Written Answers of 2 June 1997

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Mr. Singh, Leicester
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he assessed the representations made by the hon. Member for Leicester, East concerning the case of Mr. Singh of Leicester; and what was the cost to public funds of the case. [1481]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I reviewed the representations made by the hon. Member for Leicester, East in this case on 15 May and wrote to him that day, conveying my decision. Mr. Singh was removed to India on 20 May.

  It is not the practice to calculate the costs to public funds of individual cases of illegal entry and such estimates could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Vaz
  To as the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners there are currently in each prison in the United Kingdom, indicating in each case the maximum number of inmates the prison are designed to hold. [1464]

  Ms Joyce Quin
  The table lists all the prisons in England and Wales, their operational capacities and population figures for 22 May 1997.

  Table 1: Operational capacity1 and population figures1

  Prison

  Operational capacity

  Population

  Acklington

  662

  649

  Albany

  436

  427

  Aldington

  145

  145

  Ashwell

  454

  454

  Askham Grange

  132

  127

  Aylesbury

  328

  314

  Bedford

  376

  364

  Belmarsh

  901

  874

  Birmingham

  1,043

  1,034

  Blakenhurst

  750

  737

  Blantyre House

  120

  120

  Blundeston

  408

  401

  Brinsford

  509

  517

  Bristol

  587

  576

  Brixton

  645

  625

  Brockhill

  159

  154

  Buckley Hall

  350

  348

  Bullingdon

  704

  697

  Bullwood Hall

  126

  127

  Camp Hill

  531

  513

  Canterbury

  300

  305

  Cardiff

  716

  718

  Castington

  300

  301

  Channings Wood

  615

  603

  Chelmsford

  497

  461

  Colchester

  38

  29

  Coldingley

  296

  295

  2

  Table 1: Operational capacity1 and population figures2

  Prison

  Operational capacity

  Population

  Cookham Wood

  150

  149

  Dartmoor

  606

  592

  Deerbolt

  466

  436

  Doncaster

  1,011

  1,018

  Dorchester

  238

  239

  Dover

  316

  310

  Downview

  333

  330

  Drake Hall

  285

  274

  Durham

  917

  921

  East Sutton Park

  100

  94

  Eastwood Park

  138

  128

  Elmley

  715

  712

  Erlestoke

  310

  307

  Everthorpe

  465

  461

  Exeter

  473

  472

  Featherstone

  599

  596

  Feltham

  922

  912

  Ford

  486

  467

  Frankland

  447

  448

  Full Sutton

  386

  391

  Garth

  533

  528

  Gartree

  364

  364

  Glen Parva

  882

  872

  Gloucester

  290

  282

  Grendon

  235

  213

  Guys Marsh

  315

  313

  Haslar

  158

  110

  Hatfield

  180

  170

  Haverigg

  555

  551

  Hewell Grange

  202

  193

  High Down

  714

  708

  Highpoint

  703

  698

  Hindley

  551

  543

  Hollesley Bay

  470

  402

  Holloway

  532

  523

  Holme House

  871

  827

  Hull

  530

  524

  Huntercombe

  266

  259

  Kingston

  129

  111

  Kirkham

  702

  695

  Kirklevington

  180

  161

  Lancaster

  218

  209

  Lancaster Farms

  536

  515

  Latchmere House

  187

  174

  Leeds

  906

  913

  Leicester

  348

  358

  Lewes

  496

  491

  Leyhill

  422

  416

  Lincoln

  650

  638

  Lindholme

  696

  691

  Littlehey

  648

  640

  Liverpool

  1,452

  1,453

  Long Lartin

  379

  390

  Low Newton

  299

  302

  Maidstone

  570

  564

  Manchester

  1,124

  1,051

  Moorland

  665

  666

  Morton Hall

  192

  189

  Mount

  628

  620

  New Hall

  226

  237

  North Sea Camp

  213

  206

  Northallerton

  298

  296

  Norwich

  744

  719

  Nottingham

  384

  263

  Onley

  520

  515

  Parkhurst

  313

  324

  Pentonville

  929

  904

  Portland

  536

  528

  Prescoed

  128

  93

  3

  Table 1: Operational capacity1 and population figures2

  Prison

  Operational capacity

  Population

  Preston

  640

  625

  Ranby

  538

  533

  Reading

  245

  234

  Risley

  868

  834

  Rochester

  435

  388

  Send

  231

  171

  Shepton Mallett

  220

  216

  Shrewsbury

  323

  323

  Spring Hill

  210

  204

  Stafford

  627

  624

  Standford Hill

  384

  382

  Stocken

  462

  460

  Stoke Heath

  322

  314

  Styal

  262

  259

  Sudbury

  511

  498

  Swaleside

  542

  541

  Swansea

  350

  344

  Swinfen Hall

  202

  203

  Thorn Cross

  316

  255

  Usk

  187

  181

  Verne

  577

  572

  Wakefield

  613

  601

  Wandsworth

  876

  870

  Wayland

  652

  647

  Wealstun

  591

  575

  Wellingborough

  322

  321

  Werrington

  121

  122

  Wetherby

  120

  120

  Whatton

  226

  224

  Whitemoor

  530

  509

  Winchester

  612

  620

  Wolde

  400

  396

  Woodhill

  685

  671

  Wormwood Scrubs

  1,362

  1,293

  Wymott

  805

  798

  1 The prison population includes inmates on authorised absence.

  2 Operational capacity is defined as the total number of prisoners which an establishment can hold without serious risk to good order, security and the proper running of the planned regime.

  Naturalisation Applications
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the language test for naturalisation applications. [1480]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have no plans to review the statutory requirement that applicants for naturalisation under section 6(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981 should have sufficient knowledge of the English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language. There is no language requirement for those applying as the spouse of a British citizen.

  In 1996, only 27 applicants out of the 17,670 applications determined were refused citizenship because of their failure to meet this requirement.

  There remains a residual discretion for the Secretary of State to waive the need to fulfil the requirement if he considers that because of the applicant's age or physical or mental condition, it would be unreasonable to expect it to be fulfilled.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken to process naturalisation applications. [1479]
  4
  Mr. O'Brien
  Sixteen months, as at 30 April 1997.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications by persons of independent means have been dealt with by the Immigration and Nationality Department so far in 1997. [1816]

  Mr. O'Brien
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Persons of independent means1 January to April 1997

  Number of persons2

  Given leave to enter the country

  30

  After-entry applications for an extension of stay dealt with 3

  90

  1 The requirement restricting persons of independent means to those who are at least 60 years old was introduced on 1 October 1994, but extant cases were not affected.

  2 Figures are provisional.

  3 Including persons of independent means seeking an extension of stay in another category or seeking settlement, and other persons seeking an extension of stay as a retired person of independent means.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current waiting time for consideration of applications for each of the divisions of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [796]

  Mr. O'Brien
  The available information on waiting times is given in the table.

  Average waiting time from receipt of application to decision for applications decided in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate at the end of April 1997:

  Months

  After entry and Appeals Directorate1

  4

  Asylum Directorate2

  Pre-1993 Act applications

  50

  Post-1993 Act applications

  13

  European Directorate1

  Residence permits

  35 per cent. within

  1

  62 per cent. within

  2

  90 per cent. within

  6

  Residence documents

  19 per cent. within

  1

  35 per cent. within

  2

  66 per cent. within

  6

  Nationality Directorate

  Naturalisations

  16

  Independent registrations3

  7

  1 Data relate to the first quarter of 1997.

  2 Data relate to the 6 months October 1996-March 1997.

  3 Registration not dependent upon a parent's application for naturalisation.

  Electoral Practices
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to improve publicity on the(a) availability and procedure for postal and proxy votes and (b) the procedure for voter registration. [1495]
  5
  Mr. George Howarth
  Absent voting facilities were publicised at the general election through a television campaign and advertisements, including an application form, in national daily, national Sunday and ethnic minority newspapers. We are reviewing the effectiveness of this publicity and are considering how best to publicise this autumn's canvass for electoral registration.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a standing electoral commission to monitor and keep under review electoral law, procedure and practice. [1496]

  Mr. Howarth
  We have no present plans to do so.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State of the Home Department what steps he will take to reform the procedure of electoral registration; and what steps he will take to reduce the amount of time which elapses between the last day for registration for a given election, and the election. [1494]

  Mr. Howarth
  We have no plans at present to make changes to the system of electoral registration, or to extend the time before an election during which additions can be made to the register beyond the current deadline of the closing date for candidates' nominations for the election concerned. But we will keep these matters under review.

  Detainees
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which categories of detainees may be kept for unspecified periods of time in HM Prison Service establishments or detention centres without being charged with a crime. [783]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Prison Service keeps in custody those subject to a warrant of commitment or other lawful detention order. Those held for unspecified periods of time will be remanded by a court awaiting trial, sentence or extradition proceedings or be detained under Immigration Act powers.

  Departmental Computer Systems
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1249]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department is aware of the problem. Year 2000 managers have been appointed in each business area to deal with it and a steering committee, chaired at director level, has been established to monitor and co-ordinate action taken across the Department. The Department's information technology (IT) supplier (Sema Group) has completed an audit of IT systems and is about to commence more detailed analysis. The aim is to produce a prioritised, costed programme of action by October 1997 and to have implemented and tested modified systems by the end of 1998. This is in line with the recommendations of the Central IT Unit (CITU) and the National Audit Office.
  6
  We are participating in the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency's programme of consultation and education and are members of the Year 2000 Public Sector Group.

  Firearms Act 1997
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place a copy in the Library of the guidance issued by his Department to police forces concerning the Firearms Act 1997. [1309]

  Mr. Michael
  A copy of the police guidance will be placed in the Library when it is issued. This will be immediately after the draft compensation scheme has been debated and approved by Parliament. The debates are expected to take place very shortly.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of the asylum seekers on hunger strike at HMP Birmingham/Winson Green, since 5 May have been detained longer than two months; and if he will list them and the periods for which they have been detained; [782]

  (2) how many of the cases of asylum seekers on hunger strike at HMP Birmingham/Winson Green have been brought for independent review before a judicial authority; [784]

  (3) how many of the hunger strikers at HMP Birmingham/Winson Green have alleged torture in their applications for asylum; and, of those, how many have had access to independent medical assessment of their allegations. [785]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There is currently only one asylum seeker refusing regular prison meals at Her Majesty's prison Birmingham. It would not be proper to disclose details of an individual case.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the detained asylum seekers at HMP Birmingham/Winson Green were detained prior to an initial determination of their application. [786]

  Mr. O'Brien
  As at 30 May 1997, the most recent date for which information is available, a total of 11 persons who had sought asylum at some stage were recorded as being solely detained under Immigration Act powers in Her Majesty's Prison, Winson Green, Birmingham. Of those, nine persons were detained prior to an initial determination on their asylum application. Three of these nine detainees had previously been detained as part of a criminal sentence. They have all subsequently had an initial determination and four have also been through the appeals process and are now awaiting removal.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to undertake a review of the policy of detention of asylum seekers. [787]

  Mr. O'Brien
  A general review of immigration detention policy is currently being undertaken.
  7
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are held in detention under immigration and asylum legislation in(a) prison and (b) detention centres; and of those how many have been held for (i) 0 to three months, (ii) three to six months, (iii) six months to one year and (iv) over one year. [1748]

  Mr. O'Brien
  The number of persons held in detention under immigration and asylum legislation on 31 March 1997, the most recent date that statistics are available, is given in table 1. An analysis of this data by length of detention is shown in table 2.

  Table 1: Persons detained under immigration and asylum legislation on 31 March 1997

  Number

  Prisons Service establishments in England and Wales1

  475

  Immigration Service detention centres

  509

  Total

  984

  1 Excluding persons in police cells and Scottish prisons; data on such persons are incomplete.

  Table 2: Length of detention of persons detained under immigration and asylum legistration on 31 March 1997

  Number

  0 to 3 months 1

  594

  3 to 6 months

  211

  6 months to 1 year

  153

  over 1 year

  26

  Total

  984

  1 Includes and estimate of non asylum port cases detained.

  Mr. Marshall-Andrews
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Prison Service is taking to investigate and resolve the unrest among asylum seekers held in Rochester Prison. [1328]

  Ms Joyce Quin
  Current unrest amongst the general population of immigration detainees held in Rochester prison is believed to centre on complaints about prison food, being locked in their cells for longer than normal and their access to education facilities being cut. However, no formal complaint has been received.

  The meals and menus are checked regularly by the governor, the area manager, catering adviser and members of the Board of Visitors and have been adjudged wholesome and varied. The regime of the whole prison has been temporarily reduced because of the need to provide staff for a bedwatch on a prisoner in the Medway hospital, aggravated by a high level of sick leave. This has resulted in a reduction in the time out of cell of all prisoners and the closure of education facilities for the detainees. To compensate for this, wing-based education is being introduced for the detainees from Monday 2 June 1997 until a normal regime can be restored.

  Drug Misuse
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has evaluated on the impact of drug misuse on crime; what representations his Department has received on funding for services relating to drug misuse; what impact the new 8
  methodology for allocating resources for drug misuse services will have on the level of funding allocated for East Lancashire; and if he will make a statement. [1440]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Office has a research programme designed to shed further light on the links between drugs and crime.

  Recently evaluated projects include drug prevalence findings from the 1994 British Crime Survey, lifestyles of crack and heroin addicts in Manchester and public attitudes to drug-related crime.

  The funding of services for the treatment of drug misuse is a matter for the Department of Health. No representations have been received by the Home Office on the new methodology for allocating resources for such services.

  Primary Purpose Rule
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the outcome of his review of the primary purpose rule. [1125]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 22 May,Official Report, column 109.

  Asylum Applications
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were determined in each month during 1997 to date; and in each month how many were rejected. [1124]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The requested information is given in the table.

  Initial decisions1 2 on asylum applications received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants

  January to April 1997.

  Month

  Total decisions

  Of which: Refused asylum and exceptional leave to remain

  January

  3,260

  2,580

  February

  3,090

  2,410

  March

  2,845

  2,410

  April

  3,390

  2,945

  Total

  12,585

  10,345

  1 Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

  2 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5.

  Deportations
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) EC and (b) Irish nationals have been deported in the last five years. [1751]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information on European Community and Irish nationals is given in the table. Reliable statistics are not available for 1992. The number deported does not include those who are removed as illegal entrants or under port refusal procedures.
  9

  Persons removed1 from the United Kingdom under the deportation process2 1993–96

  1993

  1994

  1995

  31966

  Irish nationals

  4

  10

  1

  4

  EC nationals

  73

  47

  41

  61

  1 Including voluntary departures after deportation action had been initiated.

  2 Excluding illegal entrants removed.

  3 Provisional data.

  Irish Prisoners (Repatriation)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in how many cases, to date, the papers of Irish prisoners who have applied for repatriation have been passed to the Irish Government; in how many cases prisoners have awaited a response for(a) more than three months, (b) more than four months, (c) more than five months and (d) a longer period; what consultation has taken place between both Governments to expedite the processing of such applications; and if he will make a statement; [1767]

  (2) how many Irish prisoners have been repatriated to the Irish Republic since the Irish Government ratified the relevant convention; how many prisoners are currently awaiting repatriation; what proposals Her Majesty's Government have to accelerate such repatriation; and if he will make a statement. [1768]

  Ms Joyce Quin
  Seventy-five requests for repatriation to the Irish Republic have been referred to the Irish Government. Of these, from the date of first application for repatriation to the date of notification of the final outcome of the request, one prisoner was notified of the decision in his case in less than three months; the remaining 74 prisoners have awaited notification of a final decision for six months or more. Of these, 19 prisoners have been notified of the outcome of their applications and 55 applications remain to be determined.

  To date, 10 prisoners have been repatriated to the Republic. Six prisoners whose applications for repatriation to the Republic have been agreed by all parties concerned are currently awaiting repatriation.

  Officials in the two jurisdictions are in regular contact regarding the processing of repatriation applications and ways of ensuring that such requests are dealt with as quickly as possible.

  Immigration Cases
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to take a decision on immigration case refs. IMP M672147/2(s), TH/41841/93, IMM 136180, about which the Adjudicator made recommendations on 22 November 1996. [1803]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The adjudicator's determination was not issued to the Home Office until 21 February 1997. Although this made a recommendation that entry clearance be granted, it did not state whether the appeal had been allowed or dismissed. On 27 March, the Immigration Appeals Authority informed the Home Office that the appeal had in fact been allowed.
  10
  The entry clearance officer in Islamabad was subsequently instructed to issue entry clearance and this instruction was reiterated on 23 May 1997. The appellant's representatives in the United Kingdom have been informed of this.

  Political and Special Advisers
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the names of the political and special advisers who have been appointed to his Department since the General Election. [1744]

  Mr. Straw
  Mr. Norman Warner and Mr. Ed Owen have been appointed as special advisers in this Department.

  Volunteers Week
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support his Department will be giving to Volunteers Week. [1908]

  Mr. Michael
  Volunteers Week, which I was pleased to help launch this morning and which will run until 7 June, is a great opportunity to celebrate the enormous commitment made by volunteers to the life of our communities, and to encourage the involvement of others. The National Centre for Volunteering co-ordinates this annual event and receives financial support from the Home Office to do so.

  I am delighted to be able to participate in the week by taking up the challenge issued by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) to hon. Members to give up an hour of their time to volunteer on a WRVS project. I hope that all hon. Members will join me in participating in Volunteers Week to acknowledge the achievements of volunteers, who give freely of their time and talents throughout the year and whose involvement makes such a difference to so many people.

  Humberside Police
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce his policy on the change of name of the Humberside police to the Humber police. [1030]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 22 May 1997]: I am issuing a consultation paper today to seek the views of the local police, police authority and local authorities on the Government's preferred option of not proceeding with the name change unless there is clear evidence of local support for the change. I am also writing today to all hon. Members for constituencies in the Humberside police area to seek their views in response to the consultation paper.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Holocaust (Documents)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make available for public inspection all documents held in the Public Record Office regarding the Nazi Holocaust. [1451]
  11
  Mr. Hoon
  Questions of release of closed records in the Public Record Office are in the first instance the responsibility of individual Departments. Departments keep closed records regularly under review for release, if the sensitivity has lapsed. However no closed war time records relating to the Nazi holocaust have currently been identified in the Public Record Office.

  Radioactive Waste Disposal (Documents)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library of all documents deposited in the Public Record Office by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority concerning the disposal of plutonium contaminated radioactive waste of United Kingdom origin at the Hurd Deep. [1437]

  Mr. Hoon
  Forty two files have been identified among records transferred by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority to the Public Record Office which relate to the disposal of radioactive waste at the Hurd Deep. All are open to public inspection, except one which is not yet thirty years old. Arrangements are in hand to make this one item available. The making of copies of this quantity of material for the Library could only be done at disproportionate cost.

DEFENCE

  RAF Chilmark
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 May,Official Report, column 25, when he will discuss the future of the Chilmark Section of RAF Chilmark with the local planning authority, Salisbury district council. [1286]

  Mr. Spellar
  My officials are due to discuss the potential uses of the Chilmark site with Salisbury District Council shortly. My reply on the 20 May,Official Report, column 258, should have included both Salisbury district council and Fovant parish council which were omitted in error.

  Chartered Vessels
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to ensure that vessels chartered by the MOD are British-flagged and crewed; and if he will make a statement. [1071]

  Dr. John Reid
  The Ministry of Defence is always eager to charter British flagged and crewed ships where they offer best value for money in meeting our requirements. Experience has shown however, that, in general, British ships, particularly for certain categories such as dry cargo vessels, are fully committed to regular trading activities and are seldom offered for charter.

  In today's security environment, a substantial part of any logistic shipping requirement can be met on the worldwide market where vessels need not necessarily be British flagged or crewed as demonstrated during the Gulf
  12
  war, in subsequent operations and in day to day activities. The hon. Member will, of course, be aware of the important contribution made by the specialist ships and civilian crews of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service who provide such sterling assistance to our armed forces around the globe.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to commission research into current planning guidance and practice on the disposal of his Department's sites and to investigate the wider social consequences of disposal; [1212]

  (2) what plans he has to review the current policy for the disposal of surplus departmental land and sites; and if he will make a statement; [1218]

  (3) if he will commission a research project to establish the total public costs and benefits of major disposals of his Department's property as an alternative to the present policy; and if he will make a statement. [1217]

  Mr. Spellar
  Our policy is to dispose of surplus property in a timely manner which takes into account the Government's wider employment and environmental objectives, local planning and social considerations, and the need to protect the taxpayers interest. We are currently in discussions with the DoE on the broader planning and development policy context within which such disposal take place.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's houses are empty in each district council area in Hampshire. [1214]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department has 1,225 empty houses in Hampshire. Of these, 133 are surplus agreed for disposal; 257 are allocated for deployments or individual moves; 340 are awaiting works/modernisation and 14 await furnishings.

  A breakdown by district council area is as follows:

  Number

  East Hampshire District Council

  55

  Eastleigh Borough Council

  2

  Fareham District Council

  26

  Gosport District Council

  347

  Hart District Council

  103

  Havant District Council

  6

  New Forest District Council

  57

  Portsmouth Unitary Authority

  111

  Rushmoor Borough Council

  395

  Test Valley Borough Council

  73

  Winchester District Council

  50

  Waste Disposal (Hurd Deep)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the responsibilities
  13
  his Department retains for monitoring the safety of plutonium contaminated radioactive waste disposed of in the Hurd Deep. [1433]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department is not responsible for monitoring marine radioactive waste disposal sites.

  Red Deer Hunting
  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations of the Ministry of Defence land on which hunting of red deer currently takes place; and what plans he has to review the authorisation of that activity. [1267]

  Mr. Spellar
  No licences have been issued for the hunting of Red deer on land owned by the Ministry of Defence. There are no plans to review the authorisation of that activity. Some limited culling of red deer takes place, as a part of routine management.

  C130J
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of acquiring C130J transport aircraft; and if the acquisition programme has met its implementation milestones. [1335]

  Mr. Spellar
  The total estimated cost of the C130J programme to the defence equipment budget is around £1.8 billion. The programme has not yet met its implementation milestones as a result of development problems and difficulties in meeting the flight test and certification objectives. These have caused a delay of about one year to initial aircraft deliveries.

  Pensions (Gurkha Regiment)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he plans to hold with his Nepalese counterpart regarding pension payments to former members of the Gurkha Regiment who served in Hong Kong. [1491]

  Dr. John Reid
  I currently have no plans to discuss pension payments to former members of the Gurkha Regiment who served in Hong Kong with the Government of Nepal.

  Future Large Aircraft
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution his Department has made to the Future Large Aircraft programme; and if he will make a statement on its commitment to purchase the FLA. [1332]

  Mr. Spellar
  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. We are currently considering the way forward and will take a decision as soon as possible.

  Eurofighter (Employment)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom jobs are currently dependent on Eurofighter; and how many he estimates there will be at the peak of production. [1020]
  14
  Mr. Spellar
  The Eurofighter development programme currently sustains about 6,000 jobs in the United Kingdom. This figure is expected to rise to about 14,000 at the peak of production.

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total public expenditure cost to date of the United Kingdom's contribution to the European fighter aircraft project; and what is his estimate of the future cost. [1629]

  Mr. Spellar
  Up to 31 March 1997 the UK's expenditure on the Eurofighter programme totalled £2.7 billion. Future UK procurement expenditure is currently estimated at £12,744 million. Figures are at average 1996–97 prices.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what means his Department makes available its publications in(a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1673]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department's publications are not routinely available in alternative formats for public use, although this may be arranged on individual request. No special measures have been taken to publicise this service. Internally, we provide a range of Departmental publications in alternative formats to staff who request them. This is widely publicised in the Department's house journals etc. as part of the MOD's commitment to providing equal opportunities for blind staff or those with visual impairment.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the names of the political and special advisers appointed to his Department since the general election. [1628]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I have appointed Mr. Alasdair McGowan as a Special Adviser.

  Disability
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to adopt a social model of disability in framing all future and amending previous relevant legislation and guidance; and if he will make a statement. [1674]

  Mr. Spellar
  Given the nature of my Department's responsibilities I am unable to foresee a situation in which Defence Ministers would be required to frame legislative proposals which would impact significantly on disabled people. In its role as an employer of civilian staff, however, my Department aims, among other things, to tackle any environmental and attitudinal barriers which may exist in the workplace which prevent disabled staff from achieving their full potential. The Programme of Action on Disability is planned to be launched later this year.

  Military Exports (Saudi Arabia)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the National Audit Office's report on the Al Yamamah military export deal with Saudi Arabia to be published. [1694]

  Mr. Spellar
  I understand that the then Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee decided that the 1992 National Audit Office Report into the Ministry of Defence's involvement in the Al-Yamamah programme should not be published as it refers to arrangements which are confidential between the Governments of the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.

  Test and Firing Ranges
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to receive recommendations from the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency about the future of the test and firing ranges; and if he will make a statement. [973]

  Mr. Spellar
  My noble colleague the Minister for Defence Procurement expects shortly to receive advice on the options for reducing the capacity of the test and evaluation land ranges managed by DERA. He will announce the decisions arising from the study as soon as possible thereafter.

  Equipment Exhibition
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who will be opening the Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition. [1742]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition is normally opened by one of the Defence ministers. A decision about who will open this year's exhibition will be made nearer the time.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Departmental Computer Systems
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1239]

  The Attorney-General
  The Departments for which I am responsible have conducted surveys of their computer systems for the purpose of addressing millennium compliance. Modification and testing is proceeding according to plan, with a view to ensuring compliance by the end of next year.

  All new systems include millennium compliance as a standard specification in the operational requirement.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Intestacy
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people have died intestate and had their estates transferred to the Duchy of Lancaster in each year since 1992. [1204]
  16
  Dr. David Clark
  Figures for the years 1992 to 1994 were given to my hon. Friend in a written answer on 7 June 1995,Official Report columns 258–259. Figures for the six month period 1 October 1994 to 31 March 1995 and for the year 1995–96 are as follows.

  The number of intestate estates, the value of which, after disposal of assets, was transferred to the Duchy of Lancaster and which are referred to as 'closed cases' was as follows:

  1 October 1994 to 31 March 1995: 75.

  1995–1996: 305.

  The number of cases reported to the Solicitor for the affairs of the Duchy of Lancaster for the same period was:

  1 October 1994 to 31 March 1995: 148.

  1995–1996: 405.

  The number of estates which devolved to surviving blood relatives—kin—for the same period was:

  1 October 1994 to 31 March 1995: 22.

  1995–1996: 73.

  The six month period 1 October 1994 to 31 March 1995 was due to a change in the Duchy accounting year.

