Written Answers of 3 June 1997

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the backlog of cases for each of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's divisions on 5 May. [795]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The latest available information relates to the end of April 1997 and is given in the table.

  Cases outstanding1 in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate at 30 April 1997

  2Number

  After Entry and Appeals Directorate3

  20,400

  Asylum Directorate4

  52,400

  European Directorate

  3,300

  Nationality Directorate

  61,500

  Immigration Service Enforcement Directorate5

  19,200

  Finance and Services Directorate6

  6,700

  1Includes unactioned cases and work in progress.

  2 To the nearest hundred.

  3 Including referred entry clearance applications and appeals awaiting preparation of statements.

  4 Cases awaiting an initial decision and asylum appeals awaiting validation and preparation.

  5Excluding just over 20,000 cases where illegal entry papers have been served but there is an outstanding asylum appeal/application; these cases are included in the Asylum Directorate figure.

  6Items of correspondence (mainly passports, letters and new applications being sorted and allocated to caseworkers).

  Wheel Clamping
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has received during the last 12 months on wheel clamping; what action he proposes to take to regulate wheel clamping; and if he will make a statement. [1080]

  Mr. Michael
  Over the last 12 months, the Home Office has received proposals on wheel clamping from the Automobile Association the British Parking Association, and Legislation on Car Clamping. There have been four Parliamentary Questions, letters and suggestions for specific action to deal with the problem from 37 Members of Parliament, two letters from local authorities and 60 letters from members of the public. The Government consider the present situation on wheel clamping on private land to be unsatisfactory, and we will take a fresh look at the options for dealing with the problem.

  Police Authorities
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to abolish the present structure of police authorities; and if he will 118
  introduce measures to make police authorities (a) more representative of and (b) more accountable to local communities. [1552]

  Mr. Michael
  No. There are no national plans at present to change the structure of police authorities. However, in London we are considering arrangements for establishing a new police authority for the Metropolitan Police.

  Interpol (Drugs Squad)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources his Department has given to Interpol's drug squad in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [1549]

  Mr. Michael
  Although a significant proportion of its work is in facilitating international drugs inquiries, Interpol does not have a drugs squad.

  The Home Office does, however, contribute to the cost of running and staffing the Europol Drugs Unit (EDU), the European Union centre for the exchange and development of criminal intelligence on drug trafficking and other forms of serious trans-national crime.

  The Home Offices's contribution to these costs has been:

  £000

  1993–94

  68

  1994–95

  479

  1995–96

  924

  1996–97

  803

  Some additional costs were incurred by the Home Office as a result of staff time spent on representational, liaison and other duties associated with the work of the Unit.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for facilitating the implementation of CCTV crime prevention schemes by local councils. [457]

  Mr. Michael
  I am considering the future of the closed circuit television Challenge competition as part of our review of existing expenditure programmes. I want to ensure that the resources available for measures to promote community safety are used to best effect. A decision on whether there will be another round of the competition in 1998–99 will be made later in the summer.

  Youth Offender Teams
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources will be available to youth offender teams; what percentage of their funding will be met from local authority budgets; and if he will make a statement. [1577]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government are committed to a wide ranging reform of the youth justice system. Our proposals include establishing a National Youth Justice Board and local multi-agency youth offender teams to help ensure high standards and consistency in the delivery
  119
  of youth justice services. We are currently developing the details of these proposals and will announce these over the coming months.

  Prisons
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of prisons(a) currently under construction and (b) being planned indicating when they will be completed, how much each will cost, and how many inmates they will take; and if he will make a statement. [1579]

  Ms Joyce Quin
  Three new prisons are currently being built under the Private Finance Initiative.

  Her Majesty's Prison Altcourse will be a 600 place prison. It is planned that its first prisoner will be received on 1 December 1997. Its Net Present Value (NPV) is £247 million. The NPV covers the costs of construction, finance and operation in terms of fees over the lifetime of the contract.

  Her Majesty's Prison Parc will be an 800 place prison. It is planned that its first prisoner will be received on 17 November 1997. Its NPV is £266 million.

  Her Majesty's Prison Lowdham Grange will be a 500 place prison. It is planned that its first prisoner will be received on 16 February 1998. Its NPV is £130 million.

  The Prison Service plans to provide a further 2,400 places at new prisons over the next three years. Planning approval has been given to re-build Her Majesty's Prison Pucklechurch, near Bristol, as a 400 place prison for males under 21 years old. Plans to build an 800 place prison at Agecroft in Salford are subject to the outcome of a planning inquiry, expected shortly. The remaining 1,200 places will be provided by two more prisons once suitable sites have been agreed.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Government Agenda
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what contribution he intends his Department to make to the presentation and delivery of the Government's agenda. [2076]

  Dr. David Clark
  I intend to publish a White Paper in the autumn on our programme for the regeneration of government. This will set out our unified approach to providing accountable government which is attuned to people's interests and concerns. I have already announced my intention to publish a White Paper on Freedom of Information before the Summer Recess. I will bring forward proposals on the accountability, efficiency and transparency of Departments, Executive Agencies, and other public bodies. I will develop our commitment to more efficient and effective public services. My Department will consult widely with the general public on our plans to transform the existing programme of charters to deliver what people want from public services; to remove unnecessary bureaucracy from the daily lives of citizens and small business; and to use Information Technology in the delivery of enhanced and accessible services to the public.
  120
  My Department will be taking a coherent and energetic approach, looking across departmental boundaries, to realise our aim of accountable, accessible, responsive and efficient government.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Chickens
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many broiler chickens slaughtered in the United Kingdom have been rejected as unfit for human consumption since 24 April 1996. [1120]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is as follows:

  Total throughput

  Unfit for human consumption

  Percentage

  Great Britain

  695,243,052

  8,394,463 (to 27 April 1997)

  1.2

  Northern Ireland

  58,091,168

  611,814 (to 24 March 1997)

  1.0

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what means his Department makes available its publications in(a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1677]

  Mr. Morley
  The following material is available in special formats for those with impaired vision or hearing:

  The new microwave labels:

  Braille booklet

  Large print booklet

  Audio cassette.

  Healthy eating for older people:

  Audio cassette

  Large print booklet.

  These were produced in association with and distributed through the RNIB. The large print booklets are, in addition, available free of charge from MAFF's storage and distribution house.

  Food safety in the kitchen: Video in British Sign Language.
  Healthy eating: Video in British Sign Language.

  These were produced in association with and distributed through the British Deaf Association.

  Social Model (Disability)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [1678]

  Mr. Morley
  Within the Ministry, those with responsibility for the development or review of policies or practices are required to consider the potential effect on any particular group, including those with a disability, and consult as appropriate. These requirements reflect the definitions in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and will be reviewed in the light of any relevant amendments.
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  Scrapie
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of scrapie have been confirmed since it became a notifiable disease. [2075]

  Mr. Rooker
  The following table shows the number of cases which have been confirmed as positive since January 1993 when scrapie became a notifiable disease.

