to-work area boundaries.
  A recent consultation exercise by the ONS has shown a demand for statistics for travel-to-work areas (TTWAs) as well as for local authority areas. ONS has accordingly decided to continue to produce statistics for TTWAs and is now consulting on revised boundaries.

  Investors Compensation Scheme
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received concerning the investors compensation scheme from investors who made their investments prior to the formation of the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [11907]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I receive such representations from time to time.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the qualifying conditions for a claim under the investors compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement. [11906]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The eligibility of any claim on the investors compensation scheme will depend on the individual circumstances. However, the following general conditions must be met:the claimant is a private investor;
  the investment firm must have been fully authorised before it failed;
  the claim arises out of business regulated under the Financial Services Act;
  the firm owes the investor money—through fraud or negligent dealing—or was holding shares or other investments on the investor's behalf;
  the firm cannot pay out investors' claims;
  the firm has been declared in default by the ICS.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11967]

  Mr. Darling
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 10 July 1997,Official Report, column 609.

  Financial Services Regulation
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in discussions with the Bank of England regarding the role of the registrar's department after the change in responsibility for debt management from the Bank of England to the Treasury. [11725]

  Mr. Darling
  The Treasury and the Bank have agreed that the status of the registrar's department will not be affected by other changes on debt management, and this has been announced to staff. The registrar's department will remain under Bank of England management and continue with the current programming of restructuring. The options over its future will then be reviewed in five years.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the new supervisory body for the financial sector will have responsibility for supervising(a) friendly societies, (b) credit unions and (c) cheque traders. [11731]

  Mr. Darling
  As my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary announced in a written answer on 23 July,Official Report, column 595, the new regulatory organisation will have responsibility for supervising friendly societies and credit unions. We have no plans at present to extend financial regulation to cheque traders.

  Financial Services Regulators
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received from Sir Andrew Large an implementation plan for the new financial regulatory body announced on 20 May. [12271]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I received the plan on 29 July. Copies have been placed in the Vote Office, together with copies of a letter from Sir Andrew and my reply.

  Treasury Supplement
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the amount of the Treasury supplement in each of the last 10 years; and what are the estimated figures for the next two years. [11715]

  Mr. Darling
  The Treasury supplement to the national insurance fund was abolished in 1989. From 1993, a new Treasury grant was introduced, and the level of that annual grant has been as follows:

  1993–94:£7,589 million

  1994–95:£6,280 million

  1995–96:£3,575 million

  448
  As part of his report to the Secretary of State for Social Security on the 1997 uprating and rerating orders, the Government Actuary has estimated the size of the Treasury grant needed for 1996–97 and 1997–98 to be £1,925 million and £980 million respectively.

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new advice he plans to provide to people with approved personal pension plans in respect of the amount they contribute to those plans following the abolition of advance corporation tax credits. [11653]

  Dawn Primarolo
  None.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future role of the National Audit Office in relation to auditing the Budget. [11602]

  Mr. Darling
  As part of the opening up of economic decision making, the Chancellor intends that there should be a continuing role for the National Audit Office in subsequent Budgets. Future arrangements are not yet settled.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to announce new public expenditure plans for 1999–2000 and beyond; and if he will make a statement. [11606]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  Spending plans for 1999–2000 and beyond will be announced next year after the Government have concluded the comprehensive spending review announced by the Chief Secretary on 11 June.

  Departmental Spending Limits
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if further changes to departmental spending ceilings for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 will be made; and if he will make a statement. [11607]

  Mr. Darling
  Departments are expected to live within the ceilings currently set for the next two years.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect on the public sector borrowing requirement in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 of the discrepancy between the timing of receipts and disbursements relating to the national lottery to and from the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement. [11994]

  Mr. Darling
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Low Pay
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many and what proportion of(a) full-time employees, (b) part-time employees and (c) all employees

  449
  on adult rates of pay in the south-east and Greater London as a whole and broken down by county, unitary authority and London borough, have earnings excluding overtime payments of less than (i) £3.50 an hour and (ii) £4.42 an hour; and if he will list these figures separately for men and for women; [12191]

  (2) how many and what proportion of all employees on adult rates of pay in the south-east and Greater London have earnings excluding overtime payments of less than (i) £3.50 an hour (ii) £4.42 an hour broken down by standard occupational classification and by standard industrial classification; [12192]

  (3) how many and what proportion of (a) full-time, (b) part-time and (c) all employees on adult rates of pay working in social work activities in Great Britain have earnings excluding overtime payments of less than (i) £4.26 an hour and (ii) £4.42 an hour. [12088]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Construction Workers
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to align the tax and national insurance treatment of construction workers who provide their services through an agency. [12272]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The exemption for construction workers from the agency tax rules will be removed with effect from 6 April 1998. So agencies that supply workers to the construction industry will, subject to the conditions set out in these rules, be required to operate pay-as-you-earn on payments to construction workers in the same way as other agency workers. Agencies are, of course, already obliged to account for employer and employees class 1 national insurance contributions, provided the relevant conditions are satisfied.

  Tax Law Rewrite Project
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the tax law rewrite project. [12273]
  450
  Dawn Primarolo
  I am delighted to report that the tax law rewrite project continues to make good progress. The Inland Revenue has today published the project's first exposure draft containing draft clauses. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. A number of innovative techniques have been adopted. The rewritten legislation incorporates easier to understand language, a more logical structure and shorter sentences.

  I very much support this important project, which aims to bring clarity and certainty in our direct tax legislation for businesses and individuals. Full consultation is the key to its success, and I urge everyone with an interest in tax law to take this opportunity to comment.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the refurbishment of ministerial offices in his Department; and what is the estimated cost of the works and the date of completion. [11868]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  There are no plans to refurbish any ministerial offices in the Treasury.

  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the proposal to refurbish the Treasury building in Great George street under the private finance initiative. [12274]

  Mr. Robinson
  At a time when all Departments are undertaking comprehensive spending reviews and are subject to extremely tight expenditure controls, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer was unwilling to embark on a major construction project of this scale, which would have involved substantial expenditure and significant financial risks for the other Government occupants of the building in terms of the disposal of property elsewhere. The plans to refurbish the main Treasury building under the private finance initiative represented good value for money in their own terms, but Ministers judged they had to have regard to wider considerations.

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor has therefore decided to terminate negotiations with our private sector partner, Exchequer Partnership plc.

  Securities and Investments Board
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the financial position of the Securities and Investments Board. [12326]

  Mr. Darling
  The Treasury has today laid a minute to inform the House that the Treasury has issued a non-statutory guarantee to the Securities and Investments Board for up to £8 million.

  This exceptional course is necessary to ensure that SIB is able to raise a commercial loan in order to finance work on preparation for assuming additional regulatory responsibilities after Royal Assent to the legislation announced in the Chancellor's statement of 20 May. SIB cannot use the fees that it raises under the current powers in the Financial Services Act 1986 for this purpose. The process of transition is described in more detail in my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's reply of today to my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham. In particular, the documents mentioned in that reply make it clear that SIB, and its successor, will receive no support from public funds.

  The guarantee will cover a loan sufficient for all SIB's preparation costs which can be foreseen now. This sum does not at this stage cover accommodation. The guarantee may therefore need to be extended at some point in the future, in which case I will notify Parliament of it.

  The guarantee will remain in place until SIB obtains powers under the legislation to reform the financial regulatory system, to recoup its operational costs from the industry it regulates. This power will apply to the cost of transition as well as to SIB's on-going administrative costs. It is thus likely that SIB will need the guarantee for at least two years. I will ensure that the contingent liability continues for as short a period as possible. While the liability is outstanding, Parliament will be kept informed in the usual way.

  VAT (Fuel)
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 15 July,Official Report, column 136, concerning the fine tuning of his modelling of the consequences of reducing value added tax on domestic fuel, if he will estimate the weekly benefit of the reduction, net of the consequential lower uprating of pension benefits next April, to an average (a) single pensioner, (b) pensioner couple and (c) single householder on average earnings. [9450]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 18 July 1997]: The change in the VAT rate on domestic fuel will have no impact on the real value of the basic state pension. We are committed to uprating the basic state pension at least in line with prices and will consider the uprating of benefits at the normal time and in the normal way.

  Households will on average gain £18 a year from the reduction in VAT on domestic fuel from 8 to 5 per cent.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people paid income tax in(a) 1978–79 and (b) 1997–98; and how many people
  452
  would have been paying income tax in 1997–98 if the tax regime had been indexed and maintained at 1978–79 levels. [10895]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Estimated number of taxpayers are given in the table. This comparison is hypothetical since if an indexed version of the 1978–79 tax regime had prevailed over the last 19 years the income base would not have grown in the way it has.

  Number of individuals paying tax (million)

  1978–79

  25.9

  1997–981

  24.6

  1978–79 indexed regime on

  27.4

  1997–98 income base1

  1 The effect of changes in mortgage interest relief cannot be included in this comparison because most mortgage interest relief is now given at source and therefore is not recorded on individual tax records.

  Disposable Incomes
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 23 July,Official Report, column 591, on changes in disposable income, for what reason the effects of indirect tax changes including excise duties, in the July 1997 Budget were not included in his answer. [11367]

  Mr. Geofrey Robinson
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The hon. Member asked for the percentage change in after-tax disposable income. Disposable income is generally defined in economic literature as personal income minus personal taxes, where personal taxes consist of inheritance taxes, property taxes and personal income taxes. Disposable income is that part of income which households may use in any way they wish. The amount of indirect taxes paid depends upon what individual households choose to consume—for instance, those households who choose to spend their income on cigarettes will pay more indirect tax than those who choose to spend their income on books.

  For estimates of the effects of the tax changes, including indirect taxes, announced in the Budget, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 16 July Official Report, columns 167–68.

  Public Sector Pay
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to make an announcement on Government guidelines for the next public sector pay round; and if he will make a statement. [11374]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The evidence to the pay review bodies will include evidence on economic considerations and public sector pay. We expect to publish it in the autumn.

  Income Tax (Covenants)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the amount of income tax recovered by charities or charitable covenants for the latest year available. [10766]
  453
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: Income tax repayments and payments of tax credits to charities were £755 million in 1996–97, of which around £250 million were repayments at the basic rate of tax for donations under deeds of covenant.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the percentage nominal increase in the United Kingdom's gross sterling gross national product-based contribution between the 1998 outturn EU budget and the 1996 outturn EU budget on the assumptions that(a) the adopted budget for 1998 is identical to the preliminary draft budget for 1998,(b) there is no underspending by the EC in 1997 and(c) the sterling-ecu exchange rate as at 31 December 1997 is 1.3644 ecu to £1. [11118]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the reforms made to the EU budget process since 1979; and if he will make a statement about their impact on the United Kingdom. [11233]

  Mr. Robinson
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  EU Funds (Fraud)
  Mr. Frabricant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken to eliminate fraud in the United Kingdom in respect of EU funds during the last five years; and with what results. [11237]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Personal Equity Plans
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to continue personal equity plans and tax-exempt special savings accounts beyond 1999; and if he will make a statement. [11469]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced in his Budget that a new individual savings account will be introduced in 1999. This will extend the principle of TESSAs and PEPs to encourage people, through tax reliefs, to raise the level of their long-term savings. Individuals, including PEP investors, will have the opportunity during 1999 to switch to the individual savings account, which will provide a tax-free environment for savings. Consideration is being given, in consultation with interested parties, to the scope of a tax-free environment for savings after 1999. A consultative document will be published later in the year.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of individuals who have invested in personal equity plans where the value of the 454
  investment is (a) more than £1 million, (b) between £500,000 and £999,999, (c) between £100,000 and £499,999 and (d) between £25,000 and £99,999 and if he will make a statement. [11470]

  Mr. Robinson
  This information requested is not available. PEP investors do not have to give details of the plans they hold onto their tax office; and PEP plan managers are not required to list the current value of individual plans when making their returns to the Inland Revenue.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the total effect of the tax reliefs on tax-exempt special savings accounts and personal equity plans on the aggregate level of savings in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [11471]

  Mr. Robinson
  Research suggests that most of the funds going into TESSAs do not represent new savings, with a considerable amount coming from other deposit accounts, but for PEPs there may be a somewhat greater element of new equity investment. The new individual savings accounts will be attractive to a wider range of savers. Extension to those with little or no financial savings at present should make them more effective in attracting new savings.

  Pensioners (Fuel Costs)
  Mr Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 23 July,Official Report, column 595, what effect he expects the reduction of VAT on domestic fuel to have on (a) the retail prices index increase in Septemberr 1997 and (b) the basic pension uprating in April 1998, assuming that the uprating is in line with prices and average earnings respectively. [11492]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The effect of reducing VAT on domestic fuel from 8 to 5 per cent. would be to reduce retail prices index inflation by 0.12 percentage points. The state retirement pension is uprated in April of each year by the annual RPI inflation rate for the preceding September. Uprating by the RPI reflects the changes in prices paid for goods and services; so the real value of the pension is not affected.

  Duty-Free Shopping
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's policy towards duty-free shopping in the United Kingdom. [11589]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The Government's policy is in line with international customs agreements to which the United Kingdom is a party and under which individuals travelling abroad are entitled to purchase goods duty and tax free, up to specified quantitive or monetary limits. Duty-free shopping for intra-EU travellers is due to be abolished on 30 June 1999 in line with the decision taken by the Council of Finance Ministers towards the end of 1991. Duty-free shopping will, however, continue to be available to those travelling to destinations outside the European Union.

  North Sea Oil and Gas
  Ms Walley
  ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the time scale is for reporting the findings of the joint Treasury/Inland Revenue/DTI review of the North sea taxation regime announced in the Budget. [11519]
  455
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 28 July 1997,Official Report, column 15.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the last review of the North sea taxation regime was carried out; and if he will make a statement. [11520]

  Mr. Robinson
  That is a matter for the previous Government. The last time that a significant set of changes were made to the North sea fiscal regime was in March 1993.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to consult independent organisations in the review of North sea taxation announced in the Budget. [11522]

  Mr. Robinson
  Interested parties are being given an opportunity to put forward their views. Officials have written to a number of representative bodies to that end.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what ways he plans to consult the offshore oil and gas industry during the current review of the North sea taxation regime. [11521]

  Mr. Robinson
  Interested parties are being given the opportunity to put forward their views. Officials have written to a number of representative bodies to that end.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which companies or individuals have contributed their views to the review of North sea taxation announced in the Budget. [11523]

  Mr. Robinson
  The review was announced on 2 July, some four weeks ago. I understand that no interested parties have chosen to make their detailed views known as yet.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which individuals or companies are being asked to contribute expert studies to the current review of North sea taxation. [11524]

  Mr. Robinson
  Interested parties are being given the opportunity to put forward their views. Officials have written to a number of representative bodies to that end. We have also asked the advice of an academic on certain specific issues. The review will take the views of commentators into consideration.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to consider the environmental implications of any changes to the North sea taxation regime as part of the review announced in the Budget. [11525]

  Mr. Robinson
  As has been made clear on numerous occasions, concern for the environment is at the heart of all Government policy making.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the need for funding to assist small businesses in respect of equity gaps. [11788]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The Government fully recognise the need for small firms to be able to obtain appropriate forms of finance. In the Budget, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced plans to sharpen the 456
  focus of the venture capital trust scheme and keep it under review to ensure that it remained properly targeted, while encouraging and rewarding risk taking by individuals.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the advantages of introducing tax incentives to encourage business to corporate venturing in relation to the provision of funding for capital high-technology and other small business projects. [11819]

  Mr. Robinson
  There is no clear evidence of a market failure in respect of corporate venturing by businesses. Nor is it certain that any market failure could be properly addressed by offering a tax incentive. But the Government recognise the importance of the small business sector, particularly high-technology businesses, and are determined to pursue policies which create a climate in which enterprise can flourish.

  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response the Treasury has made to the Bank of England's October 1996 report on the financing of technology-based small firms. [12238]

  Mr. Robinson
  The Government agree with a number of recommedations in the Bank of England's report and are reviewing the loan guarantee scheme with a view to improving access for new high-technology start-up firms, within the existing resources of the scheme.

  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to amend the enterprise initiative scheme and venture capital trust schemes to improve the availability of start-up and second-round funding for smaller businesses. [12236]

  Mr. Robinson
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor recognises the progress the EIS and VCT schemes have made in raising investment for early stage and expending businesses. In his Budget, the Chancellor announced plans to sharpen the focus of the EIS and VCT schemes and intends to keep both schemes under review to ensure they remain properly targeted, while encouraging and rewarding risk taking by individuals.

  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to encourage the provision of equity for start-ups in the small business sector and for high-technology small ventures. [12235]

  Mr. Robinson
  The Government fully recognise the need for small firms to be able to obtain appropriate forms of finance. We are currently reviewing the loan guarantee scheme to improve access for new high-technology start-up firms, within the existing resources of the scheme.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within his Department. [11533]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The Treasury has not set any waste minimisation targets but intends to do so in August 1997.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department. [11532]

  Mr. Robinson
  The Treasury intends to have a waste minimisation strategy in place by August 1997.
  457
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years. [11534]

  Mr. Robinson
  The Treasury introduced a white paper recycling scheme in 1993. This scheme was extended to include newspapers in 1996 and the amounts recycled are as follows:

  Financial year

  Kg

  White paper

  1993–94

  7,230

  1994–95

  9,680

  1995–96

  5,490

  1996–97

  5,600

  Newspapers

  1996–97

  2,400

  It is not possible to determine the proportion of total waste that this represents.

  Tax and Benefits System
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the members of the committee reviewing the tax and benefits system headed by Mr. Martin Taylor. [11124]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The task force headed by Martin Taylor is comprised of senior officials from HM Treasury, the Inland Revenue, the Department of Social Security and the Department for Education and Employment. The review will draw on other Departments as necessary.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements are being made to encourage external submissions to the review on the tax and benefit system headed by Mr. Martin Taylor. [11126]

  Mr. Robinson
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: External submissions are welcome from all sources, and a number have already been received.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the review of the tax and benefit system headed by Mr. Martin Taylor to be published. [11110]

  Mr. Robinson
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: I expect Martin Taylor's project to last about a year.

  Auctioneers
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the imposition of value added tax at 17.5 per cent. on(a) auctioneers' services and (b) imported works of art and antiques; and if he will make a statement. [11584]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Goods imported into the UK normally bear VAT at the standard rate 17.5 per cent. Under the terms of a derogation from the sixth VAT directive, as amended by the seventh VAT directive, certain works of art, antiques and collectors' pieces are eligible until 30 June 1999 for an effective rate of VAT at importation of 2.5 per cent. After that date, the UK should increase the VAT rate to at least the normal minimum reduced rate of 5 per cent.
  458
  Supplies of auctioneers' services to persons in the UK are normally liable to VAT at the standard rate of 17.5 per cent. Special arrangements apply when auctioneers' services are supplied in respect of certain works of art and so on held under temporary importation conditions and eligible for the effective rate of VAT of 2.5 per cent. on permanent importation. In these cases all auctioneers' services are taxed at the same effect rate of VAT as the goods themselves, though this is currently the subject of challenge by the European Commission.

  Investors Compensation Scheme
  Öpik
  To ask the chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to allow claims to be made under the investors compensation scheme where the initial investment predates the formation of the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [11908]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mrs.May
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the responsibilities of(a) Her Majesty's Treasury and (b) the Bank of England regarding work on EMU and the single currency. [11726]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  HM Treasury is the Department responsible for Government policy regarding economic and monetary union. On 24 July, HM Treasury published a booklet to inform businesses about the practical implications of EMU, which will arise whether or not the United Kingdom joins the single currency. The Treasury has also recently announced the establishment of an advisory group of private sector representatives to provide a two-way exchange between the Government and business about the practical effects of EMU.

  The Bank of England participates fully in the work of the European Monetary Institute. The Governor is a member of the Council of the EMI. The Bank of England will continue to be responsible for co-ordinating preparations in the financial sector, especially the wholesale financial markets which will need to be able to use the euro whether or not the United Kingdom joins the single currency.

  Government Expenditure
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a breakdown of general Government consumption between spending programmes in cash. [11639]

  Mr. Darling
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the rebate for contracting out of SERPs was calculated by the Government Actuary on the basis of prospective investment yields after tax; [11651]
  459
  (2) if he will take action against those providers of approved personal pensions who fail to review whether personal pension holders should opt back into the state earnings-related pensions scheme following the abolition of advance corporation tax credits; [11601]

  (3) what estimate was made in the Budget forecasts of the number of people who will opt back into the state earnings-related pensions scheme as a result of the abolition of advance corporation tax credits; [11652]

  (4) what estimate he has made of the revenue impact over the next five years from people opting back into state earnings-related pensions scheme following the abolition of advance corporation tax credits. [11654]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  It is too early to assess the overall effects of the Budget tax changes on pension funds.

  Offshore Trusts
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the tax advantages which exist under pre-March 1991 overseas trusts. [11645]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The Chancellor announced in his Budget a wide-ranging review of all areas of tax avoidance.

  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of corporation tax revenue which is lost from the use of Channel Island trusts by British companies for executive incentive programmes in the last financial year. [11646]

  Mr. Robinson
  There are no special corporation tax allowances or exemptions for British companies which remunerate their executives through incentive programmes, whether or not such programmes involve the use of Channel Islands trusts.

  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to discourage the placing by British companies of shares related to executive incentive schemes in offshore trusts. [11647]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess.I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Warrington Valuation Office
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) by how much income exceeded expenditure at Warrington valuation office in 1996–97; [11592]

  (2) if the Warrington valuation office has sufficient surplus capacity to accommodate staff and files transferred from Bolton; [11593]

  (3) how long he estimates it will take for Warrington valuation office to generate enough surplus income to cover the estimated costs of refurbishment. [11594]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess.I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the displacement rate resulting from private sector substitution involving employees subsidised through his welfare-to-work proposals; what estimate he has made of the deadweight costs involved in such proposals; and if he will make a statement; [11604]

  (2) if he will estimate the welfare benefit and other savings resulting from the welfare-to-work proposals in his Budget for (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [11603]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a breakdown of the total expenditure on the new deal for young people for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99, to show expenditure on (i) payments to employers, (ii) payments to trainers, (iii) payments to new deal clients, (iv) administration costs and (v) other costs; and if he will make a statement. [11605]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Diesel
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many litres of(a) ultra-low-sulphur diesel and(b) normal diesel fuel were sold in each of the last five years. [12227]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The total amount of diesel released for consumption in the last five years was:

  Million litres

  1992–93

  13,260

  1993–94

  14,170

  1994–95

  15,529

  1995–96

  16,479

  1996–97

  17,303

  Separate figures for ultra-low-sulphur diesel and normal diesel fuel are not available.

DEFENCE

  Ships Support Agency
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Royal Navy's Ships Support Agency for 1997–98. [12460]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ships Support Agency was launched as an agency in December 1996. It is responsible for directing in-service support of surface ships and submarines and their equipments; for ensuring that proper consideration is given to support issues and marine engineering design requirements in the procurement of
  461
  new naval platforms; and for the ownership and management of the naval stores inventory, except for fuel and food.

  The Ships Support Agency has developed a comprehensive set of performance indicators in conjunction with its owners and customers. These include measures to monitor the quality, timeliness and efficiency of the agency's outputs. The targets which have been agreed, for the period up to March 1998, are:

  Performance indicator

  Targets

  Materially available vessel days (MAVDs)

  62 per cent.

  1. To provide the Royal Navy with the agreed percentage of materially available vessel days

  Pounds per MAVD

  £55.5K per MVAD

  2. To provide the agreed Fleet availability cost-effectively.

  To introduce a refined pounds per MAVD performance indicator

  March 1998

  3. To introduce a refined pounds per MAVD performance indicator to provide a more robust measurement of the SSA's efficiency

  Upkeep period timeliness

  +5 per cent.

  4. To deliver upkeep periods within specified tolerances of the agreed programme.

  Upkeep period costs

  +/-4 per cent.

  5. To contain the cost of programmed upkeep periods within tolerance of the predicted costs.

  Upkeep material performance

  March 1998

  6. To introduce a performance indicator to quantify material state at the conclusion of upkeep periods. Progress report.

  Fleet time material performance

  4

  7. To limit the average number of outstanding Operational Defects per vessel in Fleet Time.

  8. To introduce a performance indicator based on the percentage of Fleet Time that vessels are unable for material reasons to carry out their programmed task.

  March 1998

  Efficient stockholding

  2.5:1

  9. To improve stockholding to issue ratio.

  Resource accounting

  10. To ensure the implementation of the MoD accruals accounting system within the Agency. progress report.

  March 1998

  Through life costs

  March 1998

  11. To create an effective Through Life Cost model.

  Private sector involvement

  March 1998

  12. To complete a review of the options for further Private Sector Involvement in the support of vessels, equipments and weapons. Progress report.

  Defence Intelligence and Security Center
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre for 1997–98. [12207]

  Mr. Spellar
  The role of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre is to train the armed forces and other intelligence agencies in intelligence and security disciplines and conduct after capture; to contribute to effective and timely advice to the armed forces on appropriate intelligence and security matters; and to maintain an operation capability. The key performance targets are set for the agency for the 12 months from April 1997 are:

  Key target 1:
  To meet 100 per cent. of operational tasking to performance standards agreed with the Director General and Intelligence Geographic Resources—DGIGR—and to the satisfaction of "customers", in accordance with priorities laid down by, or through, Director Intelligence Commitments, and within agreed resources.

  Key target 2:
  To make available to "customers" 3,483 training days and, where possible, to meet surge requirements within agreed resources.

  Key target 3:
  To produce by 31 March 1998 a plan to introduce a systems approach to training to DISC courses from 1 April 1998 onwards.

  Key target 4:

  (a) To complete the rationalisation and collocation of DISC in accordance with the timetable, subject to the satisfactory performance of contractors and other external staff.

  (b) To deliver the required output as expressed in the "Aim, Objectives and Key Targets", within agreed resources.

  Key target 5:
  To achieve a 2.5 per cent. improvement in efficiency within the 1997–98 operating costs budget, in addition to the savings from collocation.

  Military Survey Defence Agency
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Military Survey Defence Agency for 1997–98. [12209]

  Mr. Spellar
  The role of Military Survey Defence Agency is to ensure the provision of geographic support to defence operations, planning and training. The key targets set for the agency for the 12 months from April 1997 are:

  Key target 1:
  To satisfy 100 per cent. of requirements for operations on time from within the agency's capabilities and resources.

  Key target 2:
  To maintain the operational readiness of the field support elements of the agency to the Army standard known as "substantially effective".

  Key target 3:
  To achieve the agreed work programme on time, to cost and to deliver 457 discrete products.

  Key target 4:
  To meet milestones agreed by the operational sponsors for the Military Survey digital geographic information system.
  463
  Key target 5:
  To meet agreed milestones in a wider Defence intelligence "Competing for Quality" project, embracing the agency's non-core IT, media and print support.

  Key target 6:
  To achieve a 2.5 per cent. improvement in efficiency above the 1996–97 baseline.

  Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre
  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre fo1997–98. [12216]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre exploits analyses and exploits imagery from all available sources and produces intelligence products and services to meet central MOD and operational command requirements. The targets set for the 12 months from April 1997 are:

  Key target 1:
  To respond to all operational tasks, which might involve the detachment of up to 22 service personnel. Tasks are to be met within agreed timescales as follows:

  98 per cent. of priority 1 tasks

  90 per cent. of priority 2 tasks

  85 per cent. of priority 3 tasks

  Key target 2:
  Subject to achieving key target 1, the agency's programme of work, including standing intelligence requirements and support to contingency planning, will be met within agreed timescales as follows:

  90 per cent. of priority 2 tasks

  85 per cent. of priority 3 tasks

  75 per cent. of priority 4 tasks

  70 per cent. of priority 5 tasks

  Key target 3:
  In conjunction with the Defence Analytical Services Agency, to establish a baseline for measuring customer satisfaction by October 1997, and to improve the quality of customer service by March 1998.

  Key target 4:
  To achieve a 2.5 per cent. improvement in efficiency.

  Key target 5:
  To ensure the upgrade of JARIC's technical capabilities meets its planned operating capability by March 1998.

  Key target 6:
  To conduct trials and studies to support the procurement of reconnaissance systems in response to MOD agreed tasking, meeting time and quality requirements within agreed resources.

  Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency for 1997–98. [12325]

  Dr. Reid
  The chief executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency has been set the following key targets for 1997–98:

  1. To achieve 80 per cent. demand satisfaction on presentation.

  2. To obtain the works brief so that laboratories and workshops can be collocated by September 1999.

  3. To complete a review of the scope for further private sector involvement.

  464
  These key targets take forward the work of the previous year's targets in the context of the agency's continuing collocation and restructuring plans. Collocation of the agency will ensure the agency remains in a position to benefit from opportunities for further rationalisation and provide the scope to reform activities which are essential to the achievement of the agency' s corporate and business plans. Given all the other pressures on the agency, particularly downward financial pressure, I believe they are challenging but achievable. I have previously arranged for copies of the agency's framework document to be placed in the Library of both Houses and the annual report and accounts for 1996–97 have also been so placed.

  Defence Animal Centre
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Animal Centre for 1997–98. [12318]

  Dr. Reid
  The chief executive has been set the following key targets for 1997–1998:

  1. Meet 100 per cent. of the requirements for trained military personnel and trained military working animals for operations;

  2. Meet 95 per cent. of customer satisfaction for trained output quality;

  3. Meet 95 per cent. of customer satisfaction in terms of trained output;

  4. Meet 95 per cent. of customer satisfaction in timeliness of delivery;

  5. To reduce net full costs as shown in the accruals accounts by 2.5 per cent.;

  6. Meet course specific success rates for military working animals greater than or equal to 95 per cent.;

  7. Meet training success rate for personnel greater than or equal to 90 per cent.;

  8. To complete the planned stages of the investors in people action plan;

  9. To explore all private finance initiative options for rebuilding administrative and single person accommodation.

  RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency for 1997–98. [12324]

  Mr. Spellar
  The RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency's key targets for 1997–98 are:To achieve at least 98 per cent. of the aerosystems maintenance task to standard and on time.
  To keep within the agency's allocated budget.
  To achieve the efficiency targets specified in the logistics command management plan.
  To complete the comprehensive rationalisation of functions within the agency by:
  relocating the ground ratio servicing centre from RAF North Luffenham to RAF Sealand by 31 December 1997.
  withdrawal from RAF North Luffenham by 31 March 1998.
  To achieve the civilianisation programme at the RAF MGDA units.
  To implement the delegation of specified civilian personnel management functions to RAF St. Athan, RAF Sealand and RAF Stafford by 31 March 1998.
  To continue the certification of Units with the agency to the IS09000 standard by:

  465
  achieving second or third party IS09002 re-certification of the Royal Air Force armament support unit (RAFASUPU) by 1 November 1997.
  achieving third party IS09001 certification for RAF Stafford by 27 July 1997.
  To develop and implement continual customer satisfaction measurement by 31 March 1998.

  Defence Analytical Services Agency
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the review of the Defence Analytical Services Agency has commenced. [12458]

  Dr. Reid
  A periodic review of the Defence Analytical Services Agency is under way. As a defence agency, the performance of DASA since its launch will be evaluated and a review of the options for the best management of its functions will be undertaken.

  Comments and contributions from those with an interest in DASA and its work will be welcomed and should be sent by 30 September 1997 to:

  DASA Review Team

  Project Manager

  Room 119

  Northumberland House

  London

  WC2N 5BP

  Telephone: 0171 218 0339

  Fax: 0171 218 5203.

  Defence Bills Agency
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Bills Agency for 1997–98. [12459]

  Mr. Spellar
  Targets have been set for the chief executive of the Defence Bills Agency for financial year 1997–98 in accordance with the agency's overall aim of meeting the requirements of its service level agreement with the Ministry of Defence fully, efficiently and in a manner which offers best value for money. The chief executive's key targets build on the already high standards of service provided by the agency since its formation in January 1996 and are as follows:

  1. To pay 97 per cent. of correctly-presented bills within 11 working days of receipt and 100 per cent. within 30 days.

  2. To raise 100 per cent. of invoices within five working days of receipt of correctly-presented instruction.

  3. To obtain investors in people accreditation by 30 September 1997.

  4. To meet the performance criteria laid down in the service level agreement

  5. To deliver the service contracted for in the service level agreement at the agreed price.

  Wessex Helicopter Replacement
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the replacement of the service currently provided by the Wessex helicopters of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron. [12473]

  Mr. Spellar
  The two Wessex aircraft used by No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron are nearly 30 years old and are becoming increasingly costly to maintain and operate. At 466
  the request of the royal household, we will therefore shortly issue invitations to tender to UK helicopter operators to provide a service based on a single helicopter. The cost of the new service will be met by the royal household from the royal travel grant in aid and should provide significant savings.

  Future Large Aircraft
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current status of the future large aircraft programme. [9979]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The importance of an air transport capability in the new strategic environment has been demonstrated in numerous recent operations such as the Gulf conflict and Bosnia.

  My Department has been closely involved in discussions with European partners on the future large aircraft programme, which is a potential solution to our future air transport requirements. I have now decided that the UK should join partners in issuing a request for proposals to Airbus Military Company for the future large aircraft, and formally endorse the European staff requirement and statement of principles governing the commercial management of the programme.

  The programme offers an important opportunity for European industry. The Government believe, however, that there is a need to maintain competitive pressure to ensure best value for money. We shall, therefore, be encouraging our partners to join us in seeking bids from other aircraft manufacturers.

  We expect the replacement aircraft to come into service early next century. Precise costs for each aircraft will be provided in response to our request for proposals.

  Gordon Foxley
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about negotiations with the companies involved in the payment of commissions to Gordon Foxley relating to defence companies. [7090]

  Mr. Spellar
  [pursuant to his answer, 3 July 1997, c. 257]: and following the announcement made by the then Minister of State for Defence Procurement on 13 June 1996, Official Report, column 248, concerning settlement with Raufoss AS: A satisfactory settlement has now been concluded with the second of the three companies concerned, Junghans GmbH of Germany, under which the company will pay an agreed sum in redress to my Department, including interest and a contribution to costs for payments made contrary to contractual conditions. A statement of contribution by the company, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, forms part of the agreement with the Ministry of Defence. We have decided that in the light of this agreement the company will become eligible to be considered for Ministry of Defence orders, although normal commercial relations will not be resumed for some months. Discussions are continuing with the successor companies to Fratelli Borletti SpA, the third company involved in the Foxley case, against whom proceedings are still in train.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of employees in his private office are(a) of Asian origin and (b) of Afro-Caribbean origin. [8964]

  Mr. Spellar
  Data on the ethnic origin of civilian staff are collected on a self declaration, confidential basis. Under my Department's code of practice on ethnicity data relating to civilian staff, we do not give information if numbers in statistical summaries are so small that it would be easy to identify the individualoncerned.

  The number of staff in private office who have declared themselves as of Asian origin is fewer than five and is not therefore given. The number of staff who have declared themselves as of Afro-Caribbean origin is five which is 10 per cent. of the current total numbers of civilian and service staff.

  Hawk Aircraft (Indonesia)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he undertook with(a) the Foreign Secretary and(b)he President of the Board of Trade before the decision was made to allow further sales of Hawk jets to Indonesia. [10366]

  Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry on 11 July 1997,Official Report, columns646–47.

  Services Museums
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the services museums indicating the financial contribution to each from his Department in the latest year for which figures are available; [10753]

  (2) what action he will take following the publication of the report "The Way Ahead" on services museums. [10751]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House. I shall also provide additional information on the funding and location of museums across all three services which, for completeness, should have been included in the Minister for the Armed Forces' answers to him of 29 July 1997,Official Report, columns 178–79.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [10739]

  Mr. Spellar
  Employees on the payroll of the Ministry of Defence are either civil servants or members of the armed forces.
  468
  Civil Service

  For civil servants the Pay and Personnel Agency carries out the following functions related to the department's payroll responsibilities. The associated management systems and costs are also shown.

  Function

  Management systems

  Costs of the systems/processes in 1996–97 £ million

  Civil Service non-industrial pay

  On-line validation and error reporting—known as "OLIVER"

  5.59

  Civil Service industrial pay

  The Defence Industrial Pay Systems(DIPS)

  5.82

  Pensions administration

  Financial Information System—known as
  "FIS"

  2.97

  Expenses management and processing

  Computerised payment and authorising of civilian travel—"COMPACT"

  1.54

  Personnel IT support

  Civilian Personnel Management Information System—CIPMIS

  0.62

  There are no co-operative arrangements with other Departments although the agency does provide some payroll associated services to other Government Departments and agencies on a recoverable costs basis.

  There is no sub-contractor involvement with the systems and processes associated with civilian payroll as the bulk are bespoke systems designed, maintained and operated in-house. However, the management system use for pensions administration is provided by Chessington Computer Services Ltd., which is contracted by the Cabinet Office under the central arrangements for the principal civil service pension scheme. Similarly the agency maintains a civilian staff personnel information system as a complementary service to the MOD and this uses a contractor—CAP Gemini—to provide IT operations and support.

  Armed Forces

  For members of the armed forces, the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency—AFPAA—formed on 1 April 1997, is responsible for the following tri-service payroll functions:
  Payment of regular, reserve and volunteer reserve military personnel including associated allowances.
  Payment of terminal grants, special capital payments and resettlement commutation.
  Payment of family maintenance grants.
  Pensions administration.

  A number of mostly bespoke management systems provide the listed functions but a separate, commercial, package has been purchased to administer RAF reserves pay.

  There are no co-operative arrangements with other Government Departments for armed forces payroll. However, normal administrative arrangements exist with external organisations such as DSS, CSA, HMIT and the Inland Revenue.
  469
  Sub-contractors who are employed by—AFPAA—and provide support to payroll systems are; QVF, Grist, CSS Trident, Lorien and Parity Solutions Ltd.

  As military personnel administration and payroll functions utilise the same IT infrastructure and systems, it is not possible to identify separately those costs specifically attributable to payroll. However, indicative costs for providing payroll and pensions services to the armed forces are;

  Navy £10.13 million

  Army £11.69 million

  RAF £9.81 million

  AFPAA is currently engaged in the procurement of a partner from the private sector, through the private finance initiative, to deliver most of the agency's services. The contractor will be required to deliver a harmonised tri-service pay system by 1 April 2000."

  HMS Tiger
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what type of Royal Navy vessels have carried the designation HMS Tiger; and what was the role of each vessel. [11959]

  Mr. Spellar
  There have been 12 ships of war built since the 15th century that have borne the name "Tiger".

  Type

  Built/commissioned

  22 Gun ship

  1546

  Discovery vessel

  1613

  32 Gun ship

  1647

  48 Gun ship

  1678

  50 Gun ship

  1743

  60 Gun ship

  1747

  4 Gun ship

  1794

  12 Gun ship

  1805

  Sloop

  1849

  Destroyer

  1900

  Battlecruiser

  1913

  Cruiser

  1942

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within hisDepartment; [11560]

  (2) what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department; [11559]

  (3) if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years. [11561]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the nuclear accident response organisation was set up; and how many units within his Department report to it. [11828]

  Mr. Spellar
  A nuclear accident response capability has been in existence since the 1950s, when my Department began to use nuclear material. This capability 470
  has been developed over time into what is now known as the MOD Nuclear Accident Response Organisation. This organisation would draw on skills from a range of units across the armed forces and the MOD.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department plans to hold the next exercise to test procedures for dealing with accidents involving nuclear weapons on British territory; where this exercise will be held; and what is the title of this exercise. [11947]

  Mr Spellar
  Thenext exercise—Exercise Senator 97—to test procedures in the event of an accident involving nuclear weapons on British territory, will be held between 22 and 26 September 1997 in conjunction with the authorities in Lincolnshire. Details of the exercise will be sent in the normal way to the hon. Members in whose constituencies the exercise will occur.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make public reports of exercises held to test his Department's procedures for dealing with an accident involving nuclear weapons on British territory [11946]

  Mr. Spellar
  The reports of exercises held to test the Department's procedures for dealing with an accident involving nuclear weapons are classified or management in confidence documents. Making these reports public could affect the candour with which participants comment on experience and undermine the value of the exercises. We are considering, in consultation with all participating agencies, whether a summary of exercise activities should be publicly available on request.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the members of the nuclear weapons safety committee, indicating the Government Departments and organisations they represent. [11948]

  Mr. Spellar
  The members of the nuclear weapon safety committee are as follows:

  Professor Sir John Cadogan CBE FRSE HON FEng FRS (Chairman)

  Professor R.J. Berry RD FRCP FRCR FFOM

  Professor R.H. Clarke

  Mr. H.J. Dunster CB

  Dr. B. Edmondson

  Dr. B.L. Eyre CBE FEng

  Mr. D.C. Fakley OBE

  Professor J. E. Field OBE FRS

  Rear Admiral J. S. Grove CB OBE RN Retired

  Sir John Hill FEng FRS

  Mr. P.G.E.F. Jones CB

  Dr. F.H. Panton CBE

  Members are invited to serve on the committee in their own right as acknowledged experts in the nuclear field. As such, they do not represent any particular organisations or Government Departments. They are assisted by officials from my Department who also attend meetings as and when necessary.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines for service personnel he has drawn up on how to fight fires involving nuclear weapons; when the latest version of these were issued; and how many versions have been issued since 1967. [11958]
  471
  Mr. Spellar
  Instructions to service personnel on fighting fires involving nuclear weapons are contained in various service publications, which are updated as necessary. The key principles in these instructions are the same as the guidelines issued to civilian fire service personnel in the "local authority and emergency service information on nuclear weapon transport contingency plans"—the LAESI document a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many exercises have been held since January 1996 to test his Department's procedures for dealing with an accident involving nuclear weapons on British territory; what were the names of these exercises; and where and when they were held. [11884]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following medium and major nuclear weapon accident exercises have been held since January 1996:

  align="center">Nuclear weapon accident exercises since January 1996

  Date

  Name

  Location

  February 1996

  Running Fox

  Hampshire

  April 1996

  1Standardisation

  Wiltshire

  May 1996

  Senator 96

  Northumberland

  June 1996

  Running Fox

  Hampshire

  September 1996

  Bowline

  Argyll and Bute

  October 1996

  1Standardisation

  Oxfordshire

  October 1996

  1Standardisation

  Suffolk

  November 1996

  1Standardisation

  South Glamorgan

  March 1997

  1Standardisation

  Norfolk

  April 1997

  1Standardisation

  Wiltshire

  June 1997

  1Standardisation

  West Yorkshire

  1 Standardisation exercises test the RAF immediate response force teams for the transportation of nuclear weapons.

  Information regarding minor exercises, organised at unit level is not held centrally.

  Meteorological Experiments
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will open for public inspection at the Public Record Office the file with the classmark AIR 2/17902 relating to meteorological experiments. [11956]

  Mr. Spellar
  In line with our commitment to greater openness, arrangements are being made to review AIR 2/17902 ahead of its scheduled review date. Companion files, AIR 2/17903 and 17904, will also be examined at the same time. I will write to the hon. Member on completion of the review process and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  10 Squadron (Cargo)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the nature of the material which was transported from RAF Brize Norton to Dover Air Force base in the United States of America by 10 Squadron on(a) 10 February, (b) 12 May and (c) 16 May; from which establishment this material originated; what was the ultimate destination of the material; and under which defence agreement this material was transferred. [11957]
  472
  Mr. Spellar
  I am withholding the information requested under exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to Government information relating to defence, security and international relations.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the refurbishment of ministerial offices in his Department; and what is the estimated cost of the works and date of completion. [11871]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Air Force Bases (Germany)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Royal Air Force began operating from its bases at Laarbruch and Bruggen in Germany; and what use is currently made of the bases by the Royal Air Force. [11857]

  Mr. Spellar
  RAF Laarbruch commenced operations in November 1954. Currently, the station is the main operating base for Numbers 3 and 4 squadrons, equipped with Harrier GR7 aircraft, and Numbers 1 (Field) and 26 (Rapier) squadrons, RAF regiment. RAF Bruggen commenced operations in July 1953. Currently, the station is the main operating base for Numbers 9, 14, 17 and 31 squadrons, equipped with Tornado GR1 aircraft, and Number 37 squadron RAF regiment.

  RAF Menwith Hill
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department received a copy of the report carried out by a United States department inspector general into breaches of security at RAF Menwith Hill in 1993. [11853]

  Mr. Spellar
  The inspector general's office is an auditing body with no locus in security matters. However, there is a regular dialogue between my Department and the US authorities concerning security at RAF Menwith Hill and I am aware that an internal US review was carried out in 1993.

  Military Assistance
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the review of the practice of withholding details of military assistance to other countries is expected to be completed. [11964]

  Mr. Spellar
  Work on the review is continuing. I expect to make an announcement to the House soon after Parliament returns in the autumn.

  WE-177 Bomb
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the WE-177 bomb is expected to be withdrawn from service; and which types of WE-177 have been in service and on what dates. [11954]

  Mr. Spellar
  The WE-177 type B bomb entered service on 1966. The type A and type C variants entered service in 1969 and 1973 respectively. The last of these weapons will be withdrawn, as previously announced, on 31 March 1998.

  AWE Aldermaston Newsletter
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how often the newsletter at the atomic weapons establishment, Aldermaston is produced; when the newsletter was first produced; and what is the current security classification. [11965]

  Mr. Spellar
  An internal newsletter has been produced at the atomic weapons establishment since November 1953. It is issued six times a year and is unclassified. A recent additional innovation is an occasional magazine, "AWE Community Link", which is distributed to some 10,000 households in the locality.

  Defence Employment
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the figures for military personnel employed in 1996 by local authority area. [11576]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Defence Analytical Services Agency and I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Paul Altobell to Sir George Young, dated 31 July 1997:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence requesting publication of "figures for military personnel employed in 1996 by local authority area" since this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of Defence Analytical Services Agency.
  This information is published annually by Defence Analytical Services Agency in our tri-service personnel series under the title "UK Regular Forces" strengths in the United Kingdom by local authority area.
  The latest version covers the deployment of Armed Forces as at 1 July 1996. Copies of this return are available from the House of Commons library.
  I hope you find the information useful.

  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for each region the number of employees in defence industries for the financial year 1995–96. [11579]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is not available precisely in the form requested. However, table 1.12 of the 1997 edition of "UK Defence Statistics", published on 29 July, gives the provisional estimated UK regional employment directly dependent on defence equipment expenditure, that is to say those working directly for defence contractors. A copy of "UK Defence Statistics 1997" has been placed in the Library of the House.