  Records are maintained by reference to the date of reporting and of closing cases, not necessarily to the date of death.

  Disability
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy to adopt a social model of disability in framing all future and amending previous relevant legislation and guidance; and if he will make a statement. [1658]

  Dr. David Clark
  Our manifesto commits us to establishing"comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people against discrimination in society or at work, developed in partnership with all interested parties".

  We shall be consulting widely with other Government Departments and developing proposals in partnership with disability organisations, employers, employer organisations, trade unions and others. An essential issue will be the definition of disability. It is not appropriate for me to pre-empt the outcome of that consultation.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster by what means his Department makes available its publications in(a) Braille, (d) audio tape and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1657]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Cabinet Office (OPS) and its agencies has five publications available in either braille, audio tape or large print.
  17

  Name of publication

  Availability

  Publicity

  Know Where You Stand

  Braille and audio tape

  Press Release and also distributed to: MP's, Racial Equality Councils, NACAB, Libraries, Federation of Independent Advice Centres, Community Health Councils, Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation.

  Citizen's Charter Complaint's Task Force: Putting Things Right Executive Summary

  Braille, audio tape and large print

  Not published.

  Explaining the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information

  Braille, audio tape and large print

  Distributed to Government Departments, Citizens Advice Bureau and libraries.

  The equal opportunities magazine—JIGSAW

  Braille and large print

  Equal Opportunities Practitioners, Disabled Civil Servants and the Internet.

  Benchmarking Human Resource Activities— Consortium Project

  Audio tape

  Publicised at the launch of the report on 14 March 1997 and subsequently in a letter to all the OPS Board, CCSU, PEFOs, training contacts in Departments and Agencies.

  Benevolent Fund
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the donations given by the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund to persons and organisations in Pendle for each year since 1992. [1200]

  Mr. David Clark
  I would point out to my hon. Friend that I am not a trustee of the Duchy Benevolent Fund. Audited accounts of the fund are forwarded to the Charity Commissioners each year. I understand that it is the policy of the trustees not to give details of individual recipients who receive grants from the Duchy Benevolent Fund although the trustees have no objection to recipients giving this information. In order to help my hon. Friend, the secretary of the fund has provided details of total amounts paid to organisations and individuals in the Pendle area from the Benevolent Fund for the past four years:

  1993: £250

  1994: £1,400

  1995: £1,500

  1996: £5,170.

  Departmental Computer Systems
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has for the reprogramming of computers and technical equipment in Government departments to address the year 2000 problem. [1449]
  18
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  This is essentially the responsibility of individual departments. However my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has recently written to all ministerial heads of Department to ensure that they are aware of the arrangements which exist for dealing with the year 2000 date change problem.

  From within the Cabinet Office (OPS) departments are supported by the Central Information Technology Unit (CITU) and the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA). As part of that support CITU and CCTA have identified a programme of action to ensure that the Government's response to the year 2000 problem is co-ordinated and coherent. This involves each department in producing a detailed and costed action plan by October to ensure that all their systems are modified and tested by January 1999.

  The recent National Audit Office report, "Managing the Millennium Threat", demonstrated that the public sector was doing as well as the private sector in tackling the problem, however, there is no room for complacency.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to ensure that civil servants take all steps necessary to ensure that Government computer systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1232]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  It is the responsibility of individual departments to ensure that their computer systems are millennium compliant. Departments are satisfied that they have sufficiently skilled staff to tackle the problem.

  Departments are supported from the Cabinet Office (OPS) by the Central Information Technology Unit (CITU) and the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA). As part of that support CITU and CCTA have identified a programme of action to ensure that Government's response to the year 2000 problem is co-ordinated and coherent and that all systems are modified and tested by January 1999.

  The CCTA has also produced a six volume set of guides covering every aspect of starting, managing and successfully implementing a full year 2000 compliance programme. The set, called "Tackling the Year 2000", forms the most detailed impartial guidance available to date.

  The recent report by the National Audit Office, "Managing the Millennium Threat", shows that the public sector had work well underway to deal with the millennium date change.

  Charters
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those charters where non-compliance with charter standards trigger financial compensation, indicating the specific relevant targets. [1107]
  19
  Dr. David Clark
  The information is as follows.

  Charter

  Details

  London Underground's Customer Charter

  If a customer is delayed for more than 15 minutes because of London Underground's failure, they will give the customer a refund voucher to the value of the delayed journey;

  Northern Ireland Railways Passenger's Charter

  Allows compensation in the form of discounts on season tickets if Northern Ireland Railways fail by more than a small margin to meet their punctuality and reliability standards. For people not eligible for season ticket discounts, it allows compensation if a train is seriously delayed or cancelled, or if a seat reservation is not honoured. For all qualifying claims, a minimum discount of £1 is offered;

  25 franchise-specific charters for the rail industry in Great Britain

  Each must have terms as least as favourable to passengers as those under British Rail's old Passenger's Charter, which ceased to exist on 1 April 1997, when franchise arrangements for the rail industry came into full effect. It allowed compensation in the form of discounts on season tickets if British Rail failed by more than a small margin to meet their punctuality and reliability standards. For people not eligible for season ticket discounts, it allowed compensation if a train was seriously delayed or cancelled, or if a seat or sleeper reservation was not honoured.

  There are also departmental payments made under special circumstances which are not directly linked to charters, for example, the Inland Revenue's compensation for "serious error" as defined in the "Code of Practice Mistakes by the Inland Revenue". Other departments with special payment schemes are HM Customs & Excise, the Benefits Agency, the Contributions Agency, and the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Business Links
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what proposals she has to reform the Business Links network to make it more responsive to the needs of small and medium size businesses; [1533]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the current effectiveness of the Business Links network in supporting small and medium size businesses. [1532]

  Mrs. Roche
  Improving the Business Link service to small and medium sized businesses is one of my key priorities. I am committed to ensuring that all Business Links deliver a service which is of the highest quality. Many are already doing so, and I am discussing with 20
  officials and with the national Business Link partners how we can ensure that all Business Links are brought up to the standard of the best.

  Loan Guarantee Scheme
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals she has to reform the loan guarantee scheme to encourage the development of the small and medium-sized business sector. [1562]

  Mrs. Roche
  As a priority I will be examining ways in which the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme can do more to help small and medium sized high technology businesses.

  Disability
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make it her policy to adopt a social model of disability in framing all future and amending previous relevant legislation and guidance; and if she will make a statement. [1680]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Department of Trade and Industry is committed to participating fully in development of policy of comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people. Overall responsibility for disability is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.

  Water Cannon
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which strategic export control category is used to identify marker dye used in the Tactica water cannon; and if she will list the countries in respect of which such licences have been granted in each year since 1992. [1833]

  Mrs. Roche
  Marker dye is not subject to export control.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the export control categories under which water cannon have been categorised. [1848]

  Mrs. Roche
  PL5001.e of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended, or ML6 of that Order where mounted on a vehicle specially designed or modified for military use.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many water cannon exported to Indonesia have received Export Credits Guarantee Department cover. [1849]

  Mrs. Roche
  Sixteen.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the proposed statutory national minimum wage, once implemented, will be index-linked to(a) the retail prices index or (b) average earnings. [847]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The independent Low Pay Commission will recommend to Government the initial level of the National Minimum Wage, according to the
  21
  economic circumstance of the time, and will have responsibility for reviewing the level of the Minimum Wage.

  Bananas
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her policy in respect of the measures proposed by the European Parliament to preserve the market position of Eastern Caribbean bananas against competition from bananas produced in central and South America. [1050]

  Mrs. Roche
  The position of Eastern Caribbean banana imports into the EU market is closely related to the special provisions of the EU banana regime. This regime is currently the subject of dispute settlement proceedings in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) which are not yet completed. The Parliament's views on Commission proposals for changes to the regime will be taken into account when the Council of Ministers comes to decide on the future of the regime in the light of the final outcome of the current WTO dispute.

  The Government are conscious of our historic commitments to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) banana producers, including those in the Eastern Caribbean, and of our obligations as members of the WTO.

  Piece Workers
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she plans that the statutory national minimum wage will include provisions for piece workers; and if she will make a statement. [1774]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Gracious Speech made clear our commitment to the introduction of legislation to set in place a National Minimum Wage which will provide a wage floor for employees, including those employed as pieceworkers. It will be set sensibly with the advice of the independent Low Pay Commission.

  Working Time Directive
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to implement the working time directive; and if she will make a statement on its extension to transport workers. [1128]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  We shall implement the Working Time Directive without any further avoidable delay. The European Commission are expected to publish a White Paper on options for dealing with the sectors of activity excluded from the Directive shortly.

  Genetically Engineered Animals
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list all United Kingdom patents that have been(a) applied for and (b) granted since 1 July 1995 in respect of genetically engineered animals and processes for creating such animals. [1119]

  Mr. Battle
  I can only give information about patent applications which have been published. Prior to publication such information is confidential. There have been a total of three patent applications filed under the 1977 Patents Act and published since 1 July 1995 relating to genetically engineered animals and processes for 22
  preparing them. Patent application No. GB 2295395 relates to an animal model for Alzheimer's disease, application No. GB 2291646 relates to transgenic fish and application No. GB 2288807 relates to transgenic animals expressing an insecticidal protein. None of these applications have yet been granted. One application, namely GB 2265909, which was made before 1 July 1995 and which relates to a process for producing transgenic animals, has since been granted. This information covers only applications filed at the UK Patent Office and does not include applications filed at the European Patent Office and which may have the legal effect of UK patents when granted by that Office.

  Post Offices
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans she has to intervene to prevent the closure of Crown post offices and their replacement by franchised facilities when such closures are not supported by the local community. [1560]

  (2) if she will intervene to stop the proposed closure by Post Office Counters Ltd. of Frome Post Office and its replacement by franchised facilities. [1559]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I announced on 16 May a comprehensive review of options for implementing the Government's election manifesto pledge to grant the Post Office greater commercial freedom. In the context of this review, I also announced that the Post Office had, at my request, agreed to suspend its programme of converting Crown post office to agency status—except where irreversible contractual commitments already existed—until we are in a position to make informed decisions. The proposal to convert the Crown post office in Frome has therefore been suspended.

  Low Pay Commission
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if a decision has been made on the chairmanship of the Low Pay Commission. [1907]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I am pleased to announce that Professor George Bain, currently Principal of the London Business School, has accepted the Government's invitation to chair the Low Pay Commission.

  Konver
  Mr. Key
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons European Commission non-objective area Konver expenditure on the Navy, Army and Air Force Institution re-employment programme at Amesbury has been stopped; and if he will make a statement. [1093]

  Mrs. Roche
  It is a requirement of the Konver II Programme that expenditure in non Objective 1, 2 and 5(b) areas, for the UK as a whole, cannot exceed 50 per cent. of the total Konver II programme allocation. To ensure that this limit would not be breached, the Konver II Programme Monitoring Committee agreed at their last meeting, that commitments to projects in these areas needed to be put on hold whilst ceilings on expenditure were being considered. Following discussions with the Government Offices and relevant Government Departments, the applicants in the South West have been
  23
  advised that commitments in these areas can now be resumed. Subject to final approvals, a commitment of funds to this project is expected shortly.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what support her Department offers to British companies wishing to bid for reconstruction projects in the Republic of Bosnia Herzegovina; and if she will make a statement. [1452]

  Mrs. Roche
  Reconstruction projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina are funded principally by the World Bank, European bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Commission. Information on these, and other multilateral aid funded projects, is held by the World Aid Section of my Department and is available to all British companies.

  More generally, my Department has also promoted awareness among British companies of the opportunities—both general and specific—arising out of the international reconstruction effort in Bosnia through, among other initiatives, the mounting of conferences and seminars. My Department also provides regular updates on the latest commercial and political developments to companies which have expressed an interest in reconstruction opportunities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

  Alcohol Tax (Japan)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current level of taxation being levied by Japan on(a) Scotch whisky and (b) scochi; and if he will make a statement on convergence of taxation. [1365]

  Mrs. Roche
  As the question asks about convergence of liquor tax rates in Japan, a clear reference to the recent dispute over Japan's discriminatory taxation of foreign spirits compared with Japanese shochu, this answer assumes that the reference to "scochi" is a mistranscription of "shochu".

  The current level of taxation levied by Japan on Scotch whisky of 40° of alcohol is 982,300 Yen per kilolitre (¥/KL) and on shochu of 25° of alcohol is 155,700 ¥/KL. However, as a result of negotiations between the EU and Japan to end discriminatory taxation of foreign spirits, the taxation on Scotch whisky will fall by 44 per cent. on 1 October 1997 to 551,000 ¥/KL and fall again on 1 October 1998 to 409,000 ¥/KL. Taxation on shochu will rise on 1 October 1997 to 201,900 ¥/KL and rise again on 1 October 1998 to 248,100 ¥/KL. A further transition period is granted for one type of shochu (shochu B). This will mean that once these changes are fully implemented the tax differential on a tax rate per kilolitre per degree of alcohol basis will be reduced from around 600 per cent. to just 3 per cent. for Scotch whisky, whilst taxation rates for shochu and white spirits will be equalised. The Scotch Whisky Association estimate that this will be worth some £75 million every year.

  Furthermore, the WTO ruling obtained in reaching this settlement provides a useful precedent for tackling discriminatory taxation in other countries. As a result, the EU is already undertaking WTO consultations with the South Korean Government and have proposed initiating WTO consultations with Chile.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Education Qualifications
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if RSA Stage II is equivalent to at least GCSE grade C for purposes of employment or entry into further education. [50]

  Mr. Worthington
  There are no general equivalents between RSA Stage II and GCSE at grade C and above as the course content, assessment methods and standards required may differ. Work is currently under way between the various examining bodies, the National Council for Vocational Qualifications and the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority in relation to the placing and equivalence of all qualifications within the National Framework recommended by Sir Ron Dearing.

  Civil Service (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants, of each grade, in her Department, were of Asian origin, on 5 May. [734]

  Mr. Murphy
  The Northern Ireland Office is based in both London and Northern Ireland, and employs staff from the Home Civil Service and the Northern Ireland Civil Service groups. Monitoring of ethnic origin is currently limited to Home Civil Service employees in Great Britain. As at 5 May 1997, there were eight employees, up to Grade 7, out of an eligible monitoring group of 108, who had identified themselves as being of Asian origin.

  It is not possible to provide the information requested in respect of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. The Northern Ireland Civil Service monitors its workforce in terms of religion, sex and disability. It does not undertake any ethnic monitoring of its workforce. The Service will be reviewing its monitoring policies to take account of the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 and the guidance on best practice which will be produced following its implementation.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals she has to increase the number of ethnic minority employees in her Department. [735]

  Mr. Murphy
  The Northern Ireland Office staff group includes 108 Home Civil Service employees based in London who are eligible for ethnic monitoring. Over the last three years there has been a 6 per cent. increase, to 19.5 per cent., in the number of employees who have identified themselves as being of Black or Asian origin. Recruitment sources have included inter-departmental trawis, absorption of surplus staff from other departments and the use of the Recruitment and Assessment Service instant recruitment scheme. The Northern Ireland Office will continue to use all of these methods to meet its obligations to recruit on the basis of fair and open competition.

  The Northern Ireland Civil Service is committed to ensuring equality opportunity in employment irrespective of any extraneous factors not pertinent to job requirements. The NICS equal opportunities policy embraces all staff and applicants for employment, including those who are members of ethnic minority groups.

  Mosque, Craigavon
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received from(a) the Royal Ulster Constabulary and (b) other regarding the incidents of fire and theft at the Mosque in Craigavon, County Armagh. [745]

  Mr. Ingram
  No representations have been received regarding this matter.

  Arable Area Payments
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the(a) maximum, (b) minimum and (c) average payment made under the arable area payments scheme in 1996–97. [1721]

  Mr. Murphy
  Maximum, minimum and average payments made under the Arable Area Payments Scheme in Northern Ireland in 1996–97 were(a) maximum—£61,772.70, (b) minimum—£73.32 and (c) average—£2,6111.87.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Uganda
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to visit Uganda. [1458]

  Clare Short
  While I have no firms plans for a visit to Uganda at this stage, I hope to visit in the coming months.

  Tanzania
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to review British aid to Tanzania. [1490]

  Clare Short
  As part of the Department's comprehensive spending review, we are reviewing all our expenditure programmes, including that in Tanzania.

  Aid Recipients
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the countries in receipt of aid from the United Kingdom, indicating the level of grant aid given to each. [1463]

  Clare Short
  Britain gives bilateral aid to over 160 countries. All new bilateral aid is provided on grant terms. Details are set out in Table 7 of the 1996 edition of British Aid Statistics (deposited in the Library of the House in January 1997). These and other countries also benefit from UK contributions to the multilateral development institutions of which we are a member.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from non-Governmental organisations working in Afghanistan regarding freedom of access for women in Taliban-held areas. [1450]
  26
  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development supports the work of many non-governmental agencies in Afghanistan and has consulted closely with them on the question of human rights.

  We subscribe to the common donor position that all parties in Afghanistan should recognise, protect and promote the equal rights and dignity of men and women, including access to education, employment outside the home, personal security and freedom from intimidation and harassment.

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what emergency aid she intends to make available to the Government of Bangladesh following the recent cyclone. [1476]

  Clare Short
  Following consultations with the Government of Bangladesh we have approved grants totalling £212,000 to NGOs to provide assistance for shelter for families in the worst-affected areas. We will consider further grants to Government or NGOs as needs become clearer.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development by what means her Department makes available its publications in(a) Braille, (b) audio tape, and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1659]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development produces only a small number of publications most of which are for educational purposes only. Consideration has been given in the past to producing publications for the visually handicapped but insufficient demand has so far been identified. We will keep the question under review.

  UNESCO
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the allocation of funding for the UK membership of UNESCO. [1094]

  Clare Short
  Our first contribution to UNESCO about £5 million covering the period 1 July—31 December 1997, will be met from the contingency reserve in the development budget. Future contributions will be considered in the next resources round. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham, (Mr. Hogg)Hansard 20 May 1997, column 37.

  Iran
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of(a) the number of refugees in Iran and (b) the countries from which these refugees have come; and what assistance she is providing to those refugees. [1339]

  Clare Short
  Current estimates are that there are 1.4 million Afghan refugees and 580,000 Iraqi refugees in Iran.
  27
  In the last three financial years, the UK Government has spent in Iran, £10,065 million on Afghan refugees, £422,000 on Kurdish refugees and £685,000 on other Iraqi refugees.

  Departmental Computer Systems
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to ensure that her Department's computer systems will be millennium compliant; and if she will make a statement. [1251]

  Clare Short
  The core computer systems of the Department will be millennium compliant by October 1998. We are currently investigating the smaller systems. A costed action plan to ensure the compliance of the latter will be available this October.

  Superspecs
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the recent trial in Ghana of a newly invented self-adjusting pair of spectacles known as superspecs; and if she will make a statement. [1323]

  Clare Short
  The technology looks a promising way of tackling impaired eyesight in developing low income countries. We are continuing to support field testing, an introductory marketing programme, and, further development of the design and manufacturing technology of the adaptive spectacles to the point where they can be produced commercially in significant quantities.

  Montserrat
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid the Government are providing to the people of Montserrat in respect of damage caused by the recent hurricane; and if she will make a statement. [1746]

  Clare Short
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  BBC Governors
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to alter the number of the BBC governors; and what criteria he will use for the appointment of governors in the future. [1457]

  Mr. Fisher
  We have no current plans to alter the number of BBC Governors. Governors are appointed by Her Majesty The Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. In giving advice on possible candidates, my right hon. Friend will seek to ensure that the body of Governors represents the interests of the population as a whole and that it has the authority and skills needed for its major public service role. He will also apply the principles established by the Nolan Committee as set out in guidance issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to make the governors of the BBC more accountable to the public. [1456]
  28
  Mr. Fisher
  As a public corporation, the BBC must be accountable to its audiences, to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, the custodian of its Charter and Agreement, and to Parliament. My right hon. Friend will be considering how the accountability of the BBC might be underscored, within the existing framework of the Charter and Agreement, in preparing his response to the National Heritage Select Committee's report, "The BBC and the Future of Broadcasting".

  Television Licences
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Nnational Heritage what plans he has to review the cost of TV licences for pensioners on low incomes. [1827]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Government currently has no plans to review the concessionary television licence fee regulations.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to use lottery funds to help end street homelessness in Britain by 2000. [1641]

  Mr. Banks
  The National Lottery Charities Board has already announced 446 grants with a total value of £66 million for projects to assist homeless people. Its fifth grant programme, targeted at improving people's living environment, specifically aims to tackle homelessness and its effects. The Government will also build on the Rough Sleepers Initiative, providing accommodation, outreach work and resettlement support, to ensure that there is no need for people to sleep rough.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what proportion of proceeds from the national lottery have gone to projects in the east midlands; and what plans he has to ensure additional national lottery proceeds are devoted to projects in the east midlands; [1460]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the imbalance of allocation of national lottery funds between different regions; what steps he has taken to address imbalances of allocation; and if he will make a statement. [1459]

  Mr. Banks
  To date, 4 per cent. of the £3.373 billion awarded by National Lottery distributing bodies has been for projects in the East Midlands. It is clear that some areas of the country have benefited a great deal more from the Lottery than others. We will be looking at the reasons for this as part of our overall review of Lottery distribution and considering what changes might be made as a result.

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will review the operation of commercial organisations offering services claiming to help people improve their chances of winning national lottery prizes; and if he will make a statement. [1435]

  Mr. Banks
  The selection of the winning numbers in the National Lottery is a random process and any claim that a commercial product will improve the chances of winning must therefore be false. There are products available which aim to assist players in choosing their numbers randomly. It is a matter for players to decide whether or not they wish to purchase such products.
  29
  Anyone who felt they had been misled by such a product would have recourse to the courts or local trading standards officers.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if the proposed review of national lottery funding will include increased flexibility for grant applications for village halls within metropolitan areas. [1210]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  National Lottery distributing bodies are able to consider bids for improvements to, or the creation of, village halls or community facilities in any part of the United Kingdom. The distributors have produced a joint publication, 'Village and Community Halls-Guidance from the National Lottery distributing bodies', which offers advice to potential applicants. We will consider the need for greater flexibility over applications as part of our review of all aspects of the Lottery distribution system.

  Tourist Boards
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has for increasing the English Tourist Board's funding to match that of the other tourist boards. [1653]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  I shall be considering the funding for the English Tourist Board, and for the British Tourist Authority, alongside that for all the other areas for which I am responsible, in due course. Government support for tourism takes many forms, and cannot be measured solely in terms of grant to the tourist boards.

  Seaside Piers
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to improve the state of Britain's seaside piers, with particular reference to Southport's pier. [1654]

  Mr. Banks
  Public funding for the restoration of historic piers is available from English Heritage (or the equivalent agency in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland) and from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. The NHMF has so far provided £3.3 million from Lottery proceeds for projects relating to historic piers. This includes a grant of £34,000 in February this year for a structural survey of Southport pier. I understand that the possibility of European Regional Development Fund support for the restoration of this pier is also under discussion.

  Millennium Celebrations (East Lancashire)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what millennium celebrations are planned for east Lancashire. [1205]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government expect that individuals and communities throughout the country will wish to organise their own celebrations to mark the Millennium, and I am sure there will be many such events in east Lancashire. The Millennium Commission has funded a number of projects in east Lancashire. These include the South Meadow Lane Centre in Preston, which has been awarded a grant of £1, 640,000; the Ribble Link project to create a new 5-mile stretch of canal linking some of the remaining green spaces in Preston, which has 30
  been awarded grant of £2,700,000; and the Forest of Burnley project, which has been awarded grant of £1,775,549.

  The Commission has also funded umbrella projects covering the whole of the UK, such as the National Cycle Network, Millennium Greens and 21st Century Halls. Ten Churches in east Lancashire have reached stage two of the Church Floodlighting Trust, including St. Peter and St. Paul in Blackburn and St. James in Altham.

WALES

  Dyslexia
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to increase provision for those children who are dyslexic; and if he will make a statement. [630]

  Mr. Hain
  Local education authorities and schools are responsible for ensuring that appropriate provision is made for children with special educational needs, including those who are dyslexic. The Welsh Office is continuing to make funds available to LEAs for the training of teachers of children with dyslexia, under the Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) Programme. I will welcome views from the hon. Member.

  Education Costs
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average annual cost of educating(a) a primary school pupil and (b) a secondary school pupil in Wales. [647]

  Mr. Hain
  The latest available information for Wales is for the financial year 1994–95. The expenditure per pupil in 1994–95 on LEA maintained nursery and primary schools in Wales was £1,637. The corresponding figure for LEA maintained secondary schools was £2,264.

  Cancelled Operations
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many operations were cancelled on the day of, or the day after, admission to hospital by(a) health authority and (b) overall; and how many of those patients were not readmitted within a month for the fourth quarter of 1996–97. [793]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Information about the number of operations cancelled on the day of, or the day after admission is not collected centrally. The number of patients who were not readmitted within a month is not collected from individual health authorities. The overall figure for the number of patients not readmitted to Welsh hospitals within a month of a cancelled operation in the fourth quarter of 1996–97 was 413.

  GP Surgeries
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what incentive schemes(a) currently exist and (b) are being examined by his Department, to encourage general practitioners to set up surgeries in the valleys of South Wales. [860]
  31
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I hope to make an announcement within a few weeks.

  Community Doctors
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the availability of community doctors in Wales. [861]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  None. The responsibility for the establishment of posts in community medicine is a matter for health authorities or trusts to consider having regard to locally assessed needs and circumstances.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to deal with problems relating to long-term care. [1113]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. and learned Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health on 20 May 1997,Official Report, column 58.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes to take to reduce waiting lists; and if he will make a statement. [1112]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Alongside the top priority of managing medical admissions, and ensuring that adequate intensive care facilities are available, I intend that cutting waiting lists and reducing waiting times will continue to be a key priority for the NHS in Wales.

  I expect the resources released through efficiency gains and the majority of the £1.9 million released by the suspension of 8th wave fundholding to be invested in these areas and in the improvement of local services for cancer patients.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of general practitioners are fundholders; and how many applications are outstanding. [1111]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  There are 923 GPs (54 per cent.), in 233 GP Fundholding practices in Wales. A further 11 practices have expressed interest in the 8th Wave, but have not yet made formal application. I have decided to defer any approval of the 8th Wave until July 1998.

  Nurses (North Wales)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide assistance to allow the North Wales health authority and North Wales hospital trusts to introduce more nurses. [1114]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  No. Financial allocations for 1997–98 have already been made to the North Wales Health Authority.