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997 (until end of May)

  Confirmed

  328

  235

  254

  453

  213

  positive

  Cases are greater in each year than those previously reported on 19 February 1997, Official Report, column 635, owing to the inclusion of cases from research studies which have not been previously reported.

  Public Access (Lancashire)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the total acreage of uncultivated open land and moorland in Lancashire to which the public are denied access solely by reason of ownership. [1017]

  Ms Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have no information about the extent of uncultivated open land and moorland in Lancashire, nor is there any information about landowners who have been approached about opening up their land to the public.

DEFENCE

  White Paper
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to publish the 1997 White Paper on Defence. [1274]

  Dr. John Reid
  As the Strategic Defence Review will be conducted during 1997, it would not be appropriate for the Department to publish this year a forward-looking statement of policy in the form of the Statement on the Defence Estimates (SDE). Factual material on the activities of the Department and the Armed Forces in the last year, which is usually contained in the SDE, will appear in an expanded MOD Performance Report which the Department plans to publish in the Autumn.

  Pricing and Quality Services Organisation
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the Pricing and Quality Services Organisation within the MOD Procurement Executive; and if he will make a statement. [2013]

  Mr. Spellar
  A new Defence Agency, formed from the Pricing and Quality Services (PQS) elements of the Procurement Executive, was established on 1 June 1997. The agency will be known as Specialist Procurement Services (SPS). The Chief of Defence Procurement will be the Owner of the Agency and the current head of PQS will be the first Chief Executive (CE); subsequent CEs 122
  will be appointed through external competition. The Chief Executive has been set the following Key Targets for the first year of operation:

  1. Establish Service Level Arrangements (SLAs) with customers, covering the activities of the following business units; Pricing, Quality Assurance and Cost Forecasting.

  2. Develop/implement methods of measuring customer satisfaction.

  3. Offer Cost Forecasting advice on 90 per cent. of Category A and B equipment projects identified within the agreed Equipment Approvals Committee (EAC) programme.

  4. Develop a programme for accreditation to the Investors in People (IIP) standard.

  5. Audit 95 per cent. of core accounts in the first year and 100 per cent. of major accounts over a three year period with respect to Government Furnished Equipment (GFE).

  6. Develop an efficiency and business improvement programme.

  I will arrange for copies of the Agency's Framework Document and Corporate Plan to be placed in the Library of both Houses.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Teaching Staff (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of(a) teachers and (b) lecturers come from ethnic minority backgrounds; and what initiatives he proposes to increase their number. [1042]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department does not collect the information required. The Teacher Training Agency has introduced various initiatives to attract ethnic minority entrants to teaching, including targeting recruitment advertisements. The Agency is responsible for allocating student numbers to teacher training institutions, based on the quality assessment of the institution. Within any given quality category, trainers with special features, including their record in recruiting people from ethnic minorities, may be given priority over others.

  Performing Arts Graduates
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the numbers of students graduating in the performing arts in each year more nearly equates to the employment opportunities available to them. [1345]

  Dr. Howells
  None. Individual universities and colleges are responsible for the allocation of places on performing arts courses in the light of demand from suitably qualified applicants, whose numbers may be influenced by job opportunities.

  Salaries (University Vice-chancellors)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list in rank order the salaries of the vice-chancellors of United Kingdom universities indicating for each institution the number of students enrolled; [1443]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of setting a salary scale for university vice-chancellors; [1470]
  123
  (3) what factors underlie the range of variation in the salary and benefits packages offered to vice-chancellors by United Kingdom universities. [1469]

  Dr. Howells
  Universities are independent bodies and it is for them to determine levels of pay for their staff, including the vice-chancellor, in the light of their own particular needs and requirements. Other than requiring that universities take account of the Government priorities for public sector pay, the Department plays no part in considering or setting academic salary scales and does not collect information about the salaries of vice-chancellors.

  The Higher Education Funding Councils for England, Scotland and Wales and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland require universities to disclose the salary levels of senior staff. This information is published in the annual accounts of individual universities. Information on student enrolment is published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in its reference volume series: Students in Higher Education Institutions.

  Departmental Computer Systems
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer system will be millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1248]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department's plan for ensuring that all its computer systems will be millennium compliant by early 1999 are well established. A project has been set up which has already identified all the Department's computer systems which will be affected by the Millennium date change. A detailed impact analysis in under way. This project will provide detailed costings covering all the work needed up to the Millennium. We will take forward those changes where they are cost justified.

  Funding (Further Education and Tertiary Colleges)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to reform the funding of further education and tertiary colleges; and if he will make a statement. [1461]

  Dr. Howells
  Under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 it is the statutory responsibility of the Further Education Funding Council for England to give financial support to the governing bodies of institutions in the further and higher education sector for the provision of further education. My right hon. Friend has no plans to change that arrangement.

  Training Costs Estimates
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate his Department has made of the amounts currently spent by employers on training; and if he will list equivalent figures for 1987 provided by the Training Agency in the study, Training in Britain (1989); and if he will make a statement. [1233]

  Dr. Howells
  Employers in the UK are estimated to have spent £10.6 billion on formal training courses and supervised on-the-job training in 1993. This estimate is the latest available and was published in the report `Employer Provided Training in the UK 1993'. An equivalent figure is not available from the 'Training in 124
  Britain' study because of differences in survey methods and the definitions of training used. The study estimated that total expenditure by employers in Great Britain in 1986–87 was £14.4 billion.

  Estimating employers' total expenditure on training is inherently difficult. While the latest survey provides a more accurate estimate of expenditure than that previously available, on its own the estimate does not convey much about training behaviour. More significantly, the survey shows a rising trend in the number of employees receiving training, both on and off-the-job. However we know that many companies—especially smaller ones—face difficulties in obtaining the training their businesses need. That is why we have pledged to help them, particularly by making the Investors in People Standard more accessible to small firms, and through the development of a University for Industry.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what means his Department makes available its publications in(a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1681]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department produces several of its information leaflets and booklets in Braille, on audio tape and in large print. The majority are unpriced and are available from the Department's mailing houses on request. The priced ones are available from The Stationery Office.

  The availability of Braille, audio tape and large print is normally publicised by a reference in the standard printed version of the publication along with a telephone number for those wishing to place orders. We also send specimen copies to organisations representing blind people for wider dissemination.

  Unemployment (Young People)
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many persons aged 16 to 18 years are not in employment, full-time education or on Government programmes. [1648]

  Dr. Howells
  In Autumn 1996, there were 300,000 16 to 18 year olds not in employment, full-time education or on government programmes in the UK, according to the Labour Force Survey.