  British Prisoners of War (Salary Payments)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy in respect of the payment of salaries to British officers held as prisoners of war in future conflicts. [11723]

  Mr. Spellar
  British officers who are taken prisoner of war in any future conflict will continue to receive their pay unless the Defence Council or an officer authorised by them is satisfied:

  (a) that they were made prisoners through their own disobedience to orders or wilful neglect of duty;

  (b) that having been made prisoners they failed to take any reasonable steps available to them to rejoin Her Majesty's service;

  474

  (c) that having been made prisoners they served with, or aided, the enemy in the prosecution of hostilities or measures calculated to influence morale or in any other manner whatsoever not authorised by international usage.

  (d) That they were in receipt of pay advanced by the detaining power.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy towards the payment of salary to officers from the armed forces who were held as prisoners of war during the Gulf conflict. [11722]

  Mr. Spellar
  British officers who were taken prisoner during the Gulf conflict continued to receive their pay for the few weeks they were held captive.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 25 July,Official Report, column 785, on land mines, when his officials first learnt that all British anti-personnel land mines had not been taken up following conflicts in the Falkland Islands and the Gulf. [11611]

  Mr. Spellar
  Officials in my Department have been aware since the clearance of British minefields in the Falkland Islands in August 1986 that one British anti-personnel land mine could not be located.

  The officials responsible for providing my right hon. Friend with advice on this subject were informed on 10 July 1997 by those responsible for laying the anti-personnel land mines in Iraq that not all have been recovered.

  Officers
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving officers hold the ranks of(a) field marshal, (b) general, (c) lieutenant general and (d) major general or their equivalents in the (i) Army, (ii) Royal Air Force, (iii) Navy and (iv) Royal Marines; how many and what percentage of each category attended fee-paying private schools; what steps are being taken to ensure that future officer intakes reflect the educational provision of the UK; and if he will make a statement. [12006]

  Mr. Spellar
  My hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and(c) 1999–2000 to resolve the 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11900]

  Mr. Spellar
  In accordance with guidelines issued by the Cabinet Office and the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency Year 2000 Public Sector Group, my Department is examining its computer systems to determine their susceptibility, if any, to the year 2000 problem and to produce plans for the necessary modifications. The estimated costs of these modifications will not be available until later this year. My Department
  475
  has also stressed the importance of this issue to industry. For all new procurements, the Department is insisting year 2000 compliance as a condition of contract.

  Document AIR 2/16918
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department withdrew AIR 2/16918 from the Public Record Office; which offices within his Department consulted the document; on what date the document was received from and returned to the Public Record Office; and if he will make a statement. [12239]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment of the medical effects of the CS gas solvent, methyl isobutyl ketone has been made by officials of his Department since 1990; how many published or internal reports have been written on this subject by his Department's medical officers since 1990; and how many of these reports are currently unclassified. [12176]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Abbeywood
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in respect of Abbeywood(a) the number of part-time and full-time employees, (b) the totals of (i) wages and salaries, (ii) national insurance and (iii) pensions in respect of each category, (c) the totals of (1) travel costs and (2) housing costs in respect of all employees at Abbeywood and (d) all expenditure on Abbeywood broken down by category in 1996–97; and what was the total of expenditure listed in (d) as a percentage of that year's total Ministry of Defence outturn. [11597]

  Mr. Spellar
  The major occupier of the Abbeywood site is the Procurement Executive with 3,999 full-time and 74 part-time employees. Sharing the site is the Ships Support Agency with 754 full-time and 12 part-time employees.

  Costs related to the specific categories requested are not readily available and will require further investigation. I will write to the hon. Member with further information when it is available and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the biological detection system vehicles operated by the 1 field laboratory unit during the Gulf war(a) arrived at their destination with scientific equipment damaged and (b) were repaired to full operational capability by the end of the conflict; and if he will make a statement; [11879]
  476
  (2) in what form were samples collected by the Sandfly air sampling system on each of the nine vehicles of the 1 field laboratory unit in the Gulf war (a) recorded and (b) stored; and where those samples and records are currently kept. [11596]

  Dr. Reid
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all papers prepared by Dr. Coker for his Department's Gulf war illness inquiries; and if he will place in the Library copies of all reports [12018]

  Mr. Spellar
  Group Captain Coker published a paper on the results from the first 284 patients seen by the MoD's medical assessment programme—MAP—in the summer 1996 edition of the Journal of the Royal Naval Medical Service—"A Review of Gulf War Illness".—I have arranged for a copy of this paper to be placed in the Library of the House.

  In late 1996, the group captain prepared the first draft of a paper concerning the results from some 500 MAP patients. However, in the event work on this draft paper was never completed.

  Doctors at the MAP have now seen 1,520 patients and the Government have undertaken to publish detailed results form the programme later this year. Group Captain Coker will be closely involved with this work, which will supersede his earlier draft paper.

  Hadleigh
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department has closed its site on the outskirts of Hadleigh in Suffolk; when this site was first opened by the Ministry of Defence; and what was its function. [12103]

  Mr. Spellar
  The reasons for closing ammunition compound Hadleigh were, as the site is in close proximity to residential development, the explosive licences issued were so restrictive and therefore the full range of ammunition required by units based in East Anglia could not be stored. The cost of running the site was high as the movement of ammunition in to and out of the storage buildings was manpower intensive, the design of the buildings precluded the use of mechanical handling equipment.

  The site was first opened during world war two.

  The function of the site was to store ammunition.

  Nuclear Warheads
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of active nuclear warheads available to British forces for each year since 1975. [11797]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am withholding this information under exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to Government information relating to defence, security and international relations.

  Hawk Jet Sales
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlie the continued sale of Hawk jets. [11831]
  477
  Mr. Spellar
  Any application for a licence to export Hawks will be considered in accordance with the Government's policy on the export of conventional arms, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July,Official Report,columns 26–29.

  American Submarines
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy in respect of the use of British waters by American submarines with nuclear capability. [11815]

  Mr. Spellar
  United States Navy nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed submarines may visit UK waters or designated berths subject to prior agreement with my Department. However, as with all vessels, they have a right of innocent passage through territorial waters.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which her 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. [10746]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor>
  The collation and processing of payments to my Department's staff are carried out within the Privy Council Office; the staff costs associated with this work are estimated at £1,900 in the year 1996–97. The actual payments are made by Chessington Computer Services Ltd., which uses the SPIRE—standard payroll input and retrieval—management system; the cost of this contract in the year 1996–97 was £4,900.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Environmental Audit Committee
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Council if she will ensure that the reports of the proposed environmental audit committee are debated on the Floor of the House. [10674]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I cannot give any undertakings, but I hope that it will be possible to find opportunities for the House to give appropriate consideration to the work of the committee.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Council if she will ensure that the proposed environmental audit committee is able to investigate and comment on legislation before it reaches Committee stage. [10675]

  Mrs. Taylor
  It will be for the committee to decide the subjects for its own inquiries.

  The possibility of a Select Committee inquiry before the Second Reading of a Bill is discussed in the first report from the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons, which was published on Tuesday 29 July.

  Scottish Business
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the President of the Council how much time has been spent by the House and its Committees considering Scottish issues in each of the past five years, indicating separately time spent on (i) Bills, (ii) questions and (iii) debates on(a) education, (b) housing, (c) transport, (d) social work, (e) employment and economic development and (f) other subjects. [10179]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The information is available in parliamentary Session, rather than calendar year. The hon. Member should note that Session 1992–93 was longer than usual, and 1996–97 shorter than usual, due to general elections.

  Chamber

  (i) Bills

  1996–97: 21.09 (nine Bills, of which three consolidation Bills and one private Members' Bill).

  1995–96: 13.15 (three Bills).

  1994–95: 17.33 (six Bills, of which three consolidation Bills).

  1993–94: 28.03 (two Bills, of which one private peer's Bill).

  1992–93: 17.07 (seven Bills, of which two consolidation Bills and three private Member's Bills).

  (ii) Questions

  1996–97: 4.02 (four sessions).

  1995–96: 8.59 (nine sessions).

  1994–95: 7.55 (eight sessions).

  1993–94: 7.19 (eight sessions)

  1992–93: 11.02 (12 sessions)

  (iii) Debates

  1996–97: Two approval motions: one on local government finance (3.36) one on housing (1.42).

  1995–96: Two approval motions: one on local government finance (1.34) one on housing (1.34) and a motion amending Standing Orders relating to the Scottish Grand Committee (1.31).

  1994–95: One approval motion on local government finance and housing (3.12) and an opposition day debate on the environment (3.28).

  1993–94: Four approval motions: one on housing (2.15) one on local government finance (4.23) one on commercial rates (1.34) one on legal aid (0.29) a motion setting up the Scottish Grand Committee (2.01) and a private Member's motion on Scottish Democracy (2.55).

  1992–93: Seven approval motions: four on commercial rates (0.13, 0.13, 0.22, 1.56) one on local government finance (3.13) one on housing (1.40) one on legal aid (3.23) and two Opposition day debates: one on local government and water (3.18) one (initiated by the Scottish National Party) on the cold climate allowance (2.32).

  COMMITTEES

  Standing Committees

  The following are extracts from the sessional returns for the relevant years detailing sittings of Standing Committees on Scottish issues.

  Number of sittings

  1996–97

  First Scottish Standing Committee

  *Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill

  11

  *Contract (Scotland) Bill

  1

  *Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman and Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland Bill

  1

  *Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Bill

  1

  *Transfer of Crofting Estates (Scotland) Bill [Lords]

  1

  Scottish Grand Committee

  Ministerial statements

  1

  479

  Number of sittings

  Bills

  1

  *Contract (Scotland) Bill

  1

  *Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman and Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland Bill

  1

  *Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Bill

  1

  *Transfer of Crofting Estates (Scotland) Bill

  1

  Subjects raised on a substantive motion for the Adjournment

  Scotland and defence

  1

  Local government in Scotland

  1

  Public expenditure in Scotland

  1

  Scotland in the World

  1

  Education and local government finance in Scotland

  1

  Housing and local government finance

  1

  1995–96

  First Scottish Standard Committee

  *Deer (Amendment)(Scotland) Bill [Lords]

  1

  *Education (Scotland) Bill [Lords]

  7

  Special Standing Committee

  *Licensing (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill

  1

  Scottish Grand Committee

  Ministerial Statements

  1

  Bills

  Licensing (Amendment)(Scotland) Bill

  1

  Subjects raised on a substantive motion for the Adjournment

  Law and Order in Scotland

  1

  Pre-School Education in Scotland

  1

  Economic Development of the Highlands and Islands

  1

  Effects of the Budget in Scotland

  1

  Local Government Funding in Scotland

  1

  The Health Service in Scotland

  1

  Employment and Training of Young People in Scotland also Deer (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill [Lords]

  1

  Child Benefit and Welfare Reform in Scotland

  1

  Privatisation in the National Health Service in Scotland

  1

  Criminal Justice in Scotland

  1

  Scotland in the Union

  1

  1994–95

  Special Standing Committee

  *Children (Scotland)

  13

  First Scottish Standing Committee

  *Criminal Justice (Scotland) [Lords]

  9

  Scottish Grand Committee—subjects raised on a substantive motion for the Adjournment

  Public Expenditure in Scotland

  1

  The Scottish Economy

  1

  The Future of Rail Services in Scotland

  1

  Scottish Homes

  1

  Inward Investment in Scotland

  1

  Council Tax in Scotland

  1

  Scotland's Local Government

  The Future of Nursery Education in Scotland

  The Structure of Water Services in Scotland

  The State of Housing in Scotland

  1

  The Financial and Economic Implications of Independence for Scotland

  1

  Community Care in Scotland

  1

  Competitiveness in the Scottish Economy

  1

  Bills

  *Children Government etc. (Scotland)

  1

  1993–94

  First Scottish Standing Committee

  Local Government etc.(Scotland)

  40

  Second Scottish Standing Committee

  Inshore Fishing (Scotland) [Lords]

  1

  State Hospitals (Scotland) [Lords]

  1

  Scottish Grand Committee Matters

  The Economy in Scotland

  2

  Law and Order in Scotland

  1

  Estimates

  Class XIV, Votes 17 and 18

  1

  480

  Number of sittings

  Class XIV, Votes 13, 14, 7 and 8

  2

  Class XIV, Votes 1 and 2

  1

  1992–93

  First Scottish Standing Committee

  * Bankruptcy (Scotland)

  10

  * Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) [Lords]

  8

  Second Scottish Standing Committee

  Damages(Scotland)(No.2) [Lords]

  1

  Licensing (Amendment) (Scotland)

  1

  Protection of Animals (Scotland)

  1

  Carrying of Knives etc. (Scotland)

  1

  Scottish Grand Committee Bills

  * Bankruptcy (Scotland)

  2

  Matters

  Public Expenditure in Scotland

  1

  Local Government Reform in Scotland

  1

  National Health Service in Scotland

  1

  Crime in Scotland

  1

  Women's Issues in Scotland

  1

  Child Care in Scotland

  1

  In addition, Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation have considered instruments, etcetera relating to Scotland as follows:

  1996–97: seven instruments at five sittings

  1995–96: 13 instruments at nine sittings

  1994–95: 18 instruments at 10 sittings

  1993–94: 18 instruments at four sittings

  1992–93: 56 instruments at 19 sittings

  Scottish Affairs Select Committee

  Further details are available from the Sessional Returns of the relevant year.

  1996–97: 13 meetings, one visit, two reports and four minutes/memoranda of evidence and appendices

  1995–96: 25 meetings, two visits, three reports and seven minutes/memoranda of evidence and appendices

  1994–95: 19 meetings, six visits, three reports and four minutes/memoranda of Evidence and Appendices

  1993–94: 26 meetings, six visits, one report and five minutes/memoranda of evidence and appendices

  1992–93: 28 meetings, 15 visits, one report and four minutes/memoranda of evidence and appendices.

  Public Accounts Commission
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what discussions he has held with the Comptroller and Auditor General on the cost of inspecting the accounts of NHS trusts. [11846]

  Mr. Sheldon
  The Commission regularly discusses the costs of the National Audit Office's activities, most recently on 23 July 1997 when it considered the NAO's corporate plan for 1998–99 to 2002–03. The costs of inspecting the accounts of NHS trusts are included in the plan, but were not separately identified or discussed.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department; [11547]
  481
  (2) if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years; [11549]

  (3) if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within his Department. [11548]

  Mr. Fatchett
  In 1996, in response to the White Paper "A Strategy for Sustainable Waste Management", we commissioned consultants to propose a waste minimisation strategy. Before then, there were no statistics available. Our consultants estimated that in 1996 this Department produced around 3,900 tons of solid waste per annum; 2,280 came from our London sites and 1,620 from our Hanslope Park site near Milton Keynes. Of the total, around 2,900 tons went ultimately to landfill. The balance, around 1,000 tons from the London sites, was incinerated by Westminster city council and the heat recovered for power generation.

  Our current aim for central London by recycling, mainly paper, is to reduce by the year 2000 the amount of solid waste sent for landfill by 400 tons per annum, equivalent to a 33 per cent. reduction. Elements of this strategy were already in place in 1996 whereby white paper and toner cartridges were recycled.

  At our Hanslope Park site, we are aiming for a reduction of 300 tons on the same time scale, representing a 20 per cent. reduction. At Hanslope Park, where we have a dispatch and packing operation, we introduced a recycling arrangement, whereby incoming cardboard packing material is shredded for reuse as an alternative to polystyrene products. We estimate that the financial savings from not dumping the cardboard as landfill, and not having to buy as much polystyrene packing materials, will meet the cost of the shredding equipment within 18 months. This is in addition to significantly reducing the amount of material sent to landfill.

  The long-term aim of our waste minimisation strategy is to reduce by the year 2000 the proportion of waste going to landfill to 60 per cent. of the 1996 figure.

  Rockall
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason he proposes to give up British claims to the area of the Atlantic around Rockall. [11779]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  British fishery limits to the west of Rockall will be redrawn upon the UK's accession to the United Nations convention on the law of the sea. The conversion will bring many advantages to the UK, including the right to impose strong anti-pollution measures around our shores and important freedom of navigation. The convention provides that rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf.

  Even before accession, the UK's claim to 200-mile fishery limits based on Rockall was highly questionable. Rockall itself will remain part of Scotland with a 12-mile territorial sea, and will remain within British fishery limits, as will the Rockall Bank and the new deep water fisheries to the east of Rockall. Redrawing our fishery limits has no effect on our continental shelf to the west of Rockall.

  Straddling Stocks
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the rules relating to straddling stocks under the UN law of the sea convention 1983; when they come into force; and if he will make a statement on the capacity of flag states to take action against foreign vessels taking straddling stocks. [11955]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Nations convention on the law of the sea—UNCLOS—of 10 December 1982, which enters into force for the United Kingdom on 24 August, contains a number of provisions relevant to straddling fish stocks, including a requirement that the states concerned seek to agree measures to conserve such stocks in the high seas. A detailed framework agreement of 1995 implementing these provisions of UNCLOS has been signed by the United Kingdom, but is not yet in force.

  A costal state may pursue into the high seas foreign vessels fishing for straddling stocks within its fishery limits in breach of its law and regulations. The control of vessels fishing for straddling stocks on the high seas is primarily the responsibility of the flag state. A coastal state will also be able to take action to the extent provided in the 1995 straddling stocks agreement, once it enters into force.

  Defence Exports
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the differences between the criteria set out in his answer to the hon. Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) of 28 July,Official Report, columns 26–29 and the criteria followed by the previous Government. [11885]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The new criteria for considering licence applications for the export of conventional arms build on the UK's commitments to guidelines on arms transfers agreed with permanent members of the UN Security Council, the European Union and the then Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.

  The new criteria are more detailed and precise than those followed by the previous Government. They represent a clear tightening of policy on arms exports, inter alia, by:
  moving from an assessment of whether equipment is likely to be used for internal repression of international aggression to an assessment of whether equipment might be so used;
  requiring officials to consider clear evidence of recent use of similar equipment exported by any country;
  providing detailed guidance on the meaning of internal repression;
  giving guidance on those goods which have a more obvious potential for use in internal repression.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contracts permitted by the previous Government he intends to prohibit in accordance with the criteria set out in his answer to the hon. Member for East Ham of 28 July,Official Report, columns 26–29, [11886]

  Mr. Lloyd
  As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced on 28 July,Official Report, columns 26–29, we were not responsible for the decisions on

  483
  export licences made by the previous Administration. We do not, however, consider it realistic or practical to revoke licences which were valid and in force at the time of our election.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for East Ham of 28 July,Official Report, columns 26–29, for what reasons Her Majesty's Government do not consider it would be realistic or practical to revoke arms exports licences which were valid and in force at the time of the general election. [12211]

  Mr. Lloyd
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

  Sikander Mahmood
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the re-application for entry clearance by Sikander Mahmood, Islam Abad ref. IMM/D2436, will be dealt with(a) on the documentation submitted and (b) by interview. [11793]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have asked our high commission in Islamabad for a detailed account of the application and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend within one week of receiving that account.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlie the continued sale of Hawk jets to Indonesia. [11832]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The decision to authorise the issue of the current licences to export 16 Hawk Aircraft to Indonesia was announced to the House on 21 November 1996,Official Report, column 676.

  As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary told the House on 28 July, Official Report, columns 26–29, the present Government were not responsible for the decisions on export licences made by the previous Administration. We do not, however, consider that it would be realistic or practical to revoke licences that were valid and in force at the time of our election.

  East Timor
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many British made(a) Land Rovers, (b) water cannon and
  (c) other military, security and police equipment and vehicles are currently deployed in East Timor; and where they are located; [12105]

  (2) what steps the British Government have taken to ascertain the amount of British-made military, security and police vehicles and equipment currently deployed by Indonesia in East Timor; and what mechanisms have been put in place to monitor the end use in East Timor of such vehicles and equipment; [12106]

  (3) what assurances the Government have received from the Indonesian authorities regarding the deployment and use of British-made military, security and police equipment and vehicles in East Timor. [12104]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11892]

  Mr. Fatchett
  This Department's current cost estimate is £3 million—excluding the cost of replacement office automation systems, which will be millennium compliant, introduced before March 1999. We do not yet know the likely cost breakdown over the period in question. We will submit costed year 2000 plans to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency by October 1997, in accordance with central requirements.

  Congo
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what efforts his Department is making to monitor the human rights situation in eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; [12091]

  (2) what plans he has to refer the human rights record of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to (a) the UN Security Council and (b) the Organisation for African Unity; [12092]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [12090]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

  Burma
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking against the State Law and Order Restoration Committee regime in Burma; what plans he has to support sanctions against the regime; and if he will make a statement. [12225]

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to encourage the UN to investigate the conditions in the Karenni relocation camps in Burma and the activities there of SLORC forces. [12241]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I will write to my hon. Friends shortly.

  Karabakh Conflict
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the new proposals of the three co-chairmen of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk conference for a settlement of the Karabakh conflict; and if he will make a statement. [11984]

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

  Cambodia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what
  485
  discussions he has had with other European Union countries regarding recent events in Cambodia; and if he will make a statement; [120141

  (2) what reports he has received on the involvement of Cambodian Government officials in the drugs trade; and if he will make a statement; [12089]

  (3) what representations he has made to the Government of Cambodia following the recent coup d'etat; and if he will make a statement; [12012]

  (4) what consideration he has given to the withdrawal of Her Majesty's ambassador in Phnom Penh following the recent coup d'etat by the minority party in the coalition Government established after the supervised elections; and if he will make a statement. [12013]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 26 June concerning a constituent; and why no acknowledgement has been sent to him. [11985]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

  British Embassy, Berlin
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to announce the preferred bidder for the private finance initiative contract for the British embassy in Berlin; and if he will make a statement. [12278]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Department has selected Bebcon, a consortium of prominent German contractors and financiers, as the preferred bidder for the new British embassy offices in Berlin.

  The embassy will be built to a design by Michael Wilford and Partners, winners of the 1995 embassy design competition, on the site of the pre-war British embassy in Wilhelmstrasse. Under the eventual contract, Bebcon will finance, construct and then manage the building for 30 years. Building work will start around the end of this year, and the embassy staff will move into the new building in autumn 1999.

  This is the Department's pathfinder private finance initiative overseas estate project. European Union competition procedures and British Government private finance initiative guidance have been followed throughout.

  European Council
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for August; and if he will list major EU events for the next six months. [12279]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The information is as follows:
  486
  This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

  align="center">European calendar: August 1997 to Janaury 1998

  Venue

  Event

  August 1997

  There are no events scheduled for August.

  September 1997

  4

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  5

  Kiev

  EU/Ukraine Summit

  7–9

  Echternach

  Agriculture Council(Informal)

  12–14

  Mondorf

  Ecofin Council (Informal)

  15–16

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  15–19

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  22–25

  New York

  Political Committee

  22–23

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  29

  Brussels

  Political Committee (reserve date—to be confirmed)

  October 1997

  1–2

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  2

  Luxembourg

  Telecommunications Council

  3–4

  Echternach

  Internal Market Council (Informal)

  6–7

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  7

  Luxembourg

  Social Affairs Council

  9

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  9–10

  Mondorf

  Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal)

  10–11

  Strasbourg

  Council of Europe Summit

  13

  Luxembourg

  Econfin Council

  16

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  16

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council

  16–17

  Luxembourg

  Possible European Council

  20–21

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  20–21

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  20–24

  Strasbourg

  European Parliamentary Plenary

  24–27

  Edinburgh

  CHOGM

  25–26

  Mondorf

  Foreign Ministers (Informal)

  30

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  November 1997

  3

  Brussels

  Consumer Council

  3

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  5–6

  Brussels

  European Parliamentary Plenary

  10

  Brussels

  Research Council

  10

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  13

  Brussels

  Industry Council

  17

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council

  17

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  17–18

  Brussels

  Agricultural Council

  17–21

  Strasbourg

  European Parliamentary Plenary

  19

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council

  20

  Brussels

  Education Council

  21

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  24

  Brussels

  Culture Council

  24–25

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  27

  Brussels

  Internal Market Council

  28

  Brussels

  Development Council

  December 1997

  1

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council

  1

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  2

  Brussels

  Labour and Social Affairs

  3–4

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  4

  Brussels

  Health Council

  4–5

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  8

  Brussels

  Energy Council

  8–9

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  10–11

  Brussels

  Transport Council

  12–13

  Luxembourg

  European Council

  15–16

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  15–16

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  487

  European calendar: August 1997 to Janaury 1998

  Venue

  Event

  15–19

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  18–19

  Copenhagen

  OSCE Ministerial Council

  18–19

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council

  January 1998

  1

  —

  UK presidencency commences

  12

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council (to be confirmed)

  19

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council

  19–20

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  26–27

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  29–30

  (to be advised)

  Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal)

  Entry Clearance
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to lay before the House the 1996 report by Dame Elizabeth Anson, the independent monitor of refusal of entry clearance where there is no right of appeal. [12266]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The report was laid today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. I welcome the report and note Dame Elizabeth's recommendations, which will receive careful consideration.

  North Atlantic Assembly
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the United Kingdom delegation to the North Atlantic Assembly. [12280]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The following will represent the United Kingdom at the North Atlantic Assembly:

  Mr. Donald Anderson MP (Leader)

  Mr. Hugh Bayley MP

  Mr. Menzies Campbell MP

  Mr. Harry Cohen MP

  Mr. Frank Cook MP

  The right hon. Sir Peter Emery MP

  Mr. Bruce George MP

  The Lord Gladwyn of Clee

  Mr. Mike Hancock MP

  Mrs. Sylvia Heal MP

  The right hon. Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith MP

  The Lord Kennet

  Alice Mahon MP

  Mr. Michael Mates MP

  Mr. John Smith MP

  Rachel Squire MP

  Mr. Peter Viggers MP

  The right hon. Alan Williams MP

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [10730]
  488
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  This Department is responsible for the assessment of staff pay, the preparation of input, the evaluation of output and the reconciliation of the pay account.

  No management system has been purchased and there is no subcontractor involved.

  The calculation of pay is carried out on our behalf by GCHQ Cheltenham.

  The total cost of the in-house part of the whole operation is currently £1,160,000 per annum. This includes direct staff costs plus the cost of accommodation. The pay calculation running costs are borne by GCHQ, this Department having contributed to the original set-up costs.

  Kenya
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications of the moral and ethical principles of his foreign policy for relations with Kenya. [11292]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave him on 2 June,Official Report, column 81. We will treat respect for human rights as an important element in determining our overall relationship with Kenya. I underlined to the Kenyan Government and opposition the importance we attach to free and fair elections when I visited the country from 25 to 28 June. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development made clear on 16 July, Official Report, column 195, we will take account of further developments in this respect in deciding on future development assistance to Kenya. We have condemned the recent violence in Kenya and continue to urge all concerned to agree through peaceful dialogue on how the necessary conditions for free and fair elections can be established.

  Defence Equipment (Export Licences)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many export licences for defence equipment were issued between 1 May and 22 July. [10651]

  Mrs. Roche
  From 1 May up to and including 22 July 1997, 1,701 export licences were issued for the export of military, security and paramilitary goods and arms, ammunition and related material, controlled under part III of schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994; 1,673 were standard individual export licences, and 28 were open individual export licences.

PRIME MINISTER

  Policy Unit
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the commercial and other external interests of the members of his policy unit. [10399]

  The Prime Minister
  No. As with all other civil servants, the members of my policy unit are not required to publish their private interests. However they are required to ensure that there is no conflict between their private interests and their public duties.

  "Questions of Procedure for Ministers"
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister how many revisions have been made to "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" since May 1992; what paragraphs were revised and in what way; what factors underlay each revision; and on what dates each revision was announced to Parliament. [10406]

  The Prime Minister
  Three amendments to "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" have been made since May 1992. The first revised paragraphs 118 to 123 and was announced to the House on 21 July 1994,Official Report, column 551. The second, which revised paragraph 1 was amended after debate on the then Government's response to the first report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life Cm2931 and announced on 2 November 1995, Official Report, column 456. The most recent amendment was again to paragraph 1 and was set out in the then Government's response to the second report from the Public Service Committee on ministerial accountability and responsibility, HC 67, published 5 November 1996, the publication of which was announced to the House on 7 November 1996 Official Report, column 594. The background to the changes was set out in the statements to the House at the time and, in the case of the latter change, the Government response to the Public Service Select Committee report.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he has issued a new edition of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" to his ministerial colleagues. [12268]

  The Prime Minister
  I have issued to ministerial colleagues a successor document to "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" called the "Ministerial Code—a Code of Conduct and Guidance on Procedures for Ministers". I expect all Ministers to work within the letter and spirit of this code, in order to uphold the highest standards of honesty and propriety which the British people fairly expect of those in public life. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  I have also issued to my ministerial colleagues, "Guidance on the work of the Government Information Service"—a document which brings together in one place the guidance on the entire range of the Government information service's work. Copies of this have also been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those Departments with responsibility for arms sales indicating the particular responsibilities in each case. [10518]

  The Prime Minister
  The Departments most involved in matters related to defence exports are the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and HM Customs and Excise. The Defence Export Services Organisation, in the MOD, provides British defence exporters with the strongest possible Government support, within the framework of our defence, security and foreign policies. Licences to export controlled goods are issued by the President of the Board of Trade. All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by DTI to other Government Departments with an interest. These will normally include the FCO, MOD and Department for 490
  International Development. The DTI is also the sponsoring Department for the defence industry itself. It works closely with industry on the whole range of issues relating to its effectiveness. The FCO plays an active role in promoting British industry overseas and advises on the foreign policy implications of defence exports. Finally, HM Customs and Excise are responsible for the enforcement of export controls.

  Sovereign (Documents)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will reduce the 100-year embargo on the release of documents relating to the sovereign and the sovereign's family. [10613]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]There is currently no statutory embargo on the release of public records relating to the royal family. The forthcoming White Paper on freedom of information will address the issue of public access to all types of Government records.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Prime Minister 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. [10734]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster,Official Report, 29 July 1997, columns 140–41.

  Open Government
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 14 July,Official Report, column 44, if he will consider opening the other papers in the classmark CAB171 at the Public Record Office. [10954]

  The Prime Minister
  I shall consider this and let the hon. Member know the outcome once all the material has been reviewed.

  Palestine
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on UK-Palestine relations following his recent discussions with Chairman Arafat of the Palestine National Authority. [11338]

  The Prime Minister
  I was pleased to welcome President Arafat to London and to reiterate the Government's support for his work in the cause of peace in the middle east.

  I made clear our concern at the continuing deadlock and our strong support for international efforts to get the peace process back on track. We believe that it is important that neither side acts in a way that damages the prospects for peace. I reaffirmed to President Arafat our view that the continued building of Israeli settlements is not only illegal under international law, but a major obstacle in the way of peace.
  491
  I urged President Arafat to do everything possible to contain violence and to ensure the Palestinian Authority's respect for human rights. I reaffirmed Britain's willingness to continue playing an active role in the search for a just and lasting peace based on the two key principles of land for peace and the right of Israel to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries. As we approach our presidency of the European Union, we shall be giving particular attention to ways in which Europe can contribute.

  I also reassured President Arafat of the United Kingdom's continuing strong material support for the Palestinians.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the security of funding for(a) accommodation and (b) services for the Scottish Assembly over the next (i) 10 and (ii) 20 years [9927]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The Government's proposals for the funding of the Scottish Parliament are set out in the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament", which was published on 24 July.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of the division of responsibility between(a) a Scottish Assembly and
  (b) the Westminster Parliament on the capacity of (i) the Privy Council and (ii) other courts to evolve a corpus of consistent rulings in the legislative competence of the Assembly. [11732]

  The Prime Minister
  The propose procedures for identifying and resolving problems over the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament are set out in the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament" at paragraphs 4.15 and 4.17. The Government believe that problems would normally be resolved amicably, but there would be procedures for establishing the competence of the Scottish Parliament both before and after legislation is considered by it; and there would be provision for unresolved disputes about vires to be referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. There is no reason why the courts should not evolve a consistent body of rulings.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the areas of Scots law which would be subject to the Scottish Parliament and not subject to Westminster. [11802]

  The Prime Minister
  The White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament" makes clear that all matters that are not specifically reserved would be devolved and would therefore fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. A list of such matters is included in chapter 2 of the White Paper. Chapter 3 summarises the matters which would be observed.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if future United Kingdom legislation will include United Kingdom extent provisions following the introduction of a Scottish Parliament. [11801]

  The Prime Minister
  Following the introduction of a Scottish Parliament, United Kingdom legislation would continue where appropriate to include clauses defining its territorial extent.
  492
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of a Scottish Parliament on the current judicial structure. [11803]

  The Prime Minister
  It is made clear in the White Paper "Scotland's Parliament" that responsibility for the criminal justice system and prosecution system for the civil and criminal courts in Scotland would be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. It would be a matter for the Scottish Parliament to determine how it discharges that responsibility, although I would expect it to pay full regard to the independence and standing of the judiciary. The two most senior judicial appointments in Scotland—The Lord President of the Court of Session and the Lord Justice Clerk—would however continue to be made by the Queen, on my advice, but on the basis of nominations from the Scottish Executive.

  Amsterdam Summit
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) of 26 June,Official Report, column 608, if he will make a statement on the obligations of member states not participating in the Euro-area as set out in the presidency conclusions at Amsterdam. [11423]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: As I said in my previous reply, membership of the new exchange rate mechanism will be voluntary. There is therefore no legal obligation to join.

  Policy Reviews
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent instructions and guidelines he has given to Departments in relation to future policy reviews; and if he will make a statement. [11888]

  The Prime Minister
  Proposals for reviews should be cleared through my office, to ensure that they are considered in the context of the Government's overall agenda.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the Government's policy towards age discrimination in elections to public bodies. [11713]

  The Prime Minister
  Appointments to public bodies are governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit. The Commissioner for Public Appointments' "Guidance on Appointment's to Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies and NHS bodies", which is mandatory for all Government Departments, states that age should not be a criterion in drawing up a specification for a public appointment unless there is a need to balance the age range of membership. However, even then, age should not be used as the deciding factor when making appointments.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on age discrimination in employment; and if he will make a statement. [11792]

  Mr. Alan Willians
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy in relation to age discrimination; and what steps have been taken to implement the policy. [11806]
  493
  The Prime Minister
  The Government firmly believe that age discrimination is unfair and makes no economic sense for business or society. However, tackling it is a complex matter and it is important to ensure that any action we take will bring real benefits. That is why we have already announced our intention to consult widely on age discrimination in employment to obtain a consensus on the best way forward.

  Minister without Portfolio
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reason the Government were represented at meetings in France on Thursday 17 July with(a) the French President's aide-de-camp and (b) the French Minister in charge of European affairs by the Minister without Portfolio. [11812]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 22 July,Official Report, column 525, if he will include the answering practices of the Minister without Portfolio in the review of ministerial accountability. [11976]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to the reply given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 22 July,Official Report, column 525.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the persons who were not established civil servants on 2 May whose salaries are currently being paid by Government Departments, identifying those who previously assisted the campaigning activity of the Labour party under the present Minister without Portfolio; and if he will list the current salaries and positions held by each of these persons. [5421]

  The Prime Minister
  [pursuant to his reply, 18 July, c. 340–41]: Mr. Bernard Gray should be added to the list of special advisers.

  Council of Europe
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will announce the composition of the United Kingdom delegation for the September 1997 part session of the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. [12281]

  The Prime Minister
  The September 1997 part-session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will be opened in Strasbourg on 22 September. The delegation from the United Kingdom for the session will consist of 23 members of the Labour party, nine of the Conservative party and four members from the minority parties. The delegation will serve in place of the current delegation from the opening of September 1997 part-session.

  The appointments of representatives and substitutes have been made on the basis of nominations by the parties concerned, in accordance with the resolution of this House on 22 May 1992, Official Report, column 682 and of the House of Lords on 18 June 1992, columns 290–92.

  The same delegation will be representing the United Kingdom Parliament at the Assembly of the Western European Union.
  494
  Representatives from the Government benches will be:

  The hon. Member for Birmingham Hodge Hill (Mr. Davis), who will act as leader; the hon. Members for Tooting (Mr. Cox); for Leigh (Mr. Cunliffe); for Sunderland, North (Mr. Etherington) for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn); for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe); for Hull, North (Mr. McNamara); for Leicester, South (Mr. Marshall); for Knowsley, South (Mr. O'Hara); for Glasgow Baillieston (Mr. Wray); Lord Kirkhill and Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede.

  Representatives from the Conservative Party will be:

  The hon. Members for: Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson); for Chipping Barnet (Sir Sydney Chapman); for East Yorkshire (Mr. Townend) and Lord Newall.

  Representatives from the minority parties will be:

  The right, hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) and Lord Russell-Johnston.

  The following substitutes have been appointed to act as necessary on behalf of the delegates.

  From the Government Benches: the hon. Members for Keighley (Mrs. Cryer); for Wolverhampton, South-West (Ms Jones); for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Naysmith); for Dover (Mr. Prosser); for Stourbridge (Ms Shipley); for Basildon (Angela Smith); for Morecombe and Lunesdale (Miss Smith); for Leicestershire, North-West (Mr. Taylor); for Finchley and Golders Green; (Mr. Vis); Lord Grenfell and Lord Judd.

  From the Conservative party—the hon. Members for Romsey (Mr. Colvin); for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles); for Solihull (Mr. Taylor); for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) and the Earl of Dundee.

  From the minority parties—the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) and the Lord Steel of Aikwood.

  Written Questions
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Prime Minister what has been the total cost of answering written questions tabled by the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker). [12536]

  The Prime Minister
  I am advised by POLIS that the hon. Member has tabled some 295 questions. The total cost is estimated at £30,000 since the beginning of May.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Higher Education
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will estimate, in 1995–96 prices, the level of Government expenditure on higher education for(a) 1990–91, (b)1991–92, (c)1992–93, (d)1993–94, (e)1994–95, (f)1995–96, (g)1996–97, (h)1997–98, (i) 1998–99, (j)1999–2000 and (k)2000–01, using (i) the plans as set out in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98" including the estimates of the gross domestic product deflators contained therein, and (ii) the new estimates of the GDP deflator announced in the Budget and any additional moneys available as a consequence of the policy changes announced in his statement of 23 July; [11590]

  (2) what is his estimate of the extra Government expenditure available for higher education as a consequence of his statement of 23 July for (a)1997–98, (b)1998–99, (c)1999–2000 and(d) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [11591]
  495
  Dr. Howells
  The table shows the level of Government expenditure on higher education institutions for the period from 1990–91 to 1999–2000, in line with the expenditure plans announced in the 1996 Budget which were not changed in the July 1997 Budget. No figures are available for 2000–2001 at this stage.

  In his statement of 23 July on the Government's preferred approach to the future funding of higher

  Public Funding for Higher Education in England

  Financial year

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  November 1996 GDP deflator

  7.99%

  6.41%

  4.21%

  2.89%

  1.77%

  2.53%

  2.50%

  2.00%

  2.00%

  2.00%

  June 1997 GDP deflator

  8.00%

  6.38%

  4.20%

  2.91%

  1.51%

  2.75%

  2.76%

  2.75%

  2.75%

  2.50%

  HEFCE sector grants

  £2,711m

  £2,539m

  £2,664m

  £2,890m

  £3,538m

  £3,734m

  £3,561m

  £3,609m

  £3,573m

  £3,489m

  TTA grants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £116m

  £175m

  £179m

  £175m

  £167m

  Tuition fee income

  £555m

  £l,140m

  £l,349m

  £l,498m

  £l,142m

  £967m

  £991m

  £988m

  £l,047m

  £l,047m

  Total funding in cash terms1

  £3,266m

  £3,679m

  £4,013m

  £4,388m

  £4,680m

  £4,817m

  £4,727m

  £4,776m

  £4,796m

  £4,703m

  Total funding in real terms (November 1996 deflator)2

  £3,986m

  £4,219m

  £4,416m

  £4,693m

  £4,918m

  £4,937m

  £4,727m

  £4,682m

  £4,609m

  £4,432m

  Total funding in real terms(June 1997 deflator)3

  £3,993m

  £4,228m

  £4,426m

  £4,703m

  £4,941m

  £4,950m

  £4,727m

  £4,648m

  £4,542m

  £4,346m

  1 Adjust to allow for the dual support transfer to the Office for Science and Technology over the period 1992–93 to 1994–95

  2 1996–97 prices

  3 1996–97prices

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate on the present accounting basis, of the(a)additional expenditure on higher education and (b)additional revenues accruing to the Exchequer in (1)1998–99, (2)1999–2000 and (3)2000–01, as a consequence of the proposed changes to higher education tuition payments and student maintenance; and if he will make a statement. [11188]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The following table shows the estimated cost of extending loans and the savings associated with the replacement of grants with loans and the introduction of tuition fees under the Government's preferred approach to the future funding of higher education announced by my right hon. Friend on 23 July. Figures are for financial years at 1995–96 prices. The net savings are therefore notional and have been derived independently of current expenditure plans. They are also dependent on the phasing of the introduction of the new loans arrangements.

  align="right">£million

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Additional loans

  expenditure1

  (400)

  (750)

  (1,100)

  Grants savings

  250

  600

  850

  Tuition fee savings

  150

  250

  400

  Net savings

  0

  100

  150

  1Costs are shown in brackets

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of student numbers in higher education for(a) 1990–91, (b)1991–92, (c)1992–93, (d)1993–94, (e)1994–95, (f)1995–96, (g)1996–97, (h)1997–1998, (i)1998–99, (j)1999–2000 and (k)2000–01. [11622]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government's estimates of higher education student numbers in England remain for the time being as shown in the table. No projections have yet been made for the year 2000–01.
  496
  education, my right hon. Friend said savings would be used to improve quality, standards and opportunity for all in further and higher education. I refer the hon. Member to the following answer which sets out our estimates of the net savings associated with this preferred approach. Net savings would start to accrue in 1999–2000. We have not yet taken decisions about extra Government expenditure for higher education in the light of these savings.

  Home and EU students (full-time equivalents, thousands) by academic year:

  Number

  1990–91 actual

  673

  1991–92 actual

  756

  1992–93 actual

  853

  1993–94 actual

  942

  1994–95 actual

  1,000

  1995–96 provisional

  1,041

  1996–97 projected

  1,046

  1997–98 projected

  1,042

  1998–99 projected

  1.058

  1999–2000 projected

  1,060

  We shall review student numbers for future years in the light of our comprehensive spending review and of the recently published report of the national committee of inquiry into higher education under Sir Ron Dearing, whose aim of widening participation we support.

  School Inspections
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the system of school inspections to ensure that schools that have received a satisfactory Office for Standards in Education report are not subject to a further inspection after an amalgamation; and if he will make a statement. [11082]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The timing of school inspections and the requested analysis of inspections undertaken so far are matters for Her Majesty's chief inspector. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend, placing a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the numbers of(a)Ofsted reports published up to 1 January 1997 for primary and secondary schools in England, (b)teaching staff in those schools and (c)teachers identified by the reports as poor or failing; and if he will make a statement. [11093]
  497
  Mr. Byers
  The timing of school inspections and the requested analysis of inspections undertaken so far are matters for HMCI. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member, placing a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the costs of the preparation and evaluation of inspection bids by(a)local education authorities, (b) private companies and (c) Ofsted, since the introduction of the compulsory competitive tendering regime. [5336]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 23 June 1997]: The costs of the preparation and evaluation of inspection bids are matters for HMCI. I understand that he has written to my hon. Friend and a copy of his letter is being placed in the Library.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to end compulsory competitive tendering in school inspection. [5335]

  Mr. Byers
  I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the reply in the Library.

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment under what legislative authority the Government will be implementing its welfare-to-work programme. [11638]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Opportunities for work, education and training under our new deal for young people and long term unemployed adults will be provided pursuant to arrangements made by the Secretary of State under the Employment and Training Act 1973, as amended by the Employment Act 1988. The new deal will deliver high quality options for 18 to 24-year-olds who claim the jobseeker's allowance for six months or more. We intend to amend the Jobseekers Allowance Regulations 1996, subject to the approval of Parliament, to ensure that young people who are entitled to benefit from the new deal also have responsibility for participating in the programme, and that there is no additional option of continuing indefinitely on full benefit.

  New Deal
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to incorporate foyers into the gateway framework of the new deal; and if he will make a statement. [11917]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Foyers, like other interested organisations, will be able to bid to deliver appropriate parts of the gateway against the national specification which will set out the detailed arrangements for the provision of these services.

  We are consulting widely on the design of the new deal for young unemployed people and on the range of provision which should be available during the gateway to help young people to overcome particular disadvantages and problems. Foyers, like other interested organisations, are fully involved in those consultations.

  Oxbridge Entrants
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the percentage of students entering Oxford and Cambridge universities from state schools. [11716]

  Dr. Howells
  The universities of Oxford and Cambridge are, like all higher education institutions, responsible for their own admissions procedures and Ministers are prevented by law from intervening in such matters.

  Business (Government Assistance Schemes)
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people in each of the last five years qualified for assistance on(a) the enterprise allowance scheme and (b) the business start-up scheme in each standard region and Great Britain as a whole; and what was the annual expenditure in each year. [12172]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The enterprise allowance scheme was replaced in 1991–92 by the business start-up scheme which, in turn, was absorbed within the single regeneration budget in 1994–95. The precise information requested is not available, but starts by Government office region are available for 1994–95 and are given in table 1 and total expenditure and number of starts in England for each year of the programme are given in table 2.

  Table 1: Business start-up scheme: Starts by English region 1994–95

  Region

  Starts

  South East

  2,393

  London

  3,081

  Eastern

  1,925

  South West

  2,801

  West Midlands

  1,576

  East Midlands

  3,042

  Yorkshire and The Humber

  3,402

  Merseyside

  1,356

  North West

  3,058

  North East

  1,602

  align="center">Table2: Business start-up scheme: Starts and expenditure in England

  Year

  Starts

  Expenditure (£ million)

  1992–93

  33,600

  62.0

  1993–94

  34,700

  82.0

  1994–95

  24,236

  63.8

  Class Sizes (Bolton)
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Ms Kelly), of 18 June,nOfficial Report, column 193–4, what factors underlie the maximum class size of 60 for the Bolton, South-East constituency. [12004]

  Mr. Byers
  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,
  499
  classes engaged in activities such as physical education, 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.