  River Pollution
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes to reduce river pollution in Wales. [1303]
  32
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The latest information published by the Environment Agency shows that 91.4 per cent. of Welsh rivers are classified as good quality; 6.9 per cent. as fair; with only 1.7 per cent. classed as poor or bad quality. This compares with similar percentages of 59.5, 31.5 and 9.0 for the whole of England and Wales. The Government is committed to protecting the environment, including our rivers, and will put concern for the environment at the heart of future policy making.

  Beef Market
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for support for the beef market; and if he will make a statement. [1206]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Government wishes to ensure the long term viability of the beef market. Any changes to support arrangements will be made as part of a strategy to ensure a sustainable beef industry in Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Arable Area Payments
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the(a) maximum, (b) minimum and (c) average payment made under the arable area payments scheme in 1996–97. [1725]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The maximum payment made for a claim under the 1996 Arable Area Payment Scheme in Wales was for £142,497. The minimum payment was £148, and the average payment £5,025.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for the future of compulsory competitive tendering in Wales in advance of the introduction of a duty on local authorities to achieve best value. [1906]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have considered representations about the continuing difficulties that local authorities in Wales are facing in preparing for the reintroduction of Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) given the pressures of reorganisation. I am of the view that I should take action to relieve these difficulties.

  I intend to consult widely on a range of measures which I have in mind to achieve this objective while maintaining the pressure on local authorities to secure efficiencies in the delivery of services.

  I propose to extend the moratorium on CCT until 1 October 1998.

  Under the terms of the current moratorium, CCT has been generally suspended for work subject to the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (the 1980 Act) and for activities covered by the Local Government Act 1988 (the 1988 Act). Throughout the moratorium period, CCT has continued to apply to works of construction under the 1980 Act where the value of the work exceeds £500,000. Under my proposals this requirement will continue to apply during the extended moratorium.

  I will also continue to require local authorities to produce annual reports and to meet the financial objective specified under current CCT legislation (the 1980 and 1988 Acts) where work is carried out in-house during the

  33
  extended moratorium. My Department will continue to monitor authorities' performance throughout the extended moratorium and will take appropriate action if authorities fail to submit reports or achieve the financial objective.

  Under my proposals, on which I shall be consulting, CCT would be reintroduced from October 1998 for further elements of work covered by the 1980 Act. The purpose would be to extend the range of work beyond those large construction contracts which were subject to CCT under the terms of the moratorium. CCT for the remainder of work subject to the 1980 Act, and all activities subject to the 1988 Act, would be implemented on a phased and manageable basis during 1999.

  With colleagues, I will be reviewing the existing CCT framework and will reassess the arrangements proposed for Wales in the light of the outcome of that review.

  Our Manifesto gave a commitment to replace CCT with a duty on local authorities to achieve best value. While work on this is taken forward, I will encourage local authorities to take a positive view on the value of competitive tendering and to conclude properly those tendering exercises which are nearing completion.

  I will also ask the Welsh Local Government Association to work with my Department, the Audit Commission and other Government Departments to develop a framework for piloting important features of a best value regime in advance of its formal introduction on a statutory basis.

HEALTH

  Disclosure of Information
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will remove the right of NHS trusts to refuse to provide information as to their activities on the basis of such information being commercial in confidence. [26]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Health Service is expected to respond positively to all requests for information. However, there may be circumstances where negotiations could be prejudiced by premature disclosure or where there is a duty to respect information given in confidence.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place a requirement on NHS trusts and health authorities to publish their business plans and planning documents relating to the services they provide or plan to provide. [28]

  Mr. Milburn
  National Health Service trusts and health authorities are expected to be open about their plans. They are required to make publicly available details about important proposals or health policies or changes in the way in which services are delivered. This information should be made available when proposals are announced, and before decisions are made. In addition, trusts are required to publish an annual business plan, describing their planned activity for the coming year. Both trusts and health authorities are also required to publish a summary strategic direction document (every three years for trusts and five years for health authorities) setting out their longer term plans for the delivery of health care services.

  Civil Service (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many civil servants at each grade within his Department were of Asian origin on 5 May. [233]

  Ms Jowell
  The figures on 5 May 1997 were as follows:

  As a percentage of staff in the payband

  Payband

  Number

  Percentage

  IP1

  62

  5

  IP2 and Fast Stream

  42

  4

  IP3

  20

  2

  IP4 and above including Senior Civil Service

  14

  1

  Total

  138

  3

  These figures include data for the National Health Service Executive regional offices and the agencies. The figures for the Fast Stream payband and the Senior Civil Service have been amalgamated with other groups because of the small numbers involved, so as to ensure that individuals cannot be identified.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the financial information in respect of outstanding PFI bids for NHS hospital development contracts. [17]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information relating to outstanding Private Finance Initiative proposals may be made available from the National Health Service trusts concerned unless it affects on going negotiations. Additionally, NHS trusts must publish and make publicly available an annual report and audited accounts. Trusts have a requirement to include in their annual report a statement regarding PFI proposals and actions. In addition, trusts are required to analyse the impact of all significant items, including PFI deals, in the audited accounts.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the specifications for PFI-funded projects in(a) their original outline and (b) their current form. [19]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on original and current specifications for capital investment projects may be obtained from the National Health Service trusts concerned, providing that it does not affect commercial negotiations.

  Health Authority Funding
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each English health authority its deficit or surplus for 1996–97, its projected deficit or surplus for 1997–98 and the increase or decrease in its waiting lists over the last available year. [776]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information on the latest estimated surplus/deficit for 1996–97, of each English health authority will be placed in the Library. Plans for 1997–98 are still being agreed. Waiting list figures for each current English health authority are available from June 1996 and the latest available are for 31 December 1996, both of which have been placed in the Library.
  35
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health authorities have reported deficit problems relating to their funding arrangements in(a) the current and (b) the previous year. [1517]

  Mr. Milburn
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) and the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) today.

  Health authorities have a statutory responsibility to ensure that their net expenditure remains within their allocated cash limit. In 1996–97 all health authorities achieved this. All health authorities are required to remain within their cash limit for 1997–98.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the problems of deficits currently having to be considered by ministers were first drawn to the attention of his Department. [1519]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Health Service Executive monitors the performance of health authorities and trusts continually as part of a cycle of planning and regular monitoring reviews. Information on the financial position of health authorities and trusts is published quarterly and was placed in the Library on 17 March in response to a request from my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Bayley).

  Health Service Deficits
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health trusts and health authorities were in deficit on 1 April; and by what amounts. [1027]

  Mr. Milburn
  Plans for 1997–98 are still being agreed. Information on the 1996–97 quarter 4 position of all health authorities and trusts have been placed in the Library.

  Ethnic Minority NHS Staff
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of(a) NHS managers, (b) general practitioners, (c) consultants/registrars and (d) nurses, by grade, are from ethnic minority backgrounds; and what steps he proposes to take to increase their numbers. [1046]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information about the ethnic origin of National Health Service hospital & community health services managers, nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and hospital medical staff (including consultants and registrars) is contained in "NHS hospital and community health services non-medical workforce census; England as at September 1995: ethnic group tables" and "Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Service Medical and Dental staff in England 1985 to 1995", copies of which are available in the Library.

  The Department has not collected data on ethnic origins of general practitioners or their staff to date. However, the Department holds data on Unrestricted Principals1 by their country of qualification: 17 per cent. of Unrestricted Principals qualified outside the European Economic Area at 1 October 1995.

  Chairs and Chief Executives of NHS trusts and health authorities are accountable for meeting the goals of "Ethnic minority staff in the NHS: a programme of action", the overall aim of which is to secure fair
  36
  representation of ethnic minorities at all levels in the health service. Progress towards these goals forms part of the "NHS as a good employer" benchmark set out in the annual Priorities and Planning guidance, and the NHS Executive is working at a national level to promote and disseminate best practice.

  1An Unrestricted Principal is a practitioner who provides the full range of general medical services and whose list is not limited to any particular group of persons.
  Source: GP Census.

  Coffee (Heart Disease)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has evaluated into possible links between the fatty material in coffee beans and the incidence of heart disease; and if he will make a statement. [1329]

  Ms Jowell
  In 1994 the Department published the Report of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy on the nutritional aspects of cardiovascular disease, copies of which are available in the Library. The committee concluded that the evidence that caffeine or coffee consumption may contribute to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) remains inconsistent and that coffee drinking as practised in the United Kingdom does not appear to affect CHD risk. The Department is aware of more recent Scandinavian research on the capacity of some components present in unfiltered, boiled coffee to raise blood cholesterol, and on the effect of method of preparation on its content of them. Given the different coffee drinking patterns in the UK, it is not clear whether this Scandinavian research is relevant to the incidence of heart disease in the UK.

  NHS Trusts (Disciplinary Procedures)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the disciplinary procedures of NHS trusts with particular reference to offering trust employees the protection provided in paragraphs 189–90 of the 1994 Whitley Council Terms and Conditions of Service. [1337]

  Mr. Milburn
  The General Whitley Council protocol on disciplinary procedures was promulgated in February 1995 following the agreement of the Staff Side of the Council. The protocol aims to ensure disciplinary matters are resolved as quickly as possible at local employer level. There are no plans at present to review the procedures.

  Drug Misuse Services
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the level of public funding for drug misuse services; what assessment he has made of the impact of the new methodology for allocating resources for drug misuse services on the level of funding allocated for East Lancashire; and if he will make a statement. [1439]

  Ms Jowell
  We have received a number of representations about the level of funding for drug misuse services. No particular assessment has been made of the impact on the new methodology for allocating resources for drug misuse services on the level of funding allocated for East Lancashire. The special allocation for drug
  37
  misuse nationally has increased by over 9 per cent. in real terms in 1997–98 and the allocation to East Lancashire has increased by over 7 per cent.

  Lariam
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of(a) deaths and (b) serious illnesses resulting from the use of lariam. [1486]

  Ms Jowell
  The Medicines Control Agency receives reports of suspected adverse reactions to licensed medicinal products via the Yellow Card Scheme. A report of a suspected reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the medicine. However, as the scheme is voluntary, not all adverse reactions are reported.

  There have been 685 reports of 910 suspected serious adverse reactions reported in association with mefloquine. Of these adverse reactions, 653 were neurological or psychiatric. The majority of these reactions were not clinically severe. The commonest reactions reported were depression, headache, anxiety and panic reactions. These are included as possible side-effects in the product information, which is provided to health professionals and patients.

  Four deaths have been reported in association with mefloquine. Three are likely to be related to factors other than treatment with mefloquine. One patient died of a serious skin reaction which is very rare, but recognised as occurring in association with mefloquine and many other drugs.

  Non-clinical Services
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what impact the Government's proposed changes in employment law will have on NHS employees providing non-clinical services; and if he will make a statement. [1293]

  Mr. Milburn
  The independent Low Pay Commission will recommend to the Government the initial level at which the National Minimum Wage might be set. It is too soon to say what the impact might be on National Health Service employees.

  Care Beds
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many continuing or long-stay care beds were commissioned by each health authority in each year since 1993. [1333]

  Mr. Boateng
  Data are collected by broad ward classification rather than by clinical specialty in returns by individual National Health Service providers rather than by health authority. The complete set of data is available from the Library in the publication "Bed Availability for England" but there is no separate classification of continuing care or long stay care beds. One of the actions we have already taken is to ask officials to review the collection of continuing care commissioning data by health and local authorities.

  Departmental Computer Systems
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1247]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department has carried out an inventory of all its computer systems and has produced an initial high level plan to address the problem. Testing for Year 2000 compliance will start in June. A fully costed, timed and prioritised programme of remedial work will be prepared in the Autumn.

  Adoptions Procedure
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce the(a) bureaucracy, (b) time and (c) cost involved in adoptions procedure. [1346]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government intend to introduce new adoption legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

  Human Growth Hormone
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have contracted Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease as a result of the cadaveric human growth hormone programme in Britain. [1810]

  Ms Jowell
  Twenty-one patients who were treated with human growth hormone in the United Kingdom have died of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. A further four are currently exhibiting symptoms consistent with the disease.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider nofault compensation for those suffering illness as a result of the cadaveric human growth hormone programme. [1812]

  Ms Jowell
  I will write to my hon. Friend about this shortly.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what compensation has so far been awarded to those suffering illness as a result of the cadaveric human growth hormone programme. [1811]

  Ms Jowell
  We are still awaiting documentation from the legal representatives of those entitled to compensation to enable us to agree appropriate amounts.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the letter from Dr. Geoffrey Myddleton in the Lancet of 21/28 December 1996, vol. 348, No. 9043, page 1744. [1806]

  Ms Jowell
  Dr. Myddleton's letter contains outdated information on concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds in London air. Current concentrations are less than 1 ng/m3 (annual average) compared with 26–39 ng/m3 (annual average concentration) in 1962. The risk to health posed by carcinogens in urban air is very much smaller than that posed by cigarette smoking.
  39
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the carcinogenic effect of benzo (a) pyrene; and what are the major sources. [1804]

  Ms Jowell
  The carcinogenic effects of benzo(a)pyrene were examined by the Department of Health Committee on the Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) in 1994. The Committee's conclusions were published in the COC Annual Report, copies of which have been placed in the Library. An updated assessment will be published in the 1996 Annual Report. The major sources of benzo (a) pyrene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds in the air are the various forms of combustion of fossil fuels including, in urban areas, motor vehicles.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the atmospheric presence of 3,4-benzpyrene in London and its implications for health. [1805]

  Ms Jowell
  The concentration of 3,4-benzpyrene is measured for the Department of the Environment at a site in Marsham Street, SW1. Data are currently being considered by the Department of the Environment/ Department of Health Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards with a view to recommending an air quality standard. A report is expected in 1998.

  Health Authorities (Funding)
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will amend the formula for funding district health authorities to include status as an off-shore community as a factor. [1771]

  Mr. Milburn
  We will continue with the research which has already been commissioned to investigate the possible extra costs associated with the provision of accident and emergency and ambulance services in rural areas; this includes looking at the effects of island status. A report is expected in the autumn and the results will be carefully considered.

  North-East Essex Mental Health Services Trust
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold a full inquiry into the stewardship of the North-East Essex Mental Health Services NHS Trust, with particular reference to(a) the dispersal of patients from Severalls Hospital, Colchester and (b) the future of the (i) complex and (ii) site. [1553]

  Mr. Boateng
  North-East Essex Mental Health Services National Health Service Trust is responsible to those who commission services, principally North Essex Health Authority, for the patient care it provides. The NHS Executive and the Trust are in the process of determining the future of the site.

  Disability
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to adopt a social model of disability in framing all future and amending previous relevant legislation and guidance; and if he will make a statement. [1672]
  40
  Mr. Boateng
  Our manifesto commits us to establishing"comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people against discrimination in society or at work, developed in partnership with all interested parties".

  The Government will be consulting widely and developing our proposals in partnership with disability organisations, trade union and others. An essential issue will be the definition of disability. It is not appropriate for us to pre-empt the outcome of that consultation.

  St. Mary's Hospital, Newport
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has had regarding the need for structural repairs at St. Mary's Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight. [1772]

  Mr. Milburn
  Three letters have been received from members of the public regarding the need for structural repairs at St. Mary's Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight.

  NHS Trusts (Management)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reform the structures relating to the management of NHS trusts in order to increase their accountability. [1551]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Government is working with the National Health Service to develop an action plan to end the internal market. As part of this we will consider whether any changes to the management of NHS trusts are required.

  Cervical Smear Tests
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what written guidance has been issued by his Department on the proper completion of a cervical smear report record; whether the report card requires the reporting of the visual appearance of the cervix; and if it is his policy that reporting of the visual appearance of the cervix should take place. [1656]

  Ms Jowell
  The cervical cytology request form does not require smear takers to describe the visual appearance of the cervix in all cases. It is recommended that visibility of the cervix and a description be recorded in the woman's medical notes. The condition of the cervix should, however, be included on a request form where there is a suspected abnormality.

  The importance of visual inspection of the cervix is emphasised in the British Society for Clinical Cytology's training video and booklet for smear-takers "Taking Cervical Smears" which was promulgated to the National Health Service under cover of EL(94)33. Copies of both these documents are available in the Library.

  Secondary Care Services
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase the resources available for locally provided secondary care services to North and East Devon health authority for the 1997–98 financial year. [1313]
  41
  Mr. Milburn
  We shall honour the Health Authority revenue allocations for 1997–98 agreed by the previous Government. Health Authorities are given general allocations for hospital and community health services to commission health care services for their resident population, whether locally or elsewhere. We will look at how resources are distributed across both secondary and primary care, to ensure that these fully reflect local population needs and operate as fairly as possible.

  Rural Community Hospitals
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy toward local community hospitals in rural areas; and what advice or directions he is currently giving to local health authorities in that respect. [1281]

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct North and East Devon health authority not to cease to commission health services at Lynton Hospital, North Devon, during the current financial year. [1314]

  Mr. Boateng
  We will be giving early consideration to issues relating to the configuration of hospital services, including the role of community hospitals. At the moment, it is for health authorities and trusts, in consultation with local general practitioners, to ensure that NHS services are responsive to public needs and wishes.

  Longcare Homes
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of the conviction of owners and staff of Longcare Homes for abuse and ill treatment of residents for the future regulation of such homes; and if he will make a statement. [1728]

  Mr. Boateng
  We are committed to securing quality services by creating a more comprehensive, more independent regulatory framework for homes and other social services which has the interests of users at heart. We will bring forward our proposals for achieving this in due course.

  Genetic Screening
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which health authorities fund carrier screening for cystic fibrosis; [1757]

  (2) which health authorities fund neo-natal screening for cystic fibrosis; [1759]

  (3) how much each health authority spent on genetic services as a percentage of their annual budget in the last year for which figures are available; [1758]

  (4) how many health authorities fund pre-natal genetic screening and for which conditions; and if he will name them. [1756]

  Ms Jowell
  Information on screening for cystic fibrosis, genetic screening, and genetic services is not collected centrally by the Department of Health. The information is held by individual health authorities and trusts to whom a direct approach would have to be made.

  Health Trusts (Funding)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health trusts have reported deficit problems relating to the funding arrangements in(a) the current and (b) the previous year. [1518]

  Mr. Milburn
  The number of National Health Service trusts forecasting deficits at Quarter 4 1996–97 will be placed in the Library shortly. These deficits may be caused by factors other than funding arrangements. Plans for 1997–98 are still being agreed.

  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional measures he plans to help sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome. [1820]

  Ms Jowell
  Our main aims are:

  (a) to continue to fund and sponsor research so that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)\mylagic encephalomyelitis (ME) and its causes are better understood;

  (b) to help doctors to deal with patients suffering from the condition in a skilful and sympathetic way.

  We will continue to support the voluntary sector to represent and help sufferers from the condition.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he proposes to increase research into ME. [1821]

  Ms Jowell
  Funding research into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) (otherwise known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)) is considered alongside other priorities. The National Health Service Research and Development programme is funding a research project called "Should GPs manage chronic fatigue syndrome? A controlled trial".

  The main agency through which the Government supports biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council. It is not currently funding any research into CFS \ME, but it always welcomes high-quality applications and these are judged in open competition with other demands for funding, and awarded according to their scientific quality.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
  ENVIRONMENT AND THE REGIONS

    Carbon Dioxide Emissions
    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions which will be caused by reducing VAT on domestic fuel. [653]

    Angela Eagle
    We have estimated that the reduction in VAT on domestic fuel to 5 per cent. will result in an increase in carbon dioxide emissions of about 0.9 million tonnes per year (equivalent to about a quarter of a million tonnes of carbon) by 2010. This represents about 0.15 per cent. of current carbon dioxide emissions. We shall be developing measures to reduce carbon dioxide
    43
    measures in fields such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, combined heat and power, and our integrated transport strategy so as to deliver our proposed target of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels by 2010.

    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State or the Environment, Transport and the Regions what applications his Department is considering for the building of new clean coal plants in the United Kingdom. [1012]

    Mr. Battle
    I have been asked to reply.

    No applications have been received under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

    Porpoises
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to create special areas of conservation under the EU Habitats and Species directive for harbour porpoises; and if he will make a statement. [1073]

    Angela Eagle
    None. The available scientific evidence is insufficient to identify sites which meet the requirements set out in Article 4(1) of the Directive relating to aquatic species which range over wide areas.

    Council Tax
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many properties in(a) Westminster and (b) Pendle are in council tax bands (i) A and (ii) H; and what percentage of the total number of properties in each council area this represents. [1100]

    Nick Raynsford
    The information requested is as follows:

    Dwellings on the Valuation List as at 16 October 1996

    Band A

    Percentage of total

    Band H

    Percentage of total

    Westminster

    1,300

    1.2

    12,233

    11.4

    Pendle

    24,336

    65.4

    53

    0.1

    Merry Hill Inquiry
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he received the inspector's report on the Merry Hill inquiry. [1474]

    Mr. Raynsford
    The inspector's report on the Merry Hill inquiry was received by the Government Office for the West Midlands on 7 March 1997.

    Energy Policy
    Mr. Evans
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans the Government have(a) to change the current policy on energy saving and (b) to reduce emissions; [1349]

    (2) what plans the Government have to encourage more (a) businesses and (b) homeowners to use energy saving technology. [1348]
    44
    Angela Eagle
    The Government supports a range of initiatives, schemes and programmes to promote the use of energy saving and energy saving technology by homeowners, businesses, and other energy users, including the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES), the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, and a number of programmes run by the Energy Saving Trust.

    These and other initiatives will be reviewed in the context of the Government's commitment to lead the fight against global warming at the Kyoto conference in December, through a target of 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010. We will be reviewing our energy efficiency programmes, looking for improvements in all areas, including homeowners' and businesses' use of energy saving technology.

    House Renovation Grants (Devon)
    Mr. Harvey
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will increase the resources available to district councils in Devon for the provision of house renovation grants during the 1997–98 financial year. [1311]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Resources available to district councils in 1997–98 for house renovation grants were allocated in full as part of the Housing Investment Programme. However, the Government's Capital Receipts initiative will support priority schemes of local authorities which meet key objectives. It will be for local authorities to decide how to use any resources within the general objectives set. A consultation paper on proposals for taking forward the initiative will be issued shortly.

    Wind Farms
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review policy guidance concerning wind farms. [1475]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Planning policy guidance on wind energy developments is contained in Planning Policy Guidance note 22, "Renewable Energy". The Government have no immediate plans to revise that guidance.

    Mr. Evans
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has in respect of planning guidance for wind farms in areas of outstanding natural beauty. [1310]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Planning policy guidance on wind energy developments, including developments in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is contained in Planning Policy Guidance note 22, "Renewable Energy". Further advice on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty is given in the recently issued revised Planning Policy Guidance note 7, "The Countryside—Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development". The Government have no immediate plans to revise either guidance note.

    Water Abstraction (Rivers)
    Mr. Ancram
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the abstraction of water from rivers; and what steps he is taking to protect vulnerable rivers from damage from lower flows of water as a consequence of abstraction. [1282]
    45
    Angela Eagle
    Abstraction of water from rivers is subject to licensing requirements, set out in Chapter II of the Water Resources Act 1991 and administered by the Environment Agency. The Government announced on 19 May 1997 its intention to review the water abstraction licensing system, with a key aim of ensuring that the needs of the environment are given due weight.

    The Environment Agency currently has targets to alleviate low flows in 36 kilometres of rivers in 1997–98 and in a further 32 kilometres in 1998–99.

    Waste Disposal (Hurd Deep)
    Mr. Llew Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will meet representatives of the States of Jersey to discuss the report they commissioned from Professor Sir John Knill and Dr. Mike Romerill concerning the disposal of radioactive waste in the Hurd Deep. [1436]

    Angela Eagle
    It is for the States of Jersey to decide whether they wish to approach the United Kingdom Government on this matter. Officials of United Kingdom Departments meet representatives of the States of Jersey for briefing on a regular basis.

    Partners in Technology Programme
    Mr. Llew Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the levels of costs to(a) firms and (b) universities of making funding proposals under the Partners in Technology Programme in 1996; and what steps he intends to take to reduce costs to applicants for the 1997 programme. [1430]

    Mr. Raynsford
    From a small survey of applicants to the Partners in Technology scheme it has been estimated that the average cost to firms and universities of preparing a proposal in the 1996 round was about £5,000. I am conscious of the need to minimise such costs and my Department has been consulting on the appropriate guidance to issue to applicants.

    Planning Schemes
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning schemes in respect of which he has used his call-in powers were awaiting a decision on 5 May; and what plans he has to review the call-in procedure. [1473]

    Mr. Raynsford
    On 5 May, 42 called-in planning applications in England were awaiting decision. The Government will keep the call-in procedure under review as part of the ongoing process of monitoring the planning system.

    Living Earth Foundation (Report)
    Mr. Llew Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the report commissioned from the Living Earth Foundation into the effectiveness of the BRE best practice programme. [1432]

    Angela Eagle
    The Department commissioned PREST, (Policy Research Engineering, Science and Technology Institute at the University of Manchester), to carry out an 46
    independent review of the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme. The review, which was completed in 1996, concluded that the programme is an effective means of generating energy savings; comprehensively covers UK industry and buildings stock; and is well managed. The report on the review is scheduled for publication in the next few weeks and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

    Housing Finance
    Mr. Healey
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made for each metropolitan borough of the money available from(a) housing capital receipts and (b) other capital receipts to finance a housing programme. [1506]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Local authorities have usable capital receipts which are available for any capital purpose (including housing). The accumulated and unspent usable capital receipts held by each metropolitan borough as at 31 March 1996 are set out in the table below. The table also shows the total of housing receipts set aside by these authorities between 1990–91 and 1995–96. However, individual authorities may have used these set aside receipts to repay debt or in lieu of further borrowing, however, and so may no longer retain them in the form of cash and investments.

    We will be consulting the Local Government Association and local authorities on the Government's Capital Receipts initiative in due course. No decision about the basis on which resources are to be distributed to individual authorities will be made until that consultation process is complete.