  Equal Opportunities Commission
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government have to review the role and function of the Equal Opportunities Commission. [2023]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Against the background of this Government's firm commitment to equal opportunities and the practice of quinquennial policy and financial management reviews of non-departmental public bodies, the Department will conduct a thorough review of the Equal Opportunities Commission during 1997–98. The first stage of the review will take the form of a "prior options" study with the following terms of reference:
  125

  1. To review the functions of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the effectiveness with which they have been carried out and the likely need in future for these functions.

  2. To consider the case for the continued existence of the Equal Opportunities Commission and how its functions can be best fulfilled.

  3. To consider the powers, constitutional status, membership and terms of reference of the Equal Opportunities Commission.

  4. The review will have regard to the Government's equal opportunities policies and to the duties of the Commission as laid down in statute.

  5. To report the outcome of the review by 11 September 1997.

  This study is now underway and I would welcome comments from interested parties. Comments, which may be made public unless respondents specifically request otherwise, should be sent, by 4 July, to:

  Jane Anderson

  Divisional Manager

  Sex and Race Equality Division

  Department for Education and Employment

  Room 401

  Caxton House

  Tothill Street

  London SW1H 9NF.

  Modern Apprenticeships
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people are currently undertaking modern apprenticeships; what is his assessment of the contribution of the scheme to redressing the skills balance; and what plans he has for its further extension. [1698]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: In February 1997 (the latest date for which figures are available), there were 76,300 young people in training on Modern Apprenticeships.

  The initiative is making a vital contribution to raising skills. Evaluation studies have consistently shown that Modern Apprenticeships are highly popular, of high quality, and are meeting the expectations of both employers and young people.

  We want to sustain and build on this success and intend to develop Modern Apprenticeships in every sector where there is a demand. There are currently 69 frameworks approved with a further 10 expected in the next 12 months. There is every sign that employers' demand for Modern Apprentices will continue to grow and we and Training and Enterprise Councils will consider how best to respond to that demand.

WALES

  Development Orders
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to review planning policy in 126
  Wales in regard to the existence of outstanding interim development orders; and if he will list the non-time limited planning permissions currently in force. [857]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend and I currently have no plans to review outstanding interim development orders in Wales. There are no non-time limited mineral planning permissions currently in force.

  Devolution
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the need for changes in the role of the National Audit Office in relation to public expenditure in Wales in the event of Welsh devolution. [1090]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  A Welsh Assembly would be subject to rigorous standards of audit and accountability. We will set out our detailed proposals on these and other matters in the White Paper to be published in the summer.

  Mr. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that all departmental expenditure in support of the Government's campaign for devolution is separately identified. [1087]

  Mr. Davies
  All Welsh Office publicity expenditure related to the proposals for a Welsh Assembly will be separately identifiable.

  Beef Production
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit farms engaged in beef production in Alyn and Deeside. [1305]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend and I hope to visit farms across Wales when the opportunity arises.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will raise problems faced by beef farmers in Alyn and Deeside with EU officials; and if he will make a statement. [1307]

  Mr. Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend and I will ensure that the interests of farmers throughout Wales are considered when we prepare for such meetings.

  River Dee Bridge
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects both the new River Dee Bridge and Connah's Quay to be open to traffic. [1301]

  Mr. Hain
  Flintshire County Council are responsible for this scheme. They estimate completion late this year.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is his estimate of the real level of unemployment in(a) Merthyr Tydfil and Ryhmney and (b) Wales; [1231]

  (2) if he will assess the findings contained in the report, "The Real Level of Unemployment", by the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam university, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement. [1234]

  Mr. Hain
  The Office for National Statistics is currently conducting a public consultation on labour market statistics. I welcome this review because I am
  127
  extremely concerned at the high levels of joblessness in Wales not measured by the claimant count. I will write to my hon. Friend when the review is concluded.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to take people off benefit and into(a) work and (b) training; and what will be the role of further education colleges in such plans. [1258]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 21 May 1997,Official Report, column 75. The Government's Welfare to Work programme for unemployed young people "the New Deal" will have four options. Three of these: working with employers, voluntary organisations and the environmental task force, will involve accredited training for a day a week. The training could include college based courses and on the job training. The fourth option is full time study towards an approved qualification. I would expect Further Education Colleges to make a significant contribution to the success of the programme.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to promote the film industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [1331]

  Mr. Hain
  Welsh Office Officials are currently talking to people in the industry about its potential for economic growth. Financial support for the industry is being channelled through the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Development Agency and Cardiff Bay Development Corporation who are providing grant aid to the new Media Agency for Wales. The Arts Council has also distributed some £1.5 million of Lottery money to film projects throughout Wales.

  Open Government
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he proposes to enhance openness in government. [1263]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  We intend to introduce a Bill to strengthen data protection controls and a White Paper will be published on proposals for a Freedom of Information Bill. I shall shortly be announcing improvements to the meetings of the Welsh Grand Committee.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he estimates money saved from the assisted places scheme will become available for local education authority schools; and if he will make a statement. [1255]

  Mr. Hain
  Subject to Parliamentary approval to the Education (Schools) Bill, savings through the phased abolition of the Assisted Places Scheme will start to become available in the 1998–99 financial year.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future role of local education authorities. [1259]
  128
  Mr. Hain
  We value the contribution made by LEAs and look forward to working in partnership with them.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many small businesses there are in Wales. [1265]

  Mr. Hain
  Official statistics on small business numbers are not available separately for Wales. The available data relate to VAT-registered enterprises only and therefore exclude many firms with a turnover below the VAT threshold. These figures show that in 1996 some 60,000 VAT-registered enterprises in Wales had a turnover of less than £250,000.

  Child Labour
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to ensure the enforcement of existing legislation to outlaw the illegal employment of school age children. [1541]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Government are considering how the existing system for protecting children who work might be improved.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if Wales will have the option of setting its own minimum wage following devolution. [1809]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Our plans for a Welsh Assembly do not entail its having powers of primary legislation. On this and other issues, it would operate within the statutory framework applying to the whole of England and Wales.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Youth Court System
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the Government expenditure on the youth court system in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [1576]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have figures for the magistrates courts system of which the youth court is a part. No separate expenditure figures are published for the youth court alone. However the following estimates are based on total revenue expenditure on magistrates courts apportioned to youth court work in proportion to the total of youth court work to aggregate magistrates court work for each year, measured by the weighted caseload system.

  1992–93: £16 million

  1993–94: £15 million

  1994–95: £18 million

  1995–96: £21 million

  1996–97: £24 million.

  Over these five years the number of defendants dealt with by the youth court has doubled.
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  Departmental Computer Systems
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what plans there are to ensure that his Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1238]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Department, the Court Service, the Public Trust Office, the Public Record Office and the Northern Ireland Court Service have established Year 2000 compliance projects. Their programmes of work follow the recommended approach identified by the Central Information Technology Unit and the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency, recognising their milestones for the completion of key tasks. The Chief Land Registrar will be replying directly to the Question on behalf of the Land Registry.