  The class of 60 pupils taught by one teacher in the Bolton, South-East constituency was a nursery class. The teacher was supported by four nursery assistants.

  Education-related Projects
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the criteria for the funding of youth and community projects and other education-related projects for young people in respect of the eligibility of those in the 11 to 14 years age range. [12230]

  Dr. Howells
  None. The delivery and funding of the youth service are matters for decision by individual local education authorities out of the resources made available to them through the annual local government finance settlement.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11897]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson), on 10 July 1997 Official Report, column 573.

  Autistic Children
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has issued to local education authorities on the provision of special educational needs for autistic children following the recent court judgment requiring an authority to pay for an autistic child to attend the Higashi school in the USA. [11791]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The High Court's decision related to an individual appeal, where particular circumstances applied. It would not be appropriate to issue general advice to local education authorities on the basis of that case.

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when his Department's

  Table 1: The Age Participation Index (API) for Great Britain by socio-economic group

  Academic year

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  I—Professional (A)

  55

  71

  73

  78

  79

  II—Intermediate (B)

  36

  39

  42

  45

  45

  IIIn—Skilled non-manual (C1)

  22

  27

  29

  31

  31

  III—Skilled manual (C2)

  11

  15

  17

  18

  18

  500
  review of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will be completed; and when he plans to make an announcement on its result. [11498]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 26 June,Official Report, column 635.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations he has received from(a) the National Disability Council and (b) organisations representing disabled people concerning the implementation of the later rights of access under part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if he will make a statement; [11496]

  (2) if he will publish a timetable for the implementation of the later rights of access within part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [11497]

  Mr. Howarth
  The National Disability Council, disabled people and their organisations, individual businesses and their representatives and many others have responded to the consultation exercise carried out by the previous Government last year and have given their views on how quickly it would be sensible to implement the later rights of access under part III of the Disability Discrimination Act. A summary of responses to the consultation exercise will be published in due course. The Department is currently considering these matters in the context of our determination to deliver our manifesto commitment to establishing comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people. The Department will make an announcement as soon as possible. Whatever our eventual recommendation, the Department is committed to developing our proposals in consultation with all interested parties.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what penalties the Government will enforce against schools which educate five, six and seven-year-olds in classes of more than 30. [11640]

  Mr. Byers
  It is our pledge that, by the end of this Parliament, all pupils of five, six and seven years old will be in classes of 30 or less. We are consulting on the mechanics of implementing this pledge to reduce class sizes.

  University Students
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on changes in the percentage of students entering university education in the last 18 years from social classes A, B, C and D. [11717]

  Dr. Howells
  The following table shows how the proportions of young people from different socio-economic groups entering full-time higher education have changed since 1991–92: comparable data are not readily available from earlier years.
  501

  Table 1: The Age Participation Index (API) for Great Britain by socio-economic group

  Academic year

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  IV—Partly skilled (D)

  12

  14

  16

  17

  17

  V—Unskilled (E)

  6

  9

  11

  11

  12

  Total

  23

  28

  30

  32

  32

  Groups I to III

  26

  31

  33

  35

  36

  Groups IV and V

  11

  13

  14

  15

  16

  The API is the number of home domiciled young (aged less than 21) initial entrants to full-time undergraduate courses in GB, expressed as a proportion of the average 18 to 19 year old GB population.

  (A), (B), (C1), (C2), (D), (E)—institute of practitioners (IPA) equivalent definition of social class.

  Participation among socio-economic groups D and E remains less than half that of socio-economic groups A to C, notwithstanding the recent expansion in higher education. The Government's proposals, as set out in my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 23 July, will encourage access and ensure free education for the least well-off.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures will be taken to address student hardship among poorer students following the introduction of tuition fees; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the introduction of fees on the composition of the student intake and on the level of educational attainment. [11794]

  Dr. Howells
  Under the Government's preferred approach to the future funding of higher education announced by my right hon. Friend on 23 July, students from poorer families will not have to pay fees. They will continue to receive free tuition. They will also have access to larger subsidised loans than students from better off families. The Government's proposals are designed to widen access to higher education and to encourage those from under-represented groups, such as lower-income families, to undertake higher education.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if European Union nationals studying in the United Kingdom will be required to pay fees for higher education on the same basis as United Kingdom nationals. [11626]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government remain committed to treating students from other European Union countries on the same basis as home students as far as fees are concerned.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the net annual savings to public funds from the introduction of tuition fees for higher education in each of the next 10 years. [11174]

  Dr. Howells
  The annual level of savings will be dependent upon the number of students entering higher education in each year, but for working purposes the savings associated with the introduction of tuition fees are estimated at approximately £150 million in the financial year 1998–99, rising to approximately £400 million in 2000–01. These figures are at 1995–96 prices. In the first year of the new funding arrangements, 1998–99, the savings associated with the introduction of tuition fees and the shift from maintenance grants to loans will be offset by the cost of additional loans expenditure.
  502
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment at what point in the academic year tuition fees will have to be paid; and if failure to pay will prevent a student from attending the course. [11173]

  Dr. Howells
  It will be for universities and colleges to determine when the fee should be paid and what should happen in the case of students who do not pay.

  Educational Qualifications
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if United Kingdom students who have studied for a minimum period of one or two years will have their educational qualifications recognised in other European Union countries; and whether they will continue to qualify for European Union educational programmes and grants. [11627]

  Dr. Howells
  The acceptance of United Kingdom qualifications in other European countries is a matter for the appropriate authorities in the country concerned. United Kingdom students will continue to qualify for European Union programmes and grants if they satisfy the conditions of eligibility.

  Bursaries and Awards
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the total cost of university grants, bursaries and maintenance awards paid to undergraduates in the last available year; and what proportion of that total was paid to undergraduates from households with net incomes of(a) £15,000 or less and (b) £15,000 to £25,000 annually. [11578]

  Dr. Howells
  Expenditure on mandatory awards made to students by local education authorities in England and Wales in the academic year 1995–96 was £2,059 million, of which £1,075 million was for maintenance grants. For most students, the grant is means tested primarily on the taxable income of his or her parents and not on the net income of the household. It is not possible to relate the total expenditure on grants to particular levels of parental income. However, in 1995–96, the parents of some 198,000–33 per cent.—dependent students were assessed to make a nil contribution to grant because their income was £15,510 or below. The parents of a further 149,000–25 per cent.—dependent students were assessed to make a contribution of between £45 and £1,000 because their income was between £15,510 and approximately £25,300.

  Information on expenditure on bursaries and awards made by other bodies is not collected centrally.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years. [11546]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department retains information only on the amount of recyclable wastepaper collected and this is as follows:

  Figures quoted in kilos

  1992–93

  82,066

  1993–94

  82,066

  1994–95

  289,001

  1995–961

  278,671

  1996–97

  196,860

  Total

  928,664

  Recycling schemes were introduced at different points across the estate during the period covered by the question. Rationalisation of the estate.

  1The merger between the Department for Education and the Employment Department and a commitment to reduce the use of hard copy documents in favour of electronic documentation have also played their part in the resultant figures given.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department. [11544]

  Dr. Howells
  Waste minimisation forms part of the Department's green housekeeping strategy. The strategy for 1997–98 is based on measuring several streams of waste collected for recycling—paper, aluminium cans, bottles, copier toner cartridges and fluorescent tubes. Within the framework of the strategy, facilities management teams on each of our four main sites—Darlington, London, Runcorn and Sheffield—decide which streams they will measure.

  At the end of the year, it is intended that progress will be reviewed against the overall minimisation target and all sites will be urged to extend the range of streams to be measured during 1998–99.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste in his Department. [11545]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department has set a target of reducing waste by 5 per cent. during 1997–98 and plans to compare records for the period from April to September with those from October to March. The year 1997–98 will then be adopted as the base year for setting realistic future targets.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [10728]

  Dr. Howells
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Consultation Exercises
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will place in the Library before the summer adjournment a list of his Department's current consultation exercises initiated since 1 May. [11796]

  Dr. Howells
  Since 1 May, the Department for Education and Employment has carried out, and is presently undertaking, the following consultations:

  Consultations exercises which have ended
  Introduction of a single school leaving date for 16-year-olds in 1998—ended 28 July
  National curriculum assessment and reporting arrangements—ended 18 July

  Current consultation exercises
  Adult guidance
  Arrangements for publication of primary school performance tables by local education authorities in 1997
  Design and Implementation Advisory Group—university for industry
  Draft amendments to the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulation 1995
  Early years development plans for 1998–99: draft guidance for consultation
  Education (Assisted Places) Regulations: statutory consultation
  Employment-based routes into teaching
  First aid in schools
  Funding of in-service training for those involved in careers education and guidance
  Higher education
  Initial training and qualifications of careers advisers
  Investing in young people: the right to study
  New deal building partnerships
  New deal national design consultation—(three events)
  New deal regional conferences and events (28 in total)
  Preliminary study into public sector financial control training for training and enterprise councils
  Regulations to govern the approval of qualifications under section 37 (1) (b) of the Education Act 1997
  School security: dealing with troublemakers
  Smaller infant classes
  "Successful careers in the 21st Century"—policy document on the future of the careers service
  Teaching: high status, high standards—General Teaching Council
  TECs and welfare to work
  White Paper "Excellence in schools"
  Youth service audit

  The list includes both small and large-scale consultation exercises. In certain instances, the consultation is limited to a small number of key organisations and not to a scale normally associated with consultation exercises. The list does not include consultation exercises within the Department.

  Windfall Tax
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to include unemployed disabled people in employment and training programmes funded by the windfall tax; and if he will make a statement. [12016]
  505
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  We intend that unemployed disabled people will get the help they need to meet the aim of improving their skills, employability and job prospects. Ministers have already decided that disabled people claiming jobseeker's allowance will have early access to the opportunities for work, education and training provided by the new deal for young unemployed people. We will also encourage and enable those with disabilities or a long-standing illness to access training and work, to improve their employability and thereby reduce their dependency on long-term incapacity benefits. Some £200 million from the windfall levy has been set aside to fund this and other measures.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for the refurbishment of ministerial offices in his Department; and what is the estimated cost of the works and date of completion. [11872]

  Dr. Howells
  The only plans are to purchase appropriate furniture for the two new ministerial offices created in the DfEE headquarters building following the election. The estimated cost is £15,000 and delivery is expected within two to three months.

  Tithe Farm Lower School
  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the latest position on the Office for Standards in Education inspection of Tithe Farm lower school, Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire; and if he will make a statement. [11620]

  Mr. Byers
  The inspection of individual schools is a matter for Her Majesty's chief inspector. I will, however, write to the hon. Member, setting out the statutory procedures for the production and distribution of inspection reports. I will place a copy of my letter in the Library.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for her Department. [11568]

  Clare Short
  My Department intends to review its management practices to ensure that we maximise energy efficiency, recycling and water saving. The review will include an examination of waste.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste in her Department. [11569]

  Clare Short
  There are no existing formal waste minimisation targets although my Department recycles paper and glass. Energy-efficient lighting and state-of-the-art boiler controls have been introduced in the Department's building in East Kilbride and an energy efficiency audit has also been commissioned. The 506
  Department rents its London and overseas offices, and pursues energy-efficient policies within the constraints of rented property.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by her Department in each of the last five years. [11570]

  Clare Short
  Records of waste paper recycling are incomplete, but the estimated quantities recycled in each of the last five years are:

  1992–93: 29.7 tonnes

  1993–94: 31.0 tonnes

  1994–95: 31.2 tonnes

  1995–96: 30.4 tonnes

  1996–97: 29.0 tonnes

  Data on paper usage for each of the last five years could be provided only at disproportionate expense, but the quantity recycled in 1996–97 is estimated to represent approximately 27.5 per cent. of supplies purchased in that year.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [11867]

  Clare Short
  Following the creation of a second ministerial post in my Department, it has been necessary to create additional ministerial office accommodation in the buildings in London and East Kilbride. Including consequential expenditure on relocating and repartitioning adjoining non-ministerial accommodation, the total estimated cost of building works was £26,263. The works are substantially complete. The cost of providing additional furniture is estimated at £19,832. No other refurbishment is planned.

  North Korea
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to respond to the UNICEF appeal for aid to children in North Korea. [11288]

  Clare Short
  We are discussing the appeal with UNICEF and will decide on our response once we know the result of the UNICEF evaluation mission currently under way.

  Aid and Trade
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the total value of aid and trade provision projects since 1978; and if she will list the top 10(a) recipient countries in descending order by value of projects received and the value of ATP received by each country as a percentage of the total and (b) companies in descending order by value of projects received and the value of ATP received by each company as a percentage of the total. [11840]

  Clare Short
  The total value of commitments for aid and trade provision projects since 1978 is £1,387 million.
  507
  The top 10 recipient countries in descending order by the value of ATP commitments are:

  Country

  ATP allocation (£ million)

  Percentage of ATP total

  China

  285.94

  20.47

  Indonesia

  261.36

  18.71

  Malaysia

  152.03

  10.88

  India

  96.42

  6.90

  Turkey

  89.93

  6.44

  Zimbabwe

  55.64

  3.98

  Kenya

  46.89

  3.36

  Philippines

  46.52

  3.33

  Egypt

  40.53

  2.90

  Morocco

  37.95

  2.72

  Total

  1,113.21

  79.69

  Total for all countries

  11,396.99

  —

  1 Due to rounding the totals may not balance. The Balfour Beatty figure includes £24.37 million spent in respect of the Pergau hydro-electric project before 1994–95. This project is no longer being financed by the aid and trade provision.

  It is not possible to provide figures for the amount of business retained by the prime contractor as opposed to the amount handled by subcontractors. It should, however, be noted that the extent of subcontracting is normally considerable.

  The 10 companies that have won most ATP-supported business as prime contractors since 1978 are:

  Company

  ATP allocation (£ million)

  Percentage of ATP total

  Kvaerner (including the Trafalgar House Group)

  188.66

  13.50

  GEC

  155.31

  10.94

  Balfour Beatty

  108.37

  7.63

  Rolls Royce (including NEI)

  68.82

  4.85

  Biwater

  66.42

  4.68

  AMEC

  58.7

  4.13

  Foster Wheeler

  53.85

  3.79

  Snamprogetti UK

  47.18

  3.32

  Siemens Plessey

  43.43

  3.11

  Philips UK

  34.11

  2.40

  Total

  824.85

  59.04

  ATP total allocated

  1,396.99

  —

  Debt Relief Assistance
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans the Government have for assistance with debt relief for(a) Ethiopia, (b) Burkina Faso, (c) Burundi, (d) Ghana, (e) Kenya, (f) Madagascar, (g) Mozambique, (h) Nicaragua, (i) Rwanda, (j) Zimbabwe and (k) Uganda. [11287]

  Mr. Darling
  I have been asked to reply.

  Debt payments due to the UK arising from export credits are rescheduled in the multilateral forum of the Paris Club. Decisions on which countries qualify for debt relief, and on the amount of relief provided, are taken on a case-by-case basis. The UK has already cancelled its aid loans to six of the countries listed, and only one of the countries, Zimbabwe, now has any such loans outstanding to the UK.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish the latest draft of the multilateral agreement on investment, and place a copy in the Library. [10653]

  Clare Short
  [pursuant to her reply, 28 July 1997, c. 56]: The Department of Trade and Industry leads on this agreement. My hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry told the House on 23 July that the report that was presented to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Ministers in May 1997 on the progress of the multilateral agreement on investment is to be placed in the Library of both Houses.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years; [11531]

  (2) what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department; [11529]

  (3) if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within his Department. [11530]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  My Department recycled approximately 32 tonnes of paper last year, but no records are available for previous years. Arrangements are now being made to record the proportion of all waste paper which is recycled.

  As part of a green housekeeping strategy, my Department is committed to adopting the best environment practices wherever possible and practicable, including reducing the amount of waste produced and maximising that which is recycled. Initiatives already implemented include guidance to staff on paper-saving practices such as using electronic mail, double-side copying, and reusing envelopes, the installation of green bins to collect paper or cardboard for recycling and schemes introduced for the recycling of cans, plastic cups, and printer toner cartridges.

  A waste audit was recently undertaken and we will use the results of the audit to help us set a target for minimising waste by the end of August.

  Newstead Abbey
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received about the possible undermining of Newstead abbey; what steps he is taking; and if he will make a statement. [11903]

  Mr. Banks
  Representations have been received from the Byron Society, the Newstead Abbey Byron Society, the Thoroton Society of Nottinghamshire and four individuals. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is very concerned by reports that the mining will have adverse effects on the structure of these nationally important buildings and is considering what can be done to mitigate the likely impact on these structures or prevent damage from occurring.

  Museums and Galleries Commission
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement in respect of the grant in aid his Department proposes to give to the Museums and Galleries Commission until 2000. [11700]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Museums and Galleries Commission's grant in aid for the financial year 1997–98 is £8,904,000. The indicative figures for the next two years are:

  1998–99: £8,826,000

  1999–2000: £8,693,000

  Firm allocations for 1998–99 will be announced in the autumn.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for the refurbishment of ministerial offices in his Department; and what is the estimated cost of the works and date of completion. [11875]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  My Department is creating a new office for the additional Minister announced following the election. This involves work to one other Minister's office and moving some private offices. In total, five offices will be redecorated. As this work is being tendered, the estimated cost is commercially sensitive at present.

  Sports Broadcasting
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will introduce a development levy on television contracts with sporting clubs and ruling bodies to assist funding for youth development of sport. [11949]

  Mr. Banks
  Although I am not persuaded that a statutory levy is justified, the Government do want to see sports bodies re-investing a good proportion of television money into youth development of their sports. The sports' own code of conduct on the sale of television rights itself accepts this point.

  Tourism (Dramatic Arts)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the contribution of British dramatic arts to the promotion of inbound tourism in(a) London and (b) the United Kingdom. [11702]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  In 1995, 49 per cent. of visitors said that our theatres and performing arts were an important part of their decision to come to Britain. In 1996, 35 per cent. of overseas visitors to London said that London's culture and arts had greatly encouraged them to visit and a further 41 per cent. said that culture and arts had influenced their decision to come. The British Tourist Authority fully recognises the importance of arts and culture in attracting overseas visitors, and these play an integral role in its overseas marketing campaigns.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact of rises in ticket prices to dramatic arts venues in London on the United Kingdom tourism industry. [11703]
  510
  Mr. Clarke
  The latest available information from the society of London Theatres, from 1991, showed that up to one third of seats in London's theatres were filled by overseas visitors and many other by domestic tourists. I understand that the society will be updating this information later this year. The English tourist board announced last week that tourist spending in England rose by 7 per cent. to a record level of £10.7 billion in 1996. The British Tourist Authority estimates that earnings from overseas tourism in 1996 increased by 5 per cent. to £12.69 billion. All the evidence therefore suggests that London continues to attract record numbers of visitors.

  Museums and Galleries (Lottery Funding)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures are being taken to ensure an equitable distribution of lottery funds to museums and galleries across the United Kingdom. [11701]

  Mr. Banks
  The national lottery distributing bodies have already announced awards worth over £465 million to museums and galleries throughout the country, notably through the Heritage Lottery Fund's major museum, library and archive projects programme which aims to achieve a good regional spread of major projects across the United Kingdom.

  The White Paper "The People's Lottery", Cm3709, published on 21 July, makes clear the Government's objective that there should be more confidence that lottery money generally is allocated fairly and equitably in the light of need across all regions and parts of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to extend the use of heritage lottery funding in respect of museums and galleries projects. [11699]

  Mr. Banks
  The National Heritage Act 1997 will extend the powers of the trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and enable them to support a wider range of projects and applicants. The powers will open up new opportunities for the Heritage Lottery Fund to assist museum and gallery projects. The Heritage Lottery Fund is currently consulting on the use of the wider powers. We are considering implementation of the Act as part of our wider review of lottery distribution.

  Millennium Commission Grants
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will list by local authority area in(a) Wales and (b) England the (i) number and (ii) value of Millennium Commission grants made in each year to date. [7221]

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

  Lottery Awards
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list, for each category of national lottery good causes, how much money has been
  511
  awarded to individuals or organisations in the Chorley parliamentary constituency in each year since the lottery was established. [11219]

  Mr. Banks
  To date, over £3.7 billion has been awarded to 27,387 projects throughout the UK. Of these, 19 awards worth £534,962 have been made to projects in Chorley. Annual breakdowns are set out in the following table.

  Distributing body

  Total amount £

  Number of awards

  1995

  Arts Council of England

  —

  0

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  —

  0

  Millennium Commission

  —

  0

  National Lottery Charities Board

  53,328

  3

  Sports Council

  43,523

  1

  Total for 1995

  96,851

  4

  1996

  Arts Council of England

  —

  0

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  97,130

  2

  Millennium Commission

  —

  0

  National Lottery Charities Board

  324,313

  10

  Sports Council

  9,118

  1

  Total for 1996

  430,561

  13

  Region

  London1

  Merseyside

  North-west

  South-east

  Distributing body

  Amount£

  Awards

  Amount£

  Awards

  Amount£

  Awards

  Amount£

  Awards

  1995

  Arts Council

  126,468,346

  81

  3,225,848

  10

  7,318,924

  41

  12,526,983

  45

  Charities Board

  28,804,775

  328

  6,504,451

  105

  13,403,172

  221

  13,412,786

  240

  Sports Council

  4,840,007

  34

  4,108,997

  9

  9,293,546

  61

  25,168,932

  121

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  23,785,882

  20

  90,000

  1

  4,600,619

  7

  1,304,642

  12

  Millennium Commission2

  52,200,000

  2

  1,668,500

  1

  12,431,702

  2

  70,891,500

  5

  1995 total

  236,099,010

  465

  15,597,796

  126

  47,047,963

  332

  123,304,843

  423

  1996

  Arts Council

  163,399,606

  173

  2,050,243

  15

  69,810,976

  84

  40,639,873

  84

  Charities Board

  52,367,043

  559

  11,229,820

  141

  27,542,094

  361

  25,752,757

  410

  Sports Council

  31,921,074

  71

  3,409,903

  14

  15,159,624

  113

  32,160,530

  212

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  125,134,428

  59

  4,010,000

  4

  14,158,065

  36

  15,293,204

  39

  Millennium Commission

  52,943,718

  5

  —

  0

  19,065,549

  3

  4,296,850

  6

  1996 total

  425,765,869

  867

  20,699,966

  174

  145,736,308

  597

  118,143,214

  751

  1997

  Arts Council

  35,794,183

  893

  2,857,883

  40

  22,961,547

  159

  10,564,722

  583

  Charities Board

  5,994,942

  36

  —

  0

  197,359

  3

  1,509,190

  12

  Sports Council

  46,073,489

  45

  6,309,089

  6

  53,787,600

  74

  36,365,440

  122

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  60,629,091

  68

  9,706,100

  9

  51,888,958

  46

  26,842,758

  62

  Millennium Commission

  —

  0

  28,721,195

  2

  2,700,000

  1

  329,800

  1

  1997 total

  148,491,705

  1,042

  47,594,267

  57

  131,535,464

  283

  75,611,910

  780

  Grand total

  810,356,581

  2,374

  83,892,029

  357

  324,319,735

  1,212

  317,059,967

  1,954

  1 Awards to bodies based in London include many to institutions that are of national importance and are of benefit to the country as a whole. Awards to these organisations account for 60 per cent. (approximately £485 million) of the total so far awarded to London.

  2 Figures for Millennium Commission awards cover capital projects only and so exclude the Millennium Awards scheme.

  512

  Distributing body

  Total amount £

  Number of awards

  1997

  Arts Council of England

  7,550

  2

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  —

  0

  Millennium Commission

  —

  0

  National Lottery Charities Board

  —

  0

  Sport Council

  —

  0

  Total for 1997

  7,550

  2

  Grand total

  534,962

  19

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list, for each category of national lottery good causes, how much money has been(a) given and (b) awarded in the Government regions of (i) London, (ii) the north-west, (iii) Merseyside and (iv) the south-east, in each of the years since the lottery was established. [11220]

  Mr. Banks
  To date, over £3.7 billion has been awarded to 27,387 projects throughout the UK. An annual breakdown of the awards in London, the north-west, Merseyside and the south-east is set out in the following table. Figures for the amounts already drawn down by region are not held centrally.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11894]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The cost of preventive and remedial action on year 2000 will be met from existing public expenditure survey provision. The Department is following the guidance published by CCTA. A detailed and costed action plan is being drawn up.

  English Sports Council
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the appointment of ministerial nominees to the regions of the English Sports Council. [21319]

  Mr. Banks
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has previously announced that, as part of our new approach to sport, we are looking at the way that the current sports council structures are working. As part of that review, we have looked carefully at the regional structure of the English Sports Council, the proposed role of ministerial nominees to the council's regional offices, and the relationship between the council and local authorities and governing bodies of sport in the regions. While there is still work to be done on what new arrangements might be introduced, my right hon. Friend and I have decided to stand down all the ministerial nominees that have either been formally appointed or were nominees-designate to work alongside the English Sports Council.

  This decision is no reflection on the ability of the individuals concerned to play a part in developing the Government's plans for sport. I will make a further announcement later this year about how we intend to rebuild the relationships between the English Sports Council and its partners in the regions, which were once so strong, and to help ensure that the role of local government and of local sport organisations in providing sports opportunities are given the credit they deserve.

  Television Broadcasters
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will require public television broadcasters to ensure that all public information, party political and party election broadcasts are fully accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing people in the United Kingdom. [12001]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Broadcasting Act 1990 set a target of 50 per cent. of transmissions for subtitling of programmes by 1998 for Channel 3 services and by the fifth anniversary of the commencement of the service for Channel 5. After that target is reached, it is for the Independent Television Commission to set the level of future targets. It is also a condition of the Channel 4 licence to ensure that 50 per cent. of its programmes are subtitled by 1998. I understand from the ITC that all Channel 3 licensees subtitle all their national news programmes and current affairs programmes and that Channel 4 subtitle their main news and current affairs programmes. Party political broadcasts are also subtitled.
  514
  Under the terms of the Broadcasting Act 1996, digital terrestrial television services have to meet a target of subtitling 50 per cent. of programmes by the 10th anniversary of the digital programme service starting. The 1996 Act required the Independent Television Commission to draw up a code on promoting the understanding and enjoyment of programmes by persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. As part of that code, the Independent Television Commission has also set interim targets for subtitling digital services.

  In its statement of promises to viewers and listeners, the BBC is committed to subtitling 50 per cent of all its programmes by 1998. The statement also contains a commitment to subtitle all national daily news programmes, regional news and current affairs broadcasts.

  The existing arrangements allow the ITC and the BBC flexibility to meet viewers' needs as fully as possible, constrained by statutory minimum subtitling levels and by what is technically and financially realistic. Within these arrangements, broadcasters place particular emphasis naturally on subtitling programmes which inform viewers of news and current affairs. The detailed arrangements for determining which programmes are subtitled, however, are not a matter for government.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will request Camelot to install national lottery terminals in villages in remote rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [11167]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: This is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. I have, therefore, asked the Director General of the National Lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the lottery, to write to the hon. Member, and copies of his response will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Our proposals for the future of the national lottery were set out in the White Paper "The People's Lottery" published on Monday 21 July. The White Paper makes clear our concern to protect the contribution which the lottery makes to small retailers throughout the country. The impact on retailers will, therefore, be taken into account when choosing the next operator of the national lottery.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was raised for good causes by the national lottery between November 1994 and April 1997. [11162]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The national lottery raised £3,208,646,966 for the good causes between 19 November 1994 and 31 March 1997.

  Millennium Commission
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will list those projects funded by the Millennium Commission in(a) Nottinghamshire and (b) the east midlands; [9128]

  (2) if he will list by region the expenditure allocated by the Millennium Commission. [9129]
  515
  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 17 July 1997]: These are matters for the Millennium Commission. I shall write to my hon. Friend in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what Millennium Commission funding has been allocated to projects in(a) The Wrekin, (b) Shropshire and (c) the west midlands. [7777]

  Mr. Smith
  [holding answer 10 July 1997]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission, I shall write to my hon. Friend in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Millennium Commission will continue in existence after 2000; if it will remain responsible for the millennium experience at Greenwich; and what responsibility it will retain for financial shortfalls in respect of the millennium experience. [6479]

  Mr. Smith
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Millennium Celebrations
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the budget set aside for the millennium celebrations; and what percentage of that budget will be designated for projects in each of (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) Northern Ireland, (iv) England (excluding London), and (v) London. [6130]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 3 July 1997]: It is estimated that, by the end of 2000, over £2 billion of national lottery proceeds will have been disbursed by the Millennium Commission on capital projects to mark the millennium, on the millennium awards scheme, and on the national millennium experience and its regional programme. While it aims for an equitable regional distribution of grant, the Millennium Commission does not designate portions of its budget for projects in particular regions of the United Kingdom.

  No central Government expenditure on millennium celebrations is planned, other than approximately £40,000 per annum to support the work of the millennium co-ordinating group and its sub-groups.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what fee he estimates Mark

  align="center">Permanent list of absent voters

  Year

  Date of election

  Type of election

  Postal

  Postal proxy

  Proxy

  Total

  1992

  9 April

  Parliamentary General

  12,980

  17

  2,521

  15,518

  1993

  19 May

  Local Government

  8,259

  28

  1,642

  9,929

  1994

  9 June

  European Parliamentary

  Not available

  1996

  30 May

  Northern Ireland Elections

  14,377

  21

  1,769

  16,167

  1997

  1 May

  Parliamentary

  15,236

  36

  1,985

  17,257

  1997

  21 May

  Local Government

  19,959

  33

  2,378

  22,370

  516
  McCormack International will receive from its consultancy for the millennium experience; and if he will make a statement. [6601]

  Mr. Smith
  [holding answer 7 July 1997]: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what factors led him to adopt his present policy on the millennium dome; and if he will make a statement. [6902]

  Mr. Smith
  [holding answer 7 July 1997]: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Sport (Spectators)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what reports his Department receives of spectator attendance at(a) premier, first, second and third division association football matches, (b) county cricket matches, (c) super league, first and second division rugby league matches, (d) Courage division 1 and 2 rugby union matches; and if he will make a statement. [6975]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 9 July 1997]: The Department does not receive reports of attendances at these matches, but has access to them when necessary from the governing bodies of the sports concerned.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Prisoner Transfers
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what monitoring arrangements exist at the embassy in Dublin concerning prisoner transfer agreements with the Irish Government; and if she will make a statement about early releases to date. [10475]

  Mr. Ingram
  There have been no prisoner transfers from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland; nor have there been any requests for such transfers.

  Postal and Proxy Votes
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals listed on(a) the postal vote and (b) the proxy vote permanent register obtained postal and proxy votes for each election since 1992. [8691]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The following is the information:
  517
  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list by constituency the number of applications signed by individual doctors and the reason given for(a) postal votes and (b) proxy votes for the 1997 general election. [8693]

  Mr. Murphy
  Records of absent vote applications are not currently stored in a way that would readily provide information on reasons for application and individual doctors attestations.

  The chief electoral officer has instituted a review of all absent vote applications for the last three elections in Northern Ireland and any relevant conclusions of the report may be published in due course.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for(a) postal votes and (b) proxy votes have been refused for each election since 1992. [8692]

  Mr. Murphy
  Until 1996, absent vote applications were dealt with by area offices and as a consequence no records are available for the numbers of applications refused in previous years. For the 1997 elections, a central absent voting unit was established.

  Significant numbers of applications were received in good time, but were incomplete and had to be returned to the applicant. In such cases, each applicant received a letter of explanation and was invited to resubmit their correctly completed form. However, large numbers of applications were received in the last hours before cut-off time for receipt of applications and, in these circumstances, it was not possible to return incomplete applications to applicants.

  Parliamentary election—1 May 1997

  Reason

  Number

  Applicant not registered elector

  320

  Received too late

  300

  Insufficient or no reason

  162

  Dual/treble attestation

  126

  Not attested or not properly attested

  145

  Not signed

  66

  Medical reason, non-physical illness

  98

  Medical (not properly completed)

  64

  Proxy information not completed

  9

  Letters returned by Post Office

  5

  Signature not accepted

  3

  Too late, received after "late" closing date

  3

  No date of election given

  2

  Miscellaneous

  115

  Total

  1,418

  Local Government election—21 May 1997

  Reason

  Number

  Applicant not registered elector

  275

  Received too late

  398

  No reason given

  69

  Insufficient information

  88

  Not attested

  128

  Dual/treble attestation

  112

  Not signed

  121

  Medical Non-physical illness

  69

  Miscellaneous

  232

  Total

  1,492

  518
  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list, by constituency, the number of individuals listed on the permanent list for(a) postal votes and (b) proxy votes. [8690]

  Mr. Murphy
  The information is as follows:

  Permanent absent voters by constituency (as at 18 July 1997)

  Constituency

  Proxy

  Postal

  Total

  Belfast East

  114

  572

  686

  Belfast North

  101

  572

  673

  Belfast South

  98

  531

  629

  Belfast West

  80

  430

  510

  East Antrim

  189

  372

  561

  East Londonderry

  46

  1,254

  1,300

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  293

  3,270

  3,563

  Foyle

  116

  993

  1,109

  Lagan Valley

  118

  916

  1.034

  Mid Ulster

  77

  2,529

  2,606

  North Antrim

  123

  760

  883

  North Down

  150

  554

  704

  Newry and Armagh

  77

  1,656

  1,733

  South Antrim

  180

  450

  630

  South Down

  264

  1,909

  2,173

  Strangford

  136

  705

  841

  Upper Bann

  75

  1,101

  1,176

  West Tyrone

  253

  2,087

  2,340

  Total

  2,490

  20,661

  23,151

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the alleged injuries caused by plastic baton rounds since 1981 were(a) alleged to have been caused by rounds fired from a distance of less than 20m and (b) alleged to be injuries to the groin, buttocks or higher body parts. [9922]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 24 July 1997]: The information is not held in the form requested. However, the Royal Ulster Constabulary has supplied the following:

  align="center">Alleged PBR deaths/injuries

  Deaths

  Injuries

  19811

  7

  216

  1982

  1

  4

  1983

  —

  8

  1984

  1

  41

  1985

  —

  12

  1986

  1

  59

  1987

  —

  40

  1988

  —

  22

  1989

  1

  25

  1990

  —

  12

  1991

  —

  10

  1992

  —

  8

  1993

  —

  14

  1994

  —

  13

  1995

  —

  7

  1996

  —

  73

  19972

  —

  3

  Total

  11

  667

  1 Figures do not include five persons allegedly killed by baton rounds prior to 1981.

  2 To 30 June.

  Total deaths allegedly caused by baton rounds 1972 to date: 16.

  IRA Punishment Beatings
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many murders, maimings and beatings described as punishment beatings were carried out by the Provisional IRA in Northern Ireland(a) following the Provisional IRA's ceasefire declaration from midnight on 31 August 1994 to 6 pm on 9 February 1996 and (b) during the Provisional IRA's renewed terrorist campaign from 6 pm on 9 February 1996 to midday on 20 July 1997, on which their latest ceasefire declaration was announced. [10565]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: The information is not available in the format requested and would incur disproportionate cost to provide. The table, however, illustrates the number of deaths that have occurred directly due to the security situation and those casualties attributed to paramilitary style attacks by "Republican" organisations. The Royal Ulster Constabulary uses the term "paramilitary assaults" as opposed to punishment beatings as the latter tends to imply a certain justification for these appalling offences.

  align="center">Deaths due to the security situation caused by Republican organisations

  Number of deaths

  1 September 1994 to 9 February 1996
  (1800 hours)

  110

  9 February 1996 (1800 hours) to 20 July
  1997 (1200 hours)

  11

  1This figure includes one RUC officer who died as a result of injuries sustained in 1973.

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks by Republican organizations

  Number of casualties

  Casualties as a result of paramility style assaults

  1 September 1994 to 9 February 1996 (1800 hours)

  183

  9 February 1996 (1800 hours) to 20 July 1997
  (1200 hours)

  209

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style shootings

  1 September 1994 to 9 February 1996 (1800 hours)

  Nil

  9 February 1996 (1800 hours) to 20 July 1997
  (1200 hours)

  18

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [10745]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  For the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments, the available information is as follows:520
  The Department of Finance and Personnel provides a centralised non-industrial payroll service to NI Departments and NI civil servants employed by the NIO. For 1996–97, the total cost of the systems and processes, including the costs of the personnel section in each NI Department, was £2,303,202.
  The Department of Education for Northern Ireland operates a teachers' payroll system which pays salaries to teachers in most schools and colleges on behalf of their employing authorities. Costs for 1996–97 were £886,612.
  The Department of the Environment (NI) operates a payroll system for weekly paid industrial staff. Costs for 1996–97 were £1,774,713.
  The Department of Agriculture (NI) operates a payroll system for weekly paid industrial staff. Costs for 1996–97 were £439,721.

  The Northern Ireland Office has a contract with Chessington Computer Services Ltd,. for the provision of a payroll service for the home civil service staff. The terms of the contract are commercial in confidence.

  Absent Voting Papers
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the(a) number and (b) percentage of absent voting papers issued in (i) each parliamentary constituency for the 1996 forum election and (ii) the 1997 general election; and what steps she is taking to reduce electoral fraud. [10272]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: I have viewed with concern allegations that there is a significant level of electoral fraud in Northern Ireland. I will study the results of the chief electoral officer's investigations into postal vote applications with interest.

  Parliamentary general election 1 May 1997

  Northern Ireland elections 30 May 1996

  constituency

  Total number of postal ballot papers issued

  As a percentage of total constituency electorate

  Number of postal ballot papers issued

  As a percentage of total constituency electorate

  Belfast East

  748

  1.21

  635

  1.02

  Belfast North

  656

  1.01

  566

  0.87

  Belfast South

  694

  1.09

  621

  0.97

  Belfast West

  687

  1.11

  458

  0.75

  East Antrim

  559

  0.95

  575

  0.99

  East Londonderry

  1,750

  2.97

  1,517

  2.59

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  4,927

  7.61

  4,336

  6.81

  Foyle

  1,102

  1.62

  1,081

  1.62

  Lagan Valley

  1,231

  1.73

  1,065

  1.52

  Mid Ulster

  3,609

  6.11

  2,676

  4.64

  North Antrim

  1,260

  1.74

  1,105

  1.54

  North Down

  812

  1.30

  713

  1.14

  Newry and Armagh

  3,021

  4.27

  2,174

  3.11

  South Antrim

  654

  0.94

  698

  1.01

  South Down

  2,447

  3.50

  2,115

  3.06

  Strangford

  1,057

  1.51

  872

  1.26

  Upper Bann

  1,561

  2.21

  1,546

  2.21

  West Tyrone

  3,062

  5.24

  1,913

  3.34

  Total

  29,844

  2.53

  24,666

  2.12

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the different reasons, by number and percentage, for which absent voting papers were issued in each(a) parliamentary constituency and (b) council area in the 1997 general elections; and if she will make a statement on her policy in relation to

  521
  discrepancies between Northern Ireland electoral laws and rules and those pertaining to the rest of the United Kingdom. [10122]

  Mr. Murphy
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: Regulations specifying the grounds upon which absent voting papers may be issued for a both parliamentary and local government elections are set in statute. In both cases, the chief electoral officer shall grant an application if he is satisfied that the applicant's circumstances on the date of the poll will, or are likely to be such, that he cannot reasonably be expected to vote in person. There may be almost as many circumstances which qualify as there are applications, and so it would be impossible to list them all here.

  I do not consider that there are discrepancies between Northern Ireland's electoral laws and rules and those pertaining to the rest of the United Kingdom. There are clearly differences, but no more than are necessary to facilitate the different circumstances in Northern Ireland, not least of which is a system of single transferable vote proportional representation for local government and European parliamentary elections.

  Electors
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many electors in each constituency are registered from addresses outside the United Kingdom; and if she will list the top five countries where such electors reside, indicating the numbers involved. [10313]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: In accordance with regulation 34 of the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1986, the chief electoral officer for Northern Ireland publishes each year a list of overseas electors which gives details of the elector's name, the constituency in which they are registered and their declared present address.

  Overseas electors—1997 Register of electors

  Constituency

  Number of electors

  Belfast East

  5

  Belfast North

  8

  Belfast South

  5

  Belfast West

  3

  East Antrim

  3

  East Londonderry

  2

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  10

  Foyle

  5

  Lagan Valley

  3

  Mid-Ulster

  5

  Newry & Armagh

  5

  North Antrim

  7

  North Down

  13

  South Antrim

  2

  South Down

  5

  Strangford

  7

  Upper Bann

  4

  West Tyrone

  5

  Total

  97

  The top five in the league table of countries where registered Northern Ireland overseas electors reside accounts for 60 per cent. of the total number of overseas electors.
  522

  Country of residence

  Number of electors registered

  United States of America

  17

  Belgium

  13

  France

  7

  Republic of South Africa

  5

  Canada

  4

  Australia

  4

  Spain

  4

  Germany

  4

  Electoral Reform Committee
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will ask the chief electoral officer to give evidence to the Electoral Reform Committee of the Northern Ireland Forum for Peace and Dialogue. [10314]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The chief electoral officer is an independent office whose duties are clearly established by statute.

  It would not be appropriate for me to ask the chief electoral officer to do anything without those duties. I am aware, however, that the chief electoral officer has made clear that he is always prepared to see elected representatives at his office to discuss those matters within his area of responsibility.

  Arable Area Payments
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many payments were made under the arable area payments scheme in 1996 of(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 and (i) over £50,000. [11315]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The number of payments made in 1996 under the arable area payments scheme were (a) 1,172 from £0 to £1,000, (b) 878 from £1,000 to £2,000, (c) 424 from £2,000 to £3,000, (d) 348 from £3,000 to £4,000, (e) 347 from £4,000 to £5,000, (f) 67 from £5,000 to £10,000, (g) 87 from £10,000 to £20,000, (h) 46 from £20,000 to £50,000 (i) three over £50,000.

  European Parliament Elections
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the implications for Northern Ireland of the Government's plans to introduce a list system of proportional representation for European Parliament elections. [10474]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My officials will be considering whether it would be in Northern Ireland's best interests to be included in any British system of PR for European parliamentary elections, or whether Northern Ireland should retain its existing model of PR or something similar. The overriding criterion will be what is best for Northern Ireland. I would be interested to receive the views of the Northern Ireland parties on this matter.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 23 June,Official Report, column 404, if she will make it her policy to ensure that disability living allowance reviews and appeals are costed and the price published; and if she will make a statement on the success rate for reviews and appeals. [10476]

  Mr. Worthington
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie, and I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given.

  Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 29 July 1997:
  I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on the costs and success rate of Disability Living Allowance reviews and appeals.
  As explained in my letter of 17 June 1997, the Social Security Agency does not maintain records on the costs of Disability Living Allowance reviews and appeals, processes to which people who are dissatisfied with adjudication officer decisions have a statutory right of access. Compiling and maintaining this information would require a major clerical work programme at disproportionate costs and the Agency has no plans to introduce such a system.
  Current available information indicates that around one third of reviews and appeals for Disability Living Allowance are successful. This is broadly in line with other similar benefits. While the Agency aims to get as many decisions as possible correct at the initial claim stage, it frequently happens that, when given a decision on their application, customers provide further evidence of their disability which then has to be reviewed. This is the main reason for the success rate for reviews and appeals.
  I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide any further information you require.

  Education (Schools) Bill
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will ensure that Northern Ireland is covered by the Education (Schools) Bill. [10477]

  Mr. Worthington
  Separate legislation is being prepared to give effect to class size requirements in Northern Ireland.

  Parades
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many parades have taken place in Northern Ireland in the current year; how many were organised by(a) the Orange Order, (b) the Royal Black Institution, (c) the Apprentice Boys of Derry, (d) The Ancient Order of Hibernians, (e) children and youth organisations, such as boys and girls brigades, scouts, (f) the Royal British Legion, (g) Sinn Fein, (h) trade unions and (i) other organisations and individuals. [11501]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information is not currently available in the format requested and would incur disproportionate cost to provide. I can, however, give details of the number of parades which have taken place in Northern Ireland in the current year which are described as either loyalist, nationalist or other.
  524

  Parades held from 1 January 1997 to 27 July 1997

  Number

  Loyalist

  1,576

  Nationalist

  114

  Other

  254

  Total

  1,944

  The statistics may be subject to adjustment.

  Violent Crime
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list for each month since 1 January 1994 the number of arson attacks and explosive attacks which have been made on(a) churches, by denomination (b) other church property, (c) Ancient Order of Hibernians halls, (d) Gaelic Athletic Association buildings, (e) Orange halls, (f) other halls, (g) private houses, (h) integrated schools, (i) maintained schools, (j) controlled schools and (k) voluntary schools; [11499]

  (2) if she will list for the months of May, June and July to date in (a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997 the numbers of incidents in which (i) petrol bombs were thrown at the security forces, (ii) firearms were used against the security forces and (iii) the security forces were attacked with stones or other missiles, broken down by town or police sub-division, giving (1) the duration of the assaults, (2) the numbers of persons involved and (3) the numbers of petrol bombs used; [11500]

  (3) how many punishment beatings and shootings there have been in each month, broken down by police division, since 1 January 1994; and if he will indicate (a) which terrorist or paramilitary body was responsible and (b) how many were (i) republican and (ii) loyalist inspired. [11507]

  Mr. Ingram
  I shall write to the right hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Stolen Vehicles
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the months of May, June and July to date the numbers of vehicles stolen in each police sub-division in Northern Ireland this year and in (i) 1995 and (ii) 1996; how many of them were(a) recovered and (b) destroyed; and what estimate she has made of the costs of each case of damage in each sub-division in each year. [11503]

  Mr. Ingram
  I shall write to the right hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Stormont Talks (Bodyguards)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which delegations of participants in the all-party talks at Stormont have bodyguards within the castle buildings precincts; which of these bodyguards are armed; and if she will make a statement. [10432]

  Mr. Ingram
  I shall write to the right hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Bus Operators (Fuel Costs)
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of(a) the

  525
  cost to public transport bus operators resulting from the increase in fuel costs announced in the Budget and (b) its effect on the cost of travel by bus. [11617]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I understand that Ulsterbus and Citybus, which operate the great bulk of bus services in Northern Ireland, estimate that the increase in fuel duty will add around £850,000 a year to their costs. As a result, they increased bus fares by an average of 1.75 per cent. on July 28.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding is presently committed from her departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if she will make a statement. [11895]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Northern Ireland Departments, together with the Northern Ireland Office, are each responsible for their own expenditure programmes. In each case the cost of rectifying the year 2000 problem will be met out of their existing public expenditure survey provision. The exact costs involved will not be known until later in the year when the Departments will have completed a set of fully costed plans for the work involved. At that point, the original expenditure programmes may have to be adjusted.