    Accumulated usable receipts received but not spent at 31 March 1996 £000s

    Set aside receipts from sales of Housing Revenue Account assets 1990–91 to 1995–96 £000s

    Barnsley

    0

    17,536

    Birmingham

    0

    101,704

    Bolton

    45

    13,251

    Bradford

    0

    23,953

    Bury

    41

    7,950

    Calderdale

    0

    6,139

    Coventry

    0

    12,605

    Doncaster

    0

    20,330

    Dudley

    0

    27,154

    Gateshead

    39

    22,738

    Kirklees

    0

    26,962

    Knowsley

    7,359

    16,723

    Leeds

    0

    66,003

    Liverpool

    4,104

    17,879

    Manchester

    5,066

    63,005

    Newcastle upon Tyne

    0

    22,727

    North Tyneside

    1,932

    19,562

    Oldham

    0

    12,460

    Rochdale

    2,347

    14,488

    Rotherham

    1,046

    20,743

    Salford

    223

    20,124

    Sandwell

    0

    39,222

    Sefton

    6,043

    12,532

    Sheffield

    0

    46,500

    Solihull

    0

    11,364

    South Tyneside

    0

    20,378

    St. Helens

    13

    10,699

    Stockport

    0

    10,728

    Sunderland

    1,656

    43,073

    47

    Accumulated usable receipts received but not spent at 31 March 1996 £000s

    Set aside receipts from sales of Housing Revenue Account assets 1990–91 to 1995–96 £000s

    Tameside

    0

    12,049

    Trafford

    3,587

    10,256

    Wakefield

    118

    26,659

    Walsall

    0

    32,298

    Wigan

    55

    22,082

    Wirral

    86

    14,089

    Wolverhampton

    159

    32,058

    Sources:

    1995–96 Capital Outturn Returns.

    HRA subsidy claim forms.

    Council House Sales
    Mr. Goggins
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the value of the set-aside receipts from the sale of council houses(a) in total and (b) since 1990 for (i) England, (ii) Manchester and (iii) Trafford. [1633]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Between 1990–91 and 1995–96, the value of housing receipts set aside from the sale of local authority housing and associated land in England was £5,283 million. The corresponding figure for Manchester was £63.0 million and for Trafford £10.3 million. However, individual authorities may have used these receipts to repay debt or in lieu of further borrowing and so may no longer retain them in the form of cash and investments. No information is available on the value of receipts set aside before 1990–91.

    Former British Local Properties
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to assist Leicester Housing Association to improve the ex-British Coal properties under its ownership in North Nottinghamshire; [1818]

    (2) if he plans to remove the embargo on the application of social housing grants to the improvement of former British Coal properties. [1817]

    Mr. Raynsford
    We have no immediate plans to remove the bar on the application of social housing grant to the improvement of former British Coal properties, although we intend to look again at this issue. Any reconsideration of the policy will, however, need to take into account the wider issues of using grant to pay for repairs or improvements to stock transferred to housing associations from ex public sector landlords, and will need to ensure that any such expenditure represents good value for money.

    Earth Summit (New York)
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he plans to put before the Earth summit II in New York in June; and if he will make a statement. [1749]

    Angela Eagle
    We are working with our partners in the European Union to ensure that the meeting results in a renewal of the Rio objectives, and in particular for advances on climate change, forests, fresh water, oceans and energy.

    Departmental Publications
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what means his Department makes available its publications in(a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1689]

    Angela Eagle
    The provision of information in alternative formats is decided on an individual project or campaign basis, taking into account communication objectives, intended audience, and the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

    The availability of information for the blind and partially sighted is publicised in a variety of ways including:

    public advice centres, such as local authorities, libraries, and Citizens' Advice Bureaux;

    specialist events, conferences and exhibitions, such as NAIDEX;

    joint publicity initiatives with the RNIB;

    audio tape distribution, including the Central Office of Information (COI) Sound Advice network;

    individual requests and orders to the Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport;

    the Internet.

    Plutonium Waste
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research proposals he has developed in order to develop a technically feasible and economically viable strategy for plutonium disposal. [1790]

    Mr. Meacher
    No specific research proposals on this issue have been developed, but a current study of the requirements for a research strategy for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel will be considering the possible implications of co-disposal of surplus plutonium.

    Transmitter Masts
    Mrs. Ballard
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to give local planning authorities greater powers to restrict the inappropriate siting of transmitter masts for mobile phone networks. [1527]

    Mr. Raynsford
    The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants a general planning permission for certain telecommunications masts providing:the mast is erected by a telecommunications code system operator licensed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984;
    the mast does not exceed 15 metres in height;
    the mast is not erected in a protected area such as National Park, area of outstanding natural beauty or conservation area; and
    the mast is not refused prior approval by the local planning authority within the 28 day period specified in the Order. The authority must be given the opportunity to say whether they wish to approve, within 28 days, details of the mast's siting and appearance, and are able to refuse approval if they consider there to be a serious threat to amenity.
    49
    Full planning permission is normally required for any mast which does not meet these criteria. In all cases the local authority had the opportunity to influence the siting of the mast.

    Compulsory Competitive Tendering
    Mr. Healey
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take to replace compulsory competitive tendering with a duty on local authorities to achieve best value. [1775]

    Ms Armstrong
    Well run local authorities which deliver high standard services are vital to the quality of people's lives. We are therefore very keen to press ahead with our Manifesto commitment to replace Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) with a duty on local authorities to achieve best value and we will make this change as soon as Parliamentary time allows. We are using the interim period to talk to local government, the business community and others to ensure that the new framework is efficient and imaginative, but realistic, and makes the most of what local authorities, the private sector and the local community can contribute.

    Achieving best value will not just be about economy and efficiency, but also about effectiveness and the quality of local services. The new framework will be a demanding challenge to local authorities, seeking continuous improvements in service costs and quality. It will be a permissive framework which emphasises local choices and local accountability. But it will also ensure that every local authority makes improvements. I am today writing to the Local Government Association to consult them on a draft statement of principles about best value which encapsulate these points. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Library.

    We intend to encourage authorities to develop the principles of best value and pursue innovative approaches to service delivery in advance of primary legislation on best value. We have therefore agreed with the Local Government Association that Government will seek, where possible and within the existing statutory framework, to relax CCT for a selected number of authorities on condition that they follow a best value regime. We will set out shortly criteria against which authorities' bids will be considered—including a requirement to publish the authority's plans for improving the quality of services, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs to the taxpayers. The criteria will also reflect our view that competition will be an important management tool and test of best value, but that it will not be the only such tool.

    Because the bulk of local authorities will continue to be subject to the existing CCT regime, we will also carry out an urgent review of existing regulations and guidance to make it work better and, to the extent that it is consistent with existing CCT legislation, introduce elements of best value. The Review, which will take 4–6 weeks, will be carried out in consultation with the LGA and other interested parties. Among other matters we will specifically be considering the question of timetables, including those for authorities who are subject to recent reorganisation. The Government will then consult on proposals with a view to laying new regulations and
    50
    guidance in the summer. In the meantime, local authorities must continue to plan for meeting existing statutory obligations.

    We have an open mind on whether services are delivered by the private sector or directly within the public sector. Either way there needs to be an effective partnership, and fair and open competition where this is called for. To achieve this, we accept that direct service organisations should be able to compete for work where it makes sense to do so. So we are reviewing the framework within which local authorities carry out work for others. We are also to review the restriction on factors which local authorities can take into account in awarding contracts consistent with our obligations under European Community rules.

    These proposals should leave no doubt that Government intends to pursue a rigorous alternative approach to the improvement of local services, confident of its success in partnership with local government and the private sector.

    Secondary Liquid Fuels
    Mr. Evans
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a further response to the Second report of the Environment Committee on the burning of secondary liquid fuels in cement kilns (HC 497, Session 1994–95). [1514]

    Angela Eagle
    The previous Government responded, in June 1996, to the Environment Committee's report on the burning of secondary liquid fuels in cement kilns. We plan no further response. The Government will respond shortly, however, to the Committee's report on the environmental impacts of cement manufacture, published in March this year.

    Capital Receipts (London)
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the total available capital receipts for each London borough; and when they will be available for capital housing spending. [1754]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Information about the usable capital receipts available in each London borough was given in my answer to my hon. Friend on 20 May 1997 [Official Report, column number 48]. The table below provides further information the total of housing receipts set aside by these authorities between 1990–91 and 1995–96. Individual authorities may have used these receipts to repay debt or in lieu of further borrowing, however, and so may no longer retain them in the form of cash and investments.

    Set aside receipts from sales of Housing Revenue Account assets 1990–91 to 1995–96 £,000s

    Barking and Dagenham

    25,418

    Barnet

    28,642

    Bexley

    19,194

    Brent

    36,667

    Bromley

    100,277

    Camden

    58,227

    51

    Set aside receipts from sales of Housing Revenue Account assets 1990–91 to 1995–96 £,000s

    City of London

    760

    Croydon

    33,413

    Ealing

    39,996

    Enfield

    26,326

    Greenwich

    36,368

    Hackney

    41,651

    Hammersmith and Fulham

    27,481

    Haringey

    38,592

    Harrow

    15,548

    Havering

    24,526

    Hillingdon

    44,030

    Hounslow

    43,549

    Islington

    59,805

    Kensington and Chelsea

    15,073

    Kingston upon Thames

    10,873

    Lambeth

    56,008

    Lewisham

    51,037

    Merton

    21,312

    Newham

    30,618

    Redbridge

    23,931

    Richmond upon Thames

    18,063

    Southwark

    54,385

    Sutton

    14,350

    Tower Hamlets

    42,643

    Waltham Forest

    18,449

    Wandsworth

    83,697

    Westminster

    44,562

    Source:

    Housing Revenue Account subsidy claim forms.

    Revenue Support Grant
    Dr. Brand
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the formula for calculating the revenue support grant to include status as an off-shore community as a factor. [1770]

    Mr. Raynsford
    We are committed to a fair distribution of Government grant. We will discuss with the Local Government Association any possible changes in the formulae which local government wishes us to consider. I would not want to anticipate the arguments which might be put forward for and against any particular change.

    Global Warming
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department forecasts global average temperatures to be more than 0.5 degree centigrade above the 1951 to 1980 global average; and if he will make a statement. [1750]

    Angela Eagle
    Research by the Hadley Centre, supported by my Department, shows that the net effect of warming due to man-made greenhouse gases, coupled with cooling due to man-made sulphate particles, is expected to lead to global average temperatures of more than 0.5 degree centigrade above the 1951–80 average during the first decade of the next century.

    Disability
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to adopt a social model of disability in 52
    framing all future and amending previous relevant legislation and guidance; and if he will make a statement. [1690]

    Angela Eagle
    Our Manifesto commits us to establishing "comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people against discrimination in society or at work, developed in partnership with all interested parties". In developing and amending legislation and guidance, my Department will seek to ensure that this commitment is implemented.

    Radioactive Waste
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he has made with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of their joint responsibilities under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 and the Environment Act 1995. [1791]

    Mr. Meacher
    My right hon. Friends will consult each other in the exercise of their shared responsibilities under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 as amended by the Environment Act 1995.

    Mr. Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to include representatives from NGOs with an expertise in nuclear waste on the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee. [1781]

    Mr. Meacher
    Decisions on the membership of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee will be taken in the light of the recent financial management and policy review, the recommendations of which are being considered.

    Strategic Authority for London
    Mr. Casale
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy that European Union nationals, who are resident in London, will be able to take part in the proposed referendum to restore a strategic authority to London. [1807]

    Mr. Raynsford
    This is an issue which will be covered in the forthcoming Consultation Document. If the franchise for the referendum follows the local government franchise, European Union nationals resident within the designated area would be entitled to vote.

    Area Cost Adjustment
    Ms Blackman
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the area cost adjustment mechanism. [1536]

    Mr. Raynsford
    I will want to look again at the area cost adjustment. The Department has commissioned further work on some of the concerns raised in response to the Review of the Area Cost Adjustment during 1996. I will also want to listen carefully to the views of local government about the adjustment before coming to conclusions about the way forward.

    Asbestos
    Mr. Clapham
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will press
    53
    for (a) a Europe-wide ban on the import of asbestos and asbestos products, (b) the introduction of a system for registering asbestos products in public buildings and (c) further regulation of the asbestos removal licensing system. [1699]

    Angela Eagle
    I appreciate the concerns of the hon. Member on this matter. The Government is determined to deal effectively with all aspects of the asbestos problem. The Health and Safety Commission has already put in hand urgent work to support the EU activity to ban the supply of all asbestos, with exceptions for essential users; to consider the feasibility of registering asbestos in public buildings; and to review the asbestos removal licensing system. I will be discussing these issues with the Health and Safety Commission shortly.

    Homelessness
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce a rent deposit scheme for homeless people beginning private tenancies. [1752]

    Mr. Raynsford
    We will consider very carefully the potential for introducing rent deposit and guarantee schemes as we develop our policies on homelessness and on the private rented sector.

    Water and Sewerage
    Mr. Colvin
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what proposals he has for modernising the law relating to water and sewerage, with special reference to adoption arrangements for private sewers; [1101]

    (2) what assessment he has made of the consultation paper on water and sewerage law, 1986; and what steps he intends taking to ensure that developers construct sewers to sufficient standards to pass building regulations. [1102]

    Angela Eagle
    The Review of Water and Sewerage Law carried out in 1986 considered responsibilities for water supply pipes and lateral drains which link properties to the public sewer. We have no plans at present for water companies to take over ownership of that part of the water pipe or lateral drain which is the responsibility of the householder. But we have recently announced that we expect all water companies to provide a free leakage detection and repair service for supply pipes. All private sewers and drains must be constructed to the standard laid down in the Building Regulations. If they are to be adopted as public sewers by the sewerage undertaker they must be built to the set requirements used by all undertakers which are of a higher standard. We have no plans at present to make any changes to the current legislation with regard to the adoption of private sewers.

  TRANSPORT

    South West Trains
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total amount payable in fines by South West 54
    Trains following the cancelled and delayed services in (a) February and (b) March, indicating the date by which these fines must be paid. [30]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    South West Trains have been penalised under the incentive regime in the franchise agreement. South West Trains paid the Franchising Director just over £900,000 for poor performance in January to March.

    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total amount of subsidy which South West Trains will receive over the length of its franchise. [1141]

    Ms Jackson
    In 1995–96 and 1996–97 South West Trains received £72.682 million in cash inclusive of payments under the performance incentive regime. From 1997–98 to the end of the franchise in 2002–2003 South West Trains is estimated to receive £310.139 million in current prices, excluding performance incentive regime payments.

    Liverpool Airport
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has for the expansion of Liverpool airport. [816]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Environment and Transport Ministers are currently considering the report by the Inspector at the Public Inquiry into Liverpool Airport plc's applications for phased development of the airport. A decision on the application will be made in due course.

    Wyre Piddle Bypass
    Mr. Luff
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what criteria he will assess future bids for funding for the Wyre Piddle bypass; and if he will make a statement. [1037]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Guidance will shortly be issued to local authorities on their bids for support for capital expenditure on transport infrastructure in 1998–99.

    Car Use
    Mr. Whitehead
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consideration he has given to the applicability to the United Kingdom of Californian State Ordinance XV requiring large employers to make and publish travel-to-work plans for their employees which minimise car use; and if he will make a statement. [843]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Government is keen to encourage employers from both the public and private sector to find ways of reducing the impact on the environment of their employees' travel patterns, particularly their commuting journeys. One of the ways in which employers can do this is to introduce company travel plans for their employees. A growing number of organisations in the UK have already successfully implemented programmes of this nature, for example, Boots, BAA and Nottinghamshire County Council. A travel plan will soon be introduced at Stockley Park. Many local authorities are working with businesses to develop similar measures as part of their TravelWise programmes. The Government will attach a high priority
    55
    to promoting the introduction of more company travel plans. To this end, we have been working with Transport 2000 on their document, "Changing Journeys to Work: an employers' guide to green commuting plans" which we are helping to launch on 4 June 1997.

    Road Tax
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of(a) cars, (c) commercial vehicles and (c) motor bikes which are on the road without a road tax licence for the most recent year for which figures are available. [1019]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    A roadside survey involving over one million vehicles conducted in 1994 estimated that the numbers evading vehicle excise duty (VED) are as follows:

    Unlicensed stock in use (thousand)

    Unlicensed stock as a percentage of stock in use

    Private and Light Goods

    864

    3.7

    Goods

    14

    3.1

    Motorcycle

    371

    35.0

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for new measures to reduce the loss in revenue from motorists not paying their road tax. [1830]

    Ms Jackson
    New initiatives include measures to improve the quality of the vehicle register and make it more difficult to drop out of the licensing system through the introduction of Dual Notification and Statutory Off-Road Notification schemes; the introduction of a national scheme to wheelclamp and impound unlicensed vehicles later this year; and the trialling of camera technology to automate the detection process.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what schemes exist to deal with motorists who fail to pay their road tax. [1828]

    Ms Jackson
    Police and traffic wardens detect unlicensed vehicles as part of their normal duties and report them to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for follow-up action, including prosecution.

    The Agency and the police also conduct "blitz campaigns" throughout the country. These take the form of extensive localised publicity to encourage motorists to relicense their vehicles, or risk being caught in subsequent police checks.

    Police and traffic wardens place conspicuous red notices on the windscreens of parked unlicensed vehicles. These advise motorists that an offence has been detected and that they should take out a licence immediately.

    Further new initiatives are being developed to supplement the current enforcement effort and reduce the level of VED evasion.
    56
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of motorists who failed to pay their road tax in the last year; and what was the estimated loss of revenue. [1829]

    Ms Jackson
    The number of unlicensed vehicles in use on the public road in Great Britain at the end of December 1996 was estimated at 1.5 million. The estimated loss through evasion in 1996–97 was £175 million which represents 4.1 per cent., of the revenue due.

    Great North Eastern Railways
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the length of franchise currently operated by Great North Eastern Railways; and what plans he has to allow for the franchise to be lengthened. [1142]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The franchise term runs for seven years from April 1996. We have no plans to allow for the term to be lengthened.

    Crossrail
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future of Crossrail. [1129]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    On 2 April 1996, the then Secretary of State for Transport announced that he had asked the Chairman of Railtrack to consider the project further. We will consider the future of Crossrail in the light of both Railtrack's views when received, and our own priorities for transport in London.

    Minor Works Schemes
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to initiate a review of the funding for the transport minor works schemes. [1137]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The government will be giving consideration over the coming months to the funding of local transport infrastructure including support for minor schemes.

    Public Service Obligation Grant
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the public service obligation grant for each of the last 10 years. [1140]

    Mrs. Glenda Jackson
    The information requested, for the seven years from 1987–88 to 1993–94 is as follows:

    Year

    Public Service Obligation Grant Payments (£ million)

    1987–88

    794

    1988–89

    473

    1989–90

    501

    1990–91

    602

    1991–92

    892

    1992–93

    1,155

    1993–94

    930

    57
    Since 1 April 1994, support for passenger rail services has been provided by the Franchising Director. The amount of grant paid, for the three years 1994–95 to 1996–97, is as follows:

    Year

    Public Service Obligation Grant Payments (£ million)

    1994–95

    1,783

    1995–96

    1,669

    1996–97

    1,813

    Channel Tunnel
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (I) if he will list the contractual obligations on London and Continental Railways to introduce daytime and night sleeper services from north of London to the continent via the channel tunnel; [1149]

    (2) what powers he has to ensure that London and Continental introduce overnight sleeper services from north of London to the continent via the channel tunnel. [1147]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The provision of regional day and night services through the Channel Tunnel is a commercial matter for London and Continental Railways, who are contractually obliged to promote a Transport and Works Act Order for a link between the West Coast Main Line and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. This link would be used by regional services. LCR accordingly lodged an application in January and I hope that Parliament will soon have the opportunity to debate it.

    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects daytime through services from north of London through the channel tunnel to be introduced; and what steps he has taken or expects to take to encourage the introduction of these services. [1146]

    Ms Jackson
    London and Continental Railways, along with their European railway partners are responsible for international passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. I understand that they plan to start regional services to and from Paris this year.

    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the contributions made by Her Majesty's Government for the purchase of the British Eurostar trains which were given to London and Continental Railways; and if he will list the annual repayments to Her Majesty's Government and when the payments will terminate; [1150]

    (2) if he will list the contributions made by Her Majesty's Government and British Rail in the building, preparation and introduction of Eurostar sleeper services; and which of these funds are recoverable. [1148]

    Ms Jackson
    These trains are all owned or leased by Eurostar (UK) Ltd. (EUKL). EUKL, (previously European Passenger Services Ltd.) was transferred to London and Continental Railways (LCR) on 31 May 1996 as an integral part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link project. An explanatory memorandum on the contracts and agreements between the Government and LCR is in 58
    the Library. While European Passenger Services was in Government ownership (9 May 1994 to 31 May 1996), direct grants totalling £423.7 million were made towards running costs and investment. No specific sums were, however, earmarked for the purchase of Eurostar trainsets, or for the introduction of European sleeper services. These grants are not recoverable but there are provisions in the Transfer Agreements for the EUKL assets and liabilities to revert to Government in the event that LCR should fail.

    Rail Privatisation
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total amount spent on lawyers, accountants, consultants and other professionals for the purposes of privatising the railways. [1127]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Expenditure by the Department of Transport, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, and the Office of the Rail Regulator since 1992–93 is as follows:

    £ million

    1992–93

    1993–94

    1994–95

    1995–96

    1996–97

    Lawyers

    1.4

    4.7

    10.7

    17.5

    10.6

    Accountants

    1.7

    2.0

    5.0

    8.8

    8.7

    Other Consultants and Professionals

    2.4

    5.8

    11.7

    25.4

    21.1

    Expenditure by British Rail and Railtrack is a matter for the organisations themselves, but we understand that their total privatisation costs to the end of 1996–97 were as follows:

    £ million

    1992–93

    1993–94

    1994–95

    1995–96

    1996–97

    British Rail

    —

    92

    85

    101

    54

    Railtrack

    —

    —

    46

    32

    1—

    1 Railtrack was privatized in May 1996.

    Any breakdown of the figures for BR and Railtrack would be for the organisations themselves to provide.

    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which aspects of the rail franchising and privatisation process he plans to refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. [1135]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    As part of our current review of railway regulation, we will form a view on whether any of the privatised rail businesses should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. On 22 May 1997, the President of the Board of Trade announced that, under the Fair Trading Act 1973, she had decided to refer to the MMC the acquisition by National Express Group plc of the ScotRail and Central Trains rail franchises.

    Sir George Young
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the regulatory framework for the privatised railways. [1503]
    59
    Ms Jackson
    Regulation of the rail industry, and the sanctions available to the regulators, need to be strengthened. We have started thorough review of rail regulation to identify exactly what improvements need to be made.

    Rail Regulation
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take to strengthen the regulatory framework for the railways. [1151]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    We have made it clear that the regulation of the rail industry, and the sanctions available to the regulators, need to be strengthened. We have started a thorough review of rail regulation to identify exactly what improvements need to be made.

    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the general authority given to the Rail regulator. [1134]

    Ms Jackson
    At present I have no plans to amend the general authority. We are currently conducting a thorough review of rail regulation to identify exactly what improvements need to be made.

    British Flagged Vessels
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number and tonnage of British flagged vessels in(a) 1978 and (b) 1996. [1130]

    Ms Jackson
    The number and tonnage of British flagged vessels (trading vessels of 500gt and over registered in the United Kingdom and the Crown Dependencies) in 1978 and 1996 is as follows:

    Number of vessels

    Gross tonnage (in thousands)

    Deadweight tonnage (in thousands)

    1978

    1,421

    28,078

    46,327

    1996

    377

    6,057

    7,835

    Transport Pricing
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on Commissioner Kinnock's White Paper on fair transport pricing. [1126]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Government welcome the broad principles outlined in the European Commission Green Paper, which seeks to encourage more environmentally friendly, fairer and more efficient use of transport. The Government also support the need for further study and debate on the issues raised, including those of subsidiarity.

    Driving Instruction
    Mr. Pike
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations his Department has received in the last 12 months on motorway driving instruction and examination for(a) car drivers and (b) other divers; what
    60
    plans he has to make training and instruction on motorway driving compulsory for all drivers; and if he will make a statement. [1081]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Department has received eight representations in respect of car drivers, including one from my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley. There have been none in respect of drivers of other categories of vehicle, though in any case drivers who hold a full car licence and are learning to drive larger vehicles may practice in them on motorways. We have no plans to make motorway training compulsory for any class of learner driver.

    West Coast Main Line
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the amounts of public funds which will be spent on the modernisation of the west coast main line. [1136]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Railtrack is committed to spend £1.5 billion on the modernisation and upgrade of the West Coast Main Line funded by access charges paid by the train operators using the route. The upgrade to provide tilting trains and faster line speeds is being paid for by Virgin, the InterCity West Coast franchisee. Virgin is receiving £76.8 million subsidy in its first full financial year, reversing to a premium payment of £220.3 million to OPRAF in 2011/2012.

    We have made it clear that we expect higher levels of investment in the network and are considering whether the regulatory regime in place is sufficient to ensure the delivery of that level of investment.

    Franchising Director
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue new objectives, instructions and guidance to the Franchising Director. [1152]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    We are currently conducting a thorough review of rail regulation. in line with the Government's commitment to introduce tougher regulation of the privatised rail industry. A key element in this review will be to determine how the objectives, instructions and guidance we issue to the Franchising Director should be revised to reflect the Government's policy priorities.

    London Underground
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out his Department's investment plans for the London underground system for the next five years. [1072]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    London Transport's planned levels of investment in the Underground, based on the expenditure plans inherited from the previous Government, are set out in the table below. The Government is carrying out a comprehensive spending review. We are also giving urgent consideration to the options for increasing the level of investment in the Underground through Public/Private Partnerships.
    61

    Year

    Investment 1,2(£ million)

    1997–98

    312.6

    1998–99

    215.3

    1999–00

    369.5

    2000–01

    422.9

    2001–02

    447.3

    2002–03

    456.6

    Notes:

    11997–98 price.

    2Does not include investment in the Jubilee Line Extension, investment in the core network which is part of the JLE project and privately financed investment.

    Speed Limiters
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to introduce legislation requiring new vehicles to be fitted with on-board variable speed limiters; and if he will make a statement. [1076]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Department's research programme includes looking at the variable technology but we have no plans at present to introduce legislation.

    London Buses
    Mr. Brake
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if it is the Government's policy to ensure that buses in the capital are predominantly London red in colour; [1708]

    (2) if it is the Government's policy to ensure that when existing tenders to run London bus routes expire, the new tender requires the operator to use a fleet of buses bearing the red London livery. [1709]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    This is a matter for London Transport Buses. Their current policy is to require operators submitting bids for routes which operate within Central London to use predominantly red livery. The only exception to the above policy is for incumbent operators who are re-bidding for central London routes where the vehicles used are not currently red.

    Outside the central area operators may adopt their own livery subject to approval by London Transport Buses.

    Mr. Brake
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many passengers per annum use London bus routes(a) not bearing and (b) bearing the London red livery. [1712]

    Ms Jackson
    In the financial year 1996–97 London Transport estimate that just over 80 per cent. of the 1,234 million journeys made on London Transport bus services were on vehicles with a predominantly red London livery.