  Letter from Stuart Hill to Mr. Nigel Jones, dated 3 June 1997:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION-MILLENNIUM COMPLIANCE
  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question concerning plans to ensure that the Land Registry's computer systems are millennium compliant.
  The Registry set up a project early in 1996 to identify potential problems and manage any necessary changes. An investigation has been undertaken in respect of mainframe software to identify all potential problems and the solutions required. The results indicated

  Scheme

  Outline business case submitted

  Outline business case approved

  Full business case approved

  Tender accepted

  Start on site

  Freeman

  Pathology Computer Replacement

  October 1995

  January 1996

  1—

  —

  —

  Additional Cardiac Catheterisation Lab

  Suite

  October 1995

  No—January 1996

  n/ap

  —

  —

  Reconfiguration of X-ray room 2

  October 1995

  No—January 1996

  1—

  —

  —

  Development of Non-Invasive cardiology

  facilities

  October 1995

  No—January 1996

  n/ap

  —

  —

  Newcastle Strategic Review Fast Track schemes

  January 1996

  February 1996

  2—

  —

  —

  Newcastle City Health

  Improving Old Age Psychiatry Services

  October 1995

  Conditional—February 1996

  Awaited

  —

  —

  Kenton Clinic

  Development

  October 1995

  Conditional—February 1996

  —

  —

  —

  Special Care Services

  October 1995

  Conditional—February 1996

  —

  —

  —

  North Tyneside Adult Mental Health Services

  October 1995

  No

  n/ap

  —

  —

  Stand Alone Acute Mental Illness Unit

  October 1994

  December 1994

  April 1997

  To be sought July 1997

  August 1997

  Newcastle Strategic Review—Fast Track Schemes—Diabetes Centre

  October 1995

  February 1996

  February 1996

  July 1996

  July 1996

  Newcastle Electrical Infrastructure Improvements

  October 1995

  December 1994

  December 1994

  January 1995

  work completed 1995

  RVI and Associated Hospitals

  Upgrading of Dermatology Accommodation

  October 1995

  No

  n/ap

  —

  —

  Replacement MRI Scanner in Neurosciences

  October 1995

  August-96

  Awaited

  —

  —

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  that 3 per cent. of the software may require attention. Further investigations are also being carried out on our smaller PC based systems and software is tested for use throughout the Registry.
  External suppliers of Registry mainframe software have also been contacted to supply information regarding their own plans for millennium compliance. Contract documentation to be used in all future procurements has been revised to ensure that the problem will not be perpetuated in any newly purchased products.
  It is our aim that all Land Registry computer systems will be millennium compliant by 1 April 1998 to allow at least one full financial year of operation.
  Please let me know if you require any further information.

HEALTH

  Capital Developments
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the capital developments for which business cases have been submitted since 1 April 1994 in(a) Newcastle City Health Trust, (b) RVI and Hexham Trust, Newcastle and (c) Freeman Hospital Trust, Newcastle, indicating in each case when it was submitted; where (i) NHS Executive and (ii) Treasury approval was given; when tenders were accepted; and when work started on site. [1334]

  Mr. Milburn
  The table shows the schemes for which an outline business case has been formally submitted to the National Health Service Executive and where capital costs are above the Trusts' delegated limits.
  131

  Scheme

  Outline business case submitted

  Outline business case approved

  Full business case approved

  Tender accepted

  Start on site

  Hexham General Hospital

  November 1995

  November 1996

  Awaited

  —

  —

  Multi-Storey Car Park

  May 1994

  July 1994

  February 1995

  n/av

  September 1996

  Newcastle Strategic Review—Fast Track Schemes— Reconfiguration of Medical Services

  June 1996

  3—

  —

  October 1996

  November 1996

  Newcastle Strategic Review—Fast Track Schemes— Reconfiguration of Elderly Services

  June 1996

  3—

  —

  July 1996

  August 1996

  1 Schemes adapted where required, progressed using Trust capital allocation (block capital).

  2 Schemes being progressed individually within the overall review.

  3 Single stage business case review (June-September 1996).

  n/ap = not applicable.

  n/av = not available.

  Lariam
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's policy relating to the use of the anti-malarial drug lariam. [1485]

  Ms Jowell
  Mefloquine (Lariam) is a highly effective drug in both preventing and treating malaria. It is particularly valuable where malaria is resistant to other medicines. The Department's policy relating to the use of mefloquine is outlined in the memorandum "Health Information for Overseas Travel" a free copy of which has been provided to all general practitioners. Further information was included in the Chief Medical Officer's Update 10 (May 1996) which was sent to all general practitioners. As with the use of all medicines, the benefits have to be weighed against the risk of adverse reactions.

  We are aware of public concerns about the safety of mefloquine, particularly about the nature of the suspected serious adverse reactions reported. Guidelines for health professionals on the use of malaria prophylaxis, including mefloquine, are prepared by an informal group of experts convened by the Malaria Reference Laboratory of the Public Health Laboratory Service. The guidelines are published, most recently in the British Medical Journal in 1995. The group is presently producing a new set of guidelines which, once the consultation process is complete, will be published as soon as possible.

  GP Fundholders
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid in fees to general practitioner fundholder managers in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97; and if he will break down the figures by health authority. [1801]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not held centrally. General practitioner fundholder managers are paid from the Practice Fund Management Allowance (PFMA) but their salary is not identified as a separate item within total PFMA allocations. The total PFMA expenditure for 1995–96 was £109.6 million and allocations of PFMA for 1996–97 were £153.3 million.

  Children (Employment)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure the enforcement of existing legislation to outlaw the illegal employment of school-age children. [1542]
  132
  Mr. Boateng
  We are considering how the existing system for protecting children under minimum school leaving age who work might be improved.

  Prisoners (HIV/AIDS)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department is responsible for funding the treatment of prisoners with HIV/AIDS. [1154]

  Ms Jowell
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Diplomatic Missions (Parking Fines)
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many parking fines were incurred by diplomatic missions in London during 1996. [2029]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  During 1996 the London diplomatic missions incurred a total of 1,676 unpaid parking fines, which is slightly more than the 1995 figure of 1,586. In February this year this department wrote to all diplomatic missions to give them an opportunity to pay off all outstanding parking tickets, or appeal to have the ticket cancelled. Since then payments totalling £48,640.00 have been received, compared with £11,600.00 in 1996. The table below shows only missions which have 11 or more fines outstanding.