  Employment Advertisements
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how often since 1992 her Department has been responsible for employment advertisements which contained age restrictions upon those who could apply. [9512]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [11392]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]:

  For the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments, the information is as follows:

  align="right">£ thousand

  Current

  Capital

  1995–961

  25,316

  16,319

  1996–971

  26,415

  17,466

  1997–98

  26,821

  18,202

  1998–99

  31,991

  16,500

  1999–2000

  34,383

  14,875

  1Actual expenditure.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within her Department; [11566]
  526
  (2) what plans she has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for her Department; [11565]

  (3) if she will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by her Department in each of the last five years. [11567]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Telecommunications Towers
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list(a) the number of planning applications for telecommunications towers made by each of the telecommunications companies operating in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years and the current year to the latest available date, (b) the number of such towers erected by each such company in each year, (c) the number of such towers erected for which planning permission was not needed and (d) her estimate of the total number of such towers which will be needed by each company to complete their network. [12187]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of(a) the present average yield of each of the principal farm crops and (b) the comparable yields if all farmers were to convert to organic farming. [12188]

  Mr Paul Murphy
  (a) The average yields of each of the main farm crops in 1996 and for the previous five years are given in the table.

  align="right">tonnes per hectare

  1996

  Average 1991 to 1995

  Spring barley

  5.03

  4.26

  Winter barley

  6.64

  5.78

  Wheat

  7.70

  6.87

  Oats

  5.07

  4.62

  Potatoes (maincrop ware and seed)

  29.93

  27.23

  (b) The organic sector in Northern Ireland is too small to provide reliable estimates of comparable yields.

  Social Security
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action will be taken in Northern Ireland to involve the private sector in delivery of social security services. [12276]

  Mr. Worthington
  The Government's objective is to create a modern welfare state where social security benefits are to bring people into mainstream society and are not simply hand-outs. The delivery of benefits has to be modernised as well as the system itself. Privatisation is not the only way of improving quality and reducing costs, but we see no reason why the public sector should deliver services if there are more efficient ways of doing so. The Society Security Agency, in conjunction with the Benefits Agency, has initiated a project to involve private sector consortiums to explore opportunities for the modernisation of service delay. This project fits well with our approach to public-private sector partnerships and
  527
  action on it will continue. Specific details will soon be announced by the chief executive of the Social Security Agency.

  Alongside this, whenever the private sector is used in the future, the arrangements will be strengthened to:
  Define a minimum quality of service threshold when we assess bids.
  Contracts will not be awarded if a supplier fails to reach this threshold.
  Place greater emphasis on evaluation of suppliers' management of staff transfers.
  Provide guidance to potential and current suppliers to make clear what we consider to be good employment practice.
  Strengthen contract monitoring to assess suppliers' performance including quality of service, management of people, cost efficiency, evaluation and feedback on performance.

  I believe that this approach will ensure that the best possible social security service will be delivered to people in Northern Ireland by committed staff at the right cost to the taxpayer.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  A406 (Upgrading Contracts)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the contracts to upgrade the A406 at Sterling way and Fore street to be completed; and what steps he is taking to remedy the delays already announced on these contracts. [10677]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Andrew Love, dated 31 July 1997:
  The Minister for Transport in London has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the improvements to the A406 at Sterling Way and Fore Street.
  The contract to improve this part of the A406 is expected to be completed by late Spring of 1998. However, the completion of the underpass which will take the A406 under the existing Fore Street junction and Railtrack's Silver Street Station, should be completed 2 to 3 months prior to the completion of the full contract.
  The delays have mainly been caused by the contractor encountering unexpected ground conditions during piling operations. The contractor is reducing the effect by increasing his resources and reviewing his construction methods. There are no plans to accelerate the main works to achieve an earlier completion date, because it would be costly. The Contractor is already working 7am to 7pm and extending those hours would create unacceptable disturbance. Other constraints on the sequence of work are imposed by lane closures and fitting out the tunnel.

  Smoky Vehicle Hotline
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many complaints have been received by the Vehicle Inspectorate's smoky vehicle hotline in each of the last five years; and how many prosecutions have resulted from complaints in each year. [11466]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate agency to write to the hon. Member.
  528
  Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 31 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the number of complaints received by the Vehicle Inspectorate's Smoky Vehicle Hotline in each of the last 5 years; and how many prosecutions have resulted from complaints in each year.
  The total number of reports received via the Hotline for each of the past 5 years is as follows:

  1992/93: 2,481

  1993/94: 2,887

  1994/95: 8,113

  1995/96: 16,304

  1996/97: 11,622

  We do not have details of the number of prosecutions arising from these reports. Vehicle operators are initially asked to supply written evidence that the vehicle reported on complies with emissions limits. In cases where there is evidence of non-compliance, details are added to the maintenance data held on the vehicle operator (which includes previous Hotline reports). The information is used by the Inspectorate on a cumulative basis to target enforcement action against operators with apparent unsatisfactory maintenance standards. Follow-up action may result in prosecutions and/or action by Traffic Commissioners against a vehicle operators' licence.

  Freight Grants
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish revised guidance on freight grants; and if he will make a statement. [12076]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department is currently preparing a revised guide. It will be published shortly.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the costs of discretionary blight payments to people in homes near the Birmingham northern relief road; and what contribution to these costs will be paid by Midland Expressway Ltd. [12260]

  Dr. Strang
  The total cost attributable to discretionary purchase under sections 246(2)(a)/(b) and 248 of the Highways Act 1980 is some £1.5 million. The full cost of acquiring all land and property for the Birmingham northern relief road and compensation payments will be met by Midland Expressway Ltd.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what controls he will have on the level of tolls on the Birmingham northern relief road and the rates charged for heavy goods vehicles relative to those for other vehicles. [12259]

  Dr. Strang
  The level of tolls and their applications to different classes of vehicle will under the legislation be matters for the concessionaire.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has made a cost-benefit analysis of the long-term economic advantages of the Birmingham northern relief road. [12257]

  Dr. Strang
  A cost benefit analysis carried out in 1991 showed the scheme proposed by Midland Expressway Ltd. having a benefit:cost ratio of more than 2:1.
  529
  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many subcontractors to Midland Expressway Ltd. for the Birmingham northern relief road project are companies in the(a) Kvaerner Group and (b) Autostrada Group.[12256]

  Dr. Strang
  The construction of the Birmingham northern relief road will be controlled by companies associated with the Kvaerner and Autostrada Groups. The work to be subcontracted will be specified at a later stage.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what forecasts his Department has made of the effect of the Birmingham northern relief road on the percentage change in traffic levels on motorways in the west midlands. [12258]

  Dr. Strang
  The Birmingham northern relief road will provide a high-quality free-flowing route for through traffic to bypass the very heavily congested section of the M6 between junctions 4 and 11. The M6 will remain a high-standard route through the west midlands conurbation and is expected to be used to the full extent of its available capacity. Removal of through traffic from the M6 will enable traffic from lower standard local roads and trunk roads to use the M6, thereby easing traffic flows on those routes. As a consequence, M6 traffic levels are not forecast to reduce to a significant extent.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the details of the penalty clause in the contract between the Government and Midland Expressway Ltd. in relation to the Birmingham northern relief road, including the compensation which would be payable(a) to Midland Expressway Ltd. and (b) to other parties and subcontractors if the Birmingham northern relief road did not go ahead. [12255]

  Dr. Strang
  The BNRR concession agreement includes a number of detailed provisions for compensation payable by either party if the agreement is terminated under various possible circumstances. Under those provisions, the risk that the public inquiry outcome did not allow the scheme to proceed rests wholly with the concessionaire.

  I will write to my hon. Friend with further details on this matter.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the concession agreement covering the Birmingham northern relief road. [12229]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I will arrange for a copy of the concession statement that was put before the public inquiry to be placed in the Library, and will consider further with the concessionaire what further material can be provided.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue planning guidance to restrict development along the Birmingham northern relief road corridor. [12261]

  Angela Eagle
  Any proposals for such development would be assessed against existing planning policy guidance and policies in regional planning guidance and development plans. In particular, local planning authorities would need to assess any proposals along most of the length of the relief road against the policies in 530
  planning policy guidance note 2 on green belts. PPG2 maintains the presumption against inappropriate development within green belts and requires very special circumstances to justify inappropriate development.

  M25 (Noise Alleviation Measures)
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he proposes to implement the previously proposed noise alleviation measures to the M25 between junctions 12 and 15 independently of the outcome of the review of the proposals for widening the motorway within its existing curtailage between these junctions. [11714]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Phillip Hammond, dated 31 July 1997:
  The Minister for Transport in London has asked me to reply to your recent question about noise alleviation measures on the M25 between junctions 12 and 15.
  I understand the concerns raised about noise levels by busy roads and it is an issue that the Highways Agency takes very seriously. In this case the previously proposed noise alleviation measures are related to the predicted increase in noise resulting from the widening of M25. These noise reduction measures are an integral part of the widening scheme between junctions 12 and 15 and will not be implemented independently from that scheme.

  Minicabs (London)
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will consult over the Government's commitment to regulate London's minicabs; and if he will make a statement. [12270]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have today published a consultation paper on how best to regulate London's minicabs. I have arranged for copies to be deposited in the Library. Comments are invited by 15 September.

  I will arrange for the right hon. Member to see the results of the consultation before the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill is published.

  National Roads Programme
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the study undertaken by his Department into the total and cumulative environmental impact of the national roads programme. [12267]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the previous Administration, my Department commissioned the Transport Research laboratory to carry out a feasibility study into this subject. I have now received the study report, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The report highlights a number of practical difficulties about the way in which the total environmental impact can be defined and measured. As recommended, we are now seeking the views of interested statutory bodies and others. We will consider how best to proceed in light of those consultations, taking account of the strategic roads review which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport announced on 19 June.

  Aircraft Safety
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of passenger journeys on airlines covered by "Airworthiness Notice 64" which will take place between 1 June and 30 September this year. [11366]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Airworthiness notice 64 applies to all passenger aircraft on the UK register which have a maximum weight in excess of 5,700 kg or capable of carrying more than 20 passengers. No estimate has been made of the number of passenger journeys which will be carried out by such aircraft this summer.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, (1) pursuant to his answer of 22 July,Official Report, columns 493–94, concerning minimum space for seated passengers, what assessment he has made of the safety risk posed to this portion of the population which falls outside the normal design extremes covered in "Airworthiness Notice 64 (March 1989)"; and if he will make a statement. [11365]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 22 July, Official Report, columns 493–94, concerning minimum space for seated passengers, if he will update "Airworthiness Notice 64 (March 1989)" to take account of the latest anthropometric data. [11364]

  Ms Jackson
  It is not practicable for the design criteria for aircraft seats to cover both extremes of body size. The anthropometric range used in airworthiness notice no. 64 represents a practical standard for the design and installation of aircraft seats. There is no reason why an individual who falls outside the anthropometric range used by the Civil Aviation Authority should be at greater risk during an emergency evacuation.

  There has been no significant change in the anthropometric data since 1989 and the CAA has no proposals to review this standard.

  Central Line (Drivers' Cabs)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlie the decision to install air conditioning in drivers' cabs on the Central line; what has been the cost(a) per cab and (b) in total of the installation of air conditioning; and if he will make a statement. [11941]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The scope of investment projects is a matter for London Underground Ltd. However, I understand that air conditioning in drivers' cabs was installed for health and safety reasons, as operators would be subject to excessive temperatures during hot weather—for safety reasons, there are no opening cab windows and it would not be possible to open cab doors in transit. The total cost of installing air conditioning is estimated at £3.5 million or around £20,000 per cab. This is less than 1 per cent. of the total cost of the trains.

  Motorway Service Areas
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review guidance to local authorities and planning inspectors on the distance between motorway service areas. [11721]
  532
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Policy on the spacing of motorway services areas is set out in roads circular 1/94 which states that they should not generally be less than 15 miles apart. My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to amend that guidance though, in common with other aspects of land use planning and transport policy, it is an area we are keeping under review.

  Radioactive Material Transport
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the safety standards for the transport of radioactive material. [11727]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker),Official Report, 23 June, columns 381–82.

  Aircraft Movements (Heathrow)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the Cranford agreement on aircraft movements at Heathrow. [11847]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A reconsideration of the Cranford agreement forms one aspect of the further work commissioned in 1995 to assess the capacity and environmental implications of the proposals in the runway capacity enhancement study report. We do not expect the final stage of this work to begin before the autumn.

  Bus Transport (Fuel Costs)
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of(a) the cost to public transport bus operators resulting from the increase in fuel costs announced in the recent Budget and (b) its effect on the cost of travel by bus. [11616]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department estimates that the total cost to bus operators—in England, Scotland and Wales—of the increase in fuel duty announced in the Budget is likely to be about £40 million per year. The effect if any on the fares charged will vary from operator to operator. However, fuel duty is a relatively small part of the total cost of bus operation and the proportion of the duty rebated by my Department to operators of local bus services remains at over 60 per cent.

  Roads Expenditure
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list for each of the last five financial years the expenditure on motorways and trunk roads in respect of(a) reconstruction, (b) overlay, (c) resurfacing and (d) surface dressing; and what are the forecast outturns for 1997; [11707]

  (2) if he will list the bridges carrying motorways and trunks roads which are awaiting strengthening works to comply with the EU plan to permit 40-tonne trucks, indicating the target date for the work to be undertaken; [11709]
  533
  (3) if he will list for each of the last five financial years the total lane kilometres of trunk road and motorway subject to (a) reconstruction, (b) overlay, (c) resurfacing and (d) surface dressing and what is his forecast for (a) to (d) for 1997–98; [11708]

  (4) which bridges carrying motorways and trunk roads are (a) currently and (b) expected to be subject to width or weight restrictions. [11710]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I will write to my hon Friend and will place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Highways Agency (Quality of Service Indicators)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Highways Agency will be publishing its quality of service indicators for safety, average journey times and the extent of congestion on trunk roads and motorways. [11706]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The latest information on accidents and casualties on trunk roads and motorways in England is contained in "Road Accident Statistics in English Regions: 1995". Average speeds on the various road classes in the network are in "Traffic Speeds on English Trunk Roads: 1995". Both these documents are published by the Government statistical service. The Highways Agency will be publishing congestion monitoring information later this year. The agency is currently developing a more comprehensive set of indicators for the quality of service on trunk roads.

  Traffic Problems (Salisbury)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the terms of reference for his study into alternative solutions to traffic problems in the Salisbury area; when it will(a) start and (b) finish; and if there will be public consultation. [11839]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The study will be led by the Government office for the south-west, which will seek to agree terms of reference with a wide range of interested parties over the next two months. The time scale for the study will depend on the terms of reference and on the amount of additional information that will need to be collected. It is intended to be an inclusive process and emerging ideas will be shared with the local communities.

  Car Accidents (Young Drivers)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many car accidents involved drivers between 17 and 21 years of age in the last year for which figures are available; how many of these resulted in(a) personal injury and (b) death; and in how many of these accidents the driver was alone. [11790]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In 1996, there were 41,989 injury accidents involving car drivers between 17 and 21 years of age in which there were 718 fatalities and 66,072 casualties. It is not possible to distinguish from reported accident data whether a driver was alone.

  London Underground (Safety Measures)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been 534
  the result of the Health and Safety Executive's monitoring of London Underground's progress in developing (a) barriers between adjacent carriages to stop persons falling in the gap between them, (b) the provision in the driver's cab of television pictures of the platforms as the train approaches and as it is leaving, (c) modifications to the on-train passenger emergency devices so that they stop the train if one is operated as the train leaves a platform but warns the driver thereafter and (d) selective provision of platform attendants with an emergency button to stop a train. [11942]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  London Underground Ltd. is primarily responsible for safety on the underground, and is either testing or implementing these four measures, which are intended to improve safety on platforms. I understand that the Health and Safety Executive is continuing actively to monitor the way in which London Underground Ltd. is proceeding with each of these measures.

  Bradford-Cumbria DBFO Scheme
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much compensation will be paid to each of the four consortiums bidding for the Bradford-Cumbria design, build, finance and operate scheme as a result of the deferment of a decision whether to proceed. [11996]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It will be for the tenderers to submit claims to the Highways Agency with full supporting evidence for the sum they believe due. The agency will process those claims after any necessary clarification with tenderers.

  A31 (Pedestrian-cycleway)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the cost of constructing the pedestrian-cycleway on the A31 between Ashley Heath and Ringwood; [12253]

  (2) what is the estimated cost of signing the pedestrian-cycleway which has been constructed between Ashley Heath and Ringwood; [12254]

  (3) when he plans to carry out the signing of the pedestrian-cycleway which has been constructed between Ashley Heath and Ringwood. [12252]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1997:
  The Minister for Transport in London has asked me to reply to your recent questions about the cost of constructing the pedestrian-cycleway on the A31 between Ashley Heath and Ringwood, the cost of signing the pedestrian-cycleway and when the signing of the pedestrian-cycleway will be carried out.
  The cost of constructing the pedestrian-cycleway was £22,000, and the estimated cost of signing approximately £16,000–£18,000. At this stage I am unable to confirm precisely when we will be able to start the signing work, although a bid will be submitted for its inclusion in the Network Enhancement Project budget for implementation in 1998–99. However, I should point out that this scheme will be in competition with other safety improvement schemes on the network, and will also be subject to Hampshire County Council modifying the No Entry Order at West Street to a Prohibited Driving Order with a cycle exemption.

  M25 (Widening)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will order a public inquiry into the scheme for a 10 to 12-lane M25 between junctions 12 and 15 as part of the Government's further review of the scheme. [12183]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No. The statutory processes regarding the publish proposals for this scheme were completed when the decision on the environmental impact statement was made.

  Bicycles (Lights)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his assessment of the potential safety benefits of fitting lights to all bicycles; what is his policy on the fitting of lights to all bicycles; and what representations he has had from the cycle industry and from groups representing cyclists. [12228]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the road vehicles lighting regulations, the fitting and use of lights on pedal cycles is already mandatory between sunset and sunrise.

  Since a large proportion of pedal cycles are never used in darkness and would receive no benefit from the fitment of lights, the costs of retrospectively requiring all cycles to have lights fitted would be difficult to justify.

  Views expressed by cycling interest groups and the bicycle industry on these issues have been mixed. Those in favour of the fitment of lights to cycles at the point of sale have maintained that the user's choice to subsequently remove them, either permanently or temporarily, should be preserved.

  Business Aviation
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement about his policy on business aviation; [12233]

  (2) if it is his policy to maintain access for business aviation to the widest possible network of United Kingdom airfields. [12234]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government recognise the importance of business aviation. Guidance to planning authorities on their approach to air transport, including business and general aviation, along with the impact of airports on the environment, will be part of the wide-ranging review of policy leading to the White Paper on integrated transport strategy.

  A406 Widening (Compulsory Purchases)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what stage negotiations with the London borough of Enfield has reached regarding compensation for the removal from Pymmes park, N18, of a cedar tree as part of the compulsory purchase of license land relating to the widening of the A406; when these negotiations are expected to be concluded; and if he will make a statement. [12250]
  536
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Andrew Love, dated 31 July 1997:
  The Minister for Transport in London has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about negotiations with the London Borough of Enfield over the removal of the cedar tree in Pymmes Park.
  In April 1996 we wrote to the London Borough of Enfield's Principal Corporate Solicitor, reiterating an offer first made in February 1995 to replace the cedar tree with two mature cedar trees.
  This letter also reflected our view that we were not liable for any compensation other than that negotiated with the District Valuer for the land needed for the A406 improvement. I enclose a copy of our letter for your information. To date, we have not received a response from the Council.

  Following is the letter:
  We spoke last week about your letter of 25 March and I promised to set out our views on this.
  Looking back over the papers, I see that we had told you that we expected to take entry into the park before the end of March 1995. We had also written to you on 28 February to say that we could find no way of saving the tree and to offer to provide two replacement trees. That letter also offered a meeting, an offer which received no response.
  We wrote to you on 27 April to explain further why we could not save the tree; the offer to provide replacement trees stands, but I do not see that we are liable to provide any compensation other than the negotiated with the District Valuer for the land.

  Thames Water (Discharges)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent reports he has received concerning radioactive discharges relating to Thames Water. [9847]

  Angela Eagle
  All radioactive discharges in England and Wales must be authorised by the Environment Agency under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. Limits for discharges of radioactivity are set by the Environment Agency in accordance with national and international standards, and the potential cumulative effects of discharges are carefully considered. Levels of actual radioactive discharges reported to the Environment Agency are placed on the public registers.

  The Environment Agency also monitors levels of radioactivity in the waters and sediments of the River Thames. The results of this monitoring programme demonstrate that levels of radioactivity in the River Thames are low and consistently below World Health Organisation guidelines for drinking water. MAFF undertakes a separate monitoring programme, which includes levels of radioactivity in certain fish, plants and sediments of the River Thames.

  Both the Environment Agency and MAFF produce annual reports of their monitoring programmes. Although I received no such report recently, I understand that the next agency report is expected to be issued during the summer, and the next MAFF report, the title of which is "Radioactivity in Food and the Environment" at the end of September.

  In addition, information on radioactive discharges from, and levels of radioactivity recorded at, various sites in the UK, including some on the River Thames, is included in the "Digest of Environmental Statistics" No. 19 1997, which was published on 11 July.
  537
  I am investigating what information is available on historic discharges into the River Thames from the principle sites involved, and I will write to the hon. Member.

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

  Angela Eagle
  [pursuant to her reply, 24 July, c. 694]: Employment advertisements placed by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions have not carried age restrictions for some years. This Department believes that older workers have a great deal to offer in the way of skills and experience and we welcome applications from people irrespective of their age. However, certain advertisements placed by its agencies have reflected age criteria appropriate for specific jobs. A lower age limit of 25 is imposed on the Vehicle Inspectorate's traffic examiners and the Driving Standards Authority's driving examiners. The Coastguard Agency used to recruit watch officers only between the ages of 27 and 50, but this restriction ceased in 1995. In 1996 the planning inspectorate advertised for inspectors who could offer 10 years' service prior to the normal retirement age.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to provide guidance to the Office of Water Services on the implementation of legislation to improve the quality of drinking water and the environment as part of the 1999 periodic review of water pricing. [10649]

  Angela Eagle
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, together with the Secretary of State for Wales, will issue public guidance in 1998 to the Director General of Water Services on the extent and timing of the water quality and environmental obligations likely to be placed on water and sewerage companies during the review period. In providing this guidance, the Government will draw on advice from the Environment Agency and the drinking water inspectorate on quality requirements, and advice from the Director General of Water Services on the investment likely to be required to meet quality standards and the price implications for customers. It is then for the director general to take account of that guidance in setting price limits in the 1999 periodic review.

  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, announced an inter-departmental review of the regulation of the utility industries on 30 June, Official Report, columns 20–21. When issuing guidance to the Director General of Water Services, the Government will take into account the conclusions of that review.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the purity of English drinking water by region; and how that compares with the purity of drinking water in other EU countries. [12167]
  538
  Angela Eagle
  The drinking water inspectorate publishes an annual report on the quality of water supplied by the 29 water companies in England and Wales. The report for 1996 was published on 8 July and is available in the House Library. It confirms that the quality of drinking water in England and Wales remains very high. In excess of 3 million samples were tested in 1996 and of these 99.7 per cent. complied with the standards. Comparable data for the quality of drinking water in other EU member states are not generally available.

  Director General of Water Services
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the statutory duties of the Director General of Water Services which relate to the periodic review of water pricing. [10650]

  Angela Eagle
  Condition B of the instrument of appointment of the water undertakers, made under section 6 of the Water Industry Act 1991, sets out the formula for calculating price limits. It provides for a review of all price limits by the director at 10-yearly intervals, or after five years at the request of the companies of the director.

  The Director General of Water Services, under section 2 of the Water Industry Act 1991, must exercise and perform his powers and duties in a manner best calculated to ensure that water and sewerage companies can carry out and finance their functions under that Act, in particular by securing a reasonable rate of return on their capital. Subject to that, he has to protect customers and promote economy and efficiency.

  Under section 3 of the Act, the director general, so far as is consistent with his duties under'section 2, has general environmental and recreational duties, including a duty to further the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty and the conservation of flora, fauna and geological or physiographical features of special interest and a duty to have regard to the preservation of public amenities such as freedom of access to the countryside and seaside.

  My right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, announced an inter-departmental review of the regulation of the utility industries on 30 June, Official Report, columns 20–21. The Government's objective for the review is to set a long-term stable framework for utility regulation which is seen as fair by all the interest groups involved, particularly by consumers

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [11384]
  539
  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The table sets out total estimated departmental payments—£ million—on computer-related current and capital work for the years requested:

  Year

  Current and capital work £ million

  1995–96

  55.5

  1996–97

  55.7

  1997–98

  64.1

  1998–99

  62.2

  1999–2000

  59.3

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to bring forward legislation to create regional development agencies. [11704]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Houghton and Washington East (Mr. Kemp) on 24 June 1997,Official Report, column 478.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has in respect of membership of the boards of the proposed regional development agencies; if there will be representation allocated to the co-operative and mutual sector; and if he will make a statement. [12226]

  Angela Eagle
  On 11 June, the Government launched a wide ranging consultation on our proposals for regional development agencies. We will make our detailed decisions in the light of that consultation

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the boundaries in England for the proposed regional development agencies will be the same as those proposed for regional lists for elections to the European Parliament. [12079]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the refurbishment of ministerial offices in his Department; and what is the estimated cost of the works and date of completion. [11873]

  Angela Eagle
  We have no plans for refurbishment of ministerial offices.

  Community Land Schemes
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review community land schemes. [11585]

  Mr. Raynsford
  If my hon. Friend would let me know those aspects of current arrangements which he believes should be reviewed, I would be pleased to give the matter my careful attention.

  Departmental Merger
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the cost to public funds, including the cost of management initiatives, hardware, software and retraining, of changing to common form the differing installations and practices developed by the former Departments of the Environment and of Transport for their internal financial and other information systems, staff records and pay and grading systems. [11944]

  Angela Eagle
  Final decisions have not yet been taken on the future of all these systems. It is expected that over time the merger will result in overall reductions in the running costs of the new Department.

  Mr. Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what proportions and with what direct full-year consequences in annual cost to public funds, the aggregate staff expressed in full-time equivalents of the former Departments of the Environment and of Transport have been reduced in 1995–96 and 1996–97; and what are the estimated figures for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99. [11945]

  Angela Eagle
  The most recent published information is contained in the respective 1997 annual reports of the former departments of the Environment and of Transport, which show that staff numbers and the associated running costs were as follows:

  1995–96 (outturn)

  1996–97 (estimated)

  1997–98 (planned)

  1998–99 (planned)

  Department of Environment

  Aggregate staff (FTE)

  4,527

  3,846

  3,755

  3,667

  Year on year percentage change

  —

  15

  -2

  -2

  Associated running costs (£ million)

  226

  229

  204

  198

  Year on year percentage change

  —

  +1

  -11

  -3

  Department of Transport

  Aggregate staff (FTE)

  8,532

  7,704

  7,649

  7,550

  Year on year percentage change

  —

  -10

  -1

  -1

  Associated running costs (£ million)

  395

  401

  373

  354

  Year on year percentage change

  —

  +2

  -7

  -5

  Mr. Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was his initial estimate of the cost to public funds of reintegrating the former Departments of the Environment and of Transport. [11882]

  Angela Eagle
  The estimated costs of the merger are still being prepared. These will depend on decisions regarding the systems to be adopted and the structure of the new Department. It is expected that over time the merger will result in overall reductions to running costs.

  Mr. Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the initial estimate of costs at current prices of separating a Department of Transport from the Department of the Environment in 1976. [11883]

  Angela Eagle
  At this distance in time the information required to answer the question is no longer available.

  Business Rates
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many business organisations and individual businesses he intends to consult in his review of business rates. [11787]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We shall be consulting the business community as widely as possible. We are currently considering the best way of involving representatives of the business community in the work of the review. Any proposals for change will be the subject of a full public consultation exercise allowing all business organisations and businesses to comment.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many hon. Members have requested meetings with Ministers of his Department since 1 May in relations to issues of compulsory competitive tendering; how many such requests have been refused; and how many remain outstanding as of 24 July. [11221]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Since 1 May, there have been three requests from hon. Members for meetings with Ministers about compulsory competitive tendering. Two of these requests were declined and the third is under consideration.

  Computer (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11898]

  Angela Eagle
  To date, committed resources primarily relate to internal staff working in line with CCTA guidance to produce detailed, costed plans by October 1997. These plans will inform decisions on budgetary commitments necessary to meet target dates for corrective work. It is expected that costs will be met from existing public expenditure survey provision.

  New Homes
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the previous Government's projections for the number of new homes required by 2011; and if he will make a statement. [11595]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The most recent household projections have been subject to considerable public scrutiny since their publication in March 1995, in particular by the Environment Select Committee in evidence for its report on housing need in 1996. I am satisfied that they were the best that could be made with the available data and that they accurately reflect recent trends.

  While generally endorsing the projections, the Committee recommended that the Department continue to examine the extent to which household formation is affected by economic and social factors. This is currently being addressed by the department of applied economics,
  542
  Cambridge university, as part of a wider research project for the Department on the modelling of the need for social housing. The project has been extended beyond its original completion date and should now be finalised by the autumn.

  Last year, the Department also commissioned Heriot-Watt university to undertake a detailed literature review on household formation, with particular emphasis on evaluating the available evidence on the extent to which economic factors affect the propensity for new households to form. This work has recently been completed and the report will be released on Monday, 4 August. Copies will be placed in the House Libraries.

  Leisure Development, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what decision he has made concerning planning application reference R96/684P for a leisure development at Catcliffe, South Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [11600]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Secretary of State has been waiting for further information from Rotherham metropolitan borough council. This has recently been received and he expects to make a decision soon on whether or not to call in this application.

  Green Ministers
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what decisions Green Ministers took at their meeting, on 30 July. [11881]

  Mr. Meacher
  At our first meeting, we agreed to establish a programme of work to support the strategic decisions taken by the new Cabinet Committee on the Environment. We considered ways of building sustainable development into policy formulation at the highest level and looked at ways of ensuring that Departments consider sustainable development and the environment in implementing their policies and programmes.

  As background to our work, we are today publishing the results of a consultancy study by KPMG that the last Administration commissioned to gauge how far it was meeting its commitment to assess the potential environmental impact of new policy proposals. The study shows that while Departments had begun to take better account of environmental impacts, much more needed to be done to ensure that policies were systematically considered. Copies of the study will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  To address the shortcomings some of the practical measures we are introducing immediately are:

  (i) a new sustainable development unit in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to support all Departments and to produce an aide-memoire for policy advisers, reminding them of the need to incorporate environmental considerations into policy appraisals for those policies where environmental impacts might be significant, and setting out the steps that ought to be taken in doing so. It will also provide a central contact point for Departments.

  (ii) DETR economists, in consultation with other Departments represented on the Inter Departmental Group on Environmental Costs and Benefits, will provide more technical guidance to those who are frequently involved in

  543
  the environmental aspects of policy appraisal. When available this guidance and the aide-memoirs will replace "Policy Appraisal and the Environment".

  We agreed to undertake regular collective reviews of the quality and scope of such assessments.

  We also asked officials to consider further targets and policies for ensuring that Departments and their agencies are operated sustainably, for example in energy and water saving, waste minimisation, procurement and staff commuting plans.

  We are concerned to keep Parliament and the public informed of progress and issues under debate and will be publicising the outcome of our meetings.

  Property Improvement Grants
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the rules governing qualification for an improvement grant where the property is used for both residential and commercial purposes; and what plans he has to change the rules for qualification. [11912]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Under part I of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 renovation grants are available for the improvement or repair of a dwelling, which is defined as a building or part of a building which is occupied as a separate dwelling. We have no plans to change this provision.

  Out-of-town Developments
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revise planning policy guidance in respect of the development of out-of-town stores. [11921]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have no current plans to revise PPG6.

  Green-field Sites
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will seek an urgent meeting with the relevant planning authorities in Suffolk in respect of his policy towards releasing more green-field sites for development in Suffolk. [11619]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No. The Suffolk structure plan makes provision for 54,690 dwellings until 2006 and green-field site specific issues are mostly resolved within the local plans framework introduced by schedule 54a to the Town and Country Planning Act 1991.

  Green Belt
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to revise legislation relating to planning guidance in respect of the protection of the green belt. [11712]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have no current plans to revise planning policy guidance note 2 which sets out the Government's policy on this issue.

  Car Boot Sales
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he 544
  has to restrict the number of days during the calendar year when car boot sales may be held without planning permission; and if he will make a statement regarding permitted development rights in so far as they affect car boot sales. [12240]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Part 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants a general planning permission for the temporary use of land for up to 28 days in any calendar year. However, the general permission for car boot sales is limited to 14 days, in recognition that they may, in some locations, cause problems such as parking, litter and noise. We are considering whether further controls over such markets are necessary.

  Population and Household Changes
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of(a) population and (b) household changes in (i) Birmingham and (ii) Worcestershire over the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [12194]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Population estimates and projections are the responsibility of the Office for National Statistics—formerly the Office for Population Censuses and Surveys. The projections of the numbers of the households, which uses this information are the responsibility of my Department.

  Populations and household projections for Worcestershire alone are not available as it was not a separate county at the time the most recent projections were made. The population and household projections over the next 10 years for both the metropolitan district of Birmingham and the county of Hereford and Worcester are as follows:

  1996

  2001

  2006

  Population1(thousands)

  Birmingham

  1,008

  1,006

  1,002

  Hereford and Worcester

  708

  731

  751

  Households2(thousands)

  Birmingham

  402

  408

  416

  Hereford and Worcester

  285

  301

  317

  Source:

  1 "1993-based Subnational population projections", OPCS Series PP3 number 9,1994.

  2 "Projections of Households in England to 2016", DoE 1995.

  Business Start-up Scheme
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many unemployed people have qualified for assistance on the business start-up scheme since its incorporation into the single regeneration budget in each region and for England as a whole; what was the annual expenditure; and which
  545
  training and enterprise councils have taken part in each year. [12171]

  Angela Eagle
  Information in the form requested is not available.

  The single regeneration budget provides support to local partnerships for schemes which promote the wider regeneration of their chosen area. Under the first two rounds of the challenge fund, 238 schemes have included plans to assist business start ups. Over their lifetime of up to seven years, and subject to satisfactory progress on delivery plans, these schemes stand to receive some £1.7 billion in challenge fund support towards a wide range of economic, environmental and social measures including an estimated 80,000 new business start ups. Training and enterprise councils are involved with the vast majority of the 238 schemes. Further support for new business start ups will also be provided under rounds 3 and 4 of the challenge fund.

  Information on the number of new business start ups supported under the challenge fund in 1995–96 and 1996–97 for each of the 10 Government offices for the regions and for England is as follows:

  Number of new business start ups

  Region

  1995–96(actual)

  1996–97(provisional)

  Eastern

  440

  739

  East Midlands

  463

  943

  London

  1,858

  2,236

  Merseyside

  577

  1,747

  North-east

  1,740

  2,232

  North-west

  1,283

  1,869

  South-east

  123

  375

  South-west

  571

  1,042

  West Midlands

  1,993

  2,476

  Yorkshire and Humber

  1,410

  2,702

  England

  10,458

  16,361

  Global Temperatures
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the global average temperature was relative to the 51 to 80 average in(a) June and (b) the period from January to May. [12243]

  Angela Eagle
  Climate monitoring carried out at the Met Office's Hadley centre, supported by my Department, shows provisionally that the global average temperature—relative to the 1951–1980 average—was +0.44°C in June 1997 and +0.37°C for the period January to May 1997.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what prediction the Government have made of global average temperature relative to the 51 to 80 average in each month from July to November of this year. [12244]

  Angela Eagle
  Climate monitoring is carried out at the Met Office's Hadley centre, supported by my Department. However, data for July are not yet completed and the Government make no such predictions of global average temperature.

  Regional Boundaries
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make the Local Government Boundary Commission responsible for regional boundaries in England. [12099]

  Mr. Caborn
  I announced on 11 June that we intend the boundaries of regional development agencies to be the same as the administrative areas of the Government offices for the regions, except that there will be a single agency for the north-west region including Merseyside.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on the powers and responsibilities in respect of planning and development in their geographical areas of those bodies which straddle borders between Government regions of his proposals in respect of the regions, with particular reference to the Peak District national park. [12110]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Government offices and the various regional planning bodies already liaise on cross boundary regional planning matters. We envisage that the regional development agencies which we are proposing to set up will be able to cooperate with one another in developing and implementing economic strategies for the regions.

  Rural Poverty
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has for the future role of the Rural Development Commission in respect of rural poverty. [12107]

  (2) what measures the Government are taking to combat rural poverty; [12108]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government recognise the special needs of people who live and work in rural areas and of the need to tackle poverty. My Department is responsible for the Rural Development Commission which operates a number of economic and community support programmes, designed to promote regeneration and tackle disadvantage in the countryside. We have been discussing with the Commission its draft 1997 corporate plan which sets out the Commission's future expenditure proposals. The Commission expects to publish its plan later this summer.

  We are currently considering how the proposed new regional development agencies might promote economic regeneration in rural areas. We are in the process of consulting interested parties in the regions to hear what they have to say about our proposals.

  A number of programmes in my Department and others may impact on rural poverty. The policies and programmes of my Department are being reviewed as part of the comprehensive spending review, in order to consider how far we are meeting the aims of enhancing opportunity, fairness and sustainable development, while promoting employment and investment for sound economic growth.

  Local Self-government
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which clauses of
  547
  the Council of Europe's charter of local self-government the Government plan to sign up to during the ratification stage. [12195]

  Mr. Raynsford
  These are matters to be decided when, as we intend, we come to ratify the charter. It is the Government's belief, however, that this country's domestic legislation on local government conforms with the charter as a whole.

  Council Tax Bandings
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the current council tax bandings with particular reference to mobile home owners who live in properties worth less than the lowest banding threshold. [12021]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have asked officials to undertake a review of the council tax. This review will consider, among other things, the current council tax valuation bands.

  Water Metering
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what discussions she has had with the water companies concerning the metering of places of worship; [12095]

  (2) what discussions he has had with religious leaders regarding the water metering of places of worship; [12096]

  (3) what steps he is taking to exempt churches, mosques and temples from the compulsory installation of water meters. [12097]

  Angela Eagle
  This Government have not taken part in any discussions on the basis of charging places of worship for water and sewerage services. This issue will fall within the scope of the Government review of the system of charging for water announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment in a written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) on 25 June 1997,Official Report, column 514. My Department has written to interested bodies inviting comments and in reply has received representations from religious bodies on the issues raised in the review, including the basis of charging for religious and community premises. The Government will consider all the representations before making proposals on charging. There will then be a period of formal consultation. The Government have made clear their opposition to compulsory metering for essential domestic use.

  Gipsy Sites
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will consider, for local authorities that have provided adequate and well-maintained gipsy sites, providing financial assistance for emergency transit sites for other gipsies visiting their area. [11998]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Exchequer grant at 100 per cent. was available for some 16 years for local authorities to provide both permanent, and transit, gipsy sites with a life of at least 10 years, and for temporary sites with a life of at least three years. Gipsy sites grant was never available for 548
  emergency stopping places which are often no more than redundant pieces of land with basic sanitary facilities for short overnight stops. Advice that local authorities should consider providing such sites in their areas, as a means for dealing with short-term unauthorised camping, was first enshrined in departmental circulars issued in 1977 and 1978.

  We have no plans at present to reintroduce Exchequer grant aid for local authorities to provide gipsy caravan sites.

  Local Government Finance
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that local authorities receive their full management and maintenance allowance for council-owned homes. [11997]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In calculating each authority's entitlement to housing revenue account subsidy, the allowance made for expenditure on management takes account of a target management and maintenance score determined annually for each authority based on a number of indicators including the characteristics of its stock. Allowances for individual authorities are calculated to move gradually towards the target figures thus ensuring no dramatic changes in subsidy entitlement from one year to the next.

  We will be making proposals later this year on HRA subsidy for 1998–99. We shall consult local authorities on the draft HRA subsidy determination in the normal way.

  We are considering all aspects of the financing of local authority housing as part of the comprehensive spending review. It will see that taxpayers' money is being spent effectively in order to fulfil the Government's manifesto commitments.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning applications in England were referred to his Department(a) under directions made under the Town and County Planning Acts, (b) voluntarily by local planning authorities and (c) voluntarily by interested individuals or bodies; and how many applications in each category were in fact called in, in each of the last five years. [12109]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As I explained in my answer to the hon. Member on 28 July,Official Report, column 42, the information is not available in the form requested.

  Bioregional Network Production
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into Bioregional Network Production, and what estimate he has made of the number of (i) jobs which would be created and (ii) road miles which would be saved by promoting Bioregional Network Production models. [11993]

  Angela Eagle
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which local authorities have applied for the special control provisions to deal with problem houses in multiple occupation contained in the Housing Act 1996; and with which local authorities his Department is having discussions about such provisions. [11983]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A registration scheme for houses in multiple occupation containing special control provisions has been confirmed, under the powers introduced by part II of the Housing Act 1996, for Portsmouth city council and will come into force on 1 September. My Department has held discussions about the possibility of introducing such schemes with two other authorities; Bournemouth borough council and Thanet district council.

  Rent Rises
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the real rises in rents for(a) council, (b) housing association and (c) private sector dwellings between 1979 and the latest date available. [12198]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The average weekly rent for local authority tenants in England increased from £6.49 to £40.05 between 1979–80 and 1996–97, which represents a 135 per cent. increase in real terms after adjusting for inflation as measured by the GDP market price deflator. The closest comparison that can be made for average private sector rents is between 1978 and 1996–97 when rents rose from £6.70 to £76.49, a 263 per cent. increase in real terms. These average private sector rents are estimates from the 1978 private renters survey and the 1996–97 survey of English housing and are subject to sampling variability. No data on overall average housing association rents are available before 1984.

  Housebuilding (Birmingham)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to take full account of issues of sustainability in considering the patterns of new housebuilding in and around Birmingham; and if he will make a statement. [12193]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We are considering advice provided by the west midlands regional forum of local authorities on housing provision in the west midlands region up to the year 2011. They have taken into account national planning policies on sustainability in formulating their advice, and we have those policies very much in mind in considering our response.

  Performing Animals
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the health and safety inspection arrangements at travelling zoos and circuses involving performing animals. [12085]

  Angela Eagle
  Arrangements for inspections of health and safety at travelling zoos and circuses are a matter for local authorities who are the enforcing authority under the 550
  Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for these types of activity. The Health and Safety Commission has issued guidance to local authorities on enforcement.

  Shopping Centres
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the Government's response to the Environment Committee's report on shopping centres, fourth report, Session 1996–97 HC210; and if he will make a statement. [12317]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government have today laid before Parliament their response to the Environment Committee's report on shopping centres which was published in March 1997.

  The Government, in responding to the Committee's report, reaffirm the objectives of the current planning policy guidance in PPG6: "Town Centres and Retail Developments". This guidance seeks to sustain and enhance the vitality and viability of our existing city, town and district centres. The Government are strongly committed to ensuring that such centres act as the focus for investment, particularly in retail, office, leisure and other appropriate developments, so as to provide easy access to a wide range of facilities and services by a choice of means of transport.

  This does not represent a change in Government policy, but rather continues the policies already established. I think that this will be seen as good news by the development industry and by others seeking planning permission, who will welcome the reassurance that continuity of policy provides.

  Gas Power
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Rio 2 treaty on United Kingdom policy towards gas power. [11102]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Nations General Assembly special session on 23 to 27 June 1997 did not result in any treaty commitments. However, in considering applications for gas-fired and other forms of power stations, we will ensure consistency with the wide objectives of secure, diverse and sustainable supplies of energy at competitive prices and meeting environmental targets.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within his Department; [11527]

  (2) what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department. [11526]

  Angela Eagle
  The former Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport set targets, respectively, for a 15 and 20 per cent. reduction in waste from their headquarter buildings by March 1998. An appropriate waste minimisation target and strategy for the new Department is being considered.
  551
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years. [11528]

  Angela Eagle
  The amount of paper recycled for the Department's headquarters buildings is as follows:

  Year

  Total paper recycled in DETR HQ buildings (Tonnes)

  1992–1993

  202

  1993–1994

  220

  1994–1995

  198

  1995–1996

  146

  1996–1997

  119

  Total1992–97

  885

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Shiji Lapite (Unlawful Killing)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Metropolitan police intend to take in respect of the unlawful killing of Shiji Lapite; and if he will make a statement. [11283]

  Mr. Michael
  The matter is now in the hands of the Director of Public Prosecutions to review the decision not to institute criminal proceedings. The Police Complaints Authority will review its decision not to pursue a disciplinary charge in this case, but cannot do so until the outcome of the DPP's review of the papers. The Metropolitan police have undertaken to co-operate fully.

  Animal Experimentation
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the report of the National Anti-Vivisection society, "Access Denied", a copy of which has been sent to him. [11280]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock),Official Report, column 258.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newark (Ms Jones) of 24 July,Official Report, column 681, if all the animals he lists as being at Huntingdon Life Sciences are currently being used in experiments. [11618]

  Mr. Howarth
  The figures given in that answer were estimates of the number of animals currently held by the establishment. A large majority of these animals will be undergoing regulated procedures.

  Under section 15 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, where a protected animal has been subjected to regulated procedures and where, at the conclusion of the procedures, the animal is suffering or is likely to suffer adverse effects, it must be killed by an approved method.

  More precise figures for the number of animals which would need to be killed could be established only at disproportionate cost.

  Asylum Seekers
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applicants for asylum before August 1993 are(a) awaiting a decision on their application and (b) awaiting an appeal hearing against refusal of asylum; [11514]

  (2) how many appeals against refusal of asylum, listed by nationality of applicant and by date of application, are awaiting decision; [11513]

  (3) how many applications for asylum made to his Department, listed by nationality of applicant and by year of application, are awaiting decision. [11512]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information on the number of applications awaiting an initial decision in the asylum directorate, as at the end of June 1997, is given in the tables. Of the total, 53.025, it is estimated that 11,300 were applications made prior to August 1993.