    Mr. Brake
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which London bus route tenders(a) expired in the last six months and (b) are due to expire in the next six months. [1710]

    Ms Jackson
    London bus service contracts which expired between 1 December 1996 and 31 May 1997 are as follows:20, 35, 40, 42, 54, 75, 91, 108, 167, 184, 190, 204, 206, 298, 310, 311, 345, 362, 391, 462, 617, 624, 629, 638, 661, 851, 931, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, H40, N91, W13D.
    62
    London bus service contracts which are due to expire between 1 June 1997 and 30 November 1997 are as follows:
    14, 16, 21, 24, 32, 34, 38, 39, 57, 63, 64, 65, 71, 74, 83, 85, 86, 90, 102, 127, 128, 129, 130, 150, 156, 170, 192, 197, 213, 221, 265, 281, 289, 312, 314, 364, 369, 371, 406, 465, 479, 499, 632, 650, 16A, 64A, 112D, 371D, N14, N21, N24, N38, W2, X30.

    Mr. Brake
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which London bus routes are not serviced by buses bearing the London red livery. [1711]

    Ms Jackson
    The following London Transport bus routes are operated with vehicles which do not carry the London red livery:13, 19, 20, 22A, 22B, 24, 55, 57, 65, 66, 67, 78, 85, 90, 92, 96, 97, 97A, 103, 105, 108, 114, 117, 123, 125, 126, 127, 132, 138, 141, 142, 146, 153, 158, 161, 162, 165, 167, 168, 173, 176, 179, 181, 188, 190, 191, 193, 203, 210, 212, 214, 215, 225, 227, 233, 236, 248, 252, 256, 257, 258, 260, 261, 269, 272, 275, 284, 285, 286, 289, 296, 299, 315, 318, 320, 340, 346, 362, 365, 367, 379, 389, 396, 398, 399, 400, 402, 403, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 422, 428, 444, 462, 465, 479, 492, 511, 606, 613, 616, 627, 645, 646, 650, 651, 661, 670, 673, 678, 693, 726, B11, B15, C4, D5, D6, D8, E2, E8, ELS, ELT, ELX, H10, H11, H13, H17, H26, H27, H28, H29, K5, K6, R2. R5, R6, R7, R8, R61, R62, S3, W6, W9, W10, W11, W12, W13, W14, W15, W16, X72, 307 (school journeys only), 371 (school journeys only).

    Bus Industry
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce a new regulatory framework for the bus industry. [1138]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Government is committed to the proper regulation of bus services at the local level, with partnerships between local councils and bus operators an essential component, as part of the development of a balanced transport system. I am examining how best to implement that commitment.

    Roads (Leicester)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will include the Leicester Eastern Bypass in the Private Finance Initiative scheme. [1471]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    As the Leicester Eastern Bypass is not included in the current National Trunk Roads Programme it would be for the local planning and highway authorities to decide whether to seek to progress a scheme under the Private Finance Initiative.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to oppose the building of the Leicester A46/A47 Link Road and Eastern District Distributor Road through densely populated areas of the Leicester East constituency. [1492]

    Ms Jackson
    As with all local highway schemes, the Secretary of State's involvement with the A46/A47
    63
    Eastern District Distributor Road is limited to consideration of applications for their possible funding, through Transport Supplementary Grant (TSG), and the determination of any statutory Orders applications which may be made, by the local highway authority, to enable the schemes to proceed. In both cases, applications must
    64
    be considered on their merits. That said, the Secretary of State's decision in relation to statutory Orders, made in respect of the A46/A47 Link Road, will be issued very soon. To date orders have been submitted for consideration in respect of the Eastern District Distributor Road.

    Roads (Leicester)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages of extending the Leicester Eastern Bypass to a new junction south of exit 21 on the M1. [1472]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    No, because the Leicester Eastern Bypass scheme is no longer in the National Trunk Road programme.

    Jubilee Line Extension
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the Jubilee Line extension; and when he expects the works to be complete. [1819]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Tunnelling for the Jubilee Line extension is now complete and the rest of the associated civil engineering construction work is drawing to a close, while the electrical and mechanical engineering work is well under way. London Transport aims to open the line by the end of September 1998.

    A40 (De-trunking)
    Mr. Nigel Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the time scale for progress towards de-trunking the A40 through Cheltenham. [1254]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Objectives received following the publication of a draft Order to de-trunk the A40 through Cheltenham and to trunk the A436 from the A40 at Shipton Solers to the A417 at Air Balloon roundabout are currently being considered. The timescale for the de-trunking depends on the possible need for a public inquiry.

    Road Works (A40)
    Mr. Soley
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the completion of the A40 road works in Acton and Shepherd's Bush. [1361]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    We are committed to a strategic review of the Road Programme. The terms of reference are not yet settled so you will appreciate that I cannot say what the effects of the review will be for this scheme.

    Bus Services
    Sir George Young
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the regulation of bus services(a) inside and (b) outside London. [1504]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Government is committed to the proper regulation of bus services at the local level, with partnerships between local councils and bus operators an essential component, as part of the development of a balanced transport system. I am 66
    examining how best to implement that commitment, recognising that circumstances in London differ from the rest of the country.

    Departmental Spending Limits
    Sir George Young
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he plans to stay within the Department of Transport's spending limits for the next financial year as set out in the Budget Statement in November. [1507]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Like other Departments, the Department of Transport is reviewing its objectives and priorities within the published expenditure limits set for 1997–98 and 1998–99.

    Speed Limits
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will commission research on the relationship between lower speed limits and the reduction of(a) road deaths and (b) vehicle noise and emission pollution. [1315]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    My Department already has a programme of research which investigates these questions. A wide range of recent and current research projects has been commissioned by the Department which include investigations into the relationship between speed, road safety and the environment. The content of the research programme is reviewed each year. I have written to the hon. Member with details of this research. Copies of the letter have been placed in the libraries of both Houses.

  SCOTLAND

    Local Business Rates
    Mr. David Marshall
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to discuss with COSLA the collection and distribution of local business rates; and if he will make a statement. [575]

    Mr. Chisholm
    All these matters are under consideration and we will consult with interested parties, including COSLA.

    Civil Service (Ethnic Minorities)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to increase the number of employees from ethnic minorities within his Department. [229]

    Mr. Dewar
    The Scottish Office is an employer committed to equal opportunities for all staff and we monitor the recruitment of men and women whatever their background to ensure that no discrimination takes place.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many civil servants at each grade within his Department were of Asian origin on 5 May. [228]
    67
    Mr. Dewar
    The headcount of staff of Asian origin employed in the Scottish Office and it's Executive Agencies at 1 May 1997 is shown in the table.

    Grade equivalent

    Total

    The Scottish Office and it's Executive Agencies other than the Scottish Prison Service

    Grade 6

    1

    SEO

    1

    HEO

    2

    EO

    1

    AO

    8

    AA

    5

    The Scottish Prison Service

    15

    Total

    23

    1 Due to a pay and grading review, Scottish Prison Service staff are no longer classified by the standard civil service grades and are now split into pay bands. Consequently, no breakdown by grade is possible for SPS.

    Compulsory Competitive Tendering
    Mr. David Marshall
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the proposed changes to the operation of compulsory competitive tendering in local government. [580]

    Mr. Canavan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce a moratorium on compulsory competitive tendering for local government contracts. [1084]

    Mr. Dewar
    [holding answer 22 May 1997]: I am keen to press ahead with our Manifesto commitment to replace Compulsory Competitive Tendering with a new best value regime. After discussion with Scottish local government, I plan to move ahead quickly to develop the elements of this regime. Competitive discipline will form an important part of the new regime, but will no longer be the only method by which value for money in local government is improved.

    Class size average, minimum and maximum for P1-P3 by Education Authority, 1995 Publicly funded primary schools

    Single and 2 stage classes (2 stage classes are included with the lower stage)

    P1

    P2

    P3

    Education authority

    Average

    Minimum

    Maximum

    Average

    Minimum

    Maximum

    Average

    Minimum

    Maximum

    Aberdeen City

    25.6

    16

    33

    25.6

    16

    33

    26.5

    20

    33

    Aberdeenshire

    23.7

    8

    32

    24.7

    5

    32

    24.4

    8

    33

    Angus

    22.7

    4

    32

    25.0

    9

    32

    26.0

    8

    35

    Argyll and Bute

    21.4

    7

    32

    24.7

    14

    33

    23.5

    11

    33

    Scottish Borders

    23.6

    16

    34

    25.5

    2

    32

    23.8

    5

    32

    Clackmannanshire

    25.3

    14

    33

    25.7

    17

    33

    26.9

    21

    32

    Dumfries and Galloway

    23.7

    12

    33

    25.3

    16

    33

    24.5

    15

    33

    Dundee City

    25.5

    10

    33

    25.9

    20

    33

    26.56

    10

    33

    East Ayrshire

    23.7

    10

    33

    25.9

    17

    33

    25.9

    16

    33

    East Dunbartonshire

    24.6

    16

    33

    27.2

    19

    33

    26.6

    18

    33

    East Lothian

    24.1

    8

    32

    25.4

    3

    32

    25.8

    18

    31

    East Renfrewshire

    25.8

    18

    33

    28.6

    17

    33

    27.7

    16

    33

    Edinburgh, City of

    26.2

    14

    33

    26.7

    10

    33

    27.6

    17

    33

    Falkirk

    25.8

    16

    33

    26.0

    3

    33

    27.1

    19

    33

    Fife

    24.3

    14

    32

    25.4

    16

    33

    26.2

    11

    33

    68
    I therefore intend to lay Regulations as soon as possible to suspend for a further year the planned reintroduction of CCT under both the Local Government Planning, and Land Act 1980 and the Local Government Act 1988. The statutory basis of the system will remain in place to be reactivated after July 1998 as necessary. White collar CCT, including housing management, would then be scheduled to start on or after April 1999. The suspension of CCT will allow time to start developing an alternative system to demonstrate best value in the provision of all council services. Authorities who are able to demonstrate significant progress towards achieving the key elements of the new best value regime will be able to apply for continued exemption, on an individual basis, from aspects of the CCT regime. In the meantime, however, I have made it clear that I expect councils to deal responsibly with tenders they have under way, consistent with their statutory duty to make proper arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of services. Decisions on the award of contracts will be subject to audit in the usual way.

    I have agreed with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities that a task force of officials from the Scottish Office, COSLA and the Accounts Commission for Scotland will develop the key elements of a best value approach. The first meeting of the task force will take place today.

    Because of the immediate pressure on authorities from the existing timetable for the reintroduction of CCT in Scotland I indicated how I intended to proceed at a meeting with COSLA on 27 May. I have placed a copy of the relevant press statement in the Library.

    Primary School Class Sizes
    Mr. Home Robertson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the average, maximum and minimum class sizes in primary 1 to primary 7 in each local education authority area in Scotland. [594]

    Mr. Wilson
    The information requested is as follows.
    69

    Class size average, minimum and maximum for P1–P3 by Education Authority, 1995 Publicly funded primary schools

    Single and 2 stage classes (2 stage classes are included with the lower stage)

    P1

    P2

    P3

    Education authority

    Average

    Minimum

    Maximum

    Average

    Minimum

    Maximum

    Average

    Minimum

    Maximum

    Glasgow, City of

    23.9

    5

    33

    24.8

    6

    34

    25.1

    5

    33

    Highland

    22.1

    1

    33

    23.2

    3

    33

    22.8

    1

    32

    Inverclyde

    25.9

    17

    33

    25.0

    16

    33

    24.4

    1

    33

    Midlothian

    24.1

    11

    33

    24.9

    6

    32

    26.0

    15

    33

    Moray

    23.7

    11

    33

    24.8

    15

    32

    26.0

    16

    33

    North Ayrshire

    24.4

    12

    33

    24.5

    16

    33

    26.3

    16

    33

    North Lanarkshire

    23.3

    6

    33

    24.4

    6

    33

    25.0

    14

    33

    Orkney Islands

    19.8

    8

    29

    23.4

    16

    28

    19.7

    12

    27

    Perth and Kinross

    24.0

    9

    34

    25.1

    13

    33

    25.7

    16

    33

    Renfrewshire

    25.3

    18

    34

    26.2

    14

    34

    25.5

    13

    33

    Shetland Islands

    18.1

    11

    29

    20.0

    8

    26

    19.6

    9

    31

    South Ayrshire

    24.7

    12

    33

    25.6

    16

    33

    26.4

    17

    33

    South Lanarkshire

    24.2

    10

    33

    25.7

    15

    33

    25.7

    10

    33

    Stirling

    23.3

    11

    33

    24.0

    7

    33

    25

    11

    33

    West Dunbartonshire

    25.3

    16

    33

    25.2

    16

    32

    25.8

    19

    34

    West Lothian

    23

    5

    33

    25.8

    14

    33

    25.5

    6

    33

    Western Isles

    14.9

    2

    24

    23.3

    17

    28

    18.6

    4

    31

    Class size average, minimum and maximum for P4-P7 Education Authority, 1995 Publicly funded primary schools

    Single and 2 stage classes (2 stage classes are included with the lower stage)

    P4

    P5

    P6

    P7

    Education authority

    Average

    Minimum

    Maximum

    Average

    Minimum

    Maximum

    Average

    Minimum

    Maximum

    Average

    Minimum

    Maximum

    Aberdeen City

    26.9

    18

    33

    26.6

    18

    33

    26.0

    15

    33

    26.6

    13

    33

    Aberdeenshire

    25.6

    10

    33

    26.2

    15

    33

    24.9

    7

    33

    26.4

    17

    33

    Angus

    26.2

    6

    33

    26.4

    6

    33

    23.6

    1

    34

    28.6

    21

    33

    Argyll and Bute

    24.0

    8

    33

    25.1

    19

    34

    22.4

    10

    33

    24.7

    9

    33

    Scottish Borders

    23.3

    4

    33

    24.2

    4

    33

    24.5

    3

    32

    23.4

    4

    32

    Clackmannanshire

    28.3

    18

    33

    26.0

    20

    33

    25.3

    17

    33

    25.5

    18

    33

    Dumfries and Galloway

    25.5

    14

    33

    26.1

    13

    33

    24.7

    13

    33

    27.5

    15

    33

    Dundee City

    26.5

    14

    33

    26.4

    8

    33

    26.7

    13

    34

    27.3

    18

    34

    East Ayrshire

    26.0

    17

    33

    25.3

    13

    33

    25.2

    14

    33

    26.0

    11

    33

    East Dunbartonshire

    26.7

    17

    33

    27.3

    20

    33

    26.9

    16

    33

    27.5

    17

    33

    East Lothian

    26.0

    9

    33

    26.8

    20

    33

    26.1

    14

    33

    26.6

    20

    33

    East Renfrewshire

    27.5

    18

    33

    26.3

    12

    33

    27.3

    12

    33

    28.7

    16

    33

    Edinburgh, City of

    27.7

    14

    33

    27.5

    17

    33

    26.4

    15

    33

    25.4

    15

    33

    Falkirk

    26.8

    17

    33

    26.0

    10

    33

    25.9

    18

    33

    26

    12

    33

    Fife

    25.9

    6

    33

    25.8

    10

    33

    25.4

    5

    33

    26.2

    13

    33

    Glasgow, City of

    25.3

    5

    33

    24.9

    11

    33

    24.8

    9

    33

    24.4

    13

    33

    Highland

    23.4

    1

    33

    23.4

    1

    33

    22.2

    1

    34

    25.5

    1

    34

    Inverclyde

    25.8

    20

    34

    24.7

    13

    33

    24.7

    18

    32

    25.6

    15

    33

    Midlothian

    25.4

    17

    33

    27.1

    21

    33

    26.6

    15

    33

    27.1

    19

    33

    Moray

    25.7

    10

    32

    25.8

    16

    32

    24.9

    17

    33

    25.5

    17

    33

    North Ayrshire

    26

    18

    33

    25.9

    16

    33

    25.8

    15

    33

    25.9

    9

    33

    North Lanarkshire

    25.1

    7

    33

    24.7

    7

    33

    25.2

    8

    33

    25.3

    10

    33

    Orkney Islands

    23.1

    15

    29

    20.6

    1

    27

    21.2

    12

    30

    21.6

    11

    33

    Perth and Kinross

    25.9

    13

    34

    24.6

    17

    33

    24.3

    13

    32

    24.2

    12

    33

    Renfrewshire

    26.7

    18

    33

    27.2

    15

    33

    26.7

    17

    33

    27.3

    1

    33

    Shetland Islands

    20.5

    16

    29

    19.9

    13

    29

    19.0

    10

    27

    19.8

    11

    29

    South Ayrshire

    26.6

    16

    33

    26.8

    10

    33

    25.6

    11

    33

    26.8

    12

    33

    South Lanarkshire

    25.4

    7

    33

    26.2

    12

    33

    25.2

    12

    33

    26.8

    16

    34

    Stirling

    25.1

    14

    33

    24.2

    7

    32

    24.0

    8

    33

    26.3

    14

    33

    West Dunbartonshire

    26.4

    21

    33

    26.3

    16

    34

    25.0

    17

    31

    26.3

    18

    33

    West Lothian

    26.5

    12

    33

    25.9

    10

    33

    25.5

    10

    33

    25.7

    13

    33

    Western Isles

    18.4

    2

    31

    22.9

    19

    29

    18.6

    1

    31

    22

    4

    32

    70

    NHS Treatment Costs
    Mr. Forth
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average cost of NHS treatment per patient in Scotland. [650]

    Mr. Galbraith
    The average cost of acute hospital treatment per patient in the Scottish Health Service in 1996–97 was £850 for an inpatient and day case and £150 for an outpatient.

    Education Costs
    Mr Forth
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average annual cost of educating(a) a primary pupil and (b) a secondary pupil in Scotland. [646]

    Mr. Wilson
    Current expenditure per pupil in local authority schools in Scotland in the financial year 1994–95, the latest year for which information is currently available, was £1,797 in the primary sector and £2,874 in the secondary sector.

    Feu System
    Mr. Canavan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to(a) reform or (b) abolish the feu system. [1065]

    Mr. McLeish
    The Scottish Law Commission is reviewing this area as part of its Fifth Programme. Once the Commission has reported we will be considering the best way of taking forward the Government's commitment to abolishing the feudal system in the light of that report.

    Skye Bridge
    Mr. David Stewart
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the price paid by the Scottish Office to Mr. Tom Farmer in respect of Eileian Ban in connection with the construction of the Skye bridge. [1202]

    Mr. Chisholm
    It is normal practice for The Scottish Office to release the purchase price of land acquired for road construction schemes. In this case, however, at the vendor's request, it was agreed that the purchase price of Eilean Ban would not be divulged by the Scottish Office to a third party without the prior consent of the vendor.

    Arable Area Payments
    Mr. Tipping
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the(a) maximum, (b) minimum and (c) average payment made under the arable area payments scheme in 1996–97. [1722]

    Mr. Chisholm
    Payments which have been made to farmers in Scotland under the 1996 arable area payments scheme area as follows:

    (a) Maximum: £414,3211

    (b) Minimum £711

    (c) Average £15,3891

    1All figures are to the nearest pound.

  EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

    Ministerial Offices
    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on what sites other than Sanctuary Buildings the Department plans to build a designated Ministerial Office. [772]

    Dr. Howells
    The Department has no plans to build any further designated Ministerial Offices.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when work on building the Seventh Ministerial office in Sanctuary Buildings began; and when it was completed. [774]

    Dr. Howells
    During the Election period the Department took the opportunity to improve Ministerial accommodation in Sanctuary Buildings. Amongst the changes undertaken was the creation of a new Ministerial office to replace one of the existing six offices.

    Work to create the seventh Minister's office began immediately following the Election on 2 May and was completed on 5 May.

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the cost of building the seventh Ministerial office in Sanctuary Buildings. [773]

    Dr. Howells
    £11,086

    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of building a designated Ministerial office at the Department's Moorfoot site. [775]

    Dr. Howells
    £6,600.

    School Budgets (Unitary Authorities)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the impact on school budgets of the creation of unitary authorities; what estimate he has made of the impact of the change on the number of teachers; and what steps he proposes to take to alleviate budget reductions arising out of the change to unitary status. [1043]

    Mr. Byers
    It is for unitary authorities, like other education authorities, to determine for themselves what the size of their schools budgets should be in the light of local priorities. We are presently reviewing the education element of the Standard Spending Assessment to ensure a fairer distribution of government grant. This may well benefit unitary authorities.

    Business in the Community
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assistance he proposes to give to the Business in the Community initiative. [1040]

    Mr. Byers
    My right hon. Friend will consider what support he might give to Business in the Community on receipt of a developed proposal.

    University Grants
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the current level of grant given by his Department to each of the universities. [1049]
    73
    Dr. Howells
    Under the Funding and Higher Education Act 1992, the Department pays grant to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, which in turn distributes it to universities and colleges. The Act prohibits the Government from intervening in the allocation of grant to individual institutions.

    The Funding Council announced the funding allocations for the academic year 1997–98 in February 1997. A copy of the Circular has been placed in the Library.

    Graduates
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate his Department has made of the number of graduates who(a) find employment, (b) are unemployed, (c) have debt outstanding and (d) suffer bankruptcy within one year of graduating. [1047]

    Dr. Howells
    Of the 214,000 full-time degree graduates from HE institutions in the UK in the 1994–95 academic year, data on destinations six months after graduation are known for 178,000 of them. Of these, 106,000 entered employment and 15,000 were assumed unemployed. The remainder either entered further training, were not available for employment or training, or were overseas students returning overseas. The information requested on debt and bankruptcy is not held centrally.

    Educational Opportunity
    Mr. Llew Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the conclusions of the National Funding Council for Higher Education study on the chances of children from different social class backgrounds going on to study in university; and what steps he intends to take to improve the educational opportunities of disadvantaged children. [965]

    Dr. Howells
    The report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England on the influence of neighbourhood type on participation in higher education points out that the variation of participation in higher education by social group is closely related to educational achievement up to 18 years of age. The report, which has been submitted to the Dearing Inquiry into Higher Education, confirms the need for action to be taken to improve standards in schools. The Government has put the raising of standards for all pupils at the heart of its agenda for change. It has set clear targets for literacy and numeracy, namely that by the end of this Parliament every child should reach the appropriate National Curriculum levels for age 11. If these demanding targets are met, the educational opportunities for all children will be greatly improved, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds who hitherto have often under-achieved. A copy of the report will be available shortly and will be placed in the Library.

    Grammar Schools (Referendums)
    Sir Teddy Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on(a) the range of persons who will be entitled to vote in referendums called in pursuit of the Government's
    74
    policy for determining the future of existing grammar schools and (b) the procedures under which such referendums will be initiated. [977]

    Mr. Byers
    The Government has made clear that any changes in the admissions policies of grammar schools will be decided by local parents. Implementing that commitment will require legislation and details will be set out in due course.

    Employment (Ethnic Minorities)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's initiatives to increase the number of those from ethnic minority backgrounds in work. [1039]

    Mr. Andrew Smith
    At present we are developing plans to implement our manifesto commitment to reduce unemployment and welfare dependency, particularly amongst young people. I will ensure that people of ethnic minority origin benefit from this programme. I also intend to ensure that all the Department's policies, programmes and initiatives effectively meet the needs of those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

    Higher Education Students (Ethnic Minorities)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of students in higher education are from ethnic minority backgrounds; and what initiatives he proposes to take to increase their number. [1041]

    Dr. Howells
    Ethnic minorities are well represented in higher education compared to their representation in the population as a whole. Nearly 12 per cent. of home students in the UK are from ethnic minority backgrounds, even though they form only 6 per cent. of the total GB population and 8 per cent. of the population aged 16 to 24 years.

    Student Debt and Employment
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research relating to other countries regarding student debt and employment figures his Department has evaluated. [1048]

    Dr. Howells
    No information is held centrally on student debt in other countries. Available information for other countries on graduate employment is contained in OECD's "Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators" publication, a copy of which is in the Library.

    Jobseeker's Allowance
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will review the current arrangements in which persons in receipt of the jobseeker's allowance cannot reclaim travel expenses when signing on if their home is within a specified distance of the jobcentre. [1018]

    Mr. Alan Howarth
    We have no plans to do so. It is a very long-standing practice that jobseekers bear their own costs for their normal fortnightly attendance at the Jobcentre.

    Assisted Places Scheme
    Mr. David Atkinson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many places, at which schools and at what cost were provided under the assisted places scheme in the Bournemouth area of the Dorset local education authority in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97. [1219]

    Mr. Byers
    there is one school participating in the assisted places scheme in the Bournemouth area, Talbot Heath School. In academic year 1995–96 there were 138 assisted pupils at the school and the total cost of the places was £525,000. In the current academic year 1996–97 there are 164 assisted pupils and the cost is estimated to be £630,000.

    Training
    Mr. Grant
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the expenditure by the North London district of the Employment Service excluding administration costs, at cash and constant prices, in each year since 1987–88 on(a) Training for Work, and the programmes it replaced, (b) Youth Training and Modern Apprenticeships, and the earlier YTS, (c) the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, (d) Jobclubs, (e) Restart courses, Jobplan workshops and Workwise, and (f) Community Action; and if he will make a statement. [839]

    Mr. Alan Howarth
    [holding answer 22 May 1997]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

    Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Bernie Grant, dated 2 June 1997:
    The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding expenditure by the North London District of the Employment Service on a number of programmes since 1987. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
    The table below outlines expenditure by the North London District of the Employment Service on Jobclubs, Restart, Jobplan, Workwise and Community Action since 1993. I will turn to the other programmes you mention later. I should explain that we have only provided information going back to 1993 because it is our policy to hold records of expenditure regionally for three years. However, I hope that you will find the information given below helpful. I ought to say that Workwise was not introduced until April 1995 and that the Community Action programme ran from November 1993 to June 1996.

    Expenditure

    Name of programme

    1993–94

    1994–95

    1995–96

    1996–97

    Jobclub

    1,197,413

    1,276,546

    1,304,239

    688,463

    Restart

    312,179

    233,850

    178,438

    166,616

    Jobplan

    751,440

    627,135

    410,119

    415,907

    Workwise Community

    n/a

    n/a

    129,051

    112,427

    Action

    125,375

    541,500

    508,473

    48,760

    I should explain that some of the programmes and employment initiatives you mention do not fall under the responsibility of the Employment Service. These are Training for Work (TfW), the Enterprise Allowance Scheme and Youth Training, Modern
    76
    Apprenticeships, and the earlier YTS. This means that the North London District of the Employment Service did not incur any expenditure on these programmse and initiatives.
    I hope this is helpful.