  Unpaid parking fines

  1996

  1995

  Diplomatic mission

  1 Malaysia

  71

  32

  2 Bangladesh

  62

  19

  3 Pakistan

  61

  22

  4 Thailand

  50

  20

  5 Egypt

  49

  20

  6 Ghana

  47

  66

  7 Turkey

  45

  17

  8 Cameroon

  44

  13

  9 India

  43

  83

  10 Qatar

  42

  20

  11 Hungary

  40

  11

  11 Cuba

  40

  6

  13 Philippines

  39

  31

  13 Oman

  39

  22

  133

  Unpaid parking fines

  1996

  1995

  15 Morocco

  37

  6

  16 Jordan

  36

  16

  17 Russian Federation

  35

  15

  18 Kenya

  34

  15

  19 Romania

  33

  27

  19 Cyprus

  33

  16

  19 Bahrain

  33

  5

  22 Uganda

  30

  18

  23 Zimbabwe

  26

  15

  23 Portugal

  26

  4

  25 League of Arab States

  24

  26

  25 Azerbaijan

  24

  13

  27 Tunisia

  23

  7

  28 Algeria

  21

  19

  29 Tanzania

  20

  14

  29 Jamaica

  20

  7

  31 Poland

  18

  12

  31 France

  18

  11

  31 Afghanistan

  18

  8

  34 Mexico

  16

  4

  35 Japan

  15

  9

  35 El Salvador

  15

  1

  37 Spain

  14

  8

  37 Brunei

  14

  7

  39 Greece

  13

  20

  39 Peru

  13

  5

  39 Armenia

  13

  2

  42 Albania

  12

  14

  42 Liberia

  12

  3

  44 Mauritius

  11

  1

  44 Belgium

  11

  0

  1,340

  710

  International Organisations

  1 Commonwealth Secretariat

  20

  16

  Consular Fees
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to change consular fees. [2021]

  Mr. Fatchett
  An order in Council was made on 20 May which reduces both the cost of a 5 year multiple entry visa and the cost of a certificate of entitlement and completes the 3 staged increase in settlement visa fees designed to achieve full cost recovery in this category. The Order also abolishes the fee for the confirmation of the right of abode (now obsolete). The Order will come into effect on 10 June.

PRIME MINISTER

  Question Time
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will estimate the annual reduction in the number of visitors to the Strangers' Gallery during oral questions to him consequent upon the change to their timing. [958]

  The Prime Minister
  Admission of the public to the Strangers Gallery is a matter for the House authorities.

  Disability
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will nominate a Minister in each Department to 134
  help identify and to overcome obstacles to ability, employment, education and mobility among people with real or apparent disability; [1227]

  (2) what considerations and consultations led him to do without a Minister with overall responsibility for disability issues. [1226]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government place great importance on ensuring equal opportunities for all groups, including disabled people. By moving the disability portfolio from the Department of Social Security to the Department for Education and Employment the Government has signalled a move away from treating disabled people as recipients of benefit towards a culture which will value their wider role in society as people willing and able to take advantage of education, training and employment opportunities.

  My right hon. Friend, the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment and Equal Opportunities now deal with disability issues.

  My right hon. Friend will act as a focal point across Government for disability issues and will be working with Ministerial colleagues in their Departments to ensure that the needs of all disabled people are addressed as policies are being developed. In this way, my right hon. Friend will have an input into policy as it affects disabled people whilst responsibility for implementing specific areas will remain with the relevant Departments.

  Podiums and Backdrops
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister how much each Department has spent since 1 May on podiums and backdrops. [1224]

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter for the individual departments. No central records are kept.

  Minister without Portfolio
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the role of the Minister without Portfolio; and for what reason he is excluded from the rota for oral questions. [1225]

  The Prime Minister
  My hon. Friend's role is to assist me and my Ministerial colleagues in implementing Government policy and presenting it effectively.

  My hon. Friend is not in charge of a Department. Therefore—in line with the practice of the Minister without Portfolio in the previous administration—he will not have a slot on the rota for oral questions.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to attend the hand-over ceremony in Hong Kong. [1467]

  The Prime Minister
  His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will both attend the hand-over ceremony in Hong Kong. I am still considering whether I will be able to attend.
  135

  Horse and Dog Racing
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister which Department has ministerial responsibility for horse and dog racing. [1717]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: Such Ministerial responsibility as there is for horse and dog racing arises from the sport's close links with betting. The Home Office is responsible for the betting legislation.

  Government Contracts
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the public relations firms awarded Government contracts in each year since 1992, indicating the nature and value of the contract in each instance. [1639]

  The Prime Minister
  The information requested is not held centrally for all Government Departments.

  Voluntary Organisations and Charities
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 May,Official Report, column 121, on the transfer of responsibility for charities and voluntary organisations, if he will publish the responses and a summary of the responses to his policy document, "Building a Future Together", relating to the specific issue of transferring responsibility for voluntary organisations and charities to the Home Office. [1716]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The Labour Party Policy Document published in March and the covering letter invited organisations and individuals from the voluntary sector to make their views known on how Government should structure its responsibilities for the voluntary sector. No one argued for responsibility for the sector to remain at the Department of National Heritage and views expressed to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) before and after the election were that there should be a clear focus for Government activity to support, nurture and work with the sector. Representatives of the voluntary sector and other respondents positively welcomed the return of the responsibility to the Home Office.

  Medical and Dental Officers
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the pay of medical and dental officers in the Armed Forces. [2096]

  The Prime Minister
  The Armed Forces Pay Review Body has made recommendations on the pay of medical and dental officers in the Armed Forces. The Review Body recommends that the daily rate of basic pay should be increased by an average of 3.4 per cent. from 1 April. They have further proposed some significant changes to the pay structures of Service medical and dental officers which will see many forms of additional payments, such as consultant pay, consolidated into basic pay. The Review Body also mentioned that it welcomed the fact that the Ministry of Defence was, in future, proposing to base the pensions of Service medical and dental officers on representative rates of their own salaries rather than that of their combatant counterparts. These changes will 136
  serve to give a greater degree of comparability between the pay of Defence Medical Staff and their counterparts in the NHS.

  The Government has decided to accept the Review Body's recommendations. Along with the earlier recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, and the recommendations of the other Review Bodies, these will be staged, with 2 per cent. of the award being back dated to 1 April, and the remainder being payable from 1 December.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Indemnity Undertakings
  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many indemnity undertakings were given by departments under section 16 of the National Heritage Act 1980 for the six-month period ended 31 March; and what was the value of(a) any contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time under that section which remain outstanding as at 31 March, (b) non-statutory Government indemnities in respect of loans handled by the Government Art Collection which remain outstanding as at 31 March and (c) non-statutory undertakings to Her Majesty in respect of loans from the Royal Collection which remain outstanding at 31 March. [2027]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The provision for the Government Indemnity Scheme is made by the National Heritage Act 1980. The scheme facilitates public access to loans of works of art and other objects for public display made to museums, galleries and other such institutions by private owners and non-national institutions. It does this by indemnifying lenders against loss or damage to their loan. Loans covered by the scheme must be for public benefit. The scheme also covers loans of such objects for study purposes within institutions where this would contribute materially to the public's understanding or appreciation of the loan—for example through a scholarly publication.