  As at the end of June 1997, there were approximately 24,000 asylum appeals yet to be determined. I regret that the breakdowns requested, by nationality and year of application, are not available.

  Table 1: Asylum applications awaiting an initial decision as at 30 June 19971, 2, 3

  Number

  Europe

  Bulgaria

  770

  Cyprus

  585

  Poland

  640

  Romania

  570

  Former USSR

  3,225

  Turkey

  4,275

  Former Yugoslavia

  3,275

  Others

  310

  Total

  13,645

  Americas

  Colombia

  2,440

  Others

  2,300

  Total

  4,745

  Middle East

  Iran

  1,110

  Iraq

  1,085

  Lebanon

  380

  Others

  1,140

  Total

  3,710

  Africa

  Algeria

  530

  Angola

  1,220

  Cameroon

  185

  Ethiopia

  1,140

  Gambia

  640

  Ghana

  2,660

  Ivory Coast

  455

  Kenya

  2,170

  Liberia

  330

  Nigeria

  3,480

  Rwanda

  285

  Sierra Leone

  830

  Somalia

  690

  South Africa

  60

  Sudan

  795

  Tanzania

  485

  Togo

  155

  Uganda

  855

  553

  Table 1: Asylum applications awaiting an initial decision as at 30 June 19971, 2, 3

  Number

  Zaire

  3,165

  Zimbabwe

  145

  Others

  555

  Total

  20,825

  Asia

  Afghanistan

  685

  Bangladesh

  1,045

  China

  1,825

  India

  1,070

  Pakistan

  1,825

  Sri Lanka

  2,740

  Others

  695

  Total

  9,890

  Other and unknown nationalities

  205

  Grand total

  53,025

  1 Excluding dependents.

  2 Figures rounded to the nearest five.

  3 Takes into account recent revisions to the number of in-country applications lodged in January to May 1997.

  Table2: Asylum application awaiting an initial decision as at 30 june 1997 by year of application1

  Year of application

  Percentage

  Pre 1992

  5

  1992

  10

  1993

  10

  1994

  20

  1995

  30

  1996

  15

  19972

  10

  Total

  53,025 (100 per cent.)

  1 Estimates rounded to the nearest 5 per cent.

  2 January to June.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people refused asylum in the United Kingdom since August 1993, listed by year of application, have(a) applied for and (b) been granted leave to remain on (i) exceptional, (ii) marriage and (iii) other grounds. [11502]

  Mr. O'Brien
  The available information is given in the table.

  align="center">Number1 of persons refused asylum but granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom, August 1993 to June 1997 Principal applicants

  align="center">Year of decision

  1993 August to December

  1994

  1995

  1996

  19974 January to June

  Type of leave granted

  Exceptional leave to remain2

  790

  3,660

  4,410

  5,050

  1,450

  Leave to remain as a spouse3

  50

  150

  270

  330

  120

  Other leave3

  10

  20

  40

  40

  30

  1 Figures rounded to nearest 10 and exclude dependants.

  2 Relates to those persons granted exceptional leave to remain at the time of being refused asylum.

  3 Relates to those refused asylum seekers subsequently granted leave to remain on non-asylum grounds.

  4 Provisional.

  Assaults on Police
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each police force in England and Wales and for each year since 1992(a) the total number of sickness days taken due to assault, (b) the average number of days lost per police officer due to assault and (c) the total cost to each police force. [11505]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is shown in the table. Information on the total cost of the days lost as a result of assaults on police officers is not held centrally.

  align="center">Total number of days sick leave due to assault

  Forces

  1993

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Avon and Somerset

  906

  1,106

  1—

  2,090

  Bedfordshire

  341

  247

  334

  750

  Cambridgeshire

  400

  270

  219

  377

  Cheshire

  1,119

  221

  799

  653

  City of London

  9

  145

  46

  1—

  Cleveland

  1,069

  513

  392

  417

  Cumbria

  457

  271

  512

  260

  Derbyshire

  1,502

  612

  814

  756

  Devon and Cornwall

  712

  445

  574

  920

  Dorset

  490

  492

  37

  140

  Durham

  448

  602

  817

  438

  Dyfed-Powys

  557

  251

  306

  495

  Essex

  582

  469

  749

  275

  Gloucestershire

  482

  319

  149

  323

  Greater Manchester

  1,427

  2,413

  2,492

  1,647

  Gwent

  342

  90

  132

  669

  Hampshire

  1,535

  537

  1,026

  1—

  Hertfordshire

  214

  218

  101

  268

  Humberside

  727

  627

  458

  276

  Kent

  400

  593

  302

  207

  Lancashire

  1,160

  1,016

  1,779

  950

  Leicestershire

  469

  992

  598

  550

  Lincolnshire

  709

  697

  719

  601

  Merseyside

  2,825

  3,325

  3,160

  2,229

  Metropolitan police

  11,323

  11,686

  5,000

  9,723

  Norfolk

  256

  289

  1—

  111

  North Wales

  61

  71

  28

  450

  North Yorkshire

  119

  76

  86

  33

  Northamptonshire

  370

  339

  69

  486

  Nortrmmbria

  4,048

  2,596

  2,471

  2,453

  Nottinghamshire

  1,161

  700

  776

  876

  South Wales

  3,414

  2,502

  2,455

  1,316

  South Yorkshire

  697

  1,040

  482

  607

  Staffordshire

  345.50

  346

  401

  483

  Suffolk

  122

  66

  75

  778

  Surrey

  240

  100

  282

  216

  Sussex

  738

  798

  688

  1,050

  Thames Valley

  668

  895

  1,073

  896

  Warwickshire

  375

  382

  379

  312

  WestMercia

  504

  398

  427

  773

  West Midlands

  2,054.19

  2,806

  2,165

  3,072

  West Yorkshire

  2,017

  1,318

  1—

  2,476

  Wiltshire

  249

  179

  259

  320

  Provincial total

  36,320.69

  31,302

  228,631

  231,999

  England and Wales total

  47,643.69

  42,988

  233,631

  241,506

  1Information not available.

  2 Incomplete totals.

  align="center">Average number of days sick leave per assault

  Forces

  1993

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Avon and Somerset

  10.53

  21.69

  1—

  14.72

  Bedfordshire

  13.12

  9.15

  9.28

  25.86

  Cambridgeshire

  17.39

  15.00

  14.60

  25.13

  Cheshire

  19.29

  9.61

  19.49

  13.06

  City of London

  3.00

  24.17

  9.20

  1—

  555

  align="center">Average number of days sick leave per assault

  Forces

  1993

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Cleveland

  19.80

  17.69

  9.80

  13.45

  Cumbria

  19.04

  10.42

  16.52

  10.00

  Derbyshire

  32.65

  14.23

  18.93

  12.60

  Devon and Cornwall

  10.79

  9.08

  13.67

  20.00

  Dorset

  18.85

  28.94

  4.63

  15.56

  Durham

  13.18

  12.29

  18.16

  18.25

  Dyfed-Powys

  27.85

  10.04

  9.00

  11.79

  Essex

  10.39

  12.34

  14.69

  9.82

  Gloucestershire

  17.21

  9.38

  13.55

  10.09

  Greater Manchester

  8.49

  16.87

  22.86

  11.60

  Gwent

  21.38

  7.50

  11.00

  22.30

  Hampshire

  17.64

  13.77

  17.10

  1—

  Hertfordshire

  9.30

  10.38

  25.25

  14.11

  Humberside

  12.32

  22.39

  12.38

  8.36

  Kent

  9.30

  11.40

  7.55

  6.27

  Lancashire

  12.08

  10.92

  25.06

  12.18

  Leicestershire

  8.53

  15.90

  11.73

  9.33

  Lincolnshire

  12.66

  18.34

  23.19

  17.68

  Merseyside

  20.62

  23.58

  24.12

  22.07

  Metropolitan police

  12.36

  12.21

  13.70

  23.10

  Norfolk

  7.11

  14.45

  1—

  8.56

  North Wales

  4.36

  5.92

  3.50

  13.64

  North Yorkshire

  7.93

  10.86

  7.82

  8.25

  Northamptonshire

  18.50

  26.08

  8.63

  17.36

  Northumbria

  21.31

  21.11

  23.09

  20.97

  Nottinghamshire

  20.73

  12.96

  14.92

  17.88

  South Wales

  21.88

  19.86

  25.31

  13.29

  South Yorkshire

  20.50

  26.67

  11.21

  7.78

  Staffordshire

  9.34

  7.36

  10.84

  14.21

  Suffolk

  6.78

  9.43

  5.77

  12.75

  Surrey

  10.43

  11.11

  16.59

  10.29

  Sussex

  17.57

  17.73

  21.50

  26.25

  Thames Valley

  22.27

  24.86

  39.74

  22.97

  Warwickshire

  14.42

  13.17

  10.83

  12.48

  West Mercia

  14.82

  9.71

  13.34

  12.67

  West Midlands

  13.97

  9.95

  13.53

  21.04

  West Yorkshire

  13.36

  13.05

  1—

  4.01

  Wiltshire

  10.83

  8.95

  17.27

  15.24

  Provincial total

  15.51

  15.11

  217.44

  212.47

  England and Wales total

  14.62

  14.20

  216.76

  213.98

  1Information not available

  2Incomplete totals

  align="center">Average number of days sick leave due to assault per officer

  Forces

  1993

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Avon and Somerset

  0.3

  0.4

  1—

  0.7

  Bedfordshire

  0.3

  0.2

  0.3

  0.7

  Cambridgeshire

  0.3

  0.2

  0.2

  0.3

  Cheshire

  0.6

  0.1

  0.4

  0.3

  City of London

  0.0

  0.2

  0.1

  0.0

  Cleveland

  0.7

  0.4

  0.3

  0.3

  Cumbria

  0.4

  0.2

  0.4

  0.2

  Derbyshire

  0.8

  0.3

  0.5

  0.4

  Devon and Cornwall

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  0.3

  Dorset

  0.4

  0.4

  0.0

  0.1

  Durham

  0.3

  0.4

  0.6

  0.3

  Dyfed-Powys

  0.6

  0.3

  0.3

  0.5

  Essex

  0.2

  0.2

  0.3

  0.1

  Gloucestershire

  0.4

  0.3

  0.1

  0.3

  Greater Manchester

  0.2

  0.3

  0.4

  0.2

  Gwent

  0.3

  0.1

  0.1

  0.5

  Hampshire

  0.5

  0.2

  0.3

  0.0

  Hertfordshire

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.2

  Humberside

  0.4

  0.3

  0.2

  0.1

  Kent

  0.1

  0.2

  0.1

  0.1

  Lancashire

  0.4

  0.3

  0.6

  0.3

  Leicestershire

  0.3

  0.5

  0.3

  0.4

  Lincolnshire

  0.6

  0.6

  0.6

  0.5

  Merseyside

  0.6

  0.7

  0.7

  0.5

  556

  align="center">Average number of days sick leave due to assault per officer

  Forces

  1993

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Metropolitan police

  0.4

  0.4

  0.2

  1—

  Norfolk

  0.2

  0.2

  1—

  0.1

  North Wales

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.3

  North Yorkshire

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.0

  Northamptonshire

  0.3

  0.3

  0.1

  0.4

  Northumbria

  1.1

  0.7

  0.7

  0.7

  Nottinghamshire

  0.5

  0.3

  0.3

  0.4

  South Wales

  1.1

  0.8

  0.8

  1—

  South Yorkshire

  0.2

  0.3

  0.2

  0.2

  Staffordshire

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  Suffolk

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.7

  Surrey

  0.1

  0.1

  0.2

  0.1

  Sussex

  0.2

  0.3

  0.2

  0.3

  Thames Valley

  0.2

  0.2

  0.3

  0.2

  Warwickshire

  0.4

  0.4

  0.4

  0.3

  West Mercia

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  0.4

  West Midlands

  0.3

  0.4

  0.3

  0.4

  West Yorkshire

  0.4

  0.3

  1—

  0.5

  Wiltshire

  0.2

  0.1

  0.2

  0.3

  Provincial total

  0.4

  0.3

  20.3

  20.3

  England and Wales total

  0.4

  0.3

  20.3

  20.4

  1Information not available

  2Incomplete totals

  Police Overtime
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were(a) the total and (b) the average overtime payments for police officers in each police force in England and Wales for each year since 1992–93. [115061

  Mr. Michael
  The following tables show overtime costs, where available, for each police force in years 1992–93 to 1995–96. Figures for
  1996–97 are not held centrally. The information for years up to, and including, 1994–95 is taken from the police grant claim forms. The format of this changed in 1995–96, when police authorities were no longer required to submit detailed expenditure information. The figures for 1995–96 are therefore taken from returns submitted by police forces to Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary's matrix of indicators. However that return also changed in 1996–97,since when information on overtime costs has no longer been available. Nor are details of overtime costs included in the Charered Institute of public Finance and Accountancy statistics of actual police expenditure from 1994–95 onwards. The average overtime payment has been calculated bf dividing the total cost of overtime for the force by its recorded police strength as at 31 march in the year in question.

  align="center">Police overtime

  Total cost 1992–93£

  Average per officer£

  Total cost 1993–94£

  Average per officer£

  Avon and Somerset

  6,483,805

  2,113

  3,411,264

  1,125

  Bedfordshire

  2,465,006

  2,110

  2,005,596

  1,742

  Cambridgeshire

  3,482,000

  2,753

  2,452,994

  1,942

  Cheshire

  4,442,473

  2,328

  2,849,688

  1,498

  City of London

  2,173,705

  2,635

  2,414,334

  2,704

  Cleveland

  1,645,093

  1,113

  1,860,389

  1,302

  Cumbria

  2,355,384

  1,969

  1,772,714

  1,510

  Derbyshire

  3,258,958

  1,781

  2,606,392

  1,432

  Devon and Cornwall

  6,061,765

  2,083

  4,308,050

  1,478

  Dorset

  1,729,899

  1,329

  1,496,308

  1,154

  557

  align="center">Police overtime

  Total cost 1992–93£

  Average per officer £

  Total cost 1993–94£

  Average per officer £

  Durham

  1,670,907

  1,210

  1,850,700

  1,338

  Dyfed-Powys

  2,142,357

  2,215

  1,385,499

  1,436

  Essex

  5,628,590

  1,917

  5,897,104

  2,008

  Gloucestershire

  1,539,963

  1,340

  1,986,563

  1,714

  Greater Manchester

  24,271,289

  3,438

  15,174,820

  2,178

  Gwent

  1,553,956

  1,548

  1,381,970

  1,392

  Hampshire

  7,107,374

  2,170

  6,577,017

  2,011

  Hertfordshire

  2,324,840

  1,368

  2,721,585

  1,618

  Humberside

  3,280,068

  1,614

  3,583,821

  1,758

  Kent

  5,598,524

  1,780

  6,013,068

  1,912

  Lancashire

  6,967,479

  2,173

  4,521,393

  1,426

  Leicestershire

  3,875,318

  2,147

  2,165,623

  1,187

  Lincolnshire

  2,343,488

  1,953

  2,090,057

  1,734

  Merseyside

  13,660,235

  2,926

  9,685,750

  2,064

  Norfolk

  3,484,596

  2,420

  2,926,125

  2,022

  Northamptonshire

  2,804,613

  2,339

  2,043,539

  1,747

  Northumbria

  10,559,857

  2,964

  6,289,065

  1,748

  North Wales

  2,351,525

  1,729

  2,037,388

  1,507

  North Yorkshire

  3,001,970

  2,155

  2,155,751

  1,636

  Nottinghamshire

  2,582,689

  1,110

  2,176,532

  935

  South Wales

  5,553,765

  1,749

  4,840,639

  1,546

  South Yorkshire

  7,415,640

  2,446

  6,150,043

  2,034

  Staffordshire

  3,716,068

  1,705

  3,555,875

  1,610

  Suffolk

  2,358,621

  1,901

  1,937,984

  1,604

  Surrey

  3,244,020

  1,916

  2,761,499

  1,655

  Sussex

  6,215,486

  2,066

  4,857,135

  1,614

  Thames Valley

  9,882,241

  2,574

  9,822,938

  2,514

  Warwickshire

  1,836,204

  1,800

  1,679,423

  1,606

  West Mercia

  4,261,532

  2,075

  3,097,475

  1,504

  West Midlands

  11,628,414

  1,672

  9,948,439

  1,418

  West Yorkshire

  7,933,671

  1,575

  7,361,286

  1,459

  Wiltshire

  2,387,129

  1,887

  1,653,739

  1,308

  Metropolitan

  76,857,000

  2,900

  71,113,000

  2,567

  align="center">Police overtime

  Total cost 1994–95 £

  Average per officer £

  Total cost 1995–96 £

  Average per officer £

  Avon and Somerset

  2,843,044

  948

  2,510,903

  842

  Bedfordshire

  1,792,069

  1,592

  Not available

  Cambridgeshire

  2,456,325

  1,948

  2,277,573

  1,840

  Cheshire

  2,243,278

  1,161

  2,092,792

  1,047 City of

  City of London

  1,646,861

  1,861

  1,533,612

  1,763

  Cleveland

  1,664,361

  1,157

  1,502,665

  1,058

  Cumbria

  1,600,386

  1,371

  1,395,521

  1,252

  Derbyshire

  2,249,611

  1,252

  Not available

  Devon and Cornwall

  3,326,400

  1,156

  2,753,740

  950

  Dorset

  1,728,068

  1,342

  1,498,850

  1,187

  Durham

  1,661,918

  1,228

  1,584,453

  1,131

  Dyfed-Powys

  1,295,359

  1,327

  991,485

  1,000

  Essex

  6,216,366

  2,128

  4,521,694

  1,568

  Gloucestershire

  1,792,109

  1,541

  1,536,837

  1,356

  Greater Manchester

  21,327,408

  3,031

  12,320,615

  1,776

  Gwent

  1,340,540

  1,345

  1,188,953

  1,139

  Hampshire

  7,057,835

  2,168

  6,792,300

  2,029

  Hertfordshire

  2,727,741

  1,602

  2,860,029

  1,671

  Humberside

  3,166,817

  1,561

  3,195,743

  1,566

  Kent

  5,815,810

  1,866

  4,752,818

  1,523

  Lancashire

  3,315,921

  1,032

  4,727,719

  1,491

  Leicestershire

  1,803,140

  981

  Not available

  Lincolnshire

  2,352,836

  1,962

  1,804,428

  1,576

  Merseyside

  8,772,444

  1,883

  9,308,852

  2,110

  Norfolk

  2,408,259

  1,726

  2,785,562

  1,988

  Northamptonshire

  2,067,450

  1,788

  1,940,193

  1,683

  Northumbria

  6,939,486

  1,924

  4,900,000

  1,336

  North Wales

  2,025,795

  1,483

  2,323,768

  1,686

  558

  align="center">Police overtime

  Total cost 1994–95 £

  Average per officer £

  Total cost 1995–96 £

  Average per officer £

  North Yorkshire

  2,042,438

  1,571

  2,331,828

  1,761

  Nottinghamshire

  2,240,937

  966

  2,858,904

  1,233

  South Wales

  2,052,738

  681

  3,121,410

  1,031

  South Yorkshire

  4,370,277

  1,438

  5,200,856

  1,692

  Staffordshire

  3,098,956

  1,389

  3,045,884

  1,379

  Suffolk

  1,825,389

  1,533

  923,590

  812

  Surrey

  3,449,709

  2,058

  2,397,070

  1,458

  Sussex

  6,020,618

  2,054

  4,223,529

  1,374

  Thames Valley

  8,395,959

  2,179

  5,428,446

  1,478

  Warwickshire

  1,466,419

  1,448

  394,790

  403

  West Mercia

  2,766,917

  1,352

  1,948,868

  966

  West Midlands

  9,810,619

  1,398

  9,198,454

  1,287

  West Yorkshire

  6,393,270

  1,266

  6,722,464

  1,307

  Wiltshire

  1,459,612

  1,158

  1,168,206

  958

  Metropolitan

  72,537,984

  2,640

  68,611,322

  2,509

  1992–93 to 1994–95: police grant claim forms. 1995–96: The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Estimates.

  Prisons (Education)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of prisons and young offender institutions reduced their education provision in 1996–97; and what percentage plan to do so in 1997–98; [11508]

  (2) what was the average weekly number of hours spent in education per prisoner in (a) June and (b) December in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996 and (iii) 1997 to date. [11510]

  Ms Quin
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours of education were provided at(a) Holloway, (b) Highpoint, (c) Albany and (d) Wandsworth prisons in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97; and what is the planned number in 1997–98. [11509]

  Ms Quin
  Hours of education—defined as daytime education, vocational training courses, construction industry training courses and evening education—at these establishments were:

  Hours

  Holloway

  1995–96 (actual)

  90,200

  1996–97 (actual)

  87,500

  1997–98 (planned)

  130,000

  Highpoint

  1995–96 (actual)

  194,600

  1996–97 (actual)

  97,000

  1997–98 (planned)

  313,000

  559

  Hours

  Albany

  1995–96 (actual)

  100,600

  1996–97 (actual)

  56,400

  1997–98 (planned)

  57,000

  Wandsworth

  1995–96 (actual)

  118,500

  1996–97 (actual)

  57,400

  1997–98 (planned)

  38,176

  Prisoners (Cells)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average time per day which prisoners spent in their cells in(a) 1995–96,(b) 1996–97 and (c) each month since April 1997. [11511]

  Ms Quin
  The Prison Service monitors the time that is available for prisoners to spend out of their cell, based on normal prison routine, rather than the actual time that prisoners spend in their cell.

  The average time available for prisoners to spend out of their cell for 1995–96,1996–97 and each month since April 1997 was:

  1995–96: 11.4 hours

  1996–97: 11.2 hours

  April 1997: 11.0 hours

  May 1997: 11.1 hours

  June 1997: 11.0 hours

  The data for the current financial year are subject to final validation.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisoners were held in their cells for more than(a) 10, (b) 12 hours per day in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) each month since April 1997. [11825]

  Ms Quin
  The Prison Service monitors the time that is available for prisoners to spend out of their cell, based on normal prison routine, rather than the actual time that prisoners spend in their cell.

  The table details the average proportion of prisoners held in prisons where the average time available for prisoners to spend out of their cell was (a) more than 10 hours and (b) more than 12 hours.

  Percentage of prisoners unlocking for:

  1995–96

  1996–97

  April 1997

  May 1997

  June 1997

  More than ten hours

  70

  63

  57

  59

  60

  More than twelve hours

  28

  24

  23

  22

  20

  The data for the current financial year are subject to final validation.

  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average daily time spent out of cells by prisoners in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) each month since April 1997. [11952]

  Ms Quin
  The Prison Service monitors the time that is available for prisoners to spend out of their cell, based on normal prison routines, rather than the actual time that prisoners spend out of their cell.
  560
  The average time available for prisoners to spend out of their cell for 1995–96,1996–97and each month since April 1997was:

  1995–96: 11.4hours

  1996–97: 11.2hours

  April 1997:11.0hours

  May 1997:11.1hours

  June 1997:11.0hours

  The data for the current financial year are subject to final validation

  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisoners were out of their cells for(a) more than 10 hours per day and (b) more than 12 hours per day in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97. [11951]

  Ms Quin
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently accommodated two to a cell designed for one person.
  [12222]

  Ms Quin
  I will write to the right hon. Member.

  Prisoners (Constructive Activity)
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average weekly number of hours spent in constructive activity by(a) all prisoners, (b) remand prisoners and (c) sentenced prisoners in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) each month since April 1997 (1) nationally and (2) in each London prison. [11950]

  Ms Quin
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Republican Prisoners (Transfers)
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many republican prisoners have submitted applications to be transferred from his jurisdiction to penal institutions in the Republic of Ireland; what is the average length of time for such an application to be processed; and if he will make a statement; [11084]

  (2) what plans he has to authorise the transfer of republican prisoners to penal institutions in the Republic of Ireland under the European convention on the transfer of sentenced prisoners; and if he will make a statement. [11083]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answers 30 July 1997]: Any prisoner may apply for repatriation to the Republic of Ireland. All such applications are considered under the terms of the convention and, in accordance with this country's long-standing policy, which is normally not to repatriate prisoners where there would likely to be a substantial reduction in time to serve as a result.

  To date, 24 prisoners convicted of terrorist-related offences and held in prisons in England and Wales have applied to be repatriated to the Republic of Ireland.

  Of eight such applications which have been resolved to date, six were processed in an average period of a little over 10 months from date of application for repatriation

  561
  to date of final decision; two were withdrawn by the prisoners concerned 19 months after date of first application.

  The date of application is taken as being either the date on which the prisoner submitted the request, or 1 November 1995—the date on which the Republic brought the convention into force there—whichever is the later.

  Cardiff Prison (Disciplinary Hearings)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of disciplinary hearings instituted at Cardiff prison following the death of Geoffrey Thomas. [11938]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 24 July Official Report, column 683. It has come to my attention that dates given in my previous answer were incorrect, for which I apologise.

  Disciplinary proceedings were instituted against five members of staff at Cardiff prison following the death of Mr. Geoffrey Thomas. Three of the cases have been concluded. Proceedings against two others have been adjourned at the request of the Prison Governors Association.

  The first hearing took place on 21 and 22 May, and not 19 May as previously stated. The adjournment of two cases took place on 23 May and not 22 May.

  The Prison Governors Association has questioned the impartiality of the governor hearing the case, and not the legality of the actions of the governor investigating the incident, as stated in my previous answer.

  Hearings will be reconvened at the earliest available date.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcom Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11890]

  Mr. Straw
  Each business area within the Home Office is responsible for ensuring that computer systems in their area are year 2000 compliant. The Department is following guidance published by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency. The business areas are currently preparing costed plans for this work and these plans should be completed by end of October this year, which is the target date recommended by the central information technology unit. Until these costed plans are available, it is not possible to estimate the cost of year 2000 remedial work and at this stage no funds are committed. The business areas are aware that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has said that costs will have to be met from existing public expenditure survey provision.

  Prisoners (Mental Disorder)
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what access to the NHS is available to mentally disordered prisoners; what information is 562
  collated by the Prison Service about mentally disordered prisoners' medical history; what information is passed on to the NHS after release; and if he will make a statement. [11910]

  Ms Quin
  Prisoners who are mentally disordered in accordance with the criteria in the Mental Health Act 1983 for detention as in-patients for medical treatment can be transferred to psychiatric hospital. Prisoners with mental health problems who do not meet those criteria receive care and treatment in prison, often under the supervision of a qualified psychiatrist as occurs in the community.

  On their first reception into prison, all prisoners receive a physical and mental health examination which includes a psychiatric history. Prison staff may, with the prisoner's agreement, request individual records or other medical reports from the national health service in cases where that is considered necessary.

  Where there is a need for continuing treatment after release, medical information is transferred from the prison doctor to the prisoner's general practitioner or other responsible agency in the community. Where a prisoner does not consent to such disclosure, but his or her mental ill health places them or others in the community at significant risk, such information would be disclosed to an appropriate person or agency and the prisoner informed accordingly. The Prison Service plans to issue a new health care standard on "Continuity of Health Care" which will give additional advice to establishments on exchanges of information about health care matters between the Prison Service and other agencies.

  Primary Purpose Rule
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in implementing changes in the primary purpose rule. [11919]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friend announced the abolition of the primary purpose rule in an answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 5 June,Official Report, column 218. An amendment to the immigration rules was laid which came into effect the same day. Outstanding appeals involving primary purpose are being reviewed. In cases where the refusal was on the ground of primary purpose alone, instructions are being issued to grant entry clearance.

  Prisons (Security)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government policy towards the outstanding recommendations made in the Learmont report into prison security. [11932]

  Ms Quin
  One hundred and twelve of the recommendations have been implemented. Of the remaining 15, 11 are the subject of a cost-benefit analysis to determine their operational effectiveness and value for money, and four are still being reviewed or evaluated through pilot schemes.

  Volunteers (Screening)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made with the proposal in the Cullen report for the screening of volunteers; and if he will make a statement. [11598]

  Mr. Michael
  The recommendation for the vetting and supervision of adults working with children and young people, including paid workers and volunteers, is under consideration by the Government.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to introduce a legal obligation on individuals and organisations to have all their(a) existing and (b) new volunteers screened; and what estimate he has made of the average cost of that procedure. [11599]

  Mr. Michael
  There is no legal requirement for individuals or organisations to screen existing or new volunteers. Depending on the level of check, the cost of such checks has been estimated at between £5 and £10. We are currently considering the implementation of part V of the Police Act 1997 and will honour an undertaking to consult voluntary organisations before reaching a decision.

  Sutton Police Station
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward the date of the private finance initiative for building a new police station in Sutton. [11830]

  Mr. Michael
  The Metropolitan police propose to seek tenders for provision of services for a package which includes replacement of divisional police stations in Sutton, Bromley and Lewisham.

  The receiver for the Metropolitan police district hopes to advertise for expressions of interest in the Official Journal of the European Communities by September.

  European Union
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on justice and home affairs matters currently under discussion within the European Union.
  [11922]

  Ms Quin
  In securing its major policy objectives in the Amsterdam treaty, the Government ensured that the United Kingdom would continue to play a leading role in European Union co-operation to fight crime, drugs and terrorism.

  During its current presidency of the European Union, Luxembourg proposes to give priority to the implementation of the Dublin convention on asylum; to undertake further work on a draft Eurodac convention; and to work towards further measures to tackle illegal immigration. Attention will also be given to issues relating to the implementation of the Europol convention; work to counter a range of organised criminal activities; and aspects of the illegal production and trafficking of drugs.
  564
  In general, Luxembourg's work programme has a strong practical emphasis, which the Government welcome, and on which we intend to build during the United Kingdom presidency in 1998.

  A full explanatory note on Luxembourg's proposed work programmes was made available for parliamentary scrutiny earlier this month under explanatory note reference 9378/97.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has, pursuant to article K.2 of the Amsterdam treaty for(a) operational co-operation of law enforcement bodies, (b) training and secondment of staff, (c) shared use of equipment and forensics and (d) common evaluation of investigative techniques. [11402]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: Support for operational co-operation, training and secondments, equipment and forensic science, and relevant investigative techniques are all matters which are already discussed under title VI of the present treaty on European Union. It is for future consideration exactly how they will be taken forward when the Amsterdam treaty is in force, but this will not require radical changes.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what operational guidelines will be issued on the protection of personal data while law enforcement bodies operate under article K.2 of the Amsterdam treaty. [11403]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: We have no current plans to issue guidelines of this sort. The law enforcement agencies of member states will continue to operate in accordance with national law. The Europol convention already contains data protection provisions relating to Europol, and data protection issues will be considered fully in the development of any new initiatives at European Union level.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on(a) the independent operational capacity of Europol following the Amsterdam treaty and (b) Europol's proposed research, documentation and statistical network on cross-border crime. [11404]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: Article K.2 of the Amsterdam treaty sets out the future role of Europol in supporting operational activity by law enforcement agencies of member states. Europol will have no independent operational capacity. The reference to a research documentation and statistical network is consistent with the tasks already set out in the Europol convention. It will be for consideration, once the Amsterdam treaty and the Europol convention have been ratified, whether Europol's role in this area should be developed further.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the asylum protocol of the Amsterdam treaty on the formulation of(a) a common asylum policy and (b) a common asylum system for the European Union. [11411]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The asylum protocol of the draft Amsterdam treaty concerns the handling of claims for asylum from nationals

  565
  of European Union member states in other member states. As such, it will apply to a relatively small number of cases.

  The position of the United Kingdom in relation to other measures which might be adopted under the new title in the treaty of the European Communities concerning free movement of persons, asylum and immigration, is guaranteed by protocol Y of the draft Amsterdam treaty. This provides that such measures shall not be binding on or applicable in the United Kingdom and Ireland unless either or both states wish to take part.

  Probation Service
  Ms Beverely Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisons and young offender institutions reduced their number of probation staff in the financial year 1996–97. [11635]

  Ms Quin
  Thirty-eight per cent. of the total number of establishments in use during 1996–97 reduced their numbers of seconded probation staff. In some, the reduction was in terms of the number of hours worked by probation staff, rather than full-time posts. Some establishments have increased their numbers of probation staff since the beginning of the current financial year.

  Ms Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many seconded probation officers there were in (i) June 1995, (ii) January 1996, (iii) June 1996, (iv) January 1997 and (v) June 1997; and what is the estimated national number in 1999; and nationally in(a) Manchester, (b) Leeds, (c) Birmingham and (d) each of the six London prisons. [11636]

  Ms Quin
  The numbers of probation officers working in prisons on 30 June and 31 December each year from 1995 to 31 December 1996, the latest date for which figures are as yet available, are as follows:

  Seconded probation officers working in prisons (whole-time equivalents)

  Number

  30 June 1995

  645

  31 December 1995

  639

  30 June 1996

  586

  31 December 1996

  543

  Information on probation officers seconded to individual prisons is not held centrally, but I will write as soon as possible to my hon. Friend with the details she requests.

  The number of probation officers seconded to the Prison Service in future years will depend on the outcome of the comprehensive spending review and of discussions between governors and chief probation officers about what staff in what grades can most efficiently meet the services' joint responsibilities to provide good through care under the national through care framework published in 1993, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Restorative Justice
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his Department's policy towards 566
  restorative justice; and what guidance is given to (a) police forces and (b) magistrates on the operation of restorative justice; [11834]

  (2) what plans he has to review the operation of restorative justice in United Kingdom police forces. [11833]

  Mr. Michael
  I have recently met representatives of the National Council for Social Concern to discuss their proposals to promote restorative justice in England and Wales. Our long-standing commitment to introduce a reparation order demonstrates the Government's wish to restore a proper balance of rights and responsibilities which will be taken forward in the Crime and Disorder Bill later this year. The concept of "restorative justice", like the concept of "relational justice" developed by the Jubilee centre in Cambridge, provide useful tools for understanding crime and disorder when combined with a careful analysis of local problems and an objective assessment of "what works".

  Immigration
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what conditions a foreign national who has married a resident of the United Kingdom, in the United Kingdom, may have the unlimited right to remain in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [11905]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A person who enters the United Kingdom with an entry clearance for the purpose of marriage, or who is in the United Kingdom for a purpose other than marriage and subsequently marries a British citizen or a person settled here, may be granted an initial probationary period of 12 months leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom provided that person meets the requirements of the immigration rules. On completion of the 12-month probationary period, they may be granted indefinite leave to remain provided the marriage still subsists and the other requirements of the immigration rules are met.

  Prison Staff (Early Retirement and Severance)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison staff members have accepted offers of early retirement or severance under the voluntary early retirement and severance scheme. [11837]

  Ms Quin
  One thousand, one hundred and thirty-four members of staff accepted offers of early retirement or severance under the Prison Service voluntary early retirement and severance scheme.

  Caution Plus
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the operation of caution plus by the Thames Valley police force; and what plans he has to encourage other forces to adopt caution plus. [11782]

  Mr. Michael
  The operation of caution plus schemes in a number of areas has demonstrated the value of early, positive intervention with young offenders. I have been impressed by a number of initiatives such as the retail theft initiative in Milton Keynes which show the value of the police working with local authorities and the community—including the business community—to tackle crime and to "nip things in the bud".
  567
  We are studying "best practice" in the Thames Valley and elsewhere in working towards implementation of our proposed final warning for young offenders and the intervention which will be associated with it. Our first consideration is how best to see "what works" in order to prevent crime and reduce reoffending.

  Political Parties
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the state funding of political parties. [11649]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have no plans to introduce state funding of political parties.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the disclosure by political parties of their financiers and donations. [11648]

  Mr. Howarth
  We are committed to obliging parties to declare the source of all donations above a minimum figure.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the compulsory registration by political parties of their membership. [11650]

  Mr. Howarth
  We have no plans to introduce compulsory registration by political parties of their membership.

  Programme Development Unit
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the objectives of the Home Office programme development unit; what performance indicators will be used to monitor its work; and if he will make a statement. [11914]

  Mr. Michael
  The primary objective of the Home Office programme development unit is to contribute to the development of policy and practice in the area of crime and criminal justice through experimental initiatives from which general lessons can be drawn. It identifies, initiates, encourages, develops and manages innovative local projects to test out in practice ideas stemming from research and practice. It ensures projects are properly monitored and independently evaluated and disseminates the results. It offers help with the replication of similar programmes where appropriate.

  The work of the programme development unit is assessed by the contribution that its work makes to informing policy and practice; the extent to which projects found to be successful are continued beyond the period of Home Office funding, either through attracting funding from other sources or through being mainstreamed into the activities of other bodies such as local authorities; and the extent to which they are replicated.

  The work of the programme development unit is regarded as an essential component in the armoury to tackle and prevent crime.

  European Convention on Human Rights
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 21 July,Official Report, column 385, if he will list those who responded to the consultation document "Bringing Rights Home",
  568
  published in December 1996; and what further discussions on the incorporation of the European convention on human rights have been held since. [11937]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We received responses to "Bringing Rights Home" from the following persons and organisations:

  Charter 88

  Churches Commission for Racial Justice

  Data Protection Registrar

  Director of Human Rights, Council of Europe

  Martin Doherty

  Editor of the "European Human Rights Law Review"

  Avril Fox

  Guild of Editors

  Sir Basil Hall

  Human Rights Incorporation Project

  Institute for Public Policy Research

  Joseph Jaconelli

  Justice

  Martin Kenny

  Law Society

  David Lepper

  Liberty

  Karen Maloney

  Frank McManus

  Councillor N. Perrott

  Public Law Project

  Royal National Institute for Deaf People

  Rabinder Singh

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  Dr. Robert Wintemute

  Enid Wistrich.

  Home Office Ministers have had meetings to discuss incorporation of the convention with Charter 88, the Human Rights Incorporation Project, the Institute for Public Policy Research, Sir Kenneth Keith, Liberty, my noble Friend the Lord Lester of Herne Hill and Justice.

  Country Watch
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the success of schemes of policing for rural areas with particular reference to country watch. [11785]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government recognise that the most effective response to rural crime is a partnership between the police and the local community, but no specific assessment has been made of country watch. We encourage crime prevention schemes that enable members of the public—with the support of the local police—to do something positive in the fight against crime.

  In accordance with this, we intend to introduce new statutory duties for local authorities and the police to work together and with the local community to analyse and identify local problems of crime and disorder and then together to draw up and implement strategies for tackling such problems. That will apply in both rural and urban areas.
  569
  Schemes like country watch will continue to play a role in this partnership. The support which such schemes attract from the local community can make a significant impact on crime in the countryside.

  Special Constabulary
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to issue the consultation paper on compensation arrangements for special constables; who is being consulted; what is the deadline for consultation; and when he plans to bring forward legislation. [11724]

  Mr. Michael
  We intend to issue the consultation paper in September, and shall invite the police representative bodies, the Local Government Association, and the working group on the special constabulary to submit comments by the end of October. Subject to these consultations, our aim is to introduce these new arrangements as part of a revised and consolidated set of regulations for special constables, to be made next year under the Police Act 1996.

  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there have been in post in each year since 1979. [11354]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The number of special constables in post in England and Wales since 1979 are given in the table.

  Year

  Number

  1979

  15,960

  1980

  15,108

  1981

  14,978

  1982

  15,160

  1983

  15,331

  1984

  16,012

  1985

  16,161

  1986

  16,070

  1987

  16,209

  1988

  15,788

  1989

  15,589

  1990

  15,881

  1991

  18,073

  1992

  19,243

  1993

  20,566

  1994

  20,096

  1995

  20,026

  1996

  19,736

  19971

  19,836

  1 The figure for 1997 is provisional. The figures from 1979 to 1994 were recorded as at 31 December of those years. From 1995, the figures were recorded as at 31 March.

  Prisons (Staff)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the ratio of prison staff to prisoners in each year from 1993 to 1997. [11838]
  570
  Ms Quin
  The information requested is listed.

  Year

  Staff:prisoner ratio

  1993

  1:1.17

  1994

  1:1.24

  1995

  1:1.26

  1996

  1:1.33

  19971

  1:1.50

  1 Figures as at 30 June 1997.

  Perjury
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons found guilty of perjury since 1979 served custodial sentences in an open prison; and what percentage this represents of the total. [10010]

  Ms Quin
  The information available centrally combines the offences of perjury, libel and perverting the course of justice. Information for 1991 to 1996 is contained in the table. From court proceedings statistics for the years 1991 to 1995, it is known that around one in nine of these offenders will have served sentences for perjury. It is not possible to provide the information in this form prior to 1991 as information held centrally before that date combined perjury with a much larger group of offences.

  align="center">Prisoners released from open prisons having served a custodial sentence for perjury, libel, or perverting the course of justice

  year

  Number of discharges

  Percentage of all discharges from open prisons

  Percentage of all discharges from all prisons

  Percentage of all discharges for perjury, libel, and perverting the course of justice

  1991

  40

  0.5

  0.1

  30.5

  1992

  66

  1.0

  0.2

  34.7

  1993

  59

  0.7

  0.1

  26.1

  1994

  76

  1.0

  0.1

  24.5

  1995

  102

  1.1

  0.2

  21.2

  1996

  156

  1.4

  0.2

  27.8

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of time spent in prison by prisoners who were released in each year since 1992 having served a custodial sentence for perjury. [10009]

  Ms Quin
  The information available centrally combines the offences of perjury, libel and perverting the course of justice. The available information is contained in the table.

  In the information held centrally about prisoners, the offence of perjury cannot be separately distinguished from among this group of offences. From court proceedings statistics for the years 1992 to 1995, it is known that around one in nine offenders given custodial sentences for perjury, libel or perverting the course of justice were guilty of the offence of perjury.
  571

  Average length of time served for prisoners released, having served a custodial sentence for perjury, libel, or perverting the course of justice.

  Average time served (months)

  1992

  3.7

  1993

  4.3

  1994

  3.8

  1995

  3.5

  1996

  3.6

  Operation Quantum
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the(a) cost and (b) number of consultants hired to advise Operation Quantum. [10099]

  Ms Quin
  Since the inception of the project in April 1996, seven consultancy firms have been employed by the Prison Service to provide specialist advice on legal issues, corporate finance, procurement procedures and specification processes. The need for consultants has been steadily reduced as skills transfer into the service has taken place. The service now retains four consultancy firms.

  To date, the Prison Service has spent £2.5 million on consultancy fees. The costs of the whole procurement process, including consultancy fees, are expected to be recovered from the net savings generated by implementation of the project.

  Prisoners (Diet and Behaviour)
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department commissioned(a) before and (b) after 1 May to consider the effect of diet on prisoners' behaviour. [11936]

  Ms Quin
  The Prison Service has not commissioned such research. However, as previously stated to the hon. Member, it has agreed to facilitate the nutritional rehabilitation project being run by Natural Justice Ltd. in Aylesbury young offender institution which started in 1996. This is expected to finish this year.

  Police Scientific Development Branch
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which scientific journals and other publications staff from the police scientific development branch, Sandridge, have published papers since 1990; and if he will list the date of publication in each case. [11963]

  Mr. Michael
  A list is being compiled in order to be able to respond fully to the hon. Member.

  As soon as the list is complete, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the(a) published and (b) internal reports the police scientific development branch, Sandridge, produces outlining its activities. [11966]
  572
  Mr. Michael
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Published reports
  There are a number of published reports which outline the police scientific development branch activities:

  (i) Home Office annual report

  (ii) Home Office memorandum on the prior options review of PSDB—1997, in the Library;

  (iii) Technical papers included in conference proceedings—both in the United Kingdom and overseas;

  (iv) Technical papers in scientific and technical publications;

  (v) Office of Science and Technology forward look of Government-funded science, engineering and technology;

  (vi) Annual review of government research and development.

  (b) Internal reports
  PSDB internal reports, which are sent out to specific customer contacts include:

  (i) two-page PSDB overview, by director PSDB;

  (ii) PSDB annual report;

  (iii) PSDB technical reports and standards.

  Departmental Savings
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the savings planned in his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 in order to allow for the higher than planned expenditure on the Prison Service announced in his statement of 24 July; and if he will make a statement. [11518]

  Mr. Straw
  It is too early for me to be able to identify the savings in the Home Office budget which might cover the extra spending on the Prison Service. For both 1997–98 and 1998–99, I will be looking rigorously at my whole programme to find offsetting savings. I expect this process to take several months.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years. [11543]

  Mr. Straw
  The Home Office takes its responsibilities to the environment seriously and increasingly participates in local paper recycling schemes. For example, the Department has been operating the Westminster city council's "Green Bin" scheme very successfully for almost two years in its central London headquarters buildings. However, no central record is kept of the amount of paper utilised or recycled.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department. [11541]

  Mr. Straw
  The Home Office is committed to seeking improvements to its green housekeeping and is currently revising its energy and environmental strategy and will address waste minimisation as part of this. A draft of the new strategy and accompanying guidance material will be discussed at a property managers seminar to be held on 15 September. The expectation is that the new strategy will be adopted as Home Office policy and receive its official launch by the end of the year.
  573
  In the meantime, the current Home Office green housekeeping strategy, published in August 1993, requires that property managers carry out an annual audit against environmental objectives which include waste minimisation. Specific reference is made to the continued need for attention to the efficient use of all resources, to the effective and economic use of paper and to extending the recycling of other departmental waste, such as glass, plastics, cans and batteries. The Department has also promulgated all the central guidance on waste minimisation and can claim considerable success with its recycling of paper, bottles and toner cartridges and most recently with reuse of its computers and printers.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste in his Department. [11542]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department is strongly committed to minimising waste. In encouraging its local property managers to make the most effective use of the limited effort they are able to devote to green housekeeping, the Home Office has sought their full co-operation with local and central environmental initiatives for improving waste management in preference to their administering the setting up and monitoring of specific waste minimisation targets. Once a year, the local property managers are asked to report progress against their action plans under the terms of the 1993 Home Office green housekeeping strategy. The Department is in the process of revising its energy and environmental strategy and, in line with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' recommendations, will be giving due consideration to the appropriateness of future waste minimisation targets.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the refurbishment of ministerial offices in his Department; and what is the estimated cost of the works and date of completion. [11874]

  Mr. Straw
  I have no current firm plans for the refurbishment of ministerial offices, but decoration and window glazing work estimated at £8,500 may be carried out later this year.