    Funding (Grant-maintained Schools)
    Mr. Ancram
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his policy towards the funding of grant-maintained schools; and if he will make a statement about the level of funding to individual grant-maintained schools in(a) the current financial year, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [1283]

    Mr. Byers
    We are committed to establishing a funding system which does not discriminate unfairly between schools or pupils. For 1998–99 and beyond, we will consult widely about how best to achieve that. Funding for grant-maintained schools in 1997–98 is calculated under The Education (Grant-maintained and Grant-maintained Special Schools) (Finance) Regulations 1997.

    Assisted Places
    Dr. Mawhinney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those schools offering assisted places, indicating the number of places currently taken up in each, broken down by parliamentary constituency or in such other form as the information is available. [1428]

    Mr. Byers
    I refer the right hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 20 May to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan),Official Report, 20 May 1997, column 32.

    Education Spending (Devon)
    Mr. Harvey
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will increase the resources available to Devon county council for education spending during the 1997–98 financial year. [1312]

    Mr. Byers
    We have no plans to amend the local government finance settlement for 1997–98. We will announce our intentions for 1998–99 in the autumn.

    Special Measures Schools
    Mr. Cousins
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each local education authority how many school students are in schools in special measures; and what percentage of total school student numbers this represents. [1336]

    Mr. Byers
    The information requested is contained in a number of tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

    Konver Grant (Rochford and Southend East)
    Sir Teddy Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which organisations, and for what purposes, received the £105,000 Konver grant provided to the Rochford and Southend East constituency, which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Newport, East (Mr. Howarth) referred to in his oral statement on 22 May. [1691]
    77
    Mr. Alan Howarth
    The recipient of the Konver grant will be Southend Enterprise Training Ltd. The purpose of the grant is to help prepare workers from the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Foulness, which closed in October 1996, for work outside the defence industry. I will write to the hon. Member providing more detailed information and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

    Standard Spending Assessments
    Liz Blackman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the way the education element of standard spending assessments is calculated in the shire counties. [1535]

    Mr. Byers
    We are currently reviewing the education SSA methodology for 1998–99 in consultation with local authority representatives.

    Welfare to Work
    Mr. Ben Chapman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people he estimates will benefit from his welfare to work proposals in the constituency of Wirral South; and on what time scale. [1563]

    Mr. Alan Howarth
    Currently there are just under 500 people between the ages of 18 and 24 who are claiming JSA in the Wirral South constituency, around half of whom have been out of work for more than 6 months. These young people, if they are still unemployed when our New Deal plans are implemented, will be offered opportunities to participate in a job, training or useful work experience.

    The Government's commitment is to get 250,000 young people off benefits and into work. Work to take forward our Welfare to Work provisions started within days of the election, and they will be implemented as soon as possible.

    Unemployment (Young People)
    Mr. Paice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage reduction in youth unemployment he plans to achieve by the end of 1998. [1645]

    Mr. Alan Howarth
    It has not been the practice of Governments to forecast unemployment. This Government is committed to ensuring for young people unemployed for more than six months a job, training or useful work experience. This will bring new help and new hope to young adults in need of work, and we have made the development and implementation of these proposals one of our most urgent priorities.

    Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation
    Mrs. Gillan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will make a statement on the arrangements made for redundancy payments to the staff of the Grant-Maintained Schools foundation; [568]

    (2) when he expects the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation to be closed; [569]
    78
    (3) what sum of money would be saved by his Department in the current financial year by closing the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation at the end of May 1997. [570]

    Mr. Byers
    [holding answer 20 May 1997]: Under the Government's proposed new framework of foundation, community and aided schools, grant-maintained status would no longer exist. There is thus no further need to allocate public funds to the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation to provide information and advice to schools about GM status. The Foundation's chairman has been informed that grant will cease at the end of June. It is for the Foundation in the first instance to consider the consequences for its employees. Provision of £840,000 was made for the Foundation's grant in the Department's estimates for this financial year. £213,000 is being paid as grant up until the end of June.

  FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

    Jammu and Kashmir
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of India to permit foreign journalists and representatives of human rights organisations unrestricted access to Jammu and Kashmir. [1024]

    Mr. Fatchett
    We attach great importance to respect for human rights throughout the world. We hope that the Indian Government will allow greater access to Jammu and Kashmir for human rights organisations. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reiterated our concerns on Kashmir to the Indian Prime Minister's envoy last week. We are not aware of any restrictions on media access to Kashmir.

    Congo
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent events in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [1035]

    Mr. Tony Lloyd
    The end of the Mobutu regime and the advent of a new government in the former Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, brings important new opportunities and possibilities for the people of that country and our relations with it. We welcome the fact that the changeover of power in the capital has been achieved without widespread violence.

    We hope and expect that Laurent Kabila and his forces will ensure discipline and stability and promote reconciliation in the difficult days ahead. We have urged Mr. Kabila to ensure decent treatment for the refugees in his country and full access to them by humanitarian agencies now that the fighting is over. We are deeply concerned by the situation in the eastern part of the country and reports of the killing of refugees. We are addressing this serious problem bilaterally and with our partners in the EU and at the UN. We look forward to establishing a constructive relationship with the incoming administration.

    We welcome Mr. Kabila's commitment to convene a constituent assembly and to hold elections and his stated commitment to human rights. We hope the transitional

    79
    authority will be as broadly based as possible and that it will bring with it the much needed respect for human rights and the rule of law so long denied to the people of the country. The support of the international community will be essential if these hopes and plans are to be speedily realised. The British Government will play its full part, with its partners in the United Nations and the European Union, in helping to construct a better future for all the people.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government intends to recognise the Democratic Republic of Congo. [1029]

    Mr. Lloyd
    The Government's policy is to recognise States not governments. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the new name of the State recognised by the United Kingdom and formerly known as Zaire. The Government has accepted the new name as the official name of the country. The change of name has no effect on UK recognition of the State itself.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when and where the next talks between his Department and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are scheduled to take place. [1038]

    Mr. Fatchett
    We are aiming to hold a further round of talks at official level in London during the autumn.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations are planned into possible holdings and assets of the former Mobutu regime in the United Kingdom and dependent territories; and if steps will be taken to return them to the people of Congo. [1028]

    Mr. Tony Lloyd
    We will do all that we can to assist, but for obvious reasons I cannot comment in detail on the nature of any investigations.

    Korea
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the discussions between his Department and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Pyongyang in March. [1034]

    Mr. Fatchett
    Officials visited Pyongyang from 18–22 March. The meeting was the most recent contact at official level with the North Koreans. The North Koreans were encouraged to resume a dialogue with South Korea; to participate in the Four Party Talks; and to continue a full implementation of the nuclear framework agreement with the United States.

    Leghold Traps
    Mr. Gummer
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) Canada, (b) the United States and (c) Russia on the need for an agreement to phase out leghold traps in order to avoid an EU import ban. [855]

    Mr. Doug Henderson
    Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary or I have had the opportunity for discussions about leghold traps with my American, Canadian or Russian colleagues.

    Land Mines
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to participate in an international ban on anti-personnel land mines. [1044]

    Mr. Tony Lloyd
    We will work constructively in the Ottawa Process, which aims for agreement on an effective international ban on anti-personnel landmines by the end of this year. We shall also push in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva for a wider ban.

    Unemployment
    Ms Kingham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to co-operate with other European Union member states on EU initiatives to tackle long-term unemployment. [1082]

    Mr. Doug Henderson
    We believe that tackling unemployment must be one of the EU's top priorities. Within the Inter-governmental Conference we have signalled our support for a new Treaty Chapter on employment which would provide a basis for future co-operation between Member States in this area, including on initiatives to help the long-term unemployed.

    Poland
    Mr. Levitt
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations with Poland. [1085]

    Mr. Doug Henderson
    Britain enjoys excellent relations with Poland. We have built up a strong partnership since 1989 which extends across a wide range of areas. The quality of bilateral relations is reflected in the number of high level visits which have taken place, in particular Her Majesty the Queen's highly successful State Visit to Poland in March 1996 and President Kwasniewski's Guest of Government visit to the UK last October. HMG continues to make good use of the opportunities generated by the State Visit to promote British interests and enhance our relations with Poland.

    South Africa
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit the Republic of South Africa. [1455]

    Mr. Tony Lloyd
    My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no such plans at present, but he would hope to visit South Africa before long.

    Kashmir
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he intends to take to secure the release of the British travellers held captive in Kashmir. [1454]

    Mr. Tony Lloyd
    We are deeply concerned about the welfare of Keith Mangan and Paul Wells. It is now 23 months since they were abducted. There have been no demands from the hostage takers and no proof of life since late 1995. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the British hostage families on 22 May. We are committed to finding out what has happened to Keith,
    81
    Paul and the other two hostages and will take every opportunity to raise the case with the Indian and Pakistani Governments.

    Kenya
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he plans to make to the Government of Kenya regarding the human rights situation. [1478]

    Mr. Tony Lloyd
    We will treat respect for human rights as an important element in determining our overall relationship with Kenya. We will take every suitable opportunity to remind the Government of Kenya of their obligations and to make clear our concerns on this subject, including in the run-up to legislative and presidential elections.

    Departmental Computer Systems
    Mr. Nigel Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1245]

    Mr. Fatchett
    In 1996 this Department established a millennium programme, beginning with a review of existing systems. It is now locating and fixing specific problems; and ensuring that all new or upgraded systems are millennium compliant. We estimate that all our key systems will be millennium compliant by 31 March 1999.

    GCHQ
    Mr. Nigel Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will consider claims for compensation from former employees of the Government Communications Headquarters whose employment was terminated for refusing to give up their membership of independent trade unions; and if he will make a statement; [1269]

    (2) what plans he has to grant compensation to former employees of the Government Communications Headquarters whose employment was terminated for refusing to give up their membership of independent trade unions. [1268]

    Mr. Robin Cook
    As part of this Government's commitment to open and fair relations in the workplace we have restored normal Trade Union rights to the staff of GCHQ. Those who left as a result of the 1984 decision accepted compensation where appropriate at the time.

    British Council
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the level of his Department's grant to the British Council. [1462]

    Mr. Fatchett
    The level of FCO grant-in-aid to the British Council was published in the Departmental Report. For this year, the grant-in-aid is set at £97.7 million. This enables the Council to maintain a presence in 229 posts in 109 countries. The Council makes a major contribution to the achievement of many of the UK's foreign policy objectives, including the 82
    enhancement of the UK's influence and prestige overseas, the spread of good government and the promotion of exports.

    Turkey
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he proposes to make to the Turkish Government in respect of their refusal to arrest and extradite Asil Nadir. [1453]

    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he made to the Government of Turkey to secure the return to the United Kingdom of Asil Nadir. [1637]

    Mr. Doug Henderson
    We remain in close touch with the Turkish authorities about Nadir. A warrant for his arrest has been issued and the Turkish authorities have been requested to effect an arrest. We await a response from the competent Ministerial authority.

    Venezuela
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines his Department issues for United Kingdom passport holders travelling to Venezuela for the purpose of(a) tourism, (b) business and (c) transit. [1487]

    Mr. Fatchett
    The current advice issued to all United Kingdom passport holders travelling to Venezuela which is available on the INTERNET and CEEFAX states:"Difficult economic conditions have caused a surge in crime in all areas of Venezuela, particularly in Caracas and Maracaibo, some targeted against foreigners. There have also been incidents involving tourists in Margarita. Street robberies and car-jackings can occur anywhere. Do not carry large amounts of money or valuable jewellery and dress down. Care should be taken at all times and walking in city streets should be avoided at night. Use taxis wherever possible. Colombian terrorists and narcotic gangs are active in regions bordering Colombia where there has been a recent increase in kidnappings. Do not travel in the border area except in well escorted groups. Visitors are advised to register at the British Embassy in Caracas telephone 993 4111."

    Visas
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the waiting times for(a) visas and (b) interviews relating to visa applications in respect of United Kingdom posts at (i) Bombay, (ii) Islamabad, (iii) New Delhi, (iv) Calcutta, (v) Karachi, (vi) Dacca, (vii) Washington, (viii) New York, (ix) Dar-Es-Salam, (x) Nairobi and (xi) Lagos. [1477]

    Mr. Fatchett
    In view of the amount of detail needed to answer this question, my noble friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to the hon. Member shortly.

    Gibraltar
    Dr. Marek
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to expand the use of Gibraltar airport. [1499]

    Mr. Doug Henderson
    The development of the airport should contribute significantly to the development of Gibraltar's economy. We are ready to consider any practicable proposal which is acceptable to all parties.
    83
    Dr. Marek
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 19 May,Official Report column 14, if Her Majesty's Government and the Spanish Government agree upon the existence and extent of the territorial sea adjacent to the coast of Gibraltar under British sovereignty. [1500]

    Mr. Henderson
    We are clear that the territorial sea adjacent to the coast of Gibraltar is under British sovereignty. The Government of Spain disagrees.

    Amsterdam Treaty
    Sir Richard Body
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will, in co-operation with other departments, provide a cost assessment for implementing articles 118 and 119 of the draft Amsterdam treaty. [1719]

    Mr. Doug Henderson
    Article 118 and 119 of the draft IGC treaty would not have any direct cost implications in themselves. It is clearly not possible to assess now the cost of legislation which may be brought forward under these articles in the future. But the Government will assess carefully all future proposals for legislation, taking fully into account their likely cost both to industry and to the taxpayer.

    Sir Richard Body
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the relationship is between article B of the draft Amsterdam treaty and the Schengen Protocol in the same draft. [1734]

    Mr. Henderson
    Currently the relationship between draft Article B and the draft Schengen Protocol is unclear. The matter remains under discussion at the Inter-Governmental Conference.

    Sir Richard Body
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what would be the effect of the application of article Fa in the draft Amsterdam treaty to a state refusing to comply with treaty law. [1726]

    Mr. Henderson
    Draft Article Fa would provide a mechanism for determining whether sanctions could be imposed on a member State. It would be for the Council to determine whether a refusal to comply with Treaty law merited sanctions and if so what sanctions would be appropriate. The draft article is still under discussion at the Intergovernmental Conference.

    Sir Richard Body
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, under article F in the draft Amsterdam treaty, the European Union could undertake further acts of European integration without the need for further treaties. [1724]

    Mr. Henderson
    The Presidency's draft revised article F would emphasise the principle that the European Union is founded on, and should respect, fundamental rights. The revised article F, like the current text of the article, confers no power to adopt legislation or other measures. It could therefore not be a basis for "further acts of European Integration".

    Sir Richard Body
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on article 113(5) of the draft Amsterdam treaty. [1714]
    84
    Mr. Henderson
    The Government do not support the proposed amendments to article 113 as currently drafted. We shall be participating fully in discussions in the Intergovernmental Conference and seeking amendments which meet our concerns.

    Sir Richard Body
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the areas of policy-making which the draft Amsterdam treaty would change from being subject to unanimity to being subject to a qualified majority vote in the Council of Ministers. [1738]

    Mr. Henderson
    The document, circulated by the Dutch Presidency on 16 May, makes no recommendations on which areas of policy making might move from unanimity to qualified majority vote. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

    Sir Richard Body
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will, in co-operation with other departments, provide a cost assessment for the United Kingdom of applying the common concern principle in the Title on Employment as set out in the draft Amsterdam treaty; and what assessment he has made of the effect on inward investment to the United Kingdom of applying that principle. [1720]

    Mr. Henderson
    Negotiations on the draft Employment Title are continuing. The Government's assessment is that including in the title the idea that Member States shall regard their employment policies as a matter of "common concern" would not have significant cost implications nor any impact on inward investment in the UK.

    Sir Richard Body
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Amsterdam treaty proposals concerning European Union peacemaking. [1713]

    Mr. Henderson
    We support proposals for the incorporation into the treaty on European Union of "humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping tasks and tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peacemaking" as issues covered by the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy. These tasks would continue to be carried out by the Western European Union, which formulated and agreed them in 1992 as part of that organisations' implementation of its role agreed at Maastricht in 1991.

    Sir Richard Body
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, according to the draft Amsterdam treaty, British diplomats will act under British or European Union instructions in the event of a conflict of interests under article J. [1735]

    Mr. Henderson
    British diplomats will continue to represent British interests at all times and will act under instructions from the British Government.

    Sir Richard Body
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what would be the effect of the application of article Fa in the draft Amsterdam treaty to a state declining to apply a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. [1733]
    85
    Mr. Henderson
    Draft Article Fa would provide a mechanism for determining whether sanctions could be imposed on a Member State. It would be for the Council to determine whether a refusal to apply a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights merited sanctions and if so, what sanctions would be appropriate. The draft article is still under discussion at the Intergovernmental Conference.

    Sir Richard Body
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on article J.13 of the draft Amsterdam treaty and the circumstances in which a member state could be overruled when a common foreign policy position is being sought. [1715]

    Mr. Henderson
    Article J.13 of the draft Treaty is the subject of current negotiation in the Intergovernmental Conference. The Government does not foresee circumstances in which a Member State could be overruled against its wishes.

    Departmental Publications
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what means his Department makes available its publications in(a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1686]

    Mr. Fatchett
    This Department's leaflet on British Consular Services Abroad is available in large print. We also provide an automated telephone answering service providing recorded travel advice on destinations which give rise to the most enquiries. Advice on other destinations is available from the Travel Advice Unit whose members can read out the advice or provide hard copies in large print. We are currently discussing with the RNIB how we can best publicise these services through RNIB publications. Other publications aimed at an overseas audience are not available in Braille, audio tape or large print.

    Departmental Advisers
    Mr. Denzil Davies
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the names of the political and special advisers appointed to his Department since the general election. [1625]

    Mr. Robin Cook
    Special Advisers who have been appointed are Andrew Hood and David Clark.

    Zaire
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what diplomatic contacts have been made with the new regime in Zaire; and if he will make a statement. [1747]

    Mr. Tony Lloyd
    Her Majesty's Ambassador in Kinshasa met Mr. Kabila on 24 May. He was one of the first Ambassadors to do so. The Embassy in Kinshasa is in contact with other members of the Alliance in line with normal diplomatic relations with an incoming administration. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz).

    Immigration Staff
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials are employed in the Migration and Visa Correspondence Unit; what is the average time it takes to deal with an hon. Member's inquiry; and how many outstanding cases there were on 5 May. [1823]

    Mr. Fatchett
    There are 12 officials working in the Correspondence Unit. The Unit's target for replying to letters from hon. Members is 15 working days. There were 195 letters awaiting reply on 11 May; the figure for 5 May is not available.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff deal with immigration-related issues in the posts at(a) Bombay, (b) New Delhi, (c) Calcutta, (d) Islamabad, (e) Karachi and (f) Dacca. [1824]

    Mr. Fatchett
    Excluding the head of post or mission, the number of staff dealing with entry clearance issues (though not all are full time) in the Posts referred to are as follows:

    Number

    (a) Bombay

    41

    (b) New Delhi

    49

    (c) Calcutta

    4

    (d) Islamabad

    95

    (e) Karachi

    21

    (f) Dacca

    55

    Japan
    Mr. Drew
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for compensation for former prisoners of war in Japanese prison camps. [1515]

    Mr. Fatchett
    We recognise the great sacrifices made by those who suffered in Japanese prison camps in the Second World War, and share the widespread public sympathy and concern for them. We accept that the question of compensation was legally settled in the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty. Strong feelings, however, continue in this country and we are in close contact with the Japanese Government about these concerns.

    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to adopt a social model of disability in framing all future and amending previous relevant legislation and guidance; and if he will make a statement. [1687]

    Mr. Tony Lloyd
    This Department has a Programme for Action to achieve equality of opportunity for disabled staff. We seek to ensure that our policies take full account of human rights, including those of disabled people.

  TREASURY

    Bank of England
    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for the tenure of(a) the Governor, (b) Deputy Governor and (c) Members of the Court of the Bank of England; and how he plans to meet the requirements of the Maastricht treaty in this area. [287]

    Mr. Gordon Brown
    The Government propose that the Governor and the two Deputy Governors will be appointed for five year terms. The non-Executive Members of the Court will be appointed for three year terms. The Government's decision to give the Bank operational responsibility for setting interest rates is a British solution, designed to meet British domestic needs for stability. Decisions on EMU will be taken if and when required, and will have to be agreed by Cabinet, Parliament and the people.

    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the measures he has proposed for the independence of the Bank of England meet all the requirements for bank independence in the Maastricht treaty. [299]

    Mr. Brown
    No. The measures proposed are different in a number of key respects. Further legislation on the Bank would be required if the UK wanted to join EMU.

    Landfill Tax
    Mrs. Helen Jackson
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the environmental bodies which enrolled with ENTRUST under the landfill tax credits scheme; [609]

    (2) if he will list the projects which have been endorsed by ENTRUST for funding with the money so far disbursed, indicating their projected budget, and their location. [610]

    Dawn Primarolo
    [holding answer 21 May 1997]: A list of the environmental bodies enrolled under the landfill tax credits scheme, the projects which have been endorsed for funding with the money so far disbursed and their location has been placed in the Library. The information on the projected budget for each project is currently unavailable but I will ensure that it is placed in the Library as soon as it becomes so.

    Mrs. Jackson
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been paid to ENTRUST by waste companies under the landfill tax credits scheme. [616]

    Dawn Primarolo
    [holding answer 21 May 1997]: ENTRUST has been notified by the environmental bodies of receipts of contributions under the scheme totalling some £1.5 million to date.

    Mrs. Jackson
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money ENTRUST has received from its one per cent levy on money paid to environmental bodies under the landfill tax credit scheme. [617]

    Dawn Primarolo
    [holding answer 21 May 1997]: ENTRUST has invoiced the environmental bodies that have informed it of receipts of contributions under the scheme. So far it has received £5,795.26.

    Single Currency
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of United Kingdom companies, by industry sector, currently preparing for the introduction of the single currency. [1016]

    Mrs. Liddell
    The wholesale financial sector will be immediately affected by introduction of the single currency, whether or not the United Kingdom participates. Preparations in this sector are now advanced. The need for preparations by other businesses depends on whether the United Kingdom adopts the single currency, and the sector in which they operate, given that the introduction of banknotes and coins will take place about three years after participating countries adopt the euro. My impression is that the preparedness of companies varies, though I have no estimate of the number of firms by industrial sector which are making preparations.

    Road Fuel Duty
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's policy in respect of the annual rate of increase of road fuel duty. [1001]

    Dawn Primarolo
    This government recognises the importance of the rate of road fuel duty in meeting our commitments to reducing emissions of CO2. Together with colleagues I shall be considering how best to make a contribution towards this commitment.

    Furs Ban
    Mr. Gummer
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans HM Customs and Excise have to enforce the ban on furs caught by leghold traps if and when it comes into force. [852]

    Dawn Primarolo
    In the event of the introduction of an EU wide ban of furs from animals caught by leghold traps, fur imports from third countries will be subjected to regulatory checks by Customs making full use of their electronic entry processing system and to appropriate anti-smuggling activities. Customs' legal powers of confiscation would apply to any furs imported in breach of such a ban just as they do to any other prohibited goods.

    Interest and Exchange Rates
    Mr. Mitchell
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the increase or decrease in(a) the real and (b) the nominal rate of interest in May 1997 over that in the last quarter of (i) 1973, (ii) 1976, (iii) 1985, (iv) 1991, (v) 1992 and (vi) 1995; [961]

    (2) what was the increase or decrease in (a) the real and (b) the nominal exchange rate against (1) the deutschmark and (2) the United States dollar in May 1997 over the last quarter of (i) 1973, (ii) 1976, (iii) 1985, (iv) 1991, (v) 1992 and (iv) 1995. [962]

    Mrs. Liddell
    The interest rate data can be derived from Table 7.10 and Table 7.2A of Financial Statistics, published by the ONS.

    The nominal exchange rate data can be derived from Table 29 of Main Economic Indicators, published by the OECD. The real exchange rates can then be calculated using the consumer prices indices in Table 18.

    Married Couples (Taxation)
    Mr. MacShane
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer over what time scale he has instructed the Inland Revenue to complete the report into the taxation of married couples announced by the former Financial Secretary on 17 March; and if he will publish it. [1223]

    Mr. Gordon Brown
    The Government have asked Martin Taylor to conduct a review of the tax and benefits systems. This will concentrate on streamlining and modernising the tax and benefits systems so as to promote work incentives, reduce poverty and welfare dependency, and strengthen community and family life.

    Building Societies (Share Certificates)
    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the legal responsibilities of building societies which convert to banks in respect of informing investors that they are entitled to receive the share certificate for their windfall shares. [1221]

    Mrs. Liddell
    Once a building society has converted to a bank, the new company is obliged to issue certificates to its shareholders, unless the shares are dematerialised. Where this is so, the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995 requires that new shares are issued in uncertificated form only to those who are system members of CREST. As this requires positive action, the default position is that newly converted societies are obliged to issue shareholders with certificates, unless they have elected to become members of CREST, and receive uncertificated shares. So the question of an obligation to inform shareholders that they are entitled to a certificate does not arise.

    In addition, shareholders are free to elect a nominee to hold shares on their behalf. Those who do so would also not receive a certificate, even if the shares have not been dematerialised, because they are registered in the name of the nominee, not the shareholder.

    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received in respect of the issue of share certificates by the Halifax building society as a result of its flotation on the stock exchange; and if he will make a statement. [1222]

    Mrs. Liddell
    None.

    Business VAT Returns
    Mrs. Anne Campbell
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many random checks on business value added tax returns were carried out in each of the last three years for which figures are available, by region and ethnicity of the business owner. [1110]

    Dawn Primarolo
    Customs does not hold the statistics requested.

    Private Health Insurance (Tax Relief)
    Mr. Colvin
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual financial saving to the Exchequer from abolishing tax relief on private patient insurance schemes for the elderly. [1099]
    90
    Dawn Primarolo
    The total tax relief on private medical insurance contracts for individuals aged 60 or over is estimated to be about £120 million in 1997–98.

    Banking Supervision
    Mr. Mitchell
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will include in his proposals for banking supervision arrangements for auditors of all banks regulated under the Banking Act 1987 to be appointed by the regulatory body. [1537]

    Mrs. Liddell
    We have no plans to include such arrangements.

    Departmental Publications
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what means his Department makes available its publications in(a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1688]

    Mrs. Liddell
    If requested Treasury publications would be made available in braille using braille transcripton services. However to date this has not been requested.

    Similarly, if requested, the Treasury could make arrangements to have publications produced on audio tape.

    However as these services cannot be provided in-house, they are not publicised as Treasury services.