  In the six month period ended 31 March 1997, the following undertakings to indemnify were given under section 16 by the relevant Departments for objects on loan to national and non-national institutions:

  Numbers

  Department of National Heritage

  469

  Scottish Office Education and Industry Department

  66

  Welsh Office Education Department

  65

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland

  28

  The value of contingent liabilities in respect of undertakings given at anytime under section 16 and which remained outstanding at 31 March 1997 is:

  Department of National Heritage: £1,337,264,837

  Scottish Office Education and Industry Department: £38,701,845

  Welsh Office Education Department: £60,611,806

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland: £10,678,989

  137
  The value of non-statutory Government Indemnities to cover loans handled by the Government Art Collection and which remained outstanding at 31 March 197 is:
  Value: £9,000,000

  The value of non-statutory Undertakings given to Her Majesty in respect of loans from the Royal Collection and which remained outstanding at 31 March 1997 is:
  Value: £100,327,077

  National Newspapers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has for new regulations covering the ownership of national newspapers. [1822]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: I have been asked to reply. My Department has no immediate plans for new regulations covering the transfer of ownership of national newspapers, however the Department of National Heritage is maintaining regular monitoring of the impact of various factors and policies on the media, including control of cross-media ownership.

  Disability
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. [1666]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  I shall be seeking to ensure that any proposed relevant future legislation and guidance issued by my Department reflects our manifesto commitment to establishing:"comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people against discrimination in society or at work, developed in partnership with all interested parties".

  It will also reflect, as appropriate, the outcome of the consultation being undertaken by the Department for Education and Employment on the issue of the definition of disability.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy with regard to the funding of Scottish Homes for the remainder of the present financial year. [87]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]: I can confirm that Scottish Homes grant in aid for 1997–98, as set out in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1997–98 to 1999–2000", is £264.899 million.

  I am making an additional £1 million available for the Scottish Rough Sleepers Initiative this year. Because this Initiative is funded through Scottish Homes, this extra money will be added to Scottish Homes' grant in aid.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about Government policy on private finance initiative for school building programmes. [1083]
  138
  Mr. Brian Wilson
  A number of education authorities are considering the potential of the private finance initiative and public private partnerships to assist their school building programmes. We are committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of that process and will be offering authorities practical advice and assistance to that end.

  Miscarriages of Justice
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to set up the independent body to be established under the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 to consider cases of alleged miscarriages of justice. [1275]

  Mr. McLeish
  My right hon. Friend supports the establishment of an independent Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission in principle, but further preparatory work will be required before a decision can be taken on implementation of the relevant provisions of the 1997 Act. He cannot at this stage say precisely when the Commission might be set up.

  Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultation he will initiate before seeking to bring into force those provisions of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 which require his consent or subordinate legislation. [1276]

  Mr. McLeish
  We intend to consult the judiciary and other interested parties, as appropriate, before making orders under section 65(2) of the 1997 Act.

  Fisheries Protection Agency
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about performance targets for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency for 1997–98. [2011]

  Mr. Dewar
  For the financial year 1997–98 I have set the following targets:

  Aerial surveillance percentage of hours flown on task: 85 per cent.

  Aerial surveillance cost per aircraft sighting: £82

  Marine surveillance utilisation of effective patrol days: 96 per cent.

  cost per boarding: £2,685

  Marine surveillance number of boardings at sea: 2,2001

  Sea Fisheries inspectorate cost per logsheet check: £65

  landing declarations checked against actual catches 40 per cent.

  80 per cent. of cases for prosecution to be reported within 6 weeks of offence being detected and 95 per cent. within 8 weeks

  Number of cases where court proceedings are taken as percentage of offences reported to prosecuting authorities: 80 per cent.

  1This target is 400 less than that for 1996–97 and reflects the reduction from 300 to nil of Royal Navy patrol days contracted from the Ministry of Defence.

  In order to ensure that the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency uses its resources efficiently, I have set it a target to achieve cash releasing efficiency gains of 2.0 per cent. during 1996–97.
  139
  The Chief Executive will be directly accountable to me for the achievement of these targets, which will be reported in the Agency's Annual Report.

  Boundary Commission
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the members of the Boundary Commission for Scotland. [2010]

  Mr. Dewar
  My predecessor reappointed Dr. Charles M. Glennie CBE and Professor Urlan A. Wannop to the Boundary Commission for Scotland from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1997.

  The other members of the Commission are:
  Madam Speaker—ex-officio, Chairman.
  The Hon. Lady Cosgrove, appointed as Deputy Chairman by the Lord President of the Court of Session from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1999.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade by what means her Department makes available its publications in(a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1679]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  In discussions with the RNIB and other interested organisations, the Department seeks to ensure that its publications are accessible to the visually impaired.

  To this end, our consumer advice on metrication changes in 1995 was published and distributed in Braille by the RNIB on behalf of the Department. More recently, audio advice about tactile danger warnings and about risks of carbon monoxide poisoning have been made available to those with visual impairment through COI's regular Sound Advice audio tapes, which are distributed to over 4,500 organisations dealing with blind and partially sighted people.

  Also guidance will shortly be issued within the Department aimed at making printed material easier to read for visually impaired people.

  The Department also has a range of information about its policies, programmes and publications on the Internet (http.\\www.dti.gov.uk\). It is possible to print all DTI pages from the Internet in large print; the pages are also available in audio to those who have access to a Talking Computer.

  Departmental Computer Systems
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to ensure that her Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if she will make a statement. [1244]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Following an initial impact assessment, my Department has initiated a programme of changes to its IT systems which will make them compliant with the Century date change. This programme is expected to be completed in the Spring 1999.

  Exports
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list on the basis of July to December 1973 = 100, the increase in United Kingdom relative export unit values in dollars for each year since 1970 together with United Kingdom share of volume of exports of manufactures by main manufacturing countries. [1556]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not available. Data on relative export unit values are available only from 1975. Data based on 1990 = 100 between 1975 and 1996Q1 are available on the Central Shared Database which can be accessed from the Library. Data on the UK share of exports of manufactures by the main manufacturing countries for 1982 to 1992Q3 based on 1985 weights are published in the February 1993 Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations her Department has received in the last 12 months relating to the misuse of fireworks; what consultations her Department has undertaken on firework safety in the last 12 months; what action she proposes to take to regulate the(a) sale and (b) use of fireworks; and if she will make a statement. [1441]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  My Department has received several hundred complaints from the public about the misuse of fireworks and I propose shortly to consult interested organisations on draft regulations to introduce additional restrictions on the types of fireworks which should be sold to the public, including some types of fireworks which feature in complaints of misuse.

  British Airways and American Airlines
  Sir George Young
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the proposed alliance of British Airways and American Airlines, following her meeting with Commissioner van Miert. [1505]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade met Commissioner van Miert on Tuesday 20 May for a preliminary discussion of the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines, and other competition matters. It is not the President of the Board of Trade's policy to make public statements about the merits of individual competition cases in which she will be responsible for making decisions.