  Firearms Consultative Committee
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the names of the new members of the Firearms Consultative Committee. [11943]

  Mr. Michael
  There have been three new members since the committee last reported in July 1996.

  They are:

  Mr. J. D. Hoare: Secretary of the National Small-bore Rifle Association

  Mr. B. Hughes: Crown Prosecution Service

  Mr. V. Clayton: Home Office

  Wormwood Scrubs Prison
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when repairs to the roof at Wormwood Scrubs will be completed. [11953]
  574
  Ms Quin
  A bid has been made for repairs to be carried out to the roof at Wormwood Scrubs in the financial year 1998–99.

  UK Passport Agency
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the development of the UK Passport Agency. [11586]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have recently approved the UK Passport Agency's plans for the introduction of a new, more secure British passport from the end of next year. The agency has awarded two contracts under the public-private partnership arrangements to the private sector. Siemens Business Services will undertake the receipt of passport applications, and the collection, storage and transmission of the data needed or the new passport. The Stationery Office Ltd. will undertake the printing and issuing of the new passport. The enhanced security features will include digitised photographs and signatures.

  The UK Passport Agency is not being privatised. It will retain its core function of establishing eligibility for a British passport, and will continue to operate from its six existing regional offices. There will be a reduction in the agency's staffing, but there should be no need for compulsory redundancies for permanent staff.

  Traffic Wardens
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the powers of traffic wardens to the enforcement of a range of moving traffic offences; and if he will make a statement. [11228]

  Mr. Michael
  The Department is keen to encourage the police service to make the most efficient use of its traffic warden resources.

  There are no plans at present to extend the functions of traffic wardens, but we are considering a proposal from the Association of Chief Police Officers that wardens should be given the power to stop vehicles so that they can assist the Vehicle Inspectorate and other enforcement agencies with the conduct of road checks.

  Special Secure Units
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prisons which contain special secure units; how many places are available in each; and what is the annual cost of maintaining(a) a prisoner in a special secure unit and (b) a category A prisoner. [11105]

  Ms Quin
  Those prisons which are equipped with special secure units and the places available in each are as follows: Belmarsh, 48 places; Full Sutton, eight places; and Whitemoor, 14 places. There are currently 40 prisoners held in special secure units.

  The average cost per prisoner place in a special secure unit is estimated to be approximately £61,000 per annum1. Convicted category A prisoners are held in one of five dispersal prisons. The average cost per prisoner place in a dispersal prison is £33,000 per annum1.
  1 Costs are based on figures obtained for the financial year ending 31 March 1997 and represent the cost per accommodation place certified to hold prisoners in an establishment.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 19 June,Official Report, column 247, what plans he has to fund new CCTV projects in 1998–99; what plans he has to extend the CCTV challenge competition; when new bids for CCTV will be considered; and if he will make a statement. [12232]

  Mr. Michael
  As I indicated in my reply to a question from the right hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mrs. Bottomley) on 19 June,Official Report, column 247, we are considering whether there should be another round of the closed circuit television challenge competition in 1998–99 as part of our review of spending programmes. An announcement will be made later in the summer.

  Sentencing
  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average length of prison sentence passed on adult males by Crown courts in(a) 1992, (b) 1995 and (c) 1996 for (i) violent offences, (ii) sexual offences, (iii) burglary, (iv) robbery, (v) theft and handling, (vi) drugs offences and (vii) motoring offences; [12224]

  (2) what proportion of offenders sentenced for indictable offences were sentenced to custody (a) at all courts, (b) at Crown courts and (c) in magistrates courts, in each year from 1992 to 1996 and in each month of 1997. [12223]

  Mr. Michael
  The information is published in the Home Office statistical bulletin issue 16/97 "Cautions, Court Proceedings and Sentencing England and Wales 1996". This was published on 16 July 1997 and tables 9 and 7 refer.

  The 1996 data are "estimated", with final figures becoming available in the autumn. 1997 data will not be available until mid-1998.

  Copies of the bulletin are available in the Library.

  Immigration Detainees (Medical Services)
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what revised specification for provision of medical services has been prepared for immigration detainees in Campsfield house; and if he will make a statement. [12007]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Earlier this year, advice was sought from the director of public health in the Oxfordshire health authority in preparing a revised specification for the provision of medical services at Campsfield house. This included enhanced attendance by a doctor, additional nursing staff, including the appointment of a registered mental nurse, stress management clinics, and the availability of a female doctor for those detainees who specifically requested one. Effecting these enhancements commenced on 15 January and they were fully in place by 1 March 1997.

  I am assured that the health services at Campsfied house are comparable with those provided for Oxfordshire residents by a general practitioner. A detainee who wishes
  576
  to see a specialist will, if the medical circumstances of his case warrant it, be referred to a specialist and any such decision will be taken by the doctor treating him.

  CS Gas
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evaluation of the medical effects of the CS gas solvent, methyl isobutyl ketone, has been made by officials of his Department and the police scientific development branch since 1990; how many published or internal reports have been written by his Department on this subject since 1990; and how many of these reports are currently unclassified. [12180]

  Mr. Michael
  The Home Office police scientific development branch, together with the Department of Health and the Ministry of Defence, fully evaluated all scientific data relating to methyl isobutyl ketone, MIBK, before police trials of CS spray canisters containing this solvent were conducted last year. The Home Office has not produced any reports, either internally or published, about MIBK.

  The ideal solvent for use in CS spray will present no risk to health—in particular, the eyes—and will evaporate as soon as it has done the job of delivering the CS irritant to the target. I am told that MIBK is the solvent which comes closest to achieving this. It occurs naturally in oranges, grapes and vinegar. It has many applications, including use as a food additive. It has been used in CS sprays in France for many years without serious difficulty: in particular, extensive research there has shown that it has a low toxicity to the eyes. Its only drawback is that it has a relatively low volatility, which means that it remains on the skin of someone sprayed for a short time before evaporating and may cause de-fatting and blistering.

  Regional Boundaries
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a boundary commission responsible for regional boundaries in England. [12098]

  Mr. George Howarth
  It is our intention that the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England should be given the responsibility of making recommendations as to the regional boundaries to be used in England for the 1999 elections to the European Parliament.

  Highgrove (Policing)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by whom the cost of policing in and around Highgrove, Tetbury, on Friday 18 July was met; and if he will make a statement. [12231]

  Mr. Michael
  The cost of policing in and around Highgrove on 18 July was met by Gloucestershire constabulary in the normal way.

  Prisons (Unit Costs)
  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the percentage change in prisons unit costs between 1995–96 and 1996–97; and what is the planned percentage reduction in each of the next three years. [12221]
  577
  Ms Quin
  The unit cost used by the Prison Service is net current expenditure per uncrowded prisoner place—the total certified normal accommodation of all prisons. To ensure comparability between years, adjustments are made to exclude payments to local authorities under section 53 of the Young Persons and Children's Act 1933, and to allow for transfers of work to or from the Service. Payments for prisons designed, constructed, managed and financed by the private sector are also excluded, as are the places so provided.

  On this basis, the percentage change in unit costs in real terms between 1995–96 and 1996–97 is minus 3 per cent. This is based on forecast outturn for 1996–97.

  The planned percentage reductions in real terms over the next three years are:

  1997–981: -1.1 per cent.

  1998–992: -2.3 per cent.

  1999–20002: 0.4 per cent.

  These figures are subject to revision in the light of my right hon. Friend's reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, North (Mr. Hopkins) on 24 July, Official Report, column 682, that the service will be allowed to spend £43 million extra this year and next to increase capacity to meet the rise in prisoner numbers. Changes in inflation assumptions would also affect the figures.

  1Compared to previous year forecast outturn.

  2Compared to previous year provision.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest cash estimate of expenditure on the Prison Service in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and how these figures differ from those implied by the departmental spending plans set out in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98"; and if he will make a statement. [11247]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98" did not set a separate figure for Prison Service expenditure.

  The expenditure plans of the Prison Service were set out in table 1 of the audit of Prison Service resources which we published on 25 July. That table gives details of transfers between the Prison Service and the Home Office and other Departments made since the conclusion of the 1996 public expenditure survey.

  The expenditure plans set out in the audit have been increased as a result of my right hon. Friend's announcement on 24 July of increased funding for the Prison Service this year and next year, to help meet the pressure arising from prisoner population. The effect of those changes is to increase planned expenditure to:

  1997–98: £1,774.5 million

  1998–99: £1,733.3 million

  Metropolitan Police (Sick Leave)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Metropolitan police officers have been on paid sick leave for(a) three months, (b) six months, (c) one year, (d) two years, (e) three years, (f) four years and (g) five years. [12015]
  578
  Mr. Michael
  The management of sick leave has been devolved within the Metropolitan police service and the detailed breakdown of the information requested is not immediately available. I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible with a full response to his question.

  Speed Cameras (Fines)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the value of fines collected as a result of the evidence of highway speed cameras(a) over the most recent months for which information is available and (b) over the 12 months preceding that. [11630]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Some estimate of the revenue received can be made from the fact that there were 36,916 prosecutions for speeding offences detected by automatic cameras in England and Wales in 1995, the latest year for which figures are available, and 20,630 in 1994. The average amount of fine imposed for all speeding offences in 1995 was £107–£113 in 1994. Not all fines will have been paid.

  The majority of speeding offences detected by automatic cameras are dealt with by fixed penalty, 170,014 in 1995 and 95,510 in 1994, the current charge being £40.

  Offences against the Person
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to implement the recommendations of Law Commission report No. 218 "Offences Against the Person and General Principles". [12215]

  Mr. Straw
  The Law Commission's report No. 218, published in November 1993, is a major contribution to the development of the criminal law. It was warmly welcomed by many involved with the criminal justice system as creating a clearer and more coherent statement of the law of violence against the person. The Government have considered the Law Commission's recommendations with great care, and accept the principle of its proposals for reform of those offences contained mainly in the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

  This is a complex and difficult area of the law, and case law has evolved since the Law Commission's report was first published. It is important that any proposals to reform offences that come before the courts so frequently, and have been in existence for 136 years, are robust, well thought through and well supported. Following a detailed consideration of their report, done in close collaboration with the Law Commission, we have decided to publish a draft Bill in a consultation paper later this year. This will set out our initial proposals for reforming the law in this area, based on the Law Commission's report, and seek views on some of the difficult issues around the technical legal changes proposed by the Law Commission, such as definitions of intent, recklessness and intoxication or whether the intentional transmission of disease should be included in the Bill. The proposals will apply to England and Wales.
  579
  In accepting the principle of reforming the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, the Government do not plan to take forward all the Law Commission's proposals at this juncture. In particular, the Law Commission made recommendations for setting out general defences of duress and the justifiable use of force in statute. We recognise the importance of these proposals, which are not directly related to the reform of the 1861 Act, but they raise some very difficult questions which should be considered separately and over a longer time scale.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision for electoral registration will be made for voters permanently resident in hospitals who are unable to register under the hospital's address. [12082]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The electoral registration officer is required by law to register all those who are resident in his or her area who appear to him or her to be eligible to vote. Only those who are patients in mental hospitals, whether voluntary or detained, are prevented by law from using, for the purposes of electoral registration, the address of the hospital in which they are resident.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions he will make for the registration of homeless voters for forthcoming by-elections and referendums. [12083]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Guidance issued to electoral registration officers makes it clear that no one should be denied the right to register simply because he or she is homeless. Although an elector must be registered at an address at which he or she is resident, that address need not be a conventional one. Any person who may have been missed off the register can make a claim to be added to it after publication, and it is for EROs to determine on the facts of each case whether an individual is eligible to register.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he plans to take to ensure that disabled voters have equal opportunities to register and vote in forthcoming by-elections and referendums. [12081]

  Mr. O'Brien
  It is the statutory duty of each electoral registration officer to include on the register for the area in which he acts the names of all those who appear to him to be eligible. Any eligible elector who may have been missed off the register can make a claim to be added to it after publication. District and London borough councils are statutorily required to designate as polling places, so far as is reasonable and practicable, only places which are accessible to the disabled. Acting returning officers may also apply to the Home Office or the Scottish Office for grants towards the cost of providing temporary ramps and polling screens adapted for use by the disabled which may be used at elections and referendums. There is no cap on the number of applications which the acting returning officer may make for grant assistance.

  Intrusive Surveillance Code
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will confirm the arrangements for 580
  the public consultation exercise on the intrusive surveillance code of practice required under part III of the Police Act 1997. [12320]

  Mr. Michael
  Further to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Ms Jones) on 16 July,Official Report, column 176. I have now decided that the public consultation exercise should begin on 12 August.

  Stephen Lawrence
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish an inquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence on 22 April 1993. [12275]

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make an announcement on the actions to be taken by his Department towards the murder of Stephen Lawrence; and if he will make a statement. [12277]

  Mr. Straw
  I have decided to establish an inquiry under section 49 of the Police Act 1996. The terms of reference of that inquiry will be:to inquire into the matters arising from the death of Stephen Lawrence on 22 April 1993 to date, in order particularly to identify the lessons to be learned for the investigation and prosecution of racially motivated crimes.

  I have appointed Sir William MacPherson of Cluny, formerly High Court judge of the Queen's Bench, to conduct this inquiry. He will be supported in carrying out this inquiry by Mr. Thomas Cook, former deputy chief constable of West Yorkshire, the Right Reverend John Sentamu, Bishop of Stepney, and Dr. Richard Stone, chairman of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality. Under section 49, the inquiry will have the powers to summon any person to give evidence, to require the production of documents and to take evidence on oath.

  The handling of this case by the Metropolitan police is the subject of complaints made by the Lawrence family which are currently under investigation in accordance with police complaints procedures. That investigation is being supervised by the Police Complaints Authority. The authority expects the investigation to be completed in September and to report the outcome in October. Under section 97(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, the authority may make a report to the Secretary of State on any matters coming to its notice to which it considers that his attention should be drawn by reason of their gravity or of other exceptional circumstances. The authority intends to produce a report on this case under that special provision. Under section 97(5) of the 1984 Act, that report must be laid before Parliament and published.

  The inquiry under the Police Act will begin when the Police Complaints Authority report has been completed. That will allow the inquiry to consider any issues emerging from the investigation supervised by the Police Complaints Authority. The inquiry's statutory powers will also allow it to require the production of any evidence gathered during the course of the Police Complaints Authority investigation. My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General has also confirmed that the full co-operation of the Crown Prosecution Service will be given to the inquiry.
  581
  I believe that the establishment of this inquiry following the completion of the investigation supervised by the Police Complaints Authority will allow the concerns of the Lawrence family and others to be fully addressed, and will identify the lessons to be learned from this tragic case which will be relevant to the future handling by the criminal justice system of racially motivated crimes.

  Drugs
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the "Tackling Drugs Together" initiative. [11909]

  Mrs. Anne Taylor
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government are continuing to implement the "Tackling Drugs Together" strategy for England initiated by the previous Administration. The UK anti-drugs co-ordinator will review progress, on appointment, and submit proposals for a new strategy.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Market Testing
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of state for Social Security what plans she has to stop further market testing of services within her Department. [4609]

  Mr. Field
  Market testing, part of the competing for quality initiative introduced under the previous Administration, is one of several ways the Department of Social Security has assessed the value of involving the private sector in the delivery of services.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Rooney).

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the PFI projects currently being undertaken by her Department, indicating in each case(a) the expected savings, (b) the savings to date, (c) the cost to date, (d) whether the projects are on target or delayed, (e) the extent of any delay, (f) whether the delay is due to the civil service or agency or the private partner and (g) the projected total cost. [6246]

  Mr. Field
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Rooney).

  We currently have two PFI contracts—the automation of benefit payments through Post Office outlets—BA POCL—and a replacement for the national insurance recording system NIRS2:

  NIRS2

  The contract was signed in May 1995, allowing for a phased delivery between February 1997 and April 1999. It is expected to cost some 60 per cent. less than a public sector development. Although there are no operational savings thus far, there will also be no payment to the service provider until NIRS1 is replaced in April 1998.
  582
  Under the original contract, NIRS1 was to be replaced in February 1997. In fact, it will not be decommissioned until April 1998. However, the first release of NIRS2 was delivered as planned in February 1997 and the whole development phase remains on schedule for completion in April 1999. The revised implementation date was at the request of the service provider.

  The contractor charge will be volume driven, but, over the life of the contract, it is estimated to be some £45 million.

  BA POCL

  The project is at an early stage. Implementation of the benefit payment card began in October 1996 with a trial involving child benefit recipients. Other benefits will be added to the system over the next few years. The project is expected to be cost-neutral in administrative terms, but, over its life, savings are expected of some £1,200 million from reduced fraud losses.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his policy on whether to increase the proportion of Benefits Agency staff on casual or fixed-term contract basis; and what assessment has been made of the consequent impact on morale and staff quality. [7988]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Modernising the social security system is a key priority of the Government, We will streamline services to provide better, simpler, more efficient services to clients. The staffing of the Benefits Agency is a matter for Peter Mathison, its chief executive, I have asked him to write the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Mark Todd, dated 31 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what is the policy on increasing the proportion of Benefit Agency (BA) staff on casual or fixed term contract basis; and what assessment has been made of the consequent impact on morale and staff quality.
  The use of casual and fixed term appointments (FTA) has always been an integral part of our staff planning to allow managers to cater for fluctuations in workloads and to staff short term projects.
  Although no formal assessment has been made of the impact of these measures, the Agency recognises that some FTA and casual staff may feel insecure. The Agency has to strike a balance between the needs of the business and those of the workforce. Both FTA and casual staff are given comprehensive training equivalent to that provided for permanent staff. They are also included in the Agency's performance appraisal arrangements to ensure that they remain motivated, that their development needs are identified and that their potential is maximised.

  Widow's Benefits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will introduce measures to ensure that women in polygamous marriages are not denied widow's benefits; and if she will estimate the cost to public funds of paying benefit. [10292]

  Mr. Denham
  The concept of marriage under British law is fundamentally monogamous. It would, therefore be inappropriate to pay widow's benefit to widows who, at the time of the death of their husbands, were in a polygamous marriage.
  583
  Information is not available on the cost to public funds of paying benefit in all such cases.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average order for payment made by the Child Support Agency in respect of absent parents who are(a) employed and (b) self-employed. [10526]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government believe that children are entitled to the support of both parents. The child support scheme is designed to provide levels of maintenance which absent parents can realistically afford.

  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Peter Bradley, dated 30 July 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about maintenance assessments.
  The latest figures available show that as at 28 February 1997, the average full maintenance assessment for employed absent parents was £39.02; for those who were self employed the average full maintenance assessment was £23.72.
  The difference in the value of the assessments is due to the level of net income of absent parents who are employees and those who are self employed. The average net income for an employed absent parent was £191.83; for an absent parent who was self employed the figure was £150.00.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents are currently receiving income support; and what estimate she has made of the number of lone parents likely to be in receipt of income support in each of the next five financial years. [10771]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  It is estimated that as at August 1996, the latest date for which information is available, there were 1,061,000 lone parents receiving income support in Great Britain. Available estimates of the number of lone parents likely to be in receipt of income support in the future are in the table. New estimates of the number of lone parents in receipt of income support, taking into account the new deal for lone parents, will be available in October.

  Lone parents in receipt of income support

  1996–97: 1,057,000

  1997–98: 1,054,000

  1998–99: 1,044,000

  1999–00: 1,054,000

  Notes:

  1. Figures are consistent with those given in tables 6 and 7 in the 1997 Social Security departmental report, published before the new deal was announced, and are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and as such are subject to a degree of sampling variation.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by her Department in each of the last five years; [11564]
  584
  (2) what plans she has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for her Department; [11562]

  (3) if she will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within her department. [11563]

  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is to promote policies that sustain the environment.

  No record is kept of the amount of paper recycled. However, waste paper is sorted in all social security offices into two categories, "Confidential/Restricted" and "Other". All "Confidential/Restricted" waste is recycled and other paper is subject to best practices which includes reusing paper and the disposal of paper in green bins.

  The Department has produced a green guide for use locally throughout its estate which includes guidance on the recycling of paper, drinks cans, glass, plastic, printer toner cartridges and batteries. In addition contacts have been appointed in each DSS business unit/agency who are responsible for promoting green issues.

  There are no targets set to minimise waste. However, a benchmarking exercise to baseline current volumes and costs is scheduled to be completed early next year and we will be considering introducing targets when the accommodation and services contracts are re-let.

  Private Pensions (Regulation)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what regulatory reform the Government propose in respect of private pension provision. [11823]

  Mr. Denham
  On 17 July, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a wide-ranging review of pensions. One of the pension challenges to which my right hon. Friend referred was the need to get the regulation of pensions right. The personal pensions mis-selling scandal illustrates too clearly what can go wrong when pensions are not properly regulated. Appropriate regulation provides security for members, minimises the scope for abuse and does not impose an undue burden on providers.

  As part of the review, we are taking stock of the way the recent pension reforms are being implemented, and we have already begun consultation with interested parties, including employers, employees, the pensions industry, the regulatory authorities and others.

  We will also consult fully on our plans to develop new stakeholder pensions to offer secure, flexible, value-for-money second pensions, particularly to those who cannot join an employer's occupational scheme and whose pay is low or who have intermittent wages; and a framework of citizenship pensions for those who assume responsibility as carers and who cannot build up a second pension scheme in their own right.

  The review will enable the Government to publish an initial framework for change in the first part of 1998. There will then be a period of further consultation before firm proposals for legislation are developed.

  Income Support (Earnings Disregard)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the cost of increasing the earnings disregard for income support to(a) £30 and (b) £50 per week. [11580]
  585
  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. Our first steps are to focus on helping people off welfare and into work and to review the central areas of insecurity for older people.

  The information is in the table.

  Increase in earnings disregard on income support

  Estimated cost

  Increase to £30

  Between £45 million and £55 million

  Increase to £50

  Between £65 million and £110 million

  1. Estimates are based on the 1994–95 "Family Resource Survey", and the May 1996 "Quarterly Statistical Enquiry", uprated to 1997–98 levels of prices and benefit levels. Numbers of income support cases with earnings have been uprated to be in line with caseload forecasts underlying the 1997 departmental report.

  2. The range reflects uncertainty as to whether new claimants will be in receipt of income support or income-related jobseeker's allowance. The cost excludes the cost of families, in receipt of family credit, with a partner working between 16 and 24 hours who would become better off on income support, as it has been assumed that they would claim income-related jobseeker's allowance.

  Disabled Claimants
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost to date of implementing the benefits integrity programme for disabled claimants; and what savings are estimated to be achieved in the first year of operation. [11977]

  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is rebuilding integrity in, and public support for the social security system. The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Bob Blizzard, dated 31 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the cost and savings of the Benefit Integrity Programme.
  The cost of implementing the Benefit Integrity Project is £1,099,440 for the period 28 April 1997 to 30 June 1997. These are the latest available.
  The estimated programme expenditure savings attributed to the Benefit Integrity Project for the current year is £27m.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the list of regional consultants and their specialties held by the War Pensions Agency is available to the public; and whether claimants have the right to see reports written by regional consultants relating to their case. [12186]

  Mr. Denham
  Queries on operational matters concerning the War Pensions Agency are for its chief executive Mr. Kevin Caldwell. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from K. C. Caldwell to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 31 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the availability of the list of regional consultants used by the War Pensions Agency.
  586
  The list of regional consultants and their specialities held by this Agency is available to members of the public on request. A copy of a regional consultant report is sent to a War Pension claimant on request provided that we are sure its disclosure would not harm the health or welfare of the claimant.
  I hope you find my reply helpful.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the gross and net cost of changing the assessment of housing benefit to a fixed six-monthly assessment in the manner of family credit. [12196]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information requested is not available.

  Housing benefit is being reviewed as part of a joint housing review with my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister. In addition Mr. Martin Taylor has been asked by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to examine the interaction of the tax and benefits systems so that they can be streamlined and modernised, so as to fulfil our objectives of promoting work incentives, reducing poverty and welfare dependency and strengthening family and community life.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to support new housing benefit claimants whose rent includes an element for social care costs, following the recent court judgment indicating that such costs are not covered by the housing benefit system. [11613]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Following the recent court judgment on the scope of housing benefit my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced, on the same day, a package of interim measures designed to:Continue the vast majority of Housing benefit expenditure on support services in existing housing provision; and
  introduce a compensation scheme to protect the position of claimants in existing supported housing by compensating landlords whose tenants lose income as a result of the changes.

  We are consulting the Social Security Advisory Committee and local authority associations on draft legislation to enable housing benefit, which is designed to meet housing costs rather than to make general social provision for the protection of vulnerable people in their homes, to meet the majority of charges for general support services in supported accommodation. We hope to legislate as soon as possible.

  These measures will apply to current and future tenants of existing supported housing. They will last until we develop and implement a coherent and rational long-term funding arrangement for supported housing.

  Appeal Tribunals
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate she has made of the savings from presenting officers no longer attending tribunals; [12100]

  (2) what steps she is taking to ensure the continued independence of the tribunal system following the alterations regarding the attendance of presenting officers. [12101]
  587
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  It is our policy that presenting officers should attend oral hearings of tribunals. The non-attendance of presenting officers in the Huddersfield area is being investigated and I will write to my hon. Friend in due course.

  Claims (Backdating)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate she has made of the cost effect of removing the discretion of adjudication officers with regard to the backdating of claims; [12078]

  (2) what steps her Department is taking to ensure that genuine claimants are not penalised by the removal of discretion for adjudication officers with regard to backdated claims. [12077]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The changes to the backdating rules in April removed the administratively onerous good cause provision and replaced it with special reasons set out in regulations. These special reasons apply to income related benefits which are meant to meet immediate needs. It is, therefore, reasonable to limit the range of situations which count as a special reason for a late claim and it underlines the importance of claimants making their claims promptly.

  Claims for non-income related benefits, such as retirement pension and child benefit, can receive backdating automatically without the need to show that there was a special reason for the delay.

  We are committed to modernising and streamlining the structure and delivery of social security to make the system simpler for the public to understand and more straightforward for staff to administer. These changes went some way to simplify the complex rules for backdating benefits.

  Disability Appeals Tribunals
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 24 July,Official Report, column 747, in what proportion of appeals to (a) social security and (b) disability appeal tribunals an oral hearing is requested by (i) an adjudication officer and (ii) either of the parties; in each case how many (A) oral hearings (1) in the presence of the appellant or a representative and (2) in absence and (B) paper hearings took place in each month since 1 April; what were the success rates for appeals in each of these categories; and if she will place in the Library a report on the effects of the changes to the appeals system introduced on 21 October 1996. [12087]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Evaluation of the changes introduced to the appeal system on 21 October 1996 is underway. When the evaluation is complete, a report will be placed in the Library. Detailed assessments, such as the data requested, will not be available for some months. However, on investigation of the availability of this data, it has come to light that the information provided in my answer of 24 July may be incorrect, for which I apologise. I will write to the hon. Member with clarification in due course.

  Mortgage Interest Benefit
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment she has made of the effect on payments of mortgage interest benefit under income support arrangements of the lack of flexibility available to the Benefits Agency to match the payment cycles of lenders; [11990]

  (2) what plans she has to permit flexibility in the payment of mortgage interest benefit in respect of lenders who do not follow a four week payment cycle. [11991]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 28 July,Official Report, column 19.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance has been given to doctors employed by the Benefits Agency to determine whether claimants are entitled to continue receiving incapacity benefit. [11982]

  Mr. Denham
  The administration of the Benefits Agency medical services is a matter for Peter Mathison the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Bob Blizzard, dated 31 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking what guidance has been given to doctors employed by the Benefits Agency to determine whether claimants are entitled to continue receiving incapacity Benefit (IB).
  It may be helpful if I first explain that doctors employed by the Benefits Agency do not determine entitlement to IB. Entitlement to IB is decided by Adjudication Officers (AOs) who consider all the evidence available, including reports from medical examinations.
  Doctors who conduct examinations in connection with IB are required to undergo a four day modular training course which can be tailored to meet individual needs. Elements of the course include the technical aspects of IB, the requirements for the content of the medical report form, selecting and justifying the choice of descriptors which specify the level of a customer's disability in each functional area, and mental health problems. The course includes elements of training on customer services and equal opportunities.
  Following initial training, the first three assessments carried out by the Benefits Agency Medical Services (BAMS) doctor are monitored, and each must reach a satisfactory standard for the doctor to be approved to carry out future IB assessments. The work of all doctors is monitored subsequently by BAMS. This takes the form of random or targeted studies of completed reports, and is also carried out in response to any work returned by Adjudication Officers which is considered to be of an unsatisfactory standard. There is an ongoing training programme which ensures that doctors are kept informed of any developments in this areas of work.
  In addition, all full time BAMS doctors have to undergo a two day residential course covering the clinical areas they are likely to encounter, such as back pain and psychiatric disorders, as well as those likely to cause particular difficulties, such as chronic fatigue states. Many of the sessions in these courses are conducted by internationally recognised experts in their fields.
  In addition to the training, all doctors are issued with a copy of the "IB Handbook for Medical Services Doctors", which acts as an aide memoir. A copy of this publication is available in the Library of the House of Commons.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Poverty
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what role she plans for mutual, voluntary and co-operative organisations in her anti-poverty strategy; and if she will make a statement. [12220]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Our objective is to improve the living standards of the many, not just the few, and to provide educational and employment opportunities for all. The best way to tackle poverty is to help people into real jobs, and we have recently announced our new deal to move people into employment. We welcome any contributions made by mutual, voluntary and co-operative organisations towards achieving this aim. For example, we are working with Gingerbread and the National Council of One Parent Families on the new deal for lone parents, and we meet regularly with organisations such as Child Poverty Action Group and the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux.

  Benefits Offices, Wales
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the future of benefits offices in Wales. [11992]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Vale of Clwyd (Mr. Ruane) on 24 July 1997,Official Report, columns 748–49.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidelines have been issued concerning the assessment of claims for the jobseeker's allowance; what further guidelines she plans to publish; and if she will make a statement. [11918]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The chief adjudication officer, who has statutory responsibility for issuing guidance to adjudication officers, has revised the adjudication officers' guide to include guidance on the assessment of claims to jobseeker's allowance. The AOG is readily available to members of the public at social security offices and most major public libraries, and is regularly updated to reflect changes in legislation and decisions made by the social security commissioners.

  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, to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to strike a new balance between responsibilities and rights. A programme of monitoring and evaluation is under way to enable us to ensure that jobseeker's allowance contributes to achieving our objectives.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans she has to change the appeal and tribunal process relating to claims made for the jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement; [11916]

  (2) how many appeals have been made against decisions to (a) withdraw and (b) deny receipt of the jobseeker's allowance; how many hearings have been heard under the appeal system; how much notice is given of the date of a hearing; and if she will make a statement. [11904]
  590
  Mr. Bradley
  On 9 July, we introduced the Social Security Bill which will modernise the delivery of social security. The Bill contains measures to provide a more streamlined, efficient and faster appeals system for social security benefits including jobseeker's allowance. We shall be setting and publishing demanding targets and reporting on the results.

  The information regarding jobseeker's allowance appeals is not available in the format requested. The available information is as follows.

  At the end of June, the independent tribunal service had received 24,802 appeals involving jobseeker's allowance. A total of 8,620 appeals have been cleared; 3,884 at hearings. Regulations require the ITS to provide a minimum of seven days notice of the date of a hearing. The ITS routinely provides more notice than this, however, and in many areas is currently giving three to four weeks' advance notification.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what funding is presently committed from her departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if she will make a statement. [11896]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Funding for the cost of preventive and remedial action on year 2000 in this Department is being met from existing budgets by making economies and by reprioritising existing work programmes. The initial broad estimate of the total cost is £30 million. Work is well advanced to refine this estimate and detailed and costed action plans will be available by the end of October 1997.

  National Benefit Inquiry Line
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to restore the free phone national benefit inquiry line; and what assessment she has made of the impact of the withdrawal of the free phone national benefit inquiry line on the take-up of income-related benefits. [11112]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: We will streamline services to provide better, simpler more efficient services to claimants and other customers. There are no plans to restore the Benefits Agency freeline service. Queries on operational matters are for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 31 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the Benefits Agency Freeline service.
  There are no plans to restore the Benefits Agency Freeline. Advice and information about benefit entitlement is available through the Agency's network of local benefit offices. Benefit literature is readily available in local offices, post offices and numerous other outlets.
  As part of the changes required to deliver a modern service to the public we will look again at the availability of freephone and local rate telephone services.

  591
  Advice and information on benefits for the disabled, their representatives and carers is available from the Benefit Enquiry Line. The freephone number is 0800 882200.
  There was no monitoring of the take up of income related benefits when the Freeline was open and there is no evidence to suggest that the closure of the service has had any material impact on the take up of these benefits.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Outsourcing Projects
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the outcome of her review of the outsourcing projects initiated by the previous Government. [12323]

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what criteria she has adopted in her considerations of transferring the ownership and management of her Department's property estate to the private sector. [11880]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the employment implications of transferring the ownership and management of the Department's property estate to the private sector; [11926]

  (3) what plans she has for transfer of the ownership and management of her Department's property estate to the private sector; and if she will make a statement. [11877]

  Ms Harman
  I can today announce how we intend to proceed on a number of projects designed to involve the private sector in the delivery of social security. The decisions we have taken on these projects, which were inherited from the previous Administration, are in support of our commitment to modernise the delivery of social security to make it simpler, better and more efficient.

  The manifesto made it clear that:
  this would be a government of ideas and ideals but not of outdated ideology, what counts is what works;
  it would reject the dogmatic view that services must be privatised to be of high quality, but equally we see no reason why a service should be delivered directly if more efficient means are available;

  We have reviewed the projects inherited against:
  our objectives for modernising the social security system;
  our commitment to work within the announced spending totals for the first two years of Government;
  our aim of getting best value for public money and of reducing the burden on taxpayers;
  the scope to apply private sector expertise, discipline and economies of scale in procuring public services and the ability to secure increased investment from the private sector;
  the need for continuing flexibility for government to make future changes to services;
  the opportunities for improving the quality of service for customers; and
  the implications for staff.

  We believe that there has been evidence in past privatisation of:
  Cost cutting at the expense of concern for quality. In support of our clear commitment to a quality social security service we will establish a minimum quality of service threshold against which we will assess all bids from the private sector. If a supplier fails to reach this threshold, we will not expect to award them a contract no matter how low their price;
  592
  Insufficient priority to managing conformance to quality of service standards during the contract period. We will tackle this by strengthening the contract monitoring regime to include a stronger assessment of suppliers' performance on service quality. We will also require greater evaluation and feedback on performance against the new quality standards;
  Insufficient attention to the concerns of staff. We have made clear our commitment to take account of the needs of staff in considering the involvement of the private sector. We will therefore place greater emphasis on management of people when evaluating contracts; we will carefully evaluate suppliers' management of past staff transfers; and we will issue new guidance to potential and current suppliers, making clear what we believe to be good employment practice;

  The conclusions we have reached on the individual projects are as follows:
  Estates and accommodation services (PRIME)

  We propose to proceed with PRIME—private sector resource initiative for management of the estate—which will transfer the ownership and management of the DSS estate to the private sector. The project will bring specialist private sector expertise to the management of the estate, delivering reduced operating costs, increased flexibility to respond to the changing patterns of service delivery, and scope for additional investment in property improvements. The property transfer will enable us to secure full value for the large DSS estate and to share in gains from further property development, while retaining departmental control on the location of outlets.

  As well as the PRIME project, we also propose to explore whether further private sector involvement could improve the delivery of associated office support services, mainly in the Benefits Agency. High-quality service to customers requires effective support to staff in services such as typing and reprographics. These services are currently delivered through a patchwork of public and private sector teams as a result of previous market tests. The current approach does not guarantee quality or efficiency and has not been flexible to changes in service delivery. The PRIME contract requires some reorganisation of office service arrangements and provides an opportunity to reorganise on more efficient lines. We now propose to start the process of testing what the in-house teams could do, under a more effective contracts regime, and what the private sector could offer. Before taking final decisions, we will ensure that any transfer to the private sector meets our new strengthened criteria on quality of service, evaluation of performance and concern for the staff issues.

  Child benefit centre (PROSPECT)

  PROSPECT was established by the previous Government to outsource child benefit and guardian allowance operations in Washington. The previous Government's proposals were driven by dogma and we will not proceed with them. We wish instead to see a proper examination of options other than full scale outsourcing.

  There is a need to improve the quality of service at the child benefit centre, and we have asked officials to prepare an alternative approach based on our principles for a modern service. Options for involving the private sector will be considered in this context.
  593
  Benefits agency medical services

  The IMPACT 97 project was established to transfer the delivery of Benefits Agency medical services—BAMS—to the private sector. The bulk of doctors who provide the medical advice and conduct medical examinations in support of benefit claims are independent contractors, not employed by the Department. The future of BAMS has been under discussion for several years now; the majority of non-medical support staff involved have chosen to transfer to an external company if the project goes ahead, and staff want an end to the uncertainty. There have also been extensive negotiations with contractors who are aware that a final announcement is imminent.

  We have decided to proceed with this project, involving the private sector to bring enhanced management expertise to BAMS, with investment in new technology, delivering reduced running costs and service improvements. As a result of the outsourcing, we expect to see an improved quality of service to customers, covering areas such as the arrangements for making appointments for examinations, the process for delivering medical advice on benefit claims and the quality of the accommodation in medical examination centres.

  We will now proceed to invite final bids from the contractors shortlisted. The final decision on award of contracts will feature further qualitative evaluation of potential suppliers' management capability for provision of the service and an evaluation of the arrangements for the transfer of staff affected.

  BA area director partnerships (ADAPT)

  The ADAPT project was established to deliver a two-phase approach to involvement of the private sector. The first phase entails a period of partnership between three private sector consortia and three BA area directorates which will explore, without payment from the taxpayer, whether external input can help our objectives to modernise the delivery of social security. The approach fits well with this Government's approach to public-private partnerships. It enables us to bring in external expertise to identify new ways of working and to test what the partners have to offer without commitment to any particular outcome. We have decided that the project should continue and the three partners will be announced shortly. If the first phase produces effective proposals for improving service delivery, we may proceed to a second stage and award contracts for delivery of services.

  Contributions Agency competitive benchmarking

  In addition to the series of outsourcing projects, we have also reviewed the project within the Contributions Agency to benchmark services against the private sector. The CA benchmarking programme assesses the scope to apply private sector expertise, discipline and economies of scale in procuring public services. The ongoing programme has so far tested the quality and scope for improvement of three areas of the Contributions Agency operations—international services, deferment of national insurance contributions, and insolvency services.

  This benchmarking programme meets our criteria, adopting a non-dogmatic approach of judging things by what works; avoiding a single presumption that the
  594
  private or the public sector is always the solution and assessing the best way forward against the scope for improvement by existing staff.

  We have decided that Contributions Agency staff should continue to manage international services and deferment, bringing in improvements in service through in-house efficiency measures. On insolvency services, which handle national insurance debts of insolvent companies and bankrupt individuals, we have concluded that we should begin the testing of offers from external suppliers, applying our strengthened principles for involvement of the private sector. The early indications from the benchmarking programme confirm that there may be gains to be made from testing our service against the best in the private sector. We have decided that the competitive benchmarking process in the Contributions Agency should continue, extending to other areas of service.

  Stand-alone support IT applications (SASA)

  The Department has a major programme of IT change and we have decided that it should concentrate its expertise on the development and maintenance of key strategic mainframe systems. The development and management of stand-alone systems will be more effectively supported in the private sector, which has greater expertise in this area and will be able to deliver a better quality service at reduced costs. We have therefore decided to proceed with the transfer to the private sector of the development, support and maintenance of the Department's non-strategic, stand-alone, business support computer systems—SASA. The contract will cover around 740 systems ranging from those on a single PC to networked applications running up to 200 PCs, using a diverse range of software packages.

  Conclusion

  These decisions on the involvement of the private sector will help to deliver a modernised social security service. Where our modernisation strategy entails involvement of the private sector in the future, we will apply the criteria we have set out for the review of outsourcing, asking of every project, "Does it work? Is it fair—to customers, taxpayers and staff?".

  A separate announcement will be made in respect of services in Northern Ireland. Further details on the individual projects will be announced in the very near future.

  Benefit Review
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she will publish the results of the recent benefit review of income support; and if she will make a statement. [12472]

  Mr. Denham
  This Government take fraud against our social security system very seriously and are determined to reduce the level of fraud and abuse. Fraud is anti-social behaviour; assisting in the fight against fraud is an expression of responsible citizenship.

  We have inherited a significant problem and this research underlines the need to review and evaluate existing measures. Work is in hand to re-examine the strategic objectives governing counter-fraud work throughout the Department. This will ensure that there is

  595
  coherence between counter-fraud objectives and other policy and operational strategic objectives, in particular those aimed at controlling loss of programme expenditure.

  All plans for the future will be based on making sure that the social security system is based on honesty, fairness and responsibility. We will also move towards a more systematic process of assessing risks to ensure that resources are targeted for maximum effect.

  The level of fraud and abuse represents a serious problem which we are determined to consider carefully and respond to fully.

  In order to establish the size of the problem on an ongoing basis the Benefits Agency is undertaking a five-year programme of reviews. This programme covers all the major social security benefits to measure in a statistically valid way the level of incorrectness, including fraud within the benefit stream.

  A review of income support was carried out through visits and interviews with a random sample of 4,350 customers in autumn 1996 when a review of their benefit entitlement was completed.

  The results of this review show that the majority of customers—79 per cent.—are entitled to the benefit at the rate they are receiving.

  However, fraud or a high suspicion of fraud was found in just over 11 per cent. of cases representing estimated annual potential expenditure losses of £1.77 billion on income support.

  We will be hosting a fraud seminar in September. This will involve high-level representatives from both inside and outside of Government. Private sector expertise will be brought alongside those already involved to exchange and develop ideas and experience to ensure that we are tackling the problem in the most effective manner.

  Domestic Fuel (VAT)
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the impact on the uprating of the basic state weekly pension for(a) single person and (b) a couple of a 3 per cent. change in the value added tax rate on domestic fuel. [11789]

  Mr. Denham
  The change in the VAT rate on domestic fuel will have no impact on the real value of the basic state pension.

  We are committed to uprating the basic state pension at least in line with prices and will consider the uprating of benefits at the normal time and in the normal way.

  All pensioners will benefit from the reduction in their fuel bills following the reduction in the VAT rate on domestic fuel from 8 to 5 per cent.

  Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to exempt claimants of the industrial injuries disablement benefit from her proposed restrictions on backdating; and what procedures will be introduced to protect disabled people whose conditions are not immediately diagnosed. [11583]
  596
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Clause 70 of the Social Security Bill provides for the alignment of the time limits for the backdating of claims to benefit with the one month currently allowed for reviews. This provision is an integral part of modernising and streamlining the social security system. It will make the system easier to operate and simpler for people to understand. It will also underline the importance of people making their claims promptly.

  The Social Security Bill also provides for regulations to prescribe exceptions to the one-month time limit. We are currently giving careful consideration to what, if any, circumstances there might be in which exceptions ought to apply.

  People who qualify for industrial injuries benefits already receive a substantial preference in that their benefits are non-contributory and tax-free and are payable on top of any mainstream incapacity and disablement benefits to which they may also be entitled.

SCOTLAND

  Feudal System
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made by the Scottish Law Commission in its review of the feudal system. [12474]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Government gave a manifesto commitment to initiate a study into land ownership and management in Scotland, including the options for removing the rights of feudal superiors.

  The feudal system is anachronistic and makes conveyancing more expensive than it need be. It also allows unscrupulous superiors to charge excessive amounts for granting consent to alterations or changes of use of property.

  I am therefore delighted that the Scottish Law Commission will be able to submit a report on the abolition of feudal tenure, with draft legislation in 1998—one year earlier than expected. At the same time, the commission will issue a discussion paper on related questions of real burdens. It will report on those questions by the end of 1999.

  The effect of the two reports will be to sweep away superiorities, replace the feudal system with a system based on absolute ownership, and reform the law real burdens.

  The Government are committed to the introduction of legislation to abolish the feudal system as soon as we can after the commission reports. It may be necessary to carry out further consultations following publication of the reports, but I very much hope that the legislation will be one of the first reforms to be enacted by the Scottish Parliament. It would be most fitting if Scotland entered the new millennium not only with a new Parliament but with a completely modernised system of land tenure.

  Hunting
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce which officials will conduct the review of hunting on Forestry Commission land. [7916]
  597
  Mr. Chisholm
  The review of hunting on Forestry Commission land is an internal review which is being carried out by the Forestry commissioners and commission officials as a normal part of their duties.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) for what reason a review of hunting on Forestry Commission land has been commenced; and when it will be conducted; [8837]

  (2) who will be invited to give evidence to the Forestry Commissions review of hunting on Forestry Commission land; [8835]

  (3) which officials will be involved in the review of hunting on Forestry Commission land; [8838]

  (4) when he expects to publish the results of the review of hunting on Forestry Commission land; [8834]

  (5) how much he estimates the review of hunting on Forestry Commission land will cost the Forestry Commission. [8836]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: Against the background of our manifesto commitment to allow a free vote on hunting, we have asked the Forestry commissioners to review their policy for hunting over commission land, and to advise us of their conclusions. This is an internal review which will not be published, but which will take full account of representations received. The review is being carried out by the Forestry commissioners and commission officials as a normal part of their duties and will not be costed separately. The commissioners aim to complete their review later this summer.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what factors led him to carry out a review of hunting on Forestry Commission land; [10281]

  (2) which officials will carry out a review of hunting on Forestry Commission land; [10282]

  (3) who will give evidence to the review of hunting on Forestry Commission land. [10284]

  Mr. Chisholm
  Against the background of our manifesto commitment to allow a free vote on hunting, we have asked the forestry commissioners to review their policy for hunting over commission land, and to advise us of their conclusions. This internal review is being carried out by the forestry commissioners and commission officials and will take full account of representations received.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much he has budgeted for expenditure on refurbishing(a) official residences occupied by Scottish Office Ministers and (b) Scottish Office properties. [7745]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 14 July 1997]: Under current public expenditure plans, total provision for refurbishment work over the next three years is as follows:
  (a) Bute house, which provides occasional accommodation for Ministers—£35,000. This budget is for replacing some of the furniture originally provided on loan by the National Trust for Scotland as these pieces will be recalled by the original owners later this year.
  598
  (b) Scottish Office properties—£6,515,300. The figure excludes the operational assets of the Scottish Prison Service, the Scottish Court Service and Historic Scotland. Most of the expenditure in fact relates to the refurbishment of St. Andrew's House—£6 million.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 220, if he will itemise the same expenditure plans including all changes announced since the publication of "Serving Scotland's Needs", including the itemised figures for each year from 1994–95 to 1999–2000 in cash and real terms at 1996–97 prices using the gross domestic product deflator; if he will set out the cumulative spending planned from 1997–98 to 1999–2000 under each item in real terms and the total cumulative spending, assuming that spending is maintained at 1996–97 real-term levels; and if he will indicate the difference between the two cumulative totals. [10271]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  Government Expenditure and Revenue
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the date for publication of the new edition of "Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland". [7744]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 14 July 1997]: "Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland, 1995–96" will be published in the first half of November 1997.