    In addition, all public Treasury documents are produced in the optimum typeface sizes (at least 12 point). These are also available on the Internet, where they can be heard by visually handicapped people who have access to a "talking computer" or can be printed out as text of any size.

    Vehicle Excise Duty
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to graduate the rate of vehicle excise duty by the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. [1002]

    Dawn Primarolo
    The Government are keeping all options for vehicle excise duty under review.

    Electoral Registration
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of those eligible to vote he estimates were not registered to vote at the time of(a) the 1987 General Election, (b) the 1992 General Election and (c) the 1997 General Election. [1493]

    Mrs. Liddell
    The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange a reply to be given.

    Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 2 June 1997:
    The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to your recent question asking how many of those eligible to vote he estimates were not registered to vote at the time of (a) the 1987 General Election, (b) the 1992 General Election and (c) the 1997 General Election.

    91
    There is not enough information to give a reliable figure for those missing from the Electoral Register. It is not possible to compare registration figures with estimates of the resident population directly because these two sources are not compiled on the same basis. The differences between the coverage of the Electoral Registers and the mid year population estimates have been published in Appendix B to the ONS publication '1996 Electoral Statistics' series EL no. 23, a copy of which is attached.
    An approximate figure has been calculated for the UK resident population who were eligible to vote in 1987 and 1992 and, relative to the number of electors registered in 1987 and 1992, this suggests that 2.6% and 4.5% of those eligible to vote were not registered in these two years respectively.
    An estimate cannot be made for those registered at the time of the 1997 General Election because mid year estimates for the resident population at the preceding mid year are not yet available. This will be possible to do when the ONS publish the 1996 mid year population estimates which is planned for August 1997.

    The table below shows the numbers of parliamentary electors in Great Britain between 1976 and 1996 collated by ONS and the General Register Office for Scotland from returns made by local Electoral Registration Officers. These are compared with roughly corresponding estimates of the resident population.

    Parliamentary electors (Thousands) (a)

    Approximate corresponding resident population at preceding mid-year1 (Thousands) (b)

    (a) as percentage of (b)

    1976

    39,739

    40,870

    97.2

    1981

    41,069

    42,108

    97.5

    1982

    41,405

    42,369

    97.7

    1983

    41,642

    42,584

    97.8

    1984

    41,906

    42,859

    97.8

    1985

    42,048

    43,167

    97.4

    1986

    42,305

    43,470

    97.3

    1987

    42,563

    43,722

    97.4

    1988

    42,596

    43,965

    96.9

    1989

    42,492

    44,164

    96.2

    1990

    42,533

    44,360

    95.9

    1991

    42,424

    44,502

    95.3

    1992

    42,583

    44,628

    95.4

    1993

    42,565

    44,713

    95.2

    1994

    42,624

    44,781

    95.2

    1995

    42,727

    44,861

    95.2

    1996

    42,808

    45,012

    95.1

    1 Persons aged 17 and over, together with 63 per cent of those aged 16, who became 18 during the period when each register was in use. No account has been taken of adults who died between the mid-year reference date for population estimates and the 10 October qualifying date for the following year's electoral register.

    The ratios in the final column suggest that coverage of the electoral register has been steady in recent years, after a decline in the period between 1986 and 1991. However, these ratios need to be treated with care and do not represent the proportion of eligible persons who were on the register at their qualifying address for a number of reasons:
    the electoral register (the numerator) contains some redundant entries for people who had already moved elsewhere or died at the time when it was compiled but whose names were nonetheless carried forward to a new register;
    the electoral register contains some legitimate dual registrations, for example by students and owners of second homes;
    the electoral register, but not the population estimates (the denominator) includes overseas voters and service voters who are living abroad; the population estimates include residents who were ineligible to be on the electoral register because they were neither British Commonwealth nor Republic of Ireland citizens.
    92
    The effects of these various factors, which operate upon the ratios in both directions, are not known precisely.
    A small sample survey (Electoral registration in 1991—S. Smith, ONS (1993)) carried out by ONS following the 1991 Census of Population gave a central estimate of 92.9 per cent. (standard error 0.36 per cent.) for the proportion of eligible residents in Great Britain who were registered as electors at their usual addresses. This figure needs qualification, too. It relates to people who lived in private households, and it does not cover people who were not enumerated in the Census. On the implausibly extreme assumption that all people missed by the Census were also missing from the electoral register where they lived the proportion of eligible people covered by the latter could have been as low as 91.0 per cent.
    Those living in London, attainers and young adults, people who had changed their residence within the last year, New Commonwealth citizens in the non-white ethnic groups, and those living in rented accommodation were all found more likely than other people to be missing from the electoral registers.

    Overseas Electors
    Mr. Colvin
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, by parliamentary constituency, the total number of overseas electors registered in each constituency in the United Kingdom. [844]

    Mrs. Liddell
    The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

    Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Michael Colvin, dated 2 June 1997:
    The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to your recent question about overseas electors registered in each constituency in the United Kingdom.
    ONS have published, by parliamentary constituency, the number of overseas electors on the 1997 Electoral Registers for the United Kingdom. This information was published on 26 March 1997 in ONS Monitor EL97/1, and is available in the Library.

    Interest Rates (Bank of England)
    Mr. Ben Chapman
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the role of the Bank of England's agents in the setting of interest rates. [1122]

    Mrs. Liddell
    Interest rate decisions will be made by a Monetary Policy Committee, on the basis of a majority vote. The MPC will require regional and sectoral information for the purposes of monetary policy formation, including reports from the Bank's agents. The non-Executive Members of the Court will review the performance of the MPC, with particular regard to whether the Bank is collecting proper regional and sectoral information.

    Labour Statistics
    Mr. Roy Beggs
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the methods by which the numbers unemployed in the United Kingdom are quantified. [1431]

    Mrs. Liddell
    The Director of the Office for National Statistics is responsible for deciding the form, coverage and timing of release of statistics issued by his Office, taking into account the views of customers. ONS is presently consulting customers on the future presentation of labour market statistics; the consultation exercises was
    93
    launched through an article in the Labour Market Trends published on 8 May. Comments on the proposals should be sent to ONS by 14 June.

    The proposals set out for consultation reflect the House of Commons Employment Select Committee recommendation that more prominence should be given to the measure of unemployment which is based on the internationally agreed ILO definition.

    Bereavement Allowance
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to extend eligibility for the widows bereavement allowance to widowers. [593]

    Dawn Primarolo
    There are no plans to extend the widows bereavement allowance to widowers.

    Budget Statement
    Ms Lawrence
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to make his Budget Statement. [1909]

    Mr. Gordon Brown
    I am pleased to announce that the Budget Statement, promised in the manifesto, will be on Wednesday 2 July.

    Inland Revenue (Salisbury Office)
    Mr. Key
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of the Salisbury local office of the Inland Revenue. [74]

    Dawn Primarolo
    [holding answer 19 May 1997]: Salisbury Tax Office is not currently proposed for a closure under the Inland Revenue's long-term programme of office restructuring.

    Unemployment (Humberside)
    Mr. McNamara
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by each year of age, the number of(a) male and (b) female 18 to 25-year-olds currently unemployed in Hull. [145]

    Mrs. Liddell
    [holding answer 19 May 1997]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

    Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 2 June 1997:
    The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to your recent question (145) on the number of (a) male and (b) female 18 to 25 year olds currently unemployed in Hull travel-to-work area (TTWA) by each year of age.
    ONS produce two measures of unemployment. The first, derived from the quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS), is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are: a) without a paid job; b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.
    ONS also publishes the monthly claimant count, which is based on the administrative system and includes all people claiming unemployment-related benefits (i.e. Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support or National Insurance credits) at Employment Service offices on the day of the monthly count, who on that day had signed on as unemployed and available to do any suitable work. Essentially, all people who attend an Employment Service office to sign are counted, irrespective of whether they are actually receiving benefit.
    94
    The information you have requested for Hull is only available from the claimant count and is shown in the attached table.

    Unadjusted claimant unemployment in Hull TTWA in April 1997

    Age band

    Male

    Female

    18

    396

    251

    19

    466

    236

    20–241

    2,362

    771

    1 It is not possible to separate individual years from the total, the nearest claimant count approximation relates to the number of unemployed 20–24 year olds.

    Mr. McNamara
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many(a) males and (b) females aged 18 to 25 years are currently unemployed in Kingston upon Hull, North; what percentage of the national total for this age bracket this figure represents; and if he will break down these figures into totals for males and females; [144]

    (2) how many (a) males and (b) females in Hull aged 18 to 25 years are currently unemployed; and what percentage of the national total for this age bracket these figures represent. [143]

    Mrs. Liddell
    [holding answer 19 May 1997]The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

    Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 2 June 1997:
    The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to your recent questions (143 and 144) on unemployment in the Kingston upon Hull North parliamentary constituency and Hull travel-to-work area (TTWA).
    ONS produce two measures of unemployment. The first, derived from the quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS), is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are: a) without a paid job; b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.
    ONS also publishes the monthly claimant count, which is based on the administrative system and includes all people claiming unemployment-related benefits (i.e. Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support or National Insurance credits) at Employment Service offices on the day of the monthly count, who on that day had signed on as unemployed and available to do any suitable work. Essentially, all people who attend an Employment Service office to sign are counted, irrespective of whether they are actually receiving benefit.
    The information you have requested is only available from the claimant count and is given in the attached table. Figures are not available for the 18 to 25 age band, and those for 18 to 24 are shown instead.

    Unadjusted claimant unemployment aged 18–24 years as a percentage of the total unemployed in April 1997

    Males

    Females

    Number

    Percentage of total unemployed

    Number

    percentage of total unemployed

    Parliamentary Constituency

    Kingston upon Hull North

    1,088

    0.36

    424

    0.35

    TTWA

    Hull

    3,224

    1.08

    1,258

    1.03

    95
    Mr. McNamara
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list by each year of age the number of 18 to 25 year-olds currently unemployed in Kingston upon Hull, North; and if he will break down each year's figures into totals for males and females; [146]

    (2) how many (a) males and (b) females have been unemployed in (a) Hull and (b) Kingston upon Hull, North for more than (i) six months, (ii) 12 months, (iii) 18 months and (iv) 24 months. [147]

    Mrs. Liddell
    [holding answer 19 May 1997]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

    Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 2 June 1997:
    The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to your recent questions (146 and 147) on unemployment in the Kingston upon Hull North parliamentary constituency and Hull travel-to-work area (TTWA).
    ONS produce two measures of unemployment. The first, derived from the quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS), is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are; a) without a paid job; b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.
    ONS also publishes the monthly claimant count, which is based on the administrative system and includes all people claiming unemployment-related benefits (i.e. Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support or National Insurance credits) at Employment Service offices on the day of the monthly count, who on that day had signed on as unemployed and available to do any suitable work. Essentially, all people who attend an Employment Service office to sign are counted, irrespective of whether they are actually receiving benefit.
    The information you have requested for Hull and Kingston upon Hull North is only available for the claimant count, accessible from the Nomis database at the House of Commons Library.

    Fuel (Value Added Tax)
    Mr. Fabricant
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the gain per annum for the average family if VAT on fuel were reduced from 8 per cent. to 5 per cent. and the net gains to pensioners if the VAT fuel subsidy was withdrawn accordingly. [619]

    Dawn Primarolo
    [holding answer 22 May 1997]: The estimated full year gain in 1997–98 for the average household; if VAT on domestic fuel and power was reduced from 8 per cent. to 5 per cent., is about £18 per annum. Amongst households with a pensioner head, the average gain is slightly under £16 per annum. The VAT fuel subsidy was designed to compensate pensioners and other vulnerable groups with average spending on fuel and power. If the subsidy were reduced to directly reflect the reduced expenditure on fuel and power there would, on average, be no net gain or loss.

    Correspondence
    Mr. Blunt
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his letter of 15 May, for how many days before any Budget it will be inappropriate for Treasury Ministers to comment on written representations from hon. Members and given hon. Members a personal reply. [1057]
    96
    Dawn Primarolo
    [holding answer 22 May 1997]: From the time that Treasury Ministers write to let hon. Members know, which will normally be two to three months before a Budget.

    Windfall Levy
    Mr. Gill
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the proposed windfall tax on the privatisation utilities is likely to generate(a) in the first 12 months of its operation and (b) over the next five years. [213]

    Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
    [holding answer 22 May 1997]: The Chancellor of the Exchequer will announce details of the windfall levy in his Budget Statement.

    Mr. Malcolm Bruce
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the companies which will be subject to a windfall levy; and if he will make a statement. [763]

    Mr. Robinson
    [holding answer 21 May 1997]: The Chancellor of the Exchequer will announce details of the windfall levy in his Budget Statement.

    Nolan Committee
    Mr. Boswell
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his proposed appointments to the Bank of England monetary policy committee will be subject to procedures recommended by the Nolan committee. [179]

    Mrs Liddell
    [holding answer 21 May 1997]: The committee will include the Governor and two Deputy Governors appointed by the Government, and two members appointed by the Governor. It will also include four other members appointed from outside the Bank by the Government. They will be recognised experts. They will be allowed to engage, with the Government's approval, in other activities which do not give rise to a conflict of interest.

  PRIME MINISTER

    Mr. Alastair Campbell and Mr. Jonathan Powell
    Mr. Fallon
    To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the terms and conditions under which Mr. Alastair Campbell and Mr. Jonathan Powell are employed as civil servants at No. 10 Downing Street. [758]

    The Prime Minister
    Alastair Campbell is employed as my Press Secretary and Jonathan Powell as my Chief of Staff. There are precedents of such appointments under previous Conservative administrations. Both are employed as Special Advisers, under terms and conditions based on the model contract for Special Advisers, which I have placed in the Library today. The salary arrangements and paybills for Special Adviser appointments and other relevant information will be announced in due course. Special Advisers are normally restricted to an advisory role. As previously announced, an amendment has been made to the Civil Service Order in Council, providing for an exception to this rule for a maximum of three appointments in my office.

    Political Appointments
    Mr. Peter Bottomley
    To ask the Prime Minister how many political appointments have been offered and
    97
    accepted in No. 10 Downing Street, in the Cabinet Office and in any other department and agency; and if he will list the comparable numbers before the change of Government. [1704]

    The Prime Minister
    I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Tyrie) today. There were 38 such paid appointees in post as at 27 February 1997.

    Mr. Tyrie
    To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the political advisers and other political appointees to the civil service made since 1 May; if each appointment has been approved by him; what is the total annual salary bill of such political advisers and other political appointees; and what was the equivalent bill in 1997 prices of the equivalent appointments made in the two weeks following 3 May 1979. [753]

    The Prime Minister
    [holding answer 20 May 1997]: In relation to my office, I refer the hon. Member to the list of appointments I have given today to the hon. Member for Worthing, West (Mr. Bottomley).

    For other Cabinet Ministers, I have approved, subject to agreement on their salaries, the following Special Advisers who will be paid from public funds:

    Minister

    Name of appointee

    Minister Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

    Tim Walker

    Cathy McGlynn

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

    Andrew Lappin

    Secretary of State for Defence

    Alasdair McGowan

    Secretary of State for Education and Employment

    Conor Ryan

    Sophie Linden

    Deputy Prime Minister

    Joe Irvin

    Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

    Andrew Hood

    David Clark

    Secretary of State for Health

    Joe McCrea

    Home Secretary

    Norman Warner

    Ed Owen

    Secretary of State for International Development

    Daniel Harris

    Jessica Crowe

    Lord Privy Seal

    Marianne Morris

    Damian Welfare

    Secretary of State for National Heritage

    Julian Eccles

    John Newbiggin

    Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

    Nigel Warner

    Anna Healy

    President of the Council

    Ian McKenzie

    Secretary of State for Scotland

    Murray Elder

    Wendy Alexander

    Secretary of State for Social Security

    John McTernan

    Liz Kendall

    President of the Board of Trade

    Dan Corry

    Sheila Watson

    98

    Minister

    Name of appointee

    Minister of State Transport

    Kate Davies

    Chancellor of the Exchequer

    Ed Balls

    Charles Whelan

    The Chief Secretary, Treasury

    Edward Miliband

    Andrew Maugham

    Secretary of State for Wales

    John Adams

    Huw Roberts

    In addition, Michael Barber has been appointed as the Standards and Effectiveness Adviser to the Department of Education and Employment. I will provide the information on the total salary bill when agreement has been reached with each individual on their precise employment terms.

    In the two weeks following 3 May 1979, five Special Adviser appointments were made, at a total salary bill in 1997 prices of £163,000.

    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Prime Minister how many political appointments to his Private Office, Press Office and elsewhere in Downing Street have been made since 30 April; and how many such appointees were in place on 30 April 1996. [1575]

    The Prime Minister
    I refer the hon. Member to the list of appointments in the reply that I have given today to the hon. Member for Worthing, West (Mr. Bottomley).

    Eight such appointees were in place on 30 April 1996.

    Mr. Bottomley
    To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the name, function and salary of each political appointee in No. 10 Downing Street and associated offices, stating by whom the salary is paid, or whether the appointment is unpaid. [1705]

    The Prime Minister
    As we made clear during the election campaign, I believe it is important to bolster the centre of Government and bring in fresh ideas, while at the same time maintaining and supporting a politically neutral civil service.

    I have approved the following Special Adviser appointments in No. 10 Downing Street:

    Policy Unit

    David Miliband

    Robert Hill

    Peter Hyman

    Roger Liddle

    Liz Lloyd

    Pat McFadden

    Geoffrey Mulgan

    Geoffrey Norris

    James Purnell

    Derek Scott

    Press Office

    Alastair Campbell

    Tim Allan

    Hilary Coffman

    99

    Chief of Staff

    Jonathan Powell

    Diary Secretary

    Kate Garvey

    Assistants to Mrs Blair

    Fiona Millar (part time)

    Roz Preston (part time)

    Planning and visits

    Anji Hunter

    As special advisers, all will be paid from public funds. Salaries for special advisers are being negotiated individually. Staff in the political office will be paid from Labour Party funds.

    UN General Assembly
    Mr. Dafis
    To ask the Prime Minister which Ministers will represent the United Kingdom Government at the United Nations General Assembly special session in New York on 23–27 June. [106]

    The Prime Minister
    [holding answer 21 May 1997]: I shall be attending the Special Session and will be addressing the General Assembly on 23 June. My right hon. Friends, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for International Development and my hon. Friend, the Minister for the Environment will also attend.

    My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, is playing an active role in preparations for the Special Session, but it is not clear at this stage whether he will be able to attend.

    Freedom of Information Bill
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Prime Minister what factors underlay his decision not to introduce a Freedom of Information Bill in the present session. [574]

    The Prime Minister
    [holding answer 21 May 1997]: It is important to have full public consultation on the content of this Bill. To this end, we will shortly be setting out the Government's proposals for a Freedom of Information Bill in a White Paper. We then hope to publish a draft bill, for consultation, early in the new year.

    Lobbyists
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Prime Minister if he will ensure that details of all contacts, formal and informal, between Government Ministers and lobbyists are recorded and made available for parliamentary scrutiny. [95]

    The Prime Minister
    [holding answer 20 May 1997]: Ministers will in the normal course of business receive deputations from many groups who are concerned to press their own interests or those of their clients. Departments will have a record of all Ministerial meetings, but I do not consider that it would be practicable either to publish all such records or to distinguish particular groups as lobbyists.

    Removal Costs
    Mr. Wilshire
    To ask the Prime Minister if public funds were used to pay for the cost of his and his family's move to Downing street. [308]

    The Prime Minister
    [holding answer 20 May 1997]: There were no additional costs to public funds from my and my family's move to Downing Street.

  AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

    BSE
    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has evaluated on the incidence of BSE-related conditions in animals other than cattle. [9]

    Mr. Rooker
    The following table gives the number of confirmed Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) cases in animals other than cattle in Great Britain as at 30 April 1997.

    Species

    Number of cases

    Ankole cow

    2

    Bison

    1

    Cheetah1

    3

    Domestic cat

    77

    Eland

    6

    Gemsbok

    1

    Kudu

    6

    Nyala

    1

    Ocelot

    2

    Oryx (Arabian)

    1

    Oryx (scimitar horned)

    1

    Puma

    3

    Tiger2

    1

    1 Plus two litter mates that died in zoos abroad.

    2 Plus another positive but clinically normal.

    Until November 1994, with the exception of BSE and scrapie, none of the other TSEs were notifiable. On the other hand, the Government believe that most cases of TSE have been reported to Agriculture Departments and epidemiological investigations have been carried out where possible. With respect to exotic ruminants, risk of infection was primarily associated with consumption of feed, often produced for cattle, which contained meat and bone meal (MBM). With respect to exotic felines and domestic cats, the risk was considered to be associated with consumption of central nervous system tissue which could legally be fed to them until it was banned in September 1990.

    No cases of TSE have been found confirmed in canines, although a case of spongiform encephalopathy in a Norwegian dog showing a spongiform change in the brain is under investigation. This is not yet confirmed and speculation about its origin delayed until results are available.

    Mr. Grogan
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on(a) the disposal of carcases of cattle with BSE in landfill sites between 1988 and 1991 and (b) the progress of the Ministry's risk assessment of a set of the landfill sites used for the burials; [967]
    101
    (2) if a risk assessment, with special reference to the effect on the water table, is being undertaken regarding the disposal of carcases with BSE at the Darrington Leys quarry. [970]

    Mr. Rooker
    In the early years of the BSE epidemic, incineration capacity was insufficient to deal with all the cattle involved. Therefore, during the summer of 1988 this department approached North Yorkshire County Council seeking licensed landfill facilities for disposal of BSE suspect cattle. At that time, the County Council was responsible as a waste disposal authority for the granting and supervision of licences under Part I of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Following an assessment by the authority of the landfill sites then in its ownership, Darrington Leys Quarry was identified by the authority as suitable for the disposal of waste of this kind. The Ministry's records, cross checked with those available to the Environment Agency, indicate that the carcases of fewer than 40 cattle affected, or suspected of being affected, with BSE were disposed of at the Darrington Leys Quarry landfill site between August 1988 and July 1990.

    In May last year a sub-group of the independent Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC), which advises Ministers on BSE, considered the issue of BSE and the environment, including the past disposal of BSE suspect cattle to landfill. It considered that although the spongiform encephalopathy agent was not yet fully characterised, there was good evidence to believe that individual molecules were not infectious and that infectivity was associated with macro molecular agglomerations indeed possibly with tissue fragments, albeit small ones. On this basis they concluded it was unlikely that leachate from landfill sites would present a significant risk and there was certainly no justification for taking heroic measures to excavate sites, even those which had previously been used for material such as BSE-confirmed cattle.

    The Environment Agency has regulatory responsibility for supervising the safe operation of landfill sites and is in possession of SEAC's advice. The Agency monitors ground water quality in the vicinity of licensed landfill sites as a check for any leachate contamination. The Agency, not this department, is assessing data in respect of all the sites concerned and, in quantitative terms, on a typical selection of identified sites to determine whether there is a possibility of impact on water quality. The Agency is progressing this as quickly as possible and are seeking the views of SEAC on the approach taken.

    Mr. Grogan
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the cattle buried at Darrington Leys quarry near Cridling Stubbs were subsequently proved to be carrying the BSE virus following tests by his Department. [968]

    Mr. Rooker
    Compulsory slaughter of all suspects, with compensation, was introduced from August 1988. Under these arrangements the heads of suspects were removed from the carcases for confirmation of the presence, or otherwise, of BSE and were subsequently incinerated. No BSE suspects have been disposed of by landfilling since 1991, when sufficient carcase incineration capacity came on stream to process the number of cases that were coming forward.
    102
    The carcases of fewer than 40 cattle affected, or suspected of being affected, with BSE were disposed of at the Darrington Leys quarry. To establish from records how many of those cattle had BSE would involve disproportionate costs. However, we know from total national figures for BSE suspects that approximately 75 per cent. of cases examined subsequently prove positive. Applying this rate to the cases landfilled at Darrington Leys quarry would suggest that fewer than 30 of the cattle would have been confirmed cases.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 21 May,Official Report column 98, on the incidence of BSE in the next 10 years, if he will list the assumptions that have been made in anticipating that the BSE epidemic will be close to extinction by 2001. [1512]

    Mr. Rooker
    The assumptions that were made in predicting future trends in the incidence of BSE are set out in the paper written by Professor R. M. Anderson et al, to which I referred in my answer of 21 May. A copy of Professor Anderson's paper can be found at Appendix 5 of the November 1996 Progress Report which has been placed in the Library of the House. A correction to that paper was published in Nature on 20 March 1997.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 21 May,Official Report column 98, on the projected cost of the cattle cull, what factors underlie the difference between the figures in his answer and earlier estimates of the total cost given by his Department. [1513]

    Mr. Rooker
    The estimated cost of the selective cull quoted in my reply of 21 May assumes 100,000 animals are slaughtered. It encompasses compensation, disposal and operating costs, but does not take account of EC receipts and consequential savings to the OTMS.

    It is not apparent to which earlier estimates my hon. Friend is referring. We are, of course, refining our estimates as the cull proceeds and more information on the actual costs is obtained.

    If my hon. Friend wishes to write to me on any specific points I should be happy to respond to them.

    Beef
    Mr. Paul Marsden
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial assistance he plans to provide to beef farmers in Shropshire during the period that the European beef ban remains in force. [1064]

    Mr. Rooker
    Shropshire beef farmers continue to benefit from the considerable volume of public expenditure which is being used to underpin the beef market, through the Over Thirty Month and Calf Processing Aid Schemes, and the extended intervention arrangements. In addition, they continue to be able to claim for Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium and Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances, through which they received over £13 million in 1996–97.

    Departmental Computer Systems
    Mr. Nigel Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer systems will be millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1246]

    Mr. Morley
    A programme of millennium preparations consisting of a series of parallel projects covering different aspects of the Department's computer systems and the associated technical infrastructure has been established under the general direction of the Department's IT Steering Committee. Another project has been established to address "non-IT" equipment containing embedded microprocessor chip technology, ranging from lifts and security systems to scientific equipment, as these may also be affected.

    Current rate of progress is consistent with the targets set by the Central IT Unit of the Cabinet Office and CCTA, namely that:
    an audit to identify the work needed to address the date change in the Department's computer systems was completed earlier this year;
    prioritised and costed plans for undertaking the work that is needed (which is already underway) will be provided to CCTA by October 1997;
    preparations for all business critical systems will have been completed by 31 December 1998, subject where appropriate to a final check of end-of-year financial systems by April 1999.

    Water Demand
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the demand for water from (i) organic and (ii) conventional agricultural farms; and if he will make a statement. [1324]

    Mr. Morley
    The Department has commissioned research on present and future irrigation water requirements and the value of various water conservation methods and irrigation techniques in meeting those requirements. The research does not distinguish between organic and conventional agriculture. The final report of the study is expected shortly.