  Bus Mergers
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement about the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on the merger between FirstBus and SB Holdings and the implications for Midland Bluebird. [1153]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The MMC's report on the acquisition by FirstBus plc of SB Holdings Ltd. (SBH) was published in January 1997. In line with the MMC's recommendations, the then Minister for Corporate and Consumer Affairs, Mr. John Taylor, asked the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) to seek undertakings from FirstBus to divest the

  141
  business of its subsidiary Midland Bluebird, plus part of the Glasgow operations of SBH. In the event that FirstBus has not identified a firm buyer that has been approved by the Secretary of State by 24 October 1997, the undertakings which are being sought will provide for the divestment of SBH in its entirety without divestment of any of Midland Bluebird's operations. The DGFT will advise my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on the outcome of his discussions with FirstBus in due course.

  Small Firms (Definition)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what definition he will use to describe small firms, in terms of number of employees and turnover, when he introduces the fair payment of commercial debts bill; and if he will make a statement. [1277]

  Mrs. Roche
  We will consult on the details of the Fair Payment of Commercial Debts Bill in the summer. We will ask businesses, their representative organisations and other interested bodies for their views about the extent and application of the legislation for a Statutory Right to Interest.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the number and percentage of deduction from earnings orders in force to recover arrears of maintenance assessments carried out by the Child Support Agency on absent parents(a) in total and (b) by regional office for each year since the establishment of the agency. [1355]

  Mr. Bradley
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Ms Roseanna Cunningham, dated 2 June 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about deduction from earnings orders (DEOs) issued by the Child Support Agency.
  I should first of all point out that although DEOs are mainly used as a collection method where the AP has not co-operated, they may be used as a preferred payment method by absent parents and are not solely used for collection of arrears payments.
  It is not possible to provide the regional breakdown you requested. However information has been collected on the number of DEOs issued since April 1993. The attached table shows the number of DEOs issued and how they compare with the Agency's live load.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Period

  DEOs issued

  Live and assessed caseload

  1993–94

  2,600

  180,000

  1994–95

  32,027

  368,000

  1995–96

  52,931

  462,000

  1996–97

  57,898

  579,000

  All live and assessed figures are for year end with the exception of the 1996–97 figure which is February 1997 data from Analytical Services Division Quarterly Summary of Statistics. This is the most recent data available.
  142
  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average time taken by the CSA to complete an assessment review; and what action she intends to take to reduce this time. [1360]

  Mr. Bradley
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Ms Roseanna Cunningham, dated 2 June 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency assessment reviews.
  The first part of your question asks about the average time taken to complete in assessment review. Under Child Support Agency legislation, there are a number of different reviews that can be requested by parties to an assessment. (which will include the absent parent, parent/person with care and child in Scotland). Any of the interested parties can ask for a review of their assessment by another child support officer if they disagree with the decision of the original child support officer. This is referred to as a second tier review. They may also request a change of circumstance review if a change has occurred that may affect their maintenance assessment. In addition, the Agency undertakes a periodic review of each case every two years.
  The Agency measures the number of individual reviews cleared within each of the time bands specified in Agency targets. The Agency does not measures average processing times for cases either within the time bands, or overall.
  The 1996–97 target for second tier reviews were;

  55%of second tier reviews to be cleared within 13 weeks;

  80% of second tier reviews to be cleared within 26 weeks;

  and no more than 15% to be older than 26 weeks as at 31 March 1997

  The Agency met all elements of this target and performance was as follows;

  66% of second tier reviews cleared within 13 weeks;

  88% of second tier reviews to be cleared within 26 weeks;

  and 10% that were older than 26 weeks as at 31 March 1997.

  The 1996–97 target for change of circumstances were;
  Of those change of circumstances cleared

  -50% to be cleared within 13 weeks

  -60% to be cleared within 26 weeks

  Again the Agency met both elements of this target as follows;
  Of those change of circumstances cleared

  -63% were cleared within 13 weeks

  -78% were cleared within 26 weeks.

  Even though these targets were exceeded last year, this does not mean that we are complacent in these areas. We will be seeking to ensure that this years performance improves further.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the average length of time taken by the Child Support Agency to complete a maintenance assessment(a) in total and (b) by regional office for each year since the establishment of the agency. [1357]
  143
  Mr. Bradley
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Ms Roseanna Cunningham, dated 2 June 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency maintenance assessments.
  The Agency does not collect information on average processing times, however, the Agency does have a Secretary of State target to clear 60% of new maintenance applications within 26 weeks, which has been in place for the years 1995/96 and 1996/97.
  In 1995/96, the Agency cleared 48% of new applications within 26 weeks; in 1996/97 the performance achieved was 54%. However in the last 2 months of 1996/97 the 60% target was exceeded overall A breakdown of the performance by Child Support Agency Centre is available for 1996/97 and is shown in the attached table.
  The intake of child maintenance applications is forecast to increase by 5% this year. Nevertheless, we will maintain this target.
  I hope this is helpful.

  1996–97 performance by Child Support Agency Centre

  Percentage of applications cleared within 26 weeks

  Dudley

  51

  Hastings

  49

  Falkirk

  53

  Plymouth

  53

  Birkenhead

  59

  Belfast

  55

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the number and percentage of Child Support Agency cases in which no moneys are being recovered from the absent parent(a) in total, (b) by regional office and (c) by gender of absent parent for each year since the establishment of the agency. [1356]

  Mr. Bradley
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Ms Roseanna Cunningham, dated 2 June 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support cases where monies are not being recovered from absent parents (APs).
  The information you have requested by region and for all years of Agency operation, is available only at disproportionate cost. I hope the following details will be helpful to you.
  The attached table gives information on the current levels of compliance with maintenance assessments at Agency level. The data is taken from a 5% sample of live cases drawn from the child support computer system on the date shown. The Agency does not distinguish absent parents or parents with care by gender.
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  Compliance

  February 1997

  Full compliance

  Partial compliance

  Nil compliance

  Full maintenance assessments

  Number of cases

  52,200

  52,100

  61,000

  Percentage

  31.6

  31.5

  36.9

  Interim maintenance assessments

  Number of cases (i)

  600

  4,000

  51,700

  Percentage

  1.1

  7.1

  91.8

  Number of cases AP

  paying direct to

  PWC

  97,500

  —

  —

  The above compliance table only includes cases where the Agency collection service is used, and the absent parent (AP) has a full maintenance assessment and payment is via the regular payment account.
  Full compliance: All payments due to the regular maintenance accounts have been made and nothing is outstanding.
  Partial compliance: Some payment(s) have been made to the regular maintenance accounts during the last 3 months and there is an amount outstanding.
  Nil compliance: No payments have been made to the regular maintenance accounts during the last 3 months.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the number and percentage of maintenance assessments carried out by the Child Support Agency which are challenged by the absent parent(a) in total and (b) by regional office for each year since the establishment of the agency. [1354]

  Mr. Bradley
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Ms Roseanna Cunningham, dated 2 June 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency maintenance assessments.
  You have asked about the number of maintenance assessments that are challenged by the absent parent. The Agency records information on the number of applications for a second tier review (STR) received from any party to the assessment. Along with absent parents this includes parents with care, persons (other than parents) with care, and a child in Scotland. The STR is the means by which any of the interested parties can ask for a review of their assessment by another child support officer (CSO) if they disagree with the decision of the original CSO.
  The attached tables therefore give the number of STR requests received by the Agency since inception, set against the total number of maintenance assessments made in each year.
  I hope this is helpful.