  Council House Repairs
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sum has been spent by each local authority and its predecessor authorities on repairs and improvements to council houses in each of the last five years(a) in total and (b) per 100 homes managed by the council. [9610]

  Mr. Chisholm
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of the Scottish Office operation at Dover house in each of the last three years. [10172]

  Mr. Dewar
  The cost of the Scottish Office operation at Dover house in each of the last three years was £1,925,000, £1,745,000 and £1,740,000 in 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 respectively. These figures do not include the costs of Ministers or of staff who are based in Edinburgh but who travel to Dover house for part of the working week while Parliament is in session.

  Literacy and Numeracy
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, (1) pursuant to his answer of 17 July, what data his Department holds on numeracy levels among 16 to 24-year-olds in Scotland; [10128]
  599
  (2) pursuant to his answer of 16 July, Official Report, column 220, what data his Department currently holds concerning literacy levels among 16 to 24-year-olds in Scotland. [10129]

  Mr. Wilson
  I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  Dance and Music Tuition
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with representatives of(a) Scottish local authorities, (b) Scottish parents and (c) Scottish teachers concerning the resources available for (i) dance and (ii) music tuition. [10374]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: My right hon. Friend has recently met representatives of the Friends of the Dance School of Scotland, at Knightswood secondary school, to discuss funding concerns. My right hon. Friend is still considering this issue.

  Woodlands
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much new woodland has been planted with Government incentives in each year since 1979. [10984]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The area of new woodland planted in Great Britain with Government incentives since 1979 is set out in the table.

  Year ended 31 March

  Area (hectares)

  1980

  8,302

  1981

  8,400

  1982

  12,462

  1983

  12,511

  1984

  16,673

  1985

  16,029

  1986

  19,019

  1987

  19,147

  1988

  23,821

  1989

  25,108

  1990

  15,406

  1991

  15,436

  1992

  14,147

  1993

  15,295

  1994

  15,897

  1995

  18,128

  1996

  14,975

  1997

  15,971

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what targets he plans to set in respect of the increase in the proportion of woodland areas in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland by 2010. [11147]

  Mr. Chisholm
  Although we are committed to increasing the area of woodland in Britain, we have not set any specific targets.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [11386]
  600
  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  A1
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the impact of daily return lorry journeys arising from the transport of rubbish from Edinburgh to Oxwellmains on traffic flows on the Al road at Pencraig Hill. [11061]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The road layout at Pencraig Hill can accommodate the anticipated additional 60 heavy goods vehicle movements per day which are forecast to be generated by the movement of land waste by road from Edinburgh to the new landfill site at Oxwellmains. These additional movements are not considered to have a significant impact on the A1.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will withdraw the consent for the transport of rubbish from Edinburgh to the new landfill site at Oxwellmains until the A1 road has been dualled between Haddington and Dunbar. [11062]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: Planning consent for the landfill site and conditions attached to that consent are a matter for East Lothian council.

  Arable Area Payments
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many payments were made under the arable area payments scheme in 1996 at(a) £0 to £1,000, (b) £1,000 to £2,000, (c) £2,000 to £3,000, (d) £3,000 to £5,000, (e) £5,000 to £10,000, (f) £10,000 to £20,000, (g) £20,000 to £40,000, (h) £40,000 to £70,000; (i) £70,000 to £100,000, (j) £100,000 to £200,000, (k) £200,000 to £300,000 and (1) over £300,000. [11317]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The information relating to payments made to farmers in Scotland under the 1996 arable area payments scheme is set out in the table:

  Number

  (a)£0–£1,000

  952

  (b)£1,000–£2,000

  968

  (c)££2,000–£3,000

  798

  (d)£3,000–£5,000

  2,016

  (e)£5,000–£10,000

  846

  (f)£10,000–£20,000

  1,523

  (g)£20,000–£40,000

  1,369

  (h)£40,000–£70,000

  653

  (i)£70,000–£100,000

  187

  (j)£100,000–£200,000

  124

  (k)£200,000–£300,000

  8

  (l)over£300,000

  3

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within his Department. [11554]
  601
  Mr. Chisholm
  The Scottish Office proposes to set waste minimisation targets throughout the Department once the necessary supporting information is collated and analysed. This action is in hand.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years. [11555]

  Mr. Chisholm
  I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department. [11553]

  Mr. Chisholm
  The Scottish Office has recently developed a waste minimisation strategy for its main building at Victoria quay, Edinburgh, as part of an environmental management system. It is planned to introduce similar strategies through existing management structures in all other principal Scottish Office buildings.

  Further Education
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to establish a further education funding council; and if he will make a statement; [11213]

  (2) if non-certificated courses will continue to be available in further education; and if he will make a statement; [11214]

  (3) what plans he has to encourage the use of (a) private public partnership, (b) private finance initiative and(c) derivatives in meeting the capital needs of further education; and how his Department intends to support such initiatives; [11215]

  (4) if he will make a statement on his strategy for further education in Scotland. [11216]

  Mr. Wilson
  I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  Local Government Elections
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider postponing the third statutory review of local government electoral arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [11217]

  Mr. Chisholm
  Parliament has required the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland to review the electoral arrangements for all local government areas as soon as practicable after 1 April 1996. The Secretary of State has no power to postpone that review. The Secretary of State will, however, be giving very careful consideration to the proposals which the Local Government Boundary Commission make as a result of that review.

  Keelylang Site of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secreary of State for Scotland how long negotiations have been continuing between Scottish Natural Heritage and the owner of the land covering the Keelylang site of special scientific 602
  interest, Orkney, regarding the conclusion of a management agreement in respect of the site of special scientific interest. [11842]

  Mr. Chisholm
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he will ensure that legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament is compatible with European Union or other international obligations of the UK. [11808]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Government's proposals are set out in paragraphs 4.18–4.21 of "Scotland's Parliament"—Cm 3658—in respect of international obligations and in paragraph 5.8 in respect of European Union obligations.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the distinction between the specification of(a) devolved and (b) reserved powers for the Scottish Parliament. [11810]

  Mr. McLeish
  In order to ensure maximum clarity and stability, the Government have proposed that the legislation establishing the Scottish Parliament should list the matters to be reserved to the UK Parliament rather than specify devolved matters.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Ponsonby rule will be applied in the Scottish Parliament. [11807]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Ponsonby rule applies to the ratification of international treaties. Since under the Government's proposals international relations would be reserved to Westminster, the Ponsonby rule would not apply to the business of the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on the role of the Lord Advocate in respect of advice given to(a) the Scottish Parliament and (b) the United Kingdom Parliament; [11798]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the nature of the Lord Advocate's accountability to the Westminster Parliament following the introduction of a Scottish Parliament; [11799]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the role and responsibilities of the Lord Advocate in respect of (a) law reform issues, (b) the Scottish prosecution service, (c) the administration of Scottish criminal matters in England and (d) the appointment of judges following the introduction of a Scottish Assembly. [11800]

  Mr. McLeish
  I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  EU Birds Directive
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to designate new special protection areas, declared under the EU birds directive, to protect(a) the hen harrier, (b) the golden plover and (c) the corncrake; and what percentage of the United

  603
  Kingdom breeding population of each of these species is currently protected by special protection areas in Scotland. [11924]

  Mr. Chisholm
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11891]

  Mr. Donald Dewar
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 10 July,Official Report, column 546.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what are the actual or estimated totals for Scottish Natural Heritage's expenditure on the operation of the sites of special scientific interest system in Scotland in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99; and what proportion of Scottish Natural Heritage's total expenditure these sums represent; [11843]

  (2) what are the actual or estimated totals for Scottish Natural Heritage's expenditure in relation to the designation and protection of sites notified under the birds directive and habitats and species directive in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99; and what proportion of Scottish Natural Heritage's total expenditure these sums represent; [11844]

  (3) what was the actual or estimated expenditure by Scottish Natural Heritage on its statutorily required nature conservation functions in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99. [11923]

  Mr. Chisholm
  My noble Friend the Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Fisheries will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussion his Department has had with Scottish Natural Heritage regarding the negotiation of a management agreement in respect of the Keelylang site of special scientific interest in Orkney; and if he will make a statement. [11841]

  Mr. Chisholm
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  European Issues
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what mechanism will be used to ensure agreement between United Kingdom and Scottish Executive departments in reaching a common negotiating position on European issues. [11809]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Government's proposals on the subject are set out in paragraphs 5.4 to 5.6 of the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament", Cm3658.

  Local Agenda 21
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to support Scottish local authority initiatives in respect of local agenda 21; and if he will make a statement. [11845]

  Mr. Chisholm
  Local agenda 21 is primarily a matter for local authorities to advance. The Scottish Office provides financial support to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to co-ordinate a strategic approach by Scottish local authorities to local agenda 21. My noble Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries in Scotland is meeting COSLA on 3 September to discuss the role of authorities in the promotion of sustainable development. Later this year, he plans to convene a conference on local agenda 21 for councillors and senior local authority staff.

  Animal Exports
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what actions his Department is taking to proceed with(a) the export certified herds scheme and (b) the date-based scheme. [12200]

  Mr. Malcolm Chisholm
  The Government are pursuing both schemes with the EU Commission with equal vigour. Further clarification is to be provided on the date-based scheme. In line with the Florence agreement, the Commission will be putting both schemes to their scientific advisory committees.

  Devolution (Interpretation)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will produce a video version of his proposals for Scottish devolution carrying subtitles and sign language interpretation; [12003]

  (2) if he will ensure that all publicly broadcast information in relation to the forthcoming referendum in Scotland carries subtitles and sign language interpretation. [12000]

  Mr. McLeish
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  Mr. Brendan Callaghan
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made with the review of the case of Mr. Brendan Callaghan; and if he will make a statement. [12102]

  Mr. McLeish
  We are presently conducting a detailed examination of the papers submitted on behalf of Mr. Callaghan and of other material that has been obtained in order to establish what issues require further investigation before a decision can be reached on his petition. Depending on the results of that examination, the Crown Office will be requested to conduct detailed investigation of the matter at issue.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will extend the time allowed for community councils
  605
  and other community organisations to comment on the proposed changes in the procedures to notify neighbours of planning applications. [12086]

  Mr. Chisholm
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  Business Start-up Scheme
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many unemployed people have qualified for assistance under the business start-up scheme in each of the last five years; and what was the annual expenditure. [12170]

  Mr. Wilson
  I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

HEALTH

  Nursing Homes (Negligence)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions apply to enable individuals to pursue complaints of negligence against private sector nursing homes; and if he will make a statement. [7702]

  Mr. Boateng
  Any complaint about a nursing home, including complaints about the competence or negligence of nursing home staff, should be referred to and investigated by the local health authority in its capacity as registering authority of nursing homes under the Registered Homes Act 1984. The health authority will then decide what action to take.

  Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to seek to update the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960 in order to(a) protect consumers and (b) protect clinical titles; and if he will make a statement. [8739]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Government are committed to bringing forward, for consultation, proposals for legislation to replace the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960. A Bill advisory group is advising the United Kingdom Health Departments on the preparation of instructions on a draft Bill, which will be subject to a wide-ranging consultation process to enable all the issues to be debated.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [8953]

  Ms Jowell
  The information for all those public bodies which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has responsibility—NHS bodies1—health authorities, NHS trusts, special health authorities, executive and advisory2
  606
  non-departmental public bodies and tribunals—has been placed in the Library.
  1 None of the Advisory NDPBs and tribunals which the Department of Health sponsors employ staff.
  2 Information on NHS bodies also includes two directly managed units—Northfield Services for Pld and Manchester College of Midwifery—whose staff are employed by Health Authorities and two organisations which employ NHS staff, information management centre and FHS computer unit.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a mandatory requirement on all NHS bodies to undertake regular ethnic minority returns of staff. [11281]

  Mr. Milburn
  National health service employers are already required to return ethnic origin information about their employees to the NHS Executive as part of the Department of Health's annual medical and dental and non-medical work force censuses.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability of national health service dentistry in the Vale of Evesham. [9193]

  Mr. Milburn
  There are problems with availability of national health service dentistry in the Vale of Evesham. It is the responsibility of health authorities to oversee the provision of NHS dental services in their locality. At the request of Worcestershire health authority, the Secretary of State authorised on 18 July a specific arrangement in Evesham designed to improve the availability of these services. The health authority is also seeking to employ a salaried dentist in Pershore and Kidderminister.

  Preston General Hospital
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children from Chorley and South Ribble district were treated at Preston general hospital in the last year for which figures are available. [9856]

  Mr. Milburn
  The current basic unit for measuring hospital activity is the finished consultant episode. FCEs are not the same as the number of patients treated because a hospital spell can consist of more than one FCE, and patients discharged too early who are subsequently readmitted as emergencies count as another FCE. Furthermore, an FCE count cannot by itself serve as a valid measure of productivity since it is not standardised over time for any changes in the quality of treatment.

  In 1993–94, the last year of the Chorley and South Ribble DHA, there were 5,667 such episodes for children aged up to 16 recorded for the acute unit of the former Preston health authority. The total for people of all ages was 28,236.

  The former Chorley and South Ribble and West Lancashire district health authorities merged in 1994.

  The most recent figures are for 1994–95, when 5,854 episodes for children aged up to 16 from the South Lancashire health authority area were recorded for Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. The total for people of all ages was 28,535.

  Source: Department of Health. Hospital Episode Statistics.

  Chemical Support Services
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn), of 14 July,Official Report, column 81, what grades of NHS staff are included under the definition of clinical support services. [9691]

  Mr. Milburn
  There is no established definition of clinical support services. As part of the review of private finance initiative, officials will be considering what services may be included in PFI projects and are aiming to produce a list of these by the end of the year.

  Fluoridation
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the fluoridation of water supplies; and if he will introduce legislation to require water companies to follow the advice of health authorities on this issue. [9814]

  Mr. Milburn
  We are currently looking at many aspects of public health policy, including water fluoridation.

  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the causes of fluorosis in children; what links have been identified between fluorosis and the fluoridation of water supplies; and if he will make a statement. [5965]

  Mr. Milburn
  [pursuant to his reply, 2 July 1997, c. 174]: I am now able to provide additional information. The full reply is as follows:

  The Department of Health has not itself commissioned any research into causes of fluorosis in children. Extensive research over many decades undertaken independently of the Department has confirmed a link between water fluoridation and dental fluorosis, although at a level of one part per million in temperate climates it is considered to be of negligible importance.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his estimates of the expenditure on all external consultants, including management consultants, for each year since 1992, in 1997 prices, for his Department and its agencies; and what estimate he has made of the quantified annual cost savings achieved by this. [10412]

  Ms Jowell
  Estimates for expenditure on all external consultants for the Department of Health and its agencies, in 1997 prices, are as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1992–93

  24.194

  1993–94

  20.468

  1994–95

  21.926

  1995–96

  21.132

  1996–971

  15.789

  1 Information for 1996–97 includes a figure of £2.194 million for NHS Regional Offices which were established in 1996–97.

  608
  The Department does not hold information centrally on savings which are a direct consequence of external consultants' activity.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the individuals appointed by his Department to public positions since 1 May were first identified by the public appointments unit. [10408]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department of Health has appointed one individual since 1 May 1997. This appointment was as a direct result of using the public appointments unit.

  Non-NHS Staff
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many non-NHS staff have been employed by each health authority in each of the last five years. [10416]

  Mr. Milburn
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Young People (Care)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young people in local authority care or subject to care orders absconded for more than a week for each local authority in the last three years. [10435]

  Mr. Boateng
  The figures which are available relate to the number of children looked after by local authorities in England who were recorded as absent from their agreed placement for more than one week. Although this will include children who absconded, it will also include children who were absent for other reasons. Figures for the latest three years available have been placed in the Library. Figures for the year ending 31 March 1996 are not yet available.

  Non-urgent Elective Surgery
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average waiting time period specified by each health authority for providers of health services to carry out non-urgent elective surgery in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [10812]

  Mr. Milburn
  Health authorities contract for maximum, not average, waiting times for elective treatment. In most cases, they do not specify maximum waiting times for non-urgent, as opposed to urgent, elective treatment. Nor do they specify maximum waiting times for surgery as distinct from other in-patient treatment. Contracted maximum waiting times for admission to hospital for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are shown in the table. Where a range of times is shown, this indicates different maximum waiting times for different providers or specialties.

  align="center">Contracted maximum waiting times

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Anglia and Oxford

  Bedfordshire

  12 months

  15 months

  Berkshire

  12 months

  12–15 months

  Buckinghamshire

  12 months

  15 months

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  12 months

  12–15 months

  East Norfolk

  12 months

  12–15 months

  Northamptonshire

  12 months

  12–15 months

  609

  align="center">Contracted maximum waiting times

  1996–97

  1997–98

  North West Anglia

  12 months

  12–15 months

  Oxfordshire

  12 months

  12–15 months

  Suffolk

  North Thames

  Barking and Havering

  12 months

  15–18 months

  Barnet

  12 months

  18 months

  Brent and Harrow

  12 months

  18 months

  Camden and Islington

  12 months

  12 months

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  18 months

  18 months

  East London and The City

  12–15 months

  6–18 months

  East and North Hertfordshire

  12 months

  12–18 months

  Enfield and Haringey

  12 months

  18 months

  Hillingdon

  12 months

  12 months

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  12 months

  6–9 months

  North Essex

  12 months

  18 months

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  18 months

  18 months

  South Essex

  12 months

  18 months

  West Hertfordshire

  12 months

  18 months

  North West

  Bury and Rochdale

  12 months

  12 months

  East Lancashire

  12 months

  12 months

  Liverpool

  12 months

  12 months

  Manchester

  12 months

  12 months

  Morecambe Bay

  12 months

  12 months

  North Cheshire

  12 months

  12 months

  North West Lancashire

  12 months

  12 months

  Salford and Trafford

  12 months

  12 months

  Sefton

  12 months

  12 months

  St. Helen's and Knowsley

  12 months

  12 months

  South Cheshire

  12 months

  12 months

  South Lancashire

  12 months

  12 months

  Stockport

  12 months

  12 months

  West Pennine

  12 months

  12 months

  Wigan and Bolton

  12 months

  12 months

  Wirral

  12 months

  12–18 months

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Bradford

  12 months

  12 months

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  12 months

  12 months

  County Durham

  12 months

  12 months

  East Riding

  12 months

  12 months

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  12 months

  12 months

  Leeds

  12 months

  12 months

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  12 months

  12months

  North Cumbria

  12 months

  12 months

  Northumberland

  12 months

  12 months

  North Yorkshire

  12 months

  12 months

  Sunderland

  12 months

  12 months

  Tees

  12 months

  12 months

  Wakefield

  12 months

  12 months

  South Thames

  Bexley and Greenwich

  12 months

  18 months

  Bromley

  12 months

  12 months at most providers

  Croydon

  12 months

  15 months at most providers

  East Kent

  12 months

  12 months at most providers

  East Surrey

  12 months

  9–18 months

  East Sussex

  12 months

  12–18 months

  Kingston and Richmond

  18 months

  18 months

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  18 months

  18 months

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  12 months

  18 months

  West Kent

  12 months

  15 months at most providers

  610

  align="center">Contracted maximum waiting times

  1996–97

  1997–98

  West Surrey

  12 months

  18 months at most providers

  West Sussex

  12 months

  18 months

  South and West

  Avon

  10–15 months

  12 months

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  9 months

  9 months

  Dorset

  6 months

  6 months

  Gloucestershire

  9–12 months

  9 months

  Isle of Wight

  10 months

  15 months

  North and East Devon

  12 months

  15 months

  North and Mid Hampshire

  12–18 months

  12–18 months

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  6 months

  12 months

  Somerset

  12 months

  12 months

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  9–14 months

  12–15 months

  South and West Devon

  12 months

  9 months

  Wiltshire

  12 months

  12–15 months

  Trent

  Barnsley

  12–18 months

  12–18 months

  Doncaster

  12–18 months

  12–18 months

  Leicestershire

  12 months

  12–18 months

  Lincolnshire

  12 months

  12–18 months

  North Derbyshire

  12 months

  12–18 months

  North Nottinghamshire

  12 months

  12–18 months

  Nottingham

  12 months

  12–18 months

  Rotherham

  12 months

  12–18 months

  Sheffield

  12–18 months

  12–18 months

  South Derbyshire

  12 months

  12–18 months

  South Humber

  12 months

  12–18 months

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  9 months

  9 months

  Coventry

  9 months

  9 months

  Dudley

  6 months

  6 months (with some specialty variations)

  Herefordshire

  6 months

  9 months

  North Staffordshire

  9 months

  9–15 months

  Sandwell

  9 months

  6–9 months

  Shropshire

  9 months

  9 months

  Solihull

  9 months

  9 months

  South Staffordshire

  9 months

  9–12 months

  Walsall

  6 months

  9 months

  Warwickshire

  9 months

  9 months

  Wolverhampton

  9 months

  9 months

  Worcestershire

  9 months

  9 months

  Contraceptive Advice
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to introduce measures to raise the profile of family planning clinics and GP surgeries among older women as a source of contraceptive advice; [11329]

  (2) if he will provide figures, by age, of the total numbers and the percentages of the age group of women attending family planning clinics and GP surgeries for contraceptive advice for each year from 1990 to the present. [11327]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department of Health has published a booklet "Your Health: A Guide to Services for Women". The booklet offers advice and information on a wide range of health issues, including family planning services and contraception. Copies have been placed in the Library.
  611
  The contraceptive education service is provided by the Family Planning Association under contract to the Department of Health. The CES aims to raise awareness and understanding among the general public including women of all ages about contraceptive methods and family planning services.

  Local health authorities are responsible for providing family planning services that meet the needs of the population they serve. Services should be targeted to meet the needs of particular client groups, especially those among whom the take-up of family planning services is lowest. In meeting local need, commissioners and providers need to ensure that information on the full range of family planning services is readily available.

  align="center">Net ingredient cost of prescriptions dispensed by (a) dispensing doctors; (b) community pharmacists and appliance contractors; and (c) prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered, 1992 to 1996.

  England

  align="center">Net Ingredient cost (£ million)

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Dispensing doctors

  185.0

  207.9

  226.3

  243.7

  267.6

  Community pharmacist and appliance contractors

  2,637.3

  2,902.0

  3,114.3

  3,361.6

  3,653.3

  Items personally administered by prescribing doctors

  34.4

  47.7

  62.4

  73.8

  84.9

  Overall total

  2,856.7

  3,157.6

  3,403.0

  3,679.2

  4,005.8

  1. The information is from the Prescription Pricing Authority PD1 series of forms.

  2. The net ingredient cost is the basic cost before discount and excludes dispensing costs and fees.

  3. The figures for dispensing doctors include those items personally administered by dispensing doctors.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department. [11535]

  Mr. Boateng
  Waste minimisation is already part of this Department's current energy and environment plans for its buildings, with particular emphasis on paper, a major component of waste.

  Facilities for the recycling of paper, cans and laser printer cartridges have been provided in the Department's main buildings for a number of years. Recent initiatives include reducing the amount of paper used and widening the range of recycling facilities to other materials.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years. [11537]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department of Health recycled approximately 120,000 kg of waste paper in London for the 1996–97 year.

  Paper comes into the Department from many different sources and not all is currently measured. The proportion of paper sent for recycling cannot therefore be calculated.

  Data were not collected for previous years.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within his Department. [11536]

  Mr. Boateng
  While recycling facilities have been available for a number of years in the Department's main buildings, volumes of materials sent for recycling have only been recorded since April 1996. Based on very
  612
  Information about women attending family planning clinics is contained in the Department's publication "Family Planning Clinic Services, Summary Information for 1995–96, England". Copies have been placed in the Library. Comparable information on women attending GP surgeries is not available.

  Prescribed Drugs
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the value of drugs prescribed per general practitioner over the past five years, distinguishing between(a) those who have their own dispensing facilities and (b) those who use an independent pharmacist. [11232]

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

  limited data, an initial target was set to recycle 134,000 kg of waste paper in London during 1996–97, of which an estimated 120,000 kg was achieved.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the refurbishment of ministerial offices in his Department; and what is the estimated cost of the works and date of completion. [11869]

  Mr. Milburn
  There are no plans to refurbish ministerial offices in the Department, but, as part of a plan to improve working conditions in Richmond house, comfort cooling is being installed throughout the building including three ministerial rooms at a cost of £17,178. The work is likely to be completed by the end of August.

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 25 July,Official Report, column 798, (1) if he will list all the areas of work currently being undertaken by his Department under each heading, broken down by ministerial responsibilities; [11961]

  (2) what issues and areas of work to be undertaken are covered by the subjects listed as ministerial responsibilities in his Department; [11960]

  (3) if he will make a statement listing for each Minister the (a) current areas of work, (b) three priority issues that will be dealt with over the next six months in each area and (c) relationship between (a) and (b) and his Department's overall responsibilities, giving such statistical data as are available; [11856]
  613
  (4) if he will list for himself and each of his Ministers the issues reflecting his Department's priorities, indicating the timetable by which they will be achieved. [11962]

  Mr. Dobson
  Later this year, my Department will be publishing White and Green Papers covering various aspects of health policy which will be intended to promote the health of the public and better meet the needs of patients.

  Vitamin B6
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those published papers which were considered by the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment and the Food Advisory Committee prior to their recommending a ban on higher dose vitamin B6 supplements. [11587]

  Ms Jowell
  Higher doses of vitamin B6 have not been banned. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's independent food advisory committee recommended, on the basis of advice from the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment—COT—that the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law should be limited to 10 mg per daily dose. In addition, on the basis of the COT's advice, the Medicines Control Agency's Committee on Safety of Medicines reviewed vitamin B6 medicinal products and recommended that those vitamin B6 preparations sold on the general sales list—that is, those freely available to the public—should be limited to 10 mg, while those above 10 mg but below 50 mg should be available under the supervision of a pharmacist. Those of 50 mg and above should be available under the supervision of a doctor as prescription-only medicines.

  The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment has considered the toxicity of vitamin B6 on two occasions. On the second occasion the COT considered submissions from industry and nutritional therapy/alternative medicine groups. Lists of the scientific papers considered by the committee have been lodged in the Library. The COT considered the totality of the literature on vitamin B6 toxicity, more than 100 papers, and its conclusions were passed to the Food Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of published papers challenging the validity of the conclusions of studies undertaken by K. Dalton and M. J. T. Dalton in relation to vitamin B6 supplementation. [11588]

  Ms Jowell
  The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment has considered the toxicity of vitamin B6 on two occasions. The COT's statement, which was published on 4 July 1997, was based on an overall assessment of the scientific literature on this topic, which included papers challenging the conclusions of the paper of Dalton K. and Dalton M. J. T. and also submissions from industry and nutritional therapy-alternative medicine groups. The COT considered the totality of the literature on vitamin B6 toxicity, more than 100 papers, and lists of published papers have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the numbers of women who experience debilitation as a result of pre-menstrual tension; how many such women supplement their diet 614
  with higher-dose vitamin B6 supplements; and what research his Department has evaluated on (a) adverse reaction and (b) deaths in such women in the last 10 years. [11913]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department of Health has no information on either the numbers of women who experience debilitation as a result of pre-menstrual tension or the total number of women supplementing their diet with high-dose vitamin B6 preparations. Figures for prescribed medicines may be obtained, but the number of women using vitamin B6 products without a prescription is unknown.

  In the years 1987 to 1996 the United Kingdom yellow card adverse drug reaction reporting scheme administered by the Medicines Control Agency has received a total of 42 reactions associated with products containing only vitamin B6. Of these, for five women the indication for vitamin B6 was pre-menstrual tension, none of whom received more than 100 mg per day. With the exception of one case of congenital malformation, all recovered.

  Adverse reaction data from the UK's yellow card adverse drug reaction reporting scheme are provided voluntarily by doctors, dentists and pharmacists and indirectly by pharmaceutical companies. Adverse drug reaction reports relate to suspected adverse reactions associated with medicinal products. We have no information on the use of vitamin B6 as a food supplement. The inclusion of a reaction on the ADR database is not considered evidence that the medicine caused the reaction. Other factors such as the temporal relationship between medicine and reaction, any concomitant medication and the possibility of underlying disease should also be considered.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he made of the published views of the gynaecology department of St. Thomas's hospital, London, about the effects of vitamin B6 supplementation prior to announcing his ban on such supplements. [11805]

  Ms Jowell
  Higher doses of vitamin B6 have not been banned. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's independent food advisory committee recommended, on the basis of advice from the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, that the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law should be limited to 10 mg per daily dose. In addition, on the basis of the COT's advice, the Medicines Control Agency's committee on safety of medicines reviewed vitamin B6 medicinal products and recommended that those vitamin B6 preparations sold on the General Sales List—GSL; that is, those freely available to the public—should be limited to 10 mg, while those above 10 mg but below 50 mg should be available under the supervision of a pharmacist. Those of 50 mg and above should be available under the supervision of a doctor—prescription-only medicines.

  The COT has considered the toxicity of vitamin B6 on two occasions. Before the second occasion, representatives of industry and nutritional therapy/ alternative medicine groups were asked to submit information giving evidence of the safety of vitamin B6 for consideration. The published views of staff of the gynaecology department of St. Thomas's hospital were assessed by the COT as part of its review of the toxicity of vitamin B6.

  Community Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to alter the obligation on local authorities to place 85 per cent. of community care services with private and voluntary sector providers. [12005]

  Mr. Boateng
  Decisions on the future of the special transitional grant independent sector condition will be made within the context of the Government's overall policies and manifesto commitments.

  NHS Estates
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of NHS Estates. [12353]

  Mr. Milburn
  National Health Service Estates plays a key role in helping the NHS to improve patient care through better use of the estate. The previous Government announced in December 1994 that it planned to privatise the non-core functions of NHS Estates. I have decided that the agency should retain its current status.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the private finance initiative schemes that are currently under consideration in the regions covered by the Government offices for the south-east and the south-west which pertain to the health service and are not the subject of the first prioritisation of 3 July 1997. [11362]

  Mr. Milburn
  Those national health service trust schemes in the regions covered by the Government offices for the south-east and south-west that have outline business case approval and are currently testing for private finance are listed. All schemes listed have a capital value of £1 million or over. Information is not collected centrally on schemes with a capital value below £1 million. The list excludes those major acute private finance initiative schemes that were part of the recent prioritisation exercise.

  Region/trust

  Scheme

  South-east

  Chichester Priority Services NHS Trust

  Graylingwell reprovision

  Crawley Horsham NHS Trust

  Patient administration scheme (PAS)

  Hastings and Rother NHS Trust

  Mental health reprovision

  North Downs Community Health NHS Trust

  Farnham Hospital development

  North Downs Community Health NHS Trust

  Aldershot Polyclinic development

  Oxleas NHS Trust

  Bexley Hospital reprovision

  Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust

  Endoscopy and day surgery centre

  Thanet Healthcare NHS Trust

  Private Patient and Post graduate medical centre

  North Kent Healthcare NHS Trust

  Sheppey Community Hospital

  South-west

  Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust

  Neurosciences intensive treatment area

  Southampton Community Health Services NHS Trust

  Lymington Hospital reprovision

  Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

  Radiotherapy equipment

  Portsmouth Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mental health and learning disabilities

  North Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  Alton Hospital

  616

  Region/trust

  Scheme

  Salisbury Health Care NHS Trust

  Inpatient mental health

  Frenchay Healthcare NHS Trust

  Brain Injury rehabilitation unit

  Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Replacement radio scheme

  Poole Hospital NHS Trust

  Parkstone House residential

  Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Trust

  Opthalmic services

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health service private finance initiative agreements(a) have been approved and (b) are ready to proceed. [11140]

  Mr. Milburn
  Following the enactment of the National Health Service (Private Finance) Bill which received Royal Assent on 15 July, the private finance initiative scheme at Dartford and Gravesham national health service trust achieved financial close on 30 July. Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare NHS trust has reached agreement to proceed to financial close.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 July,Official Report, column 414, on the private finance initiative, if he will place in the Library copies of each of the business case PFI bid documents for those NHS facilities that were recently listed as approved for further consideration. [10673]

  Mr. Milburn
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  NHS Trusts (Private Activities)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what procedures will be placed upon NHS trust private activities to ensure(a) that the income they generate is used for the benefit of the NHS and (b) that they do not interfere with the provision of health services to the community; [11141]

  (2) by what means his Department monitors compliance with directions to NHS trusts in respect of the limits on their private activities; and what steps are taken in the event of non-compliance. [11142]

  Mr. Milburn
  Procedures are already in place. The National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 states that private practice must not interfere with the performance by a trust of any of its obligations under NHS contracts. Health authorities and general practitioner fundholders, backed up by regional offices of the Department, monitor the performance of trusts against contracts. Trusts are required to recover the costs of their private patient activity including an appropriate return on capital employed. Memorandum trading accounts are prepared and audited. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State retains powers to give directions to a trust about the exercise of their powers to provide accommodation or services to private patients and the trust has a duty to comply.

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 212, if he will make a statement on the term adverse operating variance. [11925]
  617
  Mr. Milburn
  In line with generally accepted accounting practice, a National Health Service trust makes a charge against its income and expenditure account for the depreciation of its assets.

  The prices a trust charges to its purchasers includes the depreciation charge, but changes in the value of a trust's assets may occur too late for the resulting change in depreciation to be reflected in the prices charged to purchasers.

  Increases in depreciation will result in an increase in expenditure which is not matched by an increase in income from the trust's purchasers. In these circumstances, the trust may show a deficit in the income and expenditure account. This is not within the control of the trust's management; nor is it an indicator of financial problems. The operating variance is used to calculate the underlying financial position of the trust by adjusting its income and expenditure account for changes in depreciation caused by late changes in the trust's assets.

  Where the variance is adverse, the underlying position will be investigated further.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the criteria that each NHS executive regional office uses to determine which health trusts and authorities are judged to have serious financial problems. [7759]

  Mr. Milburn
  [pursuant to his reply, 16 July 1997, c. 212]: I am now able to provide additional information. The full reply is as follows:

  The National Health Service Executive assesses the seriousness of financial problems by initially looking at the scale of the financial problem reported—that is, over £1 million deficit or, if lower, a deficit of 1 per cent. of turnover in health authorities; and adverse operating variance of either £0.5 million or, if lower, of 0.5 per cent. of turnover in trusts. The NHS executive will supplement this with an assessment of additional factors such as the robustness of recovery plans.

  Prostate Cancer
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into prostate cancer; and if he will make a statement. [11934]

  Mr. Boateng
  The national health service research and development programme's health technology assessment programme has undertaken two studies into prostate cancer. These are:a systematic review of detection, management and screening for prostatic carcinoma, at a cost of approximately £54,000;
  a review of evidence on the cost-effectiveness of different strategies for detecting and managing prostatic carcinoma, at an approximate cost of £13,000.

  These two studies have recently reported.

  The next round of priorities for the HTA programme have been set and one of these is treatments for the spectrum of prostate cancers likely to be identified by a screening programme.

  The Department's policy research programme is currently undertaking a systematic review of minimally invasive therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia and
  618
  cancer. The study is being undertaken at the university of Newcastle between 1 August 1996 and 31 July 1997 at a total estimated cost of £39,491.

  Another study, a mortality study of cadmium exposed workers with particular reference to lung and prostatic cancer, was completed last year and has reported. The study was undertaken at Imperial college between 1 October 1994 and 31 May 1996 at a total cost of £32,070.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent in the last year for which figures are available on the treatment and cure of prostate cancer. [11935]

  Mr. Boateng
  Expenditure on prostate cancer cannot be identified separately. Expenditure on cancer services generally is estimated to account for approximately 7 per cent. of national health service resources.

  Breast Screening
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend routine breast screening to those over 65 years. [11609]

  Mr. Boateng
  Three pilot schemes are currently under way in Northern and Yorkshire, Trent and South Thames regions to evaluate the effectiveness of extending the routine call-recall breast screening programme to women up to the age of 69. These schemes will run for three years to enable an assessment of the likely uptake, effect on work load, and effectiveness in terms of cancer detected. We will base any change to current policy on the evidence from the results of these studies, which should be available from the end of 2000.

  In the interim, women aged 65 and over can continue to be screened every three years free of charge on request. This has been publicised in leaflets available in general practitioners' surgeries and clinics, as well as in breast screening centres, and emphasised more recently by a leaflet and poster campaign jointly organised by the charity Age Concern and the breast screening programme.

  Specialist Training Certificate
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 24 July,Official Report, column 729, how many of the doctors awaiting decisions on their applications for the certificate of completion of specialist training (a) are at present working in the NHS, (b) have previously worked in the NHS, (c) were trained at UK medical schools, (d) are at present employed as consultants in the NHS and (e) have waited more than three months for accreditation. [11711]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Specialist Training Authority currently has no outstanding applications from doctors who have been recommended for the award of a certificate of completion of specialist training by the medical royal colleges. Information on the status of applicants is a matter for the STA and is not held centrally.

  Alternative Practitioners
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of alternative and complementary medical practitioners; what was discussed; and if he will make a statement. [11933]
  619
  Ms Jowell
  I met representatives of the Faculty of Homoeopathy on 21 July. Their thoughts on the future of homoeopathy were discussed.

  On 23 July, the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I also met representatives of various organisations, including nutritional therapy interests, to listen to their views on the intended changes to the legislation controlling vitamin B6 contained in dietary supplements.

  I plan to meet the Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and other organisations representing alternative and complementary medical practitioners, later in the year.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [11893]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department is committed to having all business critical systems fully year 2000 compliant by the central information technology unit recommended deadline and the costs of preventive and remedial action will be met from existing public expenditure survey provision. A detailed and costed action plan will be available in the autumn.

  GP Fundholders (Anglia and Oxford)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GP fundholders there are within the Anglia and Oxford health authority region by county. [11728]

  Mr. Milburn
  General practitioner fundholder numbers are not collected by county. The number of GP fundholders by health authority in the Anglia and Oxford region as at 1 April 1997 is set out in the table.

  Anglia and Oxford region fundholder numbers(Waves 1–7)—1 April 1997

  Health authority

  Total number of funds

  Total number of practices

  Total number of general practitioner fundholders

  Bedfordshire

  26

  26

  100

  Berkshire

  55

  73

  291

  Buckinghamshire

  56

  63

  270

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  16

  16

  72

  East Norfolk

  36

  39

  187

  Northamptonshire

  36

  38

  167

  North West Anglia

  25

  31

  124

  Oxfordshire

  40

  44

  209

  Suffolk

  27

  27

  Total

  317

  357

  1,567

  Efficiency Task Force
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 10 July,Official Report, column
  620
  580, when he expects the NHS efficiency task force first to put forward its ideas to Ministers and officials. [11939]

  Mr. Milburn
  The ideas of task force members have been received and are under consideration.

  Patients (NHS Hospitals)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been treated in NHS hospitals for each year since 1979. [10910]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The information in the table shows numbers of finished consultant episodes. FCEs are not the same as the number of patients treated because a hospital spell can consist of more than one FCE, and patients discharged too early who are subsequently readmitted as emergencies count as another FCE. Furthermore, an FCE count cannot by itself serve as a valid measure of productivity since it is not standardised over time for any changes in the quality of treatment.

  Table: Number of general and acute cases in NHS hospitals in England for each year since 1979

  align="right">Thousands

  Year

  Ordinary admissions

  Day cases

  Total FCEs

  1979

  4,529

  570

  5,099

  1980

  4,755

  649

  5,404

  1981

  4,875

  690

  5,565

  1982

  4,830

  685

  5,515

  1983

  5,113

  787

  5,900

  1984

  5,246

  872

  6,118

  1985

  5,385

  938

  6,323

  1986

  5,429

  1,020

  6,449

  1987–88

  5,608

  861

  6,469

  1988–89

  5,572

  1,005

  6,577

  1989–90

  5,677

  1,152

  6,829

  1990–91

  5,685

  1,251

  6,936

  1991–92

  5,913

  1,535

  7,448

  1992–93

  5,987

  1,785

  7,772

  1993–94

  6,127

  2,080

  8,207

  1994–95

  6,210

  2,439

  8,649

  1995–96

  6,396

  2,813

  9,209

  Note: Prior to 1988–89 in-patient data were collected in terms of discharges and deaths rather than Finished Consultant Episodes. The figures above have been converted to FCEs using data from 1988–89, when data were collected on both bases.

  Source:

  SH3 1979 to 1987.

  KP70 1987–88 onwards.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) fully qualified nurses and (b) doctors were employed in the NHS in each year since 1979. [10909]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The information requested is in the following table.
  621

  align="center">NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS) and General Medical Services (GMS) medical staff and qualified nursing and midwifery staff

  England as at 30 September each year

  HCHS hospital medical staff1

  HCHS community medical staff

  GMS General Medical Practitioners2

  GMS practice nurses

  HCHS qualified nursing and midwifery staff

  Year

  Headcount

  WTE

  Headcount

  WTE

  Headcount

  WTE

  WTE

  1979

  39,860

  32,130

  5,890

  2,790

  23,060

  990

  192,0004

  1980

  40,760

  33,200

  5,980

  2,820

  23,670

  1,070

  212,5004

  1981

  41,620

  33,940

  6,040

  2,880

  24,360

  1,240

  212,100

  1982

  42,190

  34,500

  6,170

  2,870

  24,840

  1,450

  219,300

  1983

  42,760

  35,160

  6,330

  2,910

  25,340

  1,660

  223,310

  1984

  42,780

  35,370

  6,160

  2,880

  25,790

  1,920

  227,720

  1985

  43,550

  35,970

  6,150

  2,930

  26,190

  2,210

  234,130

  1986

  43,990

  36,310

  6,030

  2,920

  26,530

  2,500

  236,770

  1987

  43,960

  36,250

  6,300

  2,760

  27,020

  2,770

  239,360

  1988

  45,490

  37,600

  6,160

  2,790

  27,420

  3,480

  241,780

  1989

  46,970

  38,910

  6,110

  2,770

  27,750

  4,630

  244,610

  1990

  48,590

  40,250

  5,900

  2,730

  27,520

  7,740

  242,340

  1991

  49,900

  41,430

  5,320

  2,780

  27,890

  8,780

  243,250

  1992

  50,380

  42,290

  4,940

  2,600

  28,180

  9,120

  246,570

  1993

  51,550

  43,800

  4,710

  2,590

  28,460

  9,600

  241,850

  1994

  52,040

  44,660

  4,070

  2,370

  28,740

  9,100

  238,780

  1995

  55,350

  47,870

  3,920

  2,300

  28,870

  9,740

  246,8203

  1996

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  28,940

  9,820

  248,0703

  Notes:

  1 Figures for hospital medical staff include hospital practitioners and clinical assistants who may also be General Medical Practitioners.

  2 General Medical Practitioners include: restricted principals, unrestricted principals, trainees and assistants.

  3 1995 and 1996 figures for HCHS nursing and midwifery staff are not directly comparable with figures for earlier years because of a change in the way non-medical staff were classified from 1995.

  4 Figures for 1979 and 1980 are not comparable with those for later years because of a reduction in nurses standard working hours in 1980–81 from 40 to 37.5 hours per week.

  5 Not available.

  All figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  WTE indicates whole-time equivalents. WTE figures for GMPs are not available.

  Sources:

  Department of Health's: annual medical and dental workforce census; annual non-medical workforce census; and bi-annual census of General Medical Practitioners.

  NHS Staff (Patient Care)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS staff provided direct patient care in(a) 1979 and (b) 1996. [10900]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: I refer the hon. Member reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave him on 22 July at column 736.

  Estimates for national health service staff, which comprise hospital and community health services and general medical services as a whole, are not available before 1990.

  Hospital Waiting Times
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department has collated in respect of individual trusts' plans for hospital waiting times. [10421]

  Mr. Milburn
  [pursuant to his reply, 29 July 1997, c. 124]: I am now able to provide additional information. The full reply is as follows:

  Information is not collated by the Department on individual trust's plans for hospital waiting times. The Government have inherited a situation where 44 of 100 health authorities have contracted for longer maximum waiting times in 1997–98 than in 1996–97. Whereas only four have contracted for shorter maximum waiting times.
  622
  The Government have made clear the priority that they attach to waiting lists, and to safeguarding emergency admissions.

  School Nursing Service
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's future plans for the development of the school nursing service in London. [9176]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Government are currently considering all health services for school-age children within the context of the response to the Health Select Committee report on children's services.

  Child Sex Abuse (Recovered Memories Report)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Royal College of Psychiatrists over its decision not to publish the report by Professor Sydney Brandon into recovered memories of child sexual abuse; and if he will make a statement. [11145]

  Ms Jowell
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the Royal College of Psychiatrists about the report of its working party on recovered memory chaired by Professor Sydney Brandon. The question whether it publishes his report is a matter for the royal college.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Livingtstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work has been carried out by the Public Health Laboratory Service since 1990 to evaluate the health effects of the organism E. coli MRE 162; for what reasons and on whose behalf this work was conducted; when this work was conducted; what was the conclusion of the work; and in which publications, and when, this work was published. [12189]

  Ms Jowell
  The Public Health Laboratory Service's laboratory of enteric pathogens received E. coli MRE 162 from the chemical and biological defence establishment at Porton Down in March 1997. There was a request from CBDE to evaluate the organism with respect to the risk posed to human health.

  The organism was fully identified as E. coli serotype 08:H9 and tested for a wide range of enteric virulence factors. All tests were negative and it was concluded that the strain was unlikely to cause diarrhoeal disease. A report was sent to CBDE on 22 April 1997. The work carried out has not been published in scientific journals.