    Set-aside Land
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what area of land is currently under set-aside; what percentage this is of agricultural land; and what are the equivalent figures in other EU Member states. [1326]

    Mr. Rooker
    The information requested is not yet available for the current year. Most farmers have only recently submitted their 1997 IACS applications which detail the areas they have set aside. However, the figures for 1996, as compiled by the European Commission, are given in the following table. The obligatory set-aside rate in 1996 was 10 per cent. but under the Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS) small scale producers do not have to set land aside. In addition, farmers may enter more than the minimum 10 per cent. of their arable area into set-aside if they wish.
    104

    Member State

    Set-aside (hectares)

    Set-aside as percentage of land in the AAPS1

    United Kingdom

    485,020

    11

    Austria

    115,340

    10

    Belgium

    17,640

    4

    Denmark

    220,712

    11

    Finland

    169,807

    13

    France

    1,405,629

    10

    Germany

    1,206,903

    12

    Greece

    15,255

    1

    Ireland

    22,977

    8

    Italy

    229,581

    5

    Luxembourg

    1,745

    5

    Netherlands

    9,532

    2

    Portugal

    57,386

    6

    Spain

    1,313,621

    14

    Sweden

    308,656

    19

    EU total

    5,579,804

    11

    1 Land in the AAPS does not include pasture or areas sown to crops outside the scheme.

    Waste Disposal (Hurd Deep)
    Mr. Llew Smith
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what environmental monitoring his Department's radiobiology laboratories have conducted at the Hurd Deep site off Alderney; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy for monitoring and compiling data on the disposal of toxic waste at sea. [1434]

    Mr. Morley
    MAFF has carried out monitoring for radioactivity in marine materials from around the Channel Islands since 1965, and from around the Hurd Deep itself since 1989. Materials sampled include fish, shellfish, seaweed, sediments and seawater. Results of this monitoring are compiled and published annually along with other result's of MAFF's programme for monitoring levels of radioactivity in the marine environment around the UK. Copies of these publications are placed in the Library of the House. The results show that man-made radioactivity around the Channel Islands is detectable but that levels are very low and give no cause for concern.

    The Department also carries out an extensive programme of monitoring and research related to non-radioactive contaminants and the effects of disposal of waste at sea. The dumping of toxic waste at sea is not permitted.

    Mr. Smith
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the disposal of intermediate level radioactive waste arising from the UK Atomic Energy Authority's Research programme at the Hurd Deep. [1438]

    Mr. Morley
    Between 1950 and 1963, around 15,720 tonnes of radioactive waste was disposed of in the Hurd Deep. Most of this material originated from the UKAEA facility at Harwell, and it contained, in total, around 14.6 TBq of alpha activity and 47.0 TBq of beta and gamma activity. All of this waste was categorised at the time as low level. It is possible that very small amounts of waste which today would be regarded as intermediate level were included, but the overall levels of radioactivity in the material are low. Exposure of Channel Islanders to man-made radiation is less than 3 per cent. of the
    105
    recommended limit for members of the public, and is only a tiny fraction of the radiation dose received from natural sources.

    Water Usage
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what statistics his Department collates on the amount of water used each year(a) on individual farms, (b) in farming areas and (c) in the agricultural industry as a whole; and if he will make a statement. [1325]

    Mr. Morley
    A Survey of Irrigation of Outdoor Crops is held periodically. The most recent survey covered the 1995 crop year, in England. Information about the amount of water used is collected from individual farms, but it is not possible to publish individual details for reasons of confidentiality.

    The estimated total volume of water applied in 1995, for outdoor crops, was as follows:

    Standard statistical region

    Volume of water applied (thousand cubic metres)

    North

    924

    Yorkshire and Humberside

    17,767

    East Midlands

    27,676

    East Anglia

    62,560

    South East

    24,707

    South West

    5,552

    West Midlands

    21,839

    North West

    3,041

    England

    1164,067

    1 Figures do not add to total due to rounding.

    Results of the 1995 Survey were published in MAFF Statistics Notice 222/96 (revised).

    Organic Farming
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what area of land is currently farmed organically; what percentage this is of agricultural land; and what are the equivalent figures in other EU Member States. [1327]

    Mr. Morley
    As at 30 April 1997, there were 50,772 hectares of land in organic production in the UK. This represents about 0.3 per cent. of the total agricultural land available.

    Available information shows that in 1996 organically farmed land constituted less than 1 per cent. of total agricultural area in Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain; between 1 per cent. and 2 per cent. in Finland, Germany, Denmark and Italy; between 3 per cent. and 4 per cent. in Sweden; and between 7 per cent. and 8 per cent. in Austria.

    [Source of EC statistics: "Impact of EC Regulation 2078/92 on the development of organic farming in the European Union, Dr. Nicolas Lampkin, Welsh Institute of Rural Studies, Aberystwyth"]

    Arable Area Payment
    Mr. Tipping
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the(a) maximum, (b) minimum and (c) average payment made under the arable area payments scheme in 1996–97. [1723]
    106
    Mr. Rooker
    The highest payment made for a claim under the 1996 Arable Payments Scheme in England was for £2,007,993. The smallest payment that could be claimed was £60.68 but some claimants may have received less than this because of the application of administrative penalties under the Scheme. The average total payment per claim is estimated to be £23,605.

    Animal Identification
    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 21 May,Official Report, column 102, on animal identification, what is the Community's deadline for the introduction of the database. [1516]

    Mr. Rooker
    31 December 1999. But it is my intention to introduce a computer database well ahead of the Community's deadline.

    Technetium (Lobsters)
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what level of technetium has been reported in lobsters obtained from the Irish Sea in the vicinity of Sellafield. [1787]

    Mr. Morley
    Levels of technetium -99 in lobsters from the Irish Sea close to BNFL Sellafield are reported in the MAFF report—Radioactivity in Food and the Environment, 1995. The average level in lobsters was 8,300 Bq/kg in 1995. In 1996 the level rose to 17,900 Bq/kg in the second quarter and then reduced to 6,430 Bq/kg in the last quarter. The annual radiation exposure to the most exposed group associated with lobster consumption was 18åSv in 1995 and 29åSv/year in 1996. This can be compared with the public dose limit of 1000åSv/year and presents no food safety concerns.

    Flood Alleviation
    Fiona Mactaggart
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reassess the need for the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Alleviation Scheme with particular reference to climate changes; and if he will make a statement. [1729]

    Mr. Morley
    There are no plans to review the need for the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Alleviation Scheme, which was the subject of a detailed local public inquiry in 1992. The Inspector at the inquiry concluded that there was a compelling need for the scheme to proceed in order to provide protection to some 4,800 households, 700 commercial buildings and major communications links. Also, this Department was satisfied that the Environment Agency's proposed works met the technical, environmental and economic criteria for grant aid.

    The possible impact of climate change has been fully considered by the Environment Agency during scheme design. Although there has been a trend towards lower average rainfall in southern England in recent years, studies related to global climate change suggest a possible increase in the frequency and severity of extreme events of the type against which this scheme is intended to provide protection. Whilst there is insufficient evidence to quantify any such changes at present, it would clearly be inappropriate to design the scheme for anything less than the flood conditions experienced in the past 50 years.

  SOCIAL SECURITY

    Pensions
    Mr. Corbett
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals she has to ensure that retirement pensioners share in rising national prosperity. [889]

    Mr. Denham
    Our review of pensions will consider the central areas of insecurity for elderly people, including all aspects of the basic pension and its value. In undertaking this review we will ensure that the views of pensioners are heard.

    We want to get help to Britain's poorest pensioners and we are commissioning research into the reasons why a million pensioners fail to claim the Income Support to which they are entitled.

    Mrs. Osborne
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what plans she has for the basic state pension. [887]

    Mr. Denham
    We will retain the basic State pension as the foundation of security in retirement provision; it has a vital part to play in providing a decent standard of living in retirement. We will increase it at least in line with prices.

    My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will shortly be announcing details of a review of the central areas of insecurity for elderly people. All aspects of the basic pension will be included in our review.

    Mr. Sanders
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will assess the cost to public funds of restoring the link between pensions and earnings for all pensioners aged 18 years and over on 31 December 1945. [61]

    Mr. Denham
    The estimated net cost of restoring the link between the higher of the rise in the Retail Prices Index or Average Earnings for uprating the basic Retirement Pension and linked benefits, for those aged 18 years and over on 31 December 1945 is £5.7 billion in 1997–98.

    Notes:

    1. Costs rounded to £0.1 billion.
    2. Estimate assumes that the earnings link is restored from 1980.
    3. Estimate of gross costs was provided by the Government Actuary's Department. Net costs, allowing for savings on income-related benefit expenditure, have been modelled using the 1994–95 Family Resources Survey and the May 1995 Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry.
    4. Estimate is based on 1997–98 prices, benefits and earnings levels and calibrated to the income-related benefit forecasts underlying the 1996 Departmental Report.

    Information Technology
    Mr. Timms
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the use of information technology in her Department. [897]

    Mr. Keith Bradley
    The DSS uses the largest civil computer system in Europe to support the effective and efficient delivery of Social Security services to the people of this country. We will be assessing the Department's plans for Information Technology to ensure that they will 108
    provide the improved services, better security and value for money that we want to see in a modernised Social Security system.

    Housing Benefit Fraud
    Ms Maria Eagle
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to take steps to reduce housing benefit fraud. [898]

    Mr. Denham
    We plan to crack down on dishonesty in the benefit system, and clamping down on housing benefit fraud will be a key priority. That is crucial if the public is to have confidence in the welfare system. A number of measures to help prevent, deter and detect housing benefit fraud will be brought in over the next few months and we shall consider what further measures are needed.

    Fraud
    Mr. Evans
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures employing new technology she is using to combat social security fraud. [899]

    Mr. Denham
    New technology is widely used within the Department both to deliver benefits and to combat fraud. Measures include datamatching and the introduction of the Benefit Payment Card.

    State Earnings-related Pension Scheme
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has for the future of SERPS. [901]

    Mr. Denham
    We intend to set up a review of pensions which will encompass second tier pensions including SERPS. We will retain SERPS for those who wish to remain in it and introduce a "citizenship pension" to help people who lose out on pension entitlements because they assume responsibility as carers.

    Benefits Agency
    Mr. Kirkwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will cancel all pending contracts or other plans to sell or privatise the property or services currently owned or managed by the Benefits Agency and its staff; and if she will make a statement. [902]

    Mr. Field
    There is no proposal to privatise any Benefits Agency service.

    A number of initiatives are in place which are designed to test the value of involving external suppliers in DSS operations. We are reviewing them against our objective to modernise the delivery of the welfare system.

    We also need to measure them against our approach to partnership with the private sector; the implications for customer service, staff and the taxpayer; and our commitment to work within announced spending totals for the first two years of the Government.

    We will make announcements in due course.

    Income Support
    Ms Moran
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the number of children in families dependent on income support. [903]
    109
    Mr. Keith Bradley
    In August 1996 there were around 2.9 million children aged 15 and under living in families dependent on Income Support. Our priority is to develop a modern welfare system which promotes work incentives, reduces poverty and welfare dependency and strengthens community and family life.

    Appeal Procedures
    Mr. Trickett
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has received about social security appeals procedures. [894]

    Mr. Keith Bradley
    My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, will be meeting the President of the Independent Tribunal Service His Honour Judge Bassingthwaighte shortly. We plan to modernise the Social Security system and make savings. The framework for decision making and appeals for the next century must be more streamlined, easier for customers to understand and staff to operate.

    Ms Mountford
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement about social security benefits appeals procedures. [904]

    Mr. Denham
    We intend to bring forward legislation to improve current decision making and appeals arrangements for all Social Security benefits. Further details will be announced in due course.

    Income Support (Minimum Wage)
    Mr. Baldry
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the impact of introducing a minimum wage on the overall level of income support payments. [905]

    Mr. Keith Bradley
    We are committed to introducing a national minimum wage, set seriously, decided not on the basis of a rigid formula, but according to the economic circumstances at the time.

    We will set up a Low Pay Commission to advise the Government on the level of national minimum wage. The Commission will take into account the economic effects following the introduction of a minimum wage, including any impact on public expenditure.

    Tribunal Centres
    Mr. Skinner
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will meet(a) representatives of unemployed workers centres and (b) others who deal with social security appeals to discuss tribunal centres. [906]

    Mr. Keith Bradley
    Tribunal centres are a matter for the President of the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS), His Honour Judge Bassingthwaighte, who informs me that his staff hold regular meetings with trubunal user groups which involve ITS, Benefits Agency staff and representative groups such as the Citizen's Advice Bureau and local Welfare Rights groups.

    We plan to modernise the system for decision making and appeals to make it more streamlined and improve the service. We will take into account the views of those people who deal with appeals.

    Welfare Reform
    Mr. Winnick
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the terms of reference of the review being conducted by the Minister of State for Welfare Reform. [907]

    Mr. Field
    The manifesto set out our objective of providing work incentives and reducing poverty and welfare dependency. The aim of the Department's review will be to develop a strategy by which we will modernise the structure and delivery of social security to:encourage independence, social cohesion and well being;
    develop an active welfare system which supports work, savings and honesty;
    help tackle effectively unjustifiable social and economic inequalities.

    Spending Growth
    Mr. Boswell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to curb the annual rate of growth in social security spending. [908]

    Mr. Field
    Under the last Government the bills from social and economic failure led to spiralling Social Security costs. We plan to reverse that pattern, beginning with our programme to help young people and the long term unemployed to move from welfare to work.

    Welfare to Work Programme
    Mr. Sheerman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the savings to her Department from the introduction of the welfare to work programme. [909]

    Mr. Field
    We shall consider the impact of the Welfare to Work programme on the Department's expenditure plans as we work up the detail of the various schemes. By improving the standards and skills of the workforce we would expect savings in the longer term.

    Lone Parents
    Mrs. Anne Campbell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards lone parents on benefit. [910]

    Mr. Keith Bradley
    The Government believe that the best way to help lone mothers is to provide them with help which enables them to move off benefit and into work. This is a high priority. Most lone mothers want to work and we will give them opportunities to do so as part of our welfare to work programme. We will also implement a national childcare strategy which will match the provision of childcare to the needs of the modern labour market. This will help parents, especially lone mothers, to balance family and working life.

    Benefit Dependency (Young People)
    Ms Merron
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the Government's proposals for young people who are dependent on benefit. [911]
    111
    Mr. Field
    It is important that we do everything we can to help young people out of benefit dependency and into work. One of our first priorities is to get the New Deal up and running—this will give 250,000 under 25-year-olds, unemployed for over 6 months, opportunities for work, education and training.

    Basic State Pension
    Mr. Coaker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the level of the basic state pension. [912]

    Mr. Denham
    We will retain the basic state pension as the foundation of security in retirement provision; it has a vital part to play in providing a decent standard of living in retirement. We will increase it at least in line with prices.

    My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will shortly be announcing details of a review of the central areas of insecurity for elderly people. All aspects of the basic pension will be included in our review.

    Future Pensions Provision
    Mr. William O'Brien
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to meet old aged pensioners' organisations to discuss future pensions provision; and if she will make a statement. [913]

    Mr. Denham
    We anticipate that we will meet representatives of pensioners' organisations as part of the Pensions Review. Details of the Review will be announced shortly.

    Civil Service (Ethnic Minorities)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many civil servants, of each grade in her Department, were of Asian origin on 5 May. [738]

    Mr. Field
    The information is in the table:

    Grade

    Number of staff of Asian origin

    Senior Civil Service

    0

    Grade 6

    16

    Grade 7

    1

    Senior Executive Officer

    3

    Higher Executive Officer

    24

    Executive Officer

    503

    Administrative Officer

    2,064

    Administrative Assistant

    797

    Total

    3,408

    Information as at 31 March 1997.

    Pensioners
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate she has made of the number of pensioners currently living below the poverty line in Britain; [1826]
    112
    (2) what plans she has to reduce poverty among pensioners with low incomes. [1825]

    Mr. Denham
    The poorest pensioners in Britain include the 810,000 to 1,100,000 who do not take up their entitlement to Income Support. We want to get help to them and are commissioning research to establish why they do not claim the Income Support to which is their due.

    Housing Benefit
    Mr. Goggins
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate she has made of the number of claimants who will have their housing benefit reduced in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 in (i) Great Britain, (ii) Manchester and (iii) Trafford as a result of the decision to extend the single room rent restriction to single people aged between 25 and 59 years; [1634]

    (2) what estimate she has made of the total savings which will accrue in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 from the decision to extend the single room rent restriction to single people aged between 25 and 59 years. [1640]

    Mr. Keith Bradley
    The extension of the single room rent to single people under age 60 was inherited from the previous administration, and it forms part of Departmental expenditure plans. We are reviewing those plans and will announce our decision shortly.

    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the shortfall between total housing benefit payments to each London borough and their payments and administrative costs in respect of the benefit. [1753]

    Mr. Bradley
    The information for 1995–96, the latest date for which figures are available, is in the tables.

    Housing benefit 1995–96 Rent allowance cases and non-housing revenue account element of rent rebate

    Expenditure

    Subsidy1

    Expenditure less subsidy

    Authority name

    Barking

    11,578,000

    10,826,000

    752,000

    Barnet

    50,542,000

    46,344,000

    4,198,000

    Bexley

    21,749,000

    19,961,000

    1,789,000

    Brent

    88,288,000

    80,419,000

    7,869,000

    Bromley

    50,271,000

    46,991,000

    3,280,000

    Camden

    67,352,000

    61,873,000

    5,479,000

    City of London

    1,184,000

    1,079,000

    105,000

    Croydon

    60,204,000

    55,502,000

    4,702,000

    Ealing

    63,188,000

    58,636,000

    4,551,000

    Enfield

    42,101,000

    38,130,000

    3,971,000

    Greenwich

    32,007,000

    29,502,000

    2,505,000

    Hackney

    86,584,000

    75,530,000

    11,054,000

    Hammersmith

    49,816,000

    45,127,000

    4,689,000

    Haringey

    104,452,000

    94,188,000

    10,264,000

    Harrow

    29,619,000

    27,317,000

    2,302,000

    Havering

    13,179,000

    12,155,000

    1,024,000

    Hillingdon

    26,533,000

    24,384,000

    2,150,000

    Hounslow

    35,226,000

    31,751,000

    3,475,000

    Islington

    48,025,000

    39,601,000

    8,424,000

    Kensington and Chelsea

    56,076,000

    51,671,000

    4,406,000

    Kingston upon Thames

    15,080,000

    13,680,000

    1,400,000

    113

    Housing benefit 1995–96 Rent allowance cases and non-housing revenue account element of rent rebate

    Expenditure

    Subsidy1

    Expenditure less subsidy

    Lambeth

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    Lewisham

    49,584,000

    45,236,000

    4,348,000

    Merton

    24,107,000

    22,273,000

    1,834,000

    Newham

    94,696,000

    84,594,000

    10,102,000

    Redbridge

    41,568,000

    38,839,000

    2,729,000

    Richmond upon Thames

    18,169,000

    16,973,000

    1,196,000

    Southwark

    50,741,000

    46,865,000

    3,876,000

    Sutton

    16,076,000

    14,863,000

    1,213,000

    Tower Hamlets

    32,370,000

    28,882,000

    3,488,000

    Waltham Forest

    49,154,000

    44,649,000

    4,504,000

    Wandsworth

    61,457,000

    56,403,000

    5,054,000

    Westminster

    90,253,000

    82,647,000

    7,606,000

    Source:

    Local authority subsidy claims.

    Note:

    1Figures do not include the 5.5 per cent. of estimated Housing Benefit expenditure fed in through the Revenue Support Grant arrangements.

    Housing benefit expenditure 1995–96 Housing revenue account element of rent rebate

    Expenditure

    Subsidy1

    Expenditure less subsidy

    Authority name

    Barking

    28,119,000

    4,583,000

    23,536,000

    Barnet

    23,590,000

    15,023,000

    8,567,000

    Bexley

    13,271,000

    5,082,000

    8,189,000

    Brent

    32,625,000

    32,452,000

    173,000

    Bromley

    195,000

    0

    195,000

    Camden

    54,513,000

    54,373,000

    140,000

    City of London

    2,677,000

    2,607,000

    70,000

    Croydon

    37,441,000

    24,827,000

    12,614,000

    Ealing

    38,835,000

    38,283,000

    552,000

    Enfield

    28,933,000

    21,337,000

    7,596,000

    Greenwich

    50,529,000

    50,377,000

    152,000

    Hackney

    67,097,000

    65,316,000

    1,781,000

    Hammersmith

    29,104,000

    28,199,000

    905,000

    Haringey

    44,460,000

    44,565,000

    -105,000

    Harrow

    14,813,000

    10,561,000

    4,252,000

    Havering

    16,809,000

    3,731,000

    13,078,000

    Hillingdon

    27,815,000

    19,907,000

    7,908,000

    Hounslow

    23,253,000

    23,059,000

    194,000

    Islington

    65,755,000

    65,194,000

    561,000

    Kensington and Chelsea

    17,195,000

    17,124,000

    17,124,000

    Kingston upon

    Thames

    11,536,000

    6,956,000

    4,580,000

    Lambeth

    61,501,000

    60,553,000

    948,000

    Lewisham

    50,513,000

    50,160,000

    353,000

    Merton

    15,880,000

    8,706,000

    7,174,000

    Newham

    39,317,000

    38,268,000

    1,049,000

    Redbridge

    16,568,000

    10,735,000

    5,833,000

    Richmond upon Thames

    11,843,000

    5,927,000

    5,916,000

    Southwark

    78,539,000

    77,941,000

    598,000

    Sutton

    14,646,000

    5,519,000

    9,127,000

    Tower Hamlets

    51,974,000

    51,448,000

    526,000

    Waltham Forest

    23,213,000

    22,979,000

    234,000

    Wandsworth

    44,766,000

    41,053,000

    3,713,000

    Westminster

    32,558,000

    32,110,000

    448,000

    Source:

    Local authority expenditure returns.

    Note:

    1Figures take account of surpluses within the Housing Revenue Account for each authority.
    114

    Administration subsidy

    London Boroughs

    (a) 1995–96 estimated Housing Benefit administration subsidy £s including Revenue Support Grant

    (b) 1995–96 estimated Housing Benefit (claimed administration costs

    Shortfall between (a) and (b)

    Barking and Dagenham

    629,000

    347,000

    -282,000

    Barnet

    1,067,000

    2,055,000

    988,000

    Bexley

    606,000

    1,016,000

    410,000

    Brent

    1,982,000

    3,682,000

    1,700,000

    Bromley

    1,223,000

    1,536,000

    313,000

    Camden

    1,961,000

    2,991,000

    1,030,000

    City of London

    85,000

    199,000

    114,000

    Croydon

    1,293,000

    1,963,000

    670,000

    Ealing

    1,436,000

    3,763,000

    2,327,000

    Enfield

    865,000

    1,711,000

    846,000

    Greenwich

    1,315,000

    3,594,000

    2,279,000

    Hackney

    2,150,000

    5,627,000

    3,477,000

    Hammersmith and Fulham

    1,409,000

    3,166,000

    1,757,000

    Haringey

    2,154,000

    6,369,000

    4,215,000

    Harrow

    581,000

    896,000

    315,000

    Havering

    557,000

    543,000

    -14,000

    Hillingdon

    705,000

    1,167,000

    462,000

    Hounslow

    890,000

    1,384,000

    494,000

    Islington

    1,641,000

    2,733,000

    1,092,000

    Kensington and Chelsea

    1,299,000

    2,850,000

    1,551,000

    Kingston upon Thames

    377,000

    610,000

    233,000

    Lambeth

    2,481,000

    2,616,000

    135,000

    Lewisham

    2,060,000

    4,985,000

    2,925,000

    Merton

    646,000

    764,000

    118,000

    Newham

    1,914,000

    3,426,000

    1,512,000

    Redbridge

    745,000

    1,048,000

    303,000

    Richmond upon Thames

    511,000

    983,000

    472,000

    Southwark

    1,924,000

    3,297,000

    1,373,000

    Sutton

    491,000

    793,000

    302,000

    Tower Hamlets

    1,506,000

    2,072,000

    566,000

    Waltham Forest

    1,119,000

    3,540,000

    2,421,000

    Wandsworth

    1,830,000

    2,388,000

    558,000

    Westminster

    1,499,000

    4,565,000

    3,066,000

    Halliday Case
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment her Department has made of the implications for Government policy and expenditure of the recent judgment of the House of Lords in respect of the Halliday case; and if she will make a statement. [1520]

    Mr. Denham
    The implications of the House of Lords' Judgment are being considered urgently. The Chief Adjudication Officer will issue guidance as soon as practicable. In the meantime, the Benefits Agency are taking all steps necessary to ensure proper compliance with the judgment.

    Benefits Statistics
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish the income levels of recipients
    115
    of benefits relative to the Council of Europe poverty threshold; and if she will make it her policy to publish such figures regularly in the future. [1755]

    Mr. Keith Bradley
    The information is not available in the format requested.

    The income levels of benefit recipients vary widely and, in particular, benefits which are not income-related are spread across the income distribution. Information on the distribution of benefit expenditure by household income of recipient is given in the 1997 Social Security Departmental Report, page 47. Information on the numbers of individuals reporting income-related benefit receipt by position in the income distribution is provided in Table G of 'Households Below Average Income'; the analysis for 1979 to 1993–94 was published in November 1996. The Council of Europe decency threshold relates to individual earnings, but the income levels of recipients of benefits are more appropriately measured as total income on a benefit unit or household basis as they are in the publications listed above. It is therefore not meaningful to compare these income levels with the Council of Europe threshold.

    Retirement Pensions
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the present value of the basic retirement pension as a percentage of average earnings; and what it will be in the years(a) 2000, (b) 2010, (c) 2020, (d) 2030 and (e) 2040 if it is increased only in line with prices, assuming that average earnings increase by two per cent. more per year than the retail prices index. [1743]

    Mr. Denham
    The information is in the table.

    Year

    Basic standard rate of retirement pension as a percentage of average earnings

    1996

    17.4

    2000

    16.1

    2010

    13.2

    2020

    10.8

    2030

    8.9

    2040

    7.3

    1. The figure for 1996 is based on average full time earnings for all employees in April 1996, from the New Earnings Survey.

    2. Forecast figures are on the assumption that average earnings increase by 2 per cent, per year, while the real value of the standard rate of basic retirement pension remains at the 1996–97 level.

    3. Percentages in the table are rounded to the nearest 0.1 per cent.