  Health Action Zones
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role county, district and borough councils will have in planning and implementing health action zones. [12094]

  Mr. Milburn
  To set up and run a health action zone, a wide range of interests including local authorities will have to work in close partnership. We shall publish further details in due course.

  Neonatal Injury
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps his Department is taking to eliminate the damage caused by (i) Erb's palsy and (ii) brachial plexus injuries during the birth process; [2885]

  (2) if he will list the incidence of (a) Erb's palsy and (b) brachial plexus injuries over the past 20 years. [2886]

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to raise national awareness of Erb's palsy. [2878]

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Erb's palsy/Klumpke's palsy

  142

  158

  202

  240

  370

  330

  Injury to brachial plexus

  337

  191

  181

  149

  135

  148

  Notes:

  ICD9 code 767.6: Injury to brachial plexus (birth trauma)—Erbs palsy and Klumpke's palsy combined.

  ICD9 code 953.4: Injury to brachial plexus.

  Data in this table are grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data.

  Source:

  Department of Health, hospital episode statistics.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Advance Corporation Tax Credit
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the impact on the cash flow of small businesses of the Budget changes to ACT tax credit. [10046]
  624
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a programme(a) for the recording of every incidence of (i) Erb's palsy and (ii) brachial plexus injuries and (b) to raise the general awareness about Erb's palsy. [2930]

  Ms Jowell
  [pursuant to her reply, 12 June 1997, c. 528–29]: I am now able to provide additional information. The full reply is as follows:

  We are of course concerned about the damage to babies caused by Erb's palsy and brachial plexus injuries during birth. The safety of the mother and her unborn child are of paramount importance and childbirth is safer now than at any other time. Most cases of Erb's palsy and brachial plexus injuries arise spontaneously, but are also considered to be influenced by misplacement of the shoulders in the birth canal. In recognition of this problem, a working group under the auspices of the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy, is currently preparing guidance on the management of shoulder dystocia—difficulty in delivering the shoulders during the birth. The guidance will provide advice on the early identification of cases where there may be a risk on coping with cases where shoulders dystocia occurs. The guidance is expected to be available later this year.

  Information on the number of finished consultant episodes of those patients admitted to hospital with primary diagnosis Erb's palsy and brachial plexus injuries in NHS hospitals in England up to 1994–95 is available through hospital episode statistics data and is shown in the table. The definition of a consultant episode is the period that a patient spends under the continuous care of a specific consultant in a specific health care provider. A hospital provider spell can comprise one or more consultant episodes. However, episode statistics will therefore pick up cases where the diagnosis was not made at birth and the baby was subsequently readmitted. Information before 1989–90 recorded discharges and deaths and is therefore not directly comparable to hospital episode statistics data.
  Primary diagnosis—of Erb's palsy (ICD9 code 767.6) and brachial plexus injuries (ICD9 code 953.4)
  Estimated number of Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs),
  Ordinary admissions and day cases combined NHS hospitals, England.

  Mrs. Roche
  The changes to ACT tax credit are part of a package of measures designed to create a better environment for growth and high-quality, long-term investment. Taking account of the cut in the small companies' corporation tax rate, and of increased first-year plant and machinery allowances for small and medium businesses, the small firms sector as a whole will receive a significant boost from the Chancellor's Budget.

  Inward Investment
  Mr, Olner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further steps her Department intends to take to promote inward investment in the United Kingdom. [10047]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  My Department's Invest in Britain Bureau will continue to promote the attractions of the UK for mobile international investment to consolidate our position as the No. 1 location in Europe for inward investment. The Government will pursue economic policies which enhance those attractions, including macro-economic stability, an increase in the skills base, "flexibility plus" in labour markets and a positive approach to Europe.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the number of foreign-owned companies, by country, which have established operations in the United Kingdom. [11210]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: According to information notified to my Department's Invest In Britain Bureau, the numbers of new projects by country of origin between 1979 and to date, are as follows:

  Number

  Australia

  24

  Austria

  4

  Belgium

  16

  Brazil

  1

  Canada

  69

  Denmark

  33

  Finland

  19

  France

  65

  Germany

  285

  Hong Kong

  21

  Iceland

  1

  India

  4

  Indonesia

  1

  Isle of Man

  1

  Israel

  6

  Italy

  16

  Japan

  174

  Kenya

  2

  Korea (South)

  30

  Liechenstein

  1

  Malysia

  1

  Middle East

  1

  Netherlands

  34

  New Zealand

  5

  Norway

  29

  Portugal

  2

  Republic of Ireland

  51

  Saudi Arabia

  3

  Singapore

  6

  South Africa

  8

  Spain

  10

  Sweden

  42

  Switzerland

  42

  Taiwan

  24

  Thailand

  2

  Turkey

  3

  Uruguay

  1

  United States

  765

  1. These figures are based on information on new projects provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest and exclude expansions and mergers or acquisitions. There is no requirement to notify the Department and so the figures include only those projects where IBB and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice. They take no account of subsequent developments.

  2. Data collected from 1977 onwards—when IBB was established.

  Coalfield Areas
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with coalfield representatives and local authorities regarding industrial development in the coalfield areas. [10048]

  Mr. Battle
  My colleagues and I have frequent discussions with those representing coalfield interests on a wide range of issues, including regeneration.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to make use of the deregulation procedures established by the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. [10049]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I intend to use the deregulation order-making power to reduce or simplify the burdens imposed in two cases. These are:the repeal of the check-off system of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992; and
  an amendment to the Patents Act 1977 to allow the filing fees for patent applications to be paid later than the filing date

  Further proposals for use of the power are under consideration.

  Child Labour
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals she has to control imports of goods produced by child labour. [10051]

  Mrs. Roche
  We are firmly committed to eliminating abusive labour practices, particularly child labour, around the world. We fully support initiatives to improve the welfare of children, including a new International Labour Organisation convention on child labour, and are increasing our financial support for international programmes working towards this end. We have also begun to discuss with business, unions and other organisations what further initiatives the Government might take, but we must ensure that these would not harm the very people we are trying to help.

  Utility Regulation
  Mr. Shepherd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to announce the conclusions of her review of utility regulation. [10052]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The review team will advise Ministers before the end of the year. If the Government conclude that changes should be contemplated, a consultation document will be published. Final conclusions will be announced as soon as practicable.

  Small Businesses (Information Technology)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her Department's policy towards improving access to information technology for small and medium businesses. [10053]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave today to my hon. Friends the Members for Norwich, North (Dr. Gibson) and for Stourbridge, (Ms Shipley).
  627
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her Department's policy towards improving access to information technology for small and medium businesses. [10039]

  Mrs. Roche
  Many recent studies have emphasised the crucial importance of new technologies to the competitiveness of smaller firms. Many people—in government, in business support organisations and in the private sector—have a role in getting this message across. Within government, we are pressing ahead with our support for the information society initiative programme for business, which places particular emphasis on offering access and awareness opportunities for SMEs at locations throughout the UK.

  Defence Exports
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures her Department is taking to support defence-related exports. [10054]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Ministry of Defence's export services organisation leads the Government effort on supporting defence-related exports. My Department maintains a close dialogue with the industry on the whole range of issues affecting competitiveness. The full range of Export Credits Guarantee Department's facilities are available for defence as well as for civil-related exports.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arms and defence-related materials have been licensed for export by the United Kingdom to(a) Burundi, (b) Djibouti, (c) Eritrea, (d) Ethiopia, (e) Kenya, (f) Rwanda (g) Somalia, (h) Sudan, (i) Uganda and (j) Zaire in the period since 1990. [8998]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what contracts permitted by the previous Government she intends to prohibit in accordance with the criteria set out in the answer of the Foreign Secretary to the hon. Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) of 28 July,Official Report, columns 26–29. [11887]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs today.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list, by year, those arms exports for which her Department has refused an export licence since 1987. [11058]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: I will write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy in the Library of House.

  India
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to develop Britain's trading relationship with India. [10055]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have already made clear my strong commitment to strengthening the Indo-British partnership. A major trade exhibition—Towards 2000—is being held 628
  in October this year at the time of the state visit of HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. I will be visiting India myself later in the year. A promotional campaign is also planned in the UK to raise awareness of the opportunities in India among small to medium companies. I am confident that this activity will contribute significantly to meeting the target of £5 billion that has been set for two-way trade by 2000.

  Low Pay Commission
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects the Low Pay Commission to start its work. [10056]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Appointments to the Low Pay Commission were made by the Prime Minister and announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 25 July columns 808–09, in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Hull, West and Hessle (Mr. Johnson). The commission held its first meeting on Monday 28 July.

  Telecommunications
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions she has had with the cable industry on its investment programme and possible changes in the restrictions on BT. [10057]

  Mrs. Roche
  I met representatives of the cable industry on 23 June this year, and was briefed on a range of issues including the cable industry's investment plans. My officials also maintain regular and productive contact.

  Internet Access
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to stimulate the development of Internet access services in the UK. [10058]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Department of Trade and Industry is fully committed to the development of the information society in the UK and is enthusiastically pushing forward the "Information Society Initiative—Programme for Business" which encourages the informed uptake of networked services by British business. The DTI will also be developing an enterprise zone. This will be an Internet-based service for small and medium companies, providing a "one stop access point" to key information and to sources of further support for SMEs. The Government are also working internationally to secure the right conditions for fostering the optimal use of the Internet through work on security, intellectual property rights and self-regulation, the latter based on existing law and the existing penalties. The market in the Uk is itself expanding very fast, with many active Internet service providers allowing users access to a wide variety of contents and applications.

  World Trade Organisation
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the proposal for a human rights clause in the treaty relating to the World Trade Organisation. [10061]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Government are firmly committed to ending abusive labour practices around the world. We are already pursuing this objective in the ILO and through
  629
  other international forums. We are also exploring how work can be taken forward in the WTO. We see no conflict between our commitment to promote free trade and fight protectionism on the other hand and our determination to see abusive labour practices eliminated on the other.

  Women Directors
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many women are(a) executive and (b) non-executive directors on plc boards. [10062]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Institute of Management's latest national management salary survey shows that women now represent 4.5 per cent. of directors on company boards, up from 3.3 per cent. last year.

  Manufacturing Trade
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the change in the level of manufacturing trade over the next 12 months. [10064]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  In the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" published on 2 July 1997, the Chancellor of the Exchequer forecast the volume of manufactured exports to grow by 7.5 per cent. in 1997 and by a further 6 per cent. in 1998.

  North-east Lancashire (Investment)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to promote inward investment into north-east Lancashire; and if she will make a statement. [10065]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  My Department's Invest in Britain Bureau promotes the whole of the UK as the No. 1 location in Europe for overseas inward investors. In 1997–98, it will provide £1,393,000 to promote inward investment into the whole of the north-west region, including north-east Lancashire. It will also continue to offer the region the opportunity to bid for any new projects where it can meet investors' needs.

  Utilities (Standing Charges)
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received from consumer organisations about standing charges made by utilities. [10035]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Although my right hon. Friend has not received formal representations from consumer organisations, a number of hon. Members have conveyed the concerns of some of their constituents about this issue.

  Konver Grants
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the allocation of Konver grants. [10059]

  Mr. Battle
  The UK secured the Commission's agreement to spend up to 50 per cent. of Konver funds in areas falling outside objective 1, 2 and 5b areas. This enabled us to spend Konver funds in both objectives areas and non-objective areas.

  Appointments
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many political and personal appointments she has made; and at what cost to public funds. [1117]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have appointed two paid advisers—Sheila Watson and Dan Corry. They are both paid within a range of £24,349 to £73,848. Their salaries are negotiated individually and are confidential within this range. Details of this and of previous salaries are not provided, in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

  I have also appointed Lord Hollick as an unpaid adviser.

  Utilities (Consumer Protection)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to conduct a review of consumer representation and protection in the utility industries. [4397]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  On 30 June, the President of the Board of Trade announced an interdepartmental review of utility regulation. The important issues of consumer representation and protection to which my hon. Friend refers will be covered in this review.

  Nuclear Power
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many tonnes of spent oxide nuclear fuel have been(a) sheared and dissolved and (b) reprocessed to the thermal oxide reprocessing plant since (i) March 1994 and (ii) March 1997. [6550]

  Mr. Battle
  Since the thermal oxide reprocessing plant began operations in March 1994, some 680 tonnes of fuel have been sheared and dissolved to the year end, March 1997, the latest date for which figures are available. THORP remains on target to process 7,000 tonnes of fuel in its first 10 years of operation and to make at least £500 million profit for this period after decommissioning costs have been taken into account. Shearing and dissolving are an integral part of reprocessing.

  International Port, Aden
  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 privatisation and development of Yemen's international port at Aden. [11291]

  Mrs. Roche
  Within the DTI, the Yemen country desk and the section in projects export promotion directorate with responsibility for ports actively monitor this project and alert UK companies with expertise in this sector to the business opportunities it presents.

  The country desk, in conjunction with the British embassy in Yemen, has already organised a seminar on board Britannia, while it was in Aden in February, for British companies interested in the opportunities offered by the port development. Forthcoming opportunities include a DTI-supported trade mission led by HRH the Duke of Gloucester in September and October, another DTI-supported trade mission in February 1998, and a

  631
  DTI-supported all-British trade fair in Sana'a in November 1997. The country desk and export promoter for Yemen are also organising a seminar on investment finance for Yemen in the UK in September 1997 with speakers from Yeminvest and the World bank.

  The country desk will continue to work closely with the commercial section in the British embassy, Sana'a, including the second secretary, commercial, a new post that has been created to respond to the increase in commercial opportunities in Yemen, and in particular those offered by the developments in Aden.

  Official Travel (Cost)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total cost to her Department of the trips made by the Minister and officials to(a) Antwerp on 24 June and (b) Athens on 25 to 28 June. [9432]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 18 July 1997]: Before 1 May, a decision for officials to attend the International Travel Services Association Antwerp conference was taken. The total cost to the Department of the visit to Antwerp was £37,038.00. The DTI provided two stands at the ITSA conference which were staffed by a total of five officials; three other officials attended the conference as full delegates; I was accompanied by my private secretary. The total cost to the Department of the visit to the UK industry travel and tour conference in Athens was £3,238.00. I undertook a number of official engagements, meeting 20 UK exporters to Greece; and meetings with Greek Ministers.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) of 11 July,Official Report, columns 646–47, if she will list (a) the dates on which export licences for the export of Hawk aircraft to Indonesia were issued, (b) the number of aircraft specified in those licences, (c) the time during which the licences were intended to remain in force, (d) the branch of the Indonesian military or paramilitary forces specified as an end user and (e) whether (i) the licences distinguished between the trainer or ground attack variant of the aircraft and (ii) the licences specified the weapon systems or weapon system fittings which were to be supplied with the aircraft. [9589]

  Mrs. Roche
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House. 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 the information.

  General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the benefit to the United Kingdom to date of the 1994 GATT agreement to liberalise world trade. [11236]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 29 July 1997]: Work undertaken by the GATT secretariat suggests that, over the long term, the agreement on trade in goods alone
  632
  could boost the real income of the EU as a whole by around 1.7 per cent. per annum. By 2005, this could amount to around $160 billion per annum for the EU. No separate estimates are available for the UK.

  Employment Contracts
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if she will make a statement on her Department's policy in relation to the use of waiver clauses in employment contracts; [10593]

  (2) what plans she has to review the operation of section 142 of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 in respect of the use of waiver clauses in employment contracts; and if she will make a statement. [10592]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Government expect to consult on proposals for fairness at work later this year. We will consider the issue of waiver clauses in this context.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to reach a decision on export licence application number 530904; and if she will make a statement. [10619]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The licence was issued on 29 July 1997.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 21 July,Official Report, columns 452–53, concerning Manroy Engineering, how her officials were informed by the company that the Manroy L80 Manpack mist sprayer did not go into production; and how the information was verified. [12204]

  Mrs. Roche
  When my hon. Friend asked her previous question, the company was contacted by telephone by an official of the export control organisation of my Department. The company advised that it had not entered into production of the equipment in question and I am not aware of any reason to doubt that advice.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for her Department. [11550]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The DTI, as part of the environment management strategy and good housekeeping, has already adopted a number of measures to minimise waste management, including:Energy efficiency—to reduce the overall consumption of the Department over a three-year period on the baseline figure of 1995–96.
  Waste paper—to increase the waste paper sent by the Department for recycling from 30 to 75 per cent. of paper purchased before the end of 1998;
  Ink/toner cartridges and cans—to recycle all spent cartridges and drink cans.

  The strategy is of a proactive waste management with the continued emphasis on minimisation of waste that would need to be sent to landfill sites.
  633
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by her Department in each of the last five years. [11552]

  Mr. Griffiths
  The figures are available only from July 1996. In that period, the Department sent around 77 tonnes of paper for recycling. This represents 30 per cent. of the paper purchased by the Department. It is the aim of the Department to increase this to 75 per cent. before the end of 1998.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within her Department. [11551]

  Mr. Griffiths
  The targets set by the Department to minimise waste are:Energy efficiency—to achieve a 5 per cent., or better, reduction in energy consumption over a three-year period on the base figure of 1995–96.
  Waste paper—to increase the waste paper sent for recycling from 30 to 75 per cent. of the paper purchased before the end of 1998;
  Ink/toner cartridges and cans—to recycle all spent cartridges and drink cans.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is(a) remit and (b) time scale of the Government's review of renewable energy policies; [11455]

  (2) which civil servants are dealing with her Department's review of renewable energy; [11457]

  (3) which (a) Government Departments and (b) other organisations her Department is consulting in its review of renewable energy policies; [11456]

  (4) how and when information from her Department's review of renewable energy policies will be made publicly available. [11458]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: I have established an interdepartmental review group, led by my director of the energy technologies directorate of the DTI, to report in the autumn on new and renewable energy policy options. The review will consider what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of the UK's electricity needs from renewables by 2010 and how renewables can make an effective contribution to meeting requirements for future gas reduction commitments.

  I am consulting colleagues in other Government Departments with interest in renewables, including the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices; the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Treasury. The review will provide an input to the comprehensive spending review and the UK's climate change programme. I will consider wider consultations with the renewable trade industry trade bodies and other interested bodies in the autumn in the light of options resulting from the review.

  The outcome of the review will be published in 1998.

  Technology-based Small Firms
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the responses to the Bank of England's report of October 1996 on the financing of technology-based small firms. [11786]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government have welcomed the Bank of England report as a very useful contribution to pinpointing the issues associated with the financing of technology-based small firms. The Government are discussing with the Bank of England the recommendations for action in the report, taking account of the various responses to the report received by the bank.

  Civil Service Pension Scheme
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the terms of reference of the competing for quality review of her Department's use of the principal civil service pension scheme; what is the time scale of the review; what consultation process is planned in respect of it; and if she will make a statement on the proposals for(a) any market testing and (b) contracting out this service. [10585]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The DTI has no plans to conduct a competing for quality review of its principal civil service pension scheme administration at this stage. There, are therefore no proposals at present to market test or contract out this work.

  Retail Newsagents
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations she has received from retail newsagents on difficulties being faced due to unregulated competition; [10635]

  (2) what proposals she has for regulation of the newspaper retail supply trade; [10636]

  (3) what plans he has to introduce amendments to the Restrictive Trade Practices Acts in respect of retail newsagents. [10637]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: My right hon. Friend and I have received a number of representations from retail newsagents on the state of the newspaper distribution industry. I met Roger Clarke of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents on 22 July.

  The Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for considering allegations of anti-competitive behaviour, abuse of monopoly power and restrictive trade practices. He is considering the most recent submission from the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, the main representative body for independent newsagents, arguing for the newspaper distribution industry to be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  The Government have no plans to regulate the newspaper retail supply trade, or to amend the Restrictive Trade Practices Acts specifically in respect of retail newsagents. Nor do we expect our proposals for the forthcoming Competition Bill to contain measures specifically in respect of retail newsagents.
  635
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if her forthcoming competition legislation will include measures to address the competitive position of independent newsagents. [11311]

  Mr. Griffiths
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The competition Bill will introduce a prohibition of anti-competitive agreements and a prohibition of abuse of a dominant market position. These are measures to improve the effectiveness of competition law across the economy as a whole, rather than being targeted on individual sectors.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the situation facing independent newsagents. [11310]

  Mr. Griffiths
  [holding answer 30 July 1997]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 21 July 1997, Official Report, columns 446–47.

  Copywatch
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what relationship the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs has with Copywatch. [12173]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  None.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice the company Copywatch has provided to her Department; and what advice from the company she has accepted. [12174]

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the president of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the advice provided by the company Copywatch to the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs. [12197]

  Mr. Grifffiths
  A report was submitted on 18 June from Copywatch. I have placed the Department's response in the Library of the House.

  Employment Pacts
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which proposed territorial employment pacts the Government intend to nominate to the European Commission as pilot projects in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [12469]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The European Commission said in its interim progress report on the implementation of territorial pacts for employment that it expected 10 proposals from the United Kingdom to add to the 78 proposals from other parts of the European Union. The Government received 66 proposals from all parts of the UK and, following regional prioritisation, I have selected the proposals put forward by:

  Barnsley Metropolitan Borough;

  Birmingham City Council on behalf of Black Country Districts, Birmingham and Solihull;

  Borough of St. Helens;

  East Midlands 3-Cities (Nottingham, Derby and Leicester);

  London Borough of Haringey/North London Leadership (Tottenham Partnership);

  Northern Ireland Training and Employment Agency;

  North Wales Economic Forum;

  636

  South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council;

  West Cornwall Initiative; and

  Western Scotland Objective 2 partnership.

  Although the Commission only invited the UK to nominate 10 pilot projects, the Government would also welcome similar pacts and local partnerships in other areas which could have a significant local impact and which could provide useful information and experience.

  Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the topics which have been addressed by the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe within her Department since 1 July. [11641]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer the hon. Member to the list of ministerial responsibilities, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe has held discussions with the gas regulator since 1 May. [11644]

  Mrs. Beckett
  None.

  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe will be involved in meetings related to the review of utility regulatory regimes being carried out by her Department. [11643]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Within the DTI, the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry leads on this review. The Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe will continue to deal with issues which fall within his portfolio of ministerial responsibilities, subject to the arrangements in place to ensure that no conflicts of interest can arise.

  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe will continue to answer questions in another place on the review of utility regulatory regimes being carried out by her Department. [11642]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Minister will continue to answer questions on a range of DTI issues in another place.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who are the trustees of the blind trust established by the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe; and what instructions they have been given for the management of the portfolio. [11795]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe has made arrangements for his non-BP shareholdings to be placed in a blind trust in accordance with the guidance in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". Further details of these arrangements are a private matter for the Minister.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) of 23 July,Official Report, column 665, (1) what procedures exist to ensure compliance with "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" by the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe; and what mechanisms are in place to ensure that, from the date of his appointment, he has not seen any papers or

  637
  attended any meetings formally or informally, which would have or would have had, a bearing on BP or its competitors; [11968]

  (2) which Minister or civil servant takes the decision on whether a conflict of interests arises in respect of the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe. [11975]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Minister decided at the outset that he would not be involved in discussions or decisions directly affecting BP, and civil servants dealing with issues falling within his ministerial responsibilities have acted accordingly since then. The Minister's private office has, in addition, ensured that he does not see papers or attend meetings that directly affect BP. In cases of doubt, the Minister and civil servants consult the permanent secretary for advice.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what dates and at what venues the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe's recent meetings or parties with BP personnel were held. [11633]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe met directors of BP on 9 May, 4 June and 4 July, at BP's offices in Finsbury circus and in a restaurant. The Minister also attended farewell social engagements hosted by BP on 4 June, 25 June and 3 July in a marquee at Finsbury square, at the Barbican and in Manchester square.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe has now complied in full with paragraphs 109, 110, 111, 112 and 117 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". [11632]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Minister has complied with the guidance in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" in full since the day of his appointment.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether she took legal advice prior to the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe signing the explanatory memorandum on European Community document on gas liberalisation to ensure that the Government would not be open to legal challenge. [11634]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe has not signed any such memorandum; the gas liberalisation dossier is the responsibility of my hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Industry and Energy.

  Minister of Competition and Consumer Affairs
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) of 24 July,Official Report, column 732, where in Athens, and when, the social event took place, at which the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs met Mr. Haji-Iannou. [11920]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  At Vouliagmeni at 10am on 26 June.
  638
  Mrs. May
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the articles contributed to "Travel Weekly" by the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs, together with their publication dates since 5 May 1997. [11901]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Two articles were submitted after 5 May: one appeared on 21 May. The second appeared on 25 June. An article submitted before my appointment as Minister appeared on 7 May.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she first heard and from whom that the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs was stepping down from the consideration of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission investigation of the travel trade. [9950]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 21 July 1997]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs communicated his decision to me via official channels at the earliest practical opportunity after he had made his decision.

  Competition Law
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on competition law reform. [12470]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I will shortly be publishing a consultation document and draft Bill which is intended to introduce a tougher competition regime. The Bill will introduce a prohibition approach to anti-competitive agreements, cartels and abuse of a dominant position similar to articles 85 and 86 of the treaty of Rome. There will be fines for breach of the prohibitions and rights for customers and competitors to seek compensation in the courts.

  In addition, I am planning to establish a new body, a competition commission, which will take on the existing functions of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and will also hear appeals against the decisions of the Director General of Fair Trading under the prohibition regime.

  Commercial Debt
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her plans to improve the ability of small businesses to obtain money owed to them. [11915]

  Mrs. Roche
  Small businesses play a fundamental part in the economy of the UK. The Government are concerned therefore by any actions that unnecessarily hinder their competitiveness. The late payment of commercial debt is acknowledged by many in the business community to be a serious problem, particularly for small businesses which are least able to bear the additional costs resulting from payment delays. The Government are determined therefore to improve the payment culture in the UK.

  The Government are pursuing a package of measures in partnership with business organisations.

  The Government will introduce a statutory right to claim interest on late payment of commercial debt. Legislation will be transparent, so that all businesses are

  639
  clear about their rights and obligations. A Green Paper, "Improving the Payment Culture: A Statutory Right to Claim Interest on Late Payment of Commercial Debt" was published on 28 July.

  The Lord Chancellor announced, in June of this year, that, as part of the review of existing proposals for the reform of the civil justice system, consultation would proceed on proposed fast-track and multi-track procedures which will ensure realistic timetables and reduce the cost, delay and complexity of civil litigation.

  The Government will publish league tables of the payment performance of Government Departments and agencies. They are working with others to produce league tables on the payment performance of public limited companies and their large private subsidiaries. The first set of tables is expected in summer 1998.

  I am delighted to say that a number of leading business representative organisations have pledged to join the Government in tackling the problem of late payment. They include the British chambers of commerce, the Confederation of British Industry, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Forum of Private Business, the Institute of Directors, the Union of Independent Companies, the Country Landowners Association and the National Farmers Union. Over the next 12 months, we will work with them and others on a number of initiatives to tackle late payments and meet the needs of small businesses.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimates she has made of the cost of publishing league tables of payment performance of plcs and their subsidiaries. [11733]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government are committed to working in partnership with the private sector to publish league tables of the payment performance of public limited companies and their large private subsidiaries.

  The Companies Acts already require plcs and their large private subsidiaries to state the average time to pay their suppliers and to publish this figure annually in their director's report. The Federation of Small Businesses has offered to collate and publish this information in a league table format. These tables will provide small businesses with information on how quickly they can expect to be paid when dealing with larger business, at no cost to the public purse.

  The publication of league tables is another important step in promoting a more ethical payment culture in the UK.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the closing date for representations on the consultation paper, "Improving the Payment Culture." [11730]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 22 July 1997,Official Report, column 507.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the organisations and individuals who have been sent the consultation paper, "Improving the Payment Culture." [11729]

  Mrs. Roche
  To date, some 3,500 copies of the Green Paper "Improving the Payment Culture: A Statutory Right to Claim Interest on Late Payment of Commercial Debt"640
  have been sent to organisations and individuals. Recipients include individual businesses, trade associations, legal, accountancy and financial bodies, business representative organisations, business links, training and enterprise councils, chambers of commerce, local authorities and NHS trusts.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list in domestic currency the statutory national minimum wage, or the lowest minimum wage established on the basis of legally binding sectoral or industry agreements, in each European Union state and in the United States of America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada; and if she will list the equivalent of each of these amounts as an hourly rate in pounds sterling(a) on the basis of current exchange rages and (b) at purchasing power parity exchange rates. [12214]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The information requested about wages is not routinely collected by my Department; all the latest figures available to me are set out in the table below.

  Hourly rate3 in Sterling at

  Country

  Minimum wage in national currency

  Current exchange rate1

  PPP exchange rate2

  Belgium

  44165 BFr Monthly

  4.20

  4.76

  Canada

  C$5 Hourly

  2.17

  2.75

  France

  6406 FFr Monthly

  3.75

  3.94

  Greece

  5746 Dr Daily

  1.52

  2.19

  Japan

  Y 4969 Daily

  3.19

  2.43

  Luxembourg

  46275 LFr Monthly

  4.25

  4.53

  Netherlands

  2244 FI Monthly

  3.96

  4.44

  New Zealand

  NZ$6.25 Hourly

  2.45

  2.78

  Portugal

  58883 Es Monthly

  1.09

  1.80

  Spain

  2279 Pta Daily

  1.19

  1.62

  USA

  $4.75 Hourly

  2.85

  3.19

  1 Current Rates as at 25 July 1996.

  2 PPP exchange rates for 1996 from OECD Main Economic Indicators July 1997.

  3 Converted to hourly rates using results from the European Labour Force Survey 1995 published by Eurostat, except Japan were results from ILO "Conditions of Work Digest" are used.

  Employees' Rights
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures she proposes to transfer the legal responsibility enforcing terms and conditions of employment from employees to employers; and if she will make a statement. [11092]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Generally, terms and conditions of employment are a matter for agreement between employer and employee. Where one party breaches the contract, it is for the other party to seek enforcement.

  Direct Rail Services
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the trial train service being run by BNFL's Direct Rail Services subsidiary from Penrith to Cricklewood receives public subsidy. [11783]
  641
  Mr. Battle
  This service does not receive any public subsidy. Operational details are a matter for Direct Rail Services.

  Security Equipment
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how information given to her officials by manufacturers and suppliers of military, security and police equipment is(a) verified and (b) evaluated; and if she will place copies of the evaluation and verification procedures in the Library. [12203]

  Mrs. Roche
  The way in which officials verify and evaluate such information depends on the nature of the information requested. In some circumstances, we do verify information provided by applicants for export licences, for example the intended end-user, but in others we do not, for example where a company states that it has not produced a particular item of equipment and there is no reason to doubt that statement.

  Holocaust Victims (Funds)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps her Department has taken to investigate claims that the British Government failed to return confiscated funds deposited by victims of the holocaust in British banks; and if she will make a statement. [11284]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Government take very seriously the concerns expressed in the Israeli Knesset and in the media about the confiscation of property from nationals and residents of enemy countries during the second world war. The DTI is working closely with the FCO to identify the relevant papers—many of which are already at the Public Record Office. The results of that work will be made public when it is completed. Both Departments are also co-operating with the Holocaust Educational Trust and other interested individuals and organisations.

  Fuel Agreement
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many beneficiaries of the national concessionary fuel agreement there are, broken down by those in receipt of(a) coal, (b) smokeless fuel and (c) cash in lieu of fuel. [11988]

  Mr. Battle
  At June 1997, the breakdown of national concessionary fuel agreement beneficiaries—that is, not including British Association of Colliery Management beneficiaries—under my Department' s liability was as follows:(a) 14,477 in receipt of coal; (b) 88,977 in receipt of smokeless fuel; (c) 63,242 in receipt of cash in lieu of fuel.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many concessionary fuel beneficiaries have a statutory entitlement which pre-dates the national concessionary fuel agreement. [11989]

  Mr. Battle
  At 7 July 1997, there were 793 beneficiaries receiving concessionary fuel under statutory entitlement—that is, under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946.

  Coal Production
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total United Kingdom coal production for the last complete year for which figures are available; and how much was(a) opencast coal and (b) deep-mined coal. [11986]

  Mr. Battle
  Coal production in the United Kingdom in 1996 is set out in the table.

  Thousand tones

  Total production1

  50,197

  Of which:

  Deep-mined

  32,223

  Opencast

  16,315

  Note:

  1 Total production for 1996 comprises deep-mined, opencast and other production. Other production of 1,658,000 tonnes is an estimate for slurry and so on recovered from dumps, ponds, rivers.

  Source:

  Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics.

  Opencast Coal
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of opencast coal mined in the United Kingdom for the last complete year in which figures are available was(a) used for sweetening purposes and (b) went to the power station market. [11987]

  Mr. Battle
  Of 16,315,000 tonnes of total opencast production in 1996, over half went to the power stations market. The proportion of opencast coal used in the United Kingdom for sweetening purposes is not available.

  Radio Advertising (Wealth Warnings)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will remove the requirement for wealth warnings on radio advertising. [11621]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 29 July 1997,Official Report, column 223.

  Information Society
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to monitor and assess the United Kingdom's progress towards the information society relative to other countries. [12467]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Department of Trade and Industry commissioned Spectrum Strategy Consultants, as part of the information society initiative, to undertake primary research to assess the UK's progress towards the information society. The aims of the research were to measure levels of ownership and usage of information technology, electronics and communications products by both companies and consumers in the UK, US, Germany, France and Japan. In addition, the study compares attitudes and levels of awareness, and analyses drivers and barriers to change. This builds on a pilot benchmarking study undertaken for DTI in 1996, the publication of which was announced on 25 October 1996 in a written answer to the hon. Member for Bournmouth, East (Mr. Atkinson)Official Report, column 16.
  643
  The latest study, entitled "Moving into the Information Society—An International Benchmarking Study" will be published on 4 August and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House. Further 0copies are available by calling the ISI business infoline on 0345 15 2000, by e-mailing info@isi.gov.uk, or through the ISI website at http://www.isi.gov.uk/isi/mitis.htm.

  Advisers
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade pursuant to her answer to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) of 24 July,Official Report, column 733, if she has placed any restrictions on her Department's Ministers having outside advisers additional to those listed in her answer. [12251]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Additional special advisers to DTI Ministers would need my agreement and that of the Prime Minister.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 24 July,Official Report, column 733, on advisers, which director of Copywatch has now been appointed an adviser to the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs; and if she will make a statement. [12212]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I am not aware of such claims.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to make internal guidance manuals relating to regional selective assistance available to local authorities and potential inward investors. [12017]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have no plans to make the internal regional selective assistance guidelines available to local authorities and potential inward investors. The guidelines provide detailed advice for officials operating the scheme and cover sensitive aspects of appraisal and monitoring.

  The RSA brochure, which is freely available from Government offices and business links, provides details about the scheme and guidance on how to apply for grants.

  Power Stations
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will provide a list of outstanding applications under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the building of combined-cycle gas turbine power stations currently under consideration by her Department; when she expects each application to be determined; and if she will make a statement. [11608]

  Mr. Battle
  Applications for combined-cycle gas turbine power stations at the following locations are currently under consideration:

  Baglan Bay, Port Talbot (1,200 megawatts)

  Capenhurst, Cheshire (65 MW)

  Carrington, Greater Manchester (380 MW)

  Croydon (80 MW)

  Elland, Halifax (56 MW)

  Ellesmere Port, Cheshire (65 MW)

  Enderby, Leicester (1,125 MW)

  Fawley, Hampshire (130 MW)

  644

  Great Yarmouth (350 MW)

  King's Lynn Phase II, Norfolk (820 MW)

  Newcastle (350 MW)

  Port Talbot (200 MW)

  Rosgoch, Isle of Anglesey (880 MW)

  Runcorn, Cheshire (140 MW)

  Saltend, Hull (1,200 MW)

  Sandbach, Cheshire (58 MW)

  Shotton Paper Mill, North Wales (240 MW)

  Snodland Paper Mill, Kent (60 MW)

  Spalding, Lincolnshire (800 MW)

  Swansea (185 MW).

  Each application is considered on its merits and I cannot therefore say when the decision on each application will be taken.

  Directors and Company Secretaries (Report)
  Mr. Healy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many responses she has received to the consultative document, "Disclosure of Directors' and Company Secretaries' particulars"; and when she expects to publish the Government's conclusions. [10935]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To date, my Department has received just over 250 responses. I expect the Government's conclusions to be published later this year.

  Teaching Company Scheme
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will respond to the recommendations of the panel which carried out the 1996 quinquennial review of the teaching company scheme; and if she will make a statement. [12468]

  Mr. Battle
  The report of the 1996 quinquennial review panel of TCS, under the chairmanship of Sir Robin Nicholson, chairman of Pilkington Optronics and former chief scientific adviser to the Government, was submitted in October 1996. Since then, the five Departments of State and four research councils which funded TCS at that time have been actively considering the findings of the review panel and its many recommendations.

  This review has shown that with a Government investment of £1 million TCS produces net benefits of 58 jobs, £3.6 million worth of value added, £3 million worth of exports, and £13.3 million of additional turnover, as well as increases in research and development expenditure, in participating companies. These are substantial achievements by any standards.

  Following the recommendations of the review panel, the Government have decided to extend the scope of TCS to enable organisations in the science, engineering and technology base as well as universities to participate with effect from 1 September 1997. This will allow our firms to make full use of the technological skills and experience that are available throughout the country.

  Copies of Sir Robin's report and the Government response are being placed today in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Sickness Dismissals
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many dismissals on the grounds of sickness have been notified to her Department in each year from 1987. [11089]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Department is not notified of individual dismissals.

  Unfair Dismissals
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to reduce the qualifying period for eligibility to pursue a case for unfair dismissal; and if she will make a statement. [11090]

  Mr. McCartney
  The Government have no plans to change the qualifying period for unfair dismissal. The House of Lords has referred to the European Court of Justice questions relating to whether the qualifying period for unfair dismissal is indirectly discriminatory against women. However, the Government are committed to providing fair minimum standards for people at work and expects to consult on proposals for fairness at work later this year.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many civil servants are working in each Minister's private office; and how many civil servants in which offices have transferred out of private offices since 1 May. [11940]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The number of civil servants working in DTI Ministers' offices is not materially different from the number which worked there under the previous Government. Movement of staff in and out of Ministers' offices continues, as it did before 1 May.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the outcome of her review of her Department's policy towards tackling the problem of the failure of the majority of computer systems to recognise the year 2000. [12022]

  Mrs. Roche
  I am working closely with Taskforce 2000 on the serious problem facing businesses large and small. Many businesses are aware of the problem, but too few are taking action with the necessary urgency. We are shifting the emphasis of the campaign from general awareness to stimulating action, through many channels of communications, including financial auditors, banks and supply chains. We will be looking at progress in key sectors of the economy, and consulting on what more needs to be done.

  On 22 July, I hosted the millennium information technology skills summit, which addressed the growing shortage of skills, which will be aggravated by the century date problem. I have asked participants to bring forward proposals for new initiatives and to make a report to me in September.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action is being taken by her Department in respect of the millennium compliance of computers. [10063]
  646
  Mrs. Roche
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, West, (Mr. Singh).

  Investment Agreement
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the multilateral agreement on investment on the Government's plans for corporate taxation, with particular reference to the windfall tax on privatised utilities. [12248]

  Mrs. Roche
  We do not expect that the multilateral agreement on investment will impact on the Government's plans for corporate taxation, including the windfall tax on privatised utilities.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the multilateral agreement on investment on Her Majesty's Government's ability(a) to restrict foreign investment in sensitive sectors and (b) to discriminate in favour of high value-added investments. [12246]

  Mrs. Roche
  The multilateral agreement on investment will provide for sectoral restrictions on foreign investment. These restrictions must be notified in advance. The UK's list is short, reflecting the liberal approach we take to foreign investment. We would not expect the multilateral agreement on investment to impair the UK's ability to attract high value-added investments.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment her Department has made of the likely impact of the multilateral agreement on investment on the British Government's existing obligations in relation to health, environmental and labour regulations. [12249]

  Mrs. Roche
  The multilateral agreement on investment is essentially about the non-discriminatory application of regulations as between foreign and domestic investors. Since the UK regulations are generally applied in a non-discriminatory way, they will not be undermined by the agreement.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the multilateral agreement on investment on the Government's ability to promote local community development programmes through(a) laws requiring banks to invest in economically deprived areas, (b) development funds marked for local businesses, (c) tax breaks for local companies and (d) other measures. [12247]

  Mrs. Roche
  The multilateral agreement on investment should not conflict with local community development programmes.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the multilateral agreement on investment on the Government's ability to ensure that transnational corporations receiving public funds in assisted areas are required to meet specific performance objectives. [12245]

  Mrs. Roche
  The multilateral agreement on investment's rules on performance requirements are still under negotiation. The Government's approach is to ensure that such rules are consistent with regional
  647
  development policies so that it would remain possible to obtain certain commitments as a condition for receiving public funds.

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade pursuant to her oral answer to the right hon. Member for Wokingham, (Mr. Redwood),Official Report, 3 July, column 406, when she (a) wrote and (b) dispatched the letter to the right hon. Member. [7409]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 9 July 1997]: The letter was written on Friday 4 July and was faxed to the right hon. Gentleman's home on Saturday 5 July.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Easington, dated 23 May, concerning the surplus in the mineworkers' pension scheme. [8650]

  Mr. Battle
  I replied to my hon. Friend on 15 July 1997.

  Written Answers
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham will receive a substantive answer to each question for which she has received a holding reply. [11836]
  648
  Mrs. Beckett
  The hon. Member has received substantive answers, including this one, to the 70 questions that she has tabled since 14 May.

  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total cost to public funds of answering the written questions tabled by the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) to her Department in the current Session. [12471]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) has to date tabled 70 questions to my Department. This has cost at least £7,490, using the average cost of answering written questions,Official Report, 4 December 1996, column 656.

  Ministerial Duties
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Ministers will be attending their departmental offices during August; and if she will list the Minister in charge of the Department for each week of the summer adjournment. [10455]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: Apart from any holiday they may be taking, all my Ministers will be working during August and attending their DTI offices as necessary for the conduct of business. Ministers will continue to exercise their own responsibilities, although a duty Minister will also cover each day for his or her colleagues as necessary. It follows, therefore, that the ministerial responsibilities of the DTI will be adequately covered during this period.

  EU Preferential Access for African Countries
  EU Preferential Access for African Countries
  Overseas Police and Military Training Commitments
  Overseas Police and Military Training Commitments
  International Development
  International Development
  Development Education
  Development Education
  Callander Rifle and Pistol Club: Records
  Callander Rifle and Pistol Club: Records
  Treasury Building: Refurbishment Project
  Treasury Building: Refurbishment Project
  Windfall Tax: Impact
  Windfall Tax: Impact
  Gambling Industry: Contribution to GDP
  Gambling Industry: Contribution to GDP
  Deregulation
  Deregulation
  Disposals by Museums and Galleries
  Disposals by Museums and Galleries
  Museums and Galleries: Admission Charges
  Museums and Galleries: Admission Charges
  NAPS, Carbamate and OF Pesticides: Effects of Combination
  NAPS, Carbamate and OF Pesticides: Effects of Combination
  Pure Fusion and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
  Pure Fusion and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
  Defence Secondary Care Agency HQ
  Defence Secondary Care Agency HQ
  Gulf War Personnel: Blood Samples
  Gulf War Personnel: Blood Samples
  Ballistic Missile Defence Studies
  Ballistic Missile Defence Studies
  European Commissioners: Pensions and Benefits
  European Commissioners: Pensions and Benefits
  Ministerial Code
  Ministerial Code
  Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, 22 September
  Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, 22 September
  Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe
  Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe
  International Development: DTI Collaboration
  International Development: DTI Collaboration
  Gas Liberalisation
  Gas Liberalisation
  Parental Leave: Costs to Schools and the NHS
  Parental Leave: Costs to Schools and the NHS
  Late Payment
  Late Payment
  Expanding Ammunition for Humane Killing
  Expanding Ammunition for Humane Killing
  Prison Service: Parliamentary Questions
  Prison Service: Parliamentary Questions
  Intrusive Surveillance: Code of Practice
  Intrusive Surveillance: Code of Practice
  Stephen Lawrence: Inquiry
  Stephen Lawrence: Inquiry
  Offences against the Person: Law Commission Report
  Offences against the Person: Law Commission Report
  Custodial and Non-custodial Sentences
  Custodial and Non-custodial Sentences
  Care of Mentally Ill Prisoners
  Care of Mentally Ill Prisoners
  Prisoners' Medical Records
  Prisoners' Medical Records
  Gay Christian Movement: Blasphemy Investigation
  Gay Christian Movement: Blasphemy Investigation
  Gambling: Club Membership
  Gambling: Club Membership
  Gambling: Employment
  Gambling: Employment
  Theft of Handbags from Vehicles
  Theft of Handbags from Vehicles
  Post Office: Medical Insurance
  Post Office: Medical Insurance
  World Trade Organisation
  World Trade Organisation
  Arms Sales: Export Licences
  Arms Sales: Export Licences
  Marine Policy and Industry
  Marine Policy and Industry
  Child Care Vouchers
  Child Care Vouchers
  CFCs
  CFCs
  National Roads Programme
  National Roads Programme
  Minicabs in London
  Minicabs in London
  Water Industry Costs: EU Directives
  Water Industry Costs: EU Directives
  Harbour Authorities and Pilotage
  Harbour Authorities and Pilotage
  Queen Elizabeth II Bridge
  Queen Elizabeth II Bridge
  VAT Reduction on Domestic Heating Fuels
  VAT Reduction on Domestic Heating Fuels
  Civil Court Claims
  Civil Court Claims
  University Tuition Fees
  University Tuition Fees
  National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education: Report
  National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education: Report
  Education Act 1993: Gloucestershire Judgment
  Education Act 1993: Gloucestershire Judgment
  NHS: Market Testing Savings
  NHS: Market Testing Savings
  NHS Share of GDP
  NHS Share of GDP
  Nurses' Earnings
  Nurses' Earnings
  Nurse:Patient Ratio
  Nurse:Patient Ratio
  Abortion
  Abortion
  Permanent Vegetative State
  Permanent Vegetative State
  Pre-Menstrual Tension: Vitamin B6 Supplements
  Pre-Menstrual Tension: Vitamin B6 Supplements
  Vitamin B6
  Vitamin B6
  Psychiatric Units
  Psychiatric Units