  1993–94

  Number

  Total number of maintenance assessments

  205,442

  Total number of second tier reviews (STR) received

  10,804

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  A breakdown of STRs received by each Child Support Agency Centre is not available for the first year of operation

  Child support agency centre

  Second tier reviews received

  1994–95

  Dudley

  4,161

  Hastings

  3,568

  Falkirk

  4,256

  Plymouth

  5,843

  Birkenhead

  5,231

  Belfast

  4,236

  Agency total 1994–95

  27,295

  Agency total number of maintenance assessments

  250,836

  1995–96

  Dudley

  5,231

  Hastings

  3,812

  Falkirk

  5,440

  Plymouth

  7,746

  Birkenhead

  6,356

  Belfast

  4,977

  Agency total 1995–96

  33,562

  Agency total number of maintenance assessments

  127,876

  1996–97

  Dudley

  5,646

  Hastings

  3,554

  Falkirk

  5,637

  Plymouth

  7,237

  Birkenhead

  6,825

  Belfast

  6,349

  Agency total 1996–97

  35,248

  Agency total number of maintenance assessments

  129,255

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the number and percentage of Child Support Agency cases in which an interim assessment exceeded the actual maintenance assessment(a) in total and (b) by regional office for each year since the establishment of the agency. [1358]

  Mr. Bradley
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Ms Roseanna Cunningham, dated 2 June 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency interim maintenance assessments (IMAs).
  The Agency is unable to answer your question in the format requested, however set out below is an explanation of interim assessments together with the number we have imposed to date, I hope you find this helpful.
  An IMA is usually imposed where the absent parent, parent with care or their respective partners do not provide all the information required under Child Support legislation to make a full maintenance assessment (FMA)
  One of four different categories of IMA can be imposed depending on the nature of the missing information, ie category A, B, C or D IMA. Category A and D are intended to encourage compliance and will normally always be punitive and higher than the liability under a FMA. A category B may, or may not be punitive depending on the circumstances of the case, it generally will not take account of any new family. A category C IMA is non punitive and is imposed in self employed cases to allow the AP extra time to provide the necessary financial evidence.
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  Since April 1993 the Agency has imposed over 166,000 IMAs. I do not have break down by category, but the majority of IMAs will be category A where the liability is normally higher than the FMA.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Hotels (Value Added Tax)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the current relevant levels of VAT levied by hotels in each of the European Union countries in respect of(a) accommodation and (b) food purchase. [1363]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The VAT rates applied in European Union countries to hotel accommodation and meals are shown in the table.

  VAT on hotel accommodation and meals in the EU

  Percentage

  Country

  Hotel accommodation

  Hotel meals

  Austria

  10

  20

  Belgium

  6

  21

  Denmark

  25

  25

  Finland

  6

  22

  France

  5.5

  20.6

  Germany

  15

  15

  Greece

  8

  8

  Ireland

  12.5

  12.5

  Italy1

  10

  10

  Luxembourg

  15

  15

  Netherlands

  6

  17.5

  Portugal2

  5

  12

  Spain

  7

  7

  Sweden

  12

  12

  UK3

  17.5

  17.5

  1 The standard rate of 19 per cent, applies in both instances to luxury hotels.

  2A rate of 4 per cent. applies for hotel accommodation and 10 per cent. for hotel meas in Madeira and the Azores Archipelagoes.

  3A rate of 5 per cent. applies to hotel accommodation in the Isle of Man.

  Customs and Excise (Merger)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish the findings of his review on the feasibility of merging Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue. [1855]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A programme of closer working (but not merger) between Customs and Excise and Inland Revenue resulted from a review under their Fundamental Expenditure Reviews in 1994 of the boundary between the two departments. We intend to develop further this programme in support of Government objectives.

  Interest Rate
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list which of the economic indicators for which his Department receives data he will take into account when assessing interest rate policy. [1872]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]The Chancellor has transferred the operational responsibility for setting interest rates to the Bank of England.
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  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at present levels of economic activity, at what amount interest rates would have to be set to achieve levels of inflation of(a) 2.4 per cent., (b) 2.3 per cent., (c) 2.2 per cent., (d) 2.1 per cent. and (e) 2.0 per cent. by the end of March 1998. [1871]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The mechanisms by which interest rates affect the inflation rate are quantitatively uncertain and may be influenced by unforeseen events reflecting the time lags involved. Therefore it is not possible to be sure about the precise level of interest rates required to hit an exact inflation rate ten months ahead.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his oral statement of 20 May,Official Report, column 508, what are his growth objectives for the British economy for its financial years 1997–98, 1998–99, and 1999–00; and if he will state his employment objectives, (a) numerically and (b) descriptivity, for the same financial years. [1864]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The Government's central economic objectives are high and stable levels of growth and employment. The Government do not intend to set numerical targets for growth and employment.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his oral statement of 20 May,Official Report, column 508, what are the numerical targets of the Government's economic policy for the key indicators to monitor. [1863]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The Chancellor will set out the Government's approach to monetary policy in his Mansion House speech on 12 June. The Government regard price stability as an essential pre-condition for high and stable levels of growth and employment. Sound public finances are also important for lasting economic stability. The Government's fiscal policy will be spelt out in the Budget.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what means he proposes to resolve any incompatibility between the Bank of England's monetary policy objective of price stability and the Government's growth and employment objectives. [1865]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The monetary policy objective of the Bank of England will be to deliver price stability (as defined by the Government's inflation target) and, without prejudice to this objective, to support the Government's economic policy, including their objectives for growth and employment. Price stability is the best way that monetary policy can contribute to achieving high and stable levels of growth and employment in the long run.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his oral statement of 20 May,Official Report, column 509, what is his definition of (a) extreme economic circumstances and (b) a limited period; and if he will make a statement covering both the numerical and descriptive aspects of these matters. [1869]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: Further details will be made available when the draft Bill is introduced into the House.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many advisers employed in his office during his time in opposition are now working with him in the Treasury; what are their names; how old they are; what the terms and conditions are upon which they are now employed; how much salary they are each being paid; if that money is coming from public or private sources; and if he will publish a detailed curriculum vitae for each of the individuals concerned. [1732]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Ed Balls, Charles Whelan, Edward Miliband and Andrew Maugham as paid Special Advisers to HM Treasury.

  The terms and conditions for Special Advisers paid from public funds were agreed by the Prime Minister on 19 May in the attachment to his letter to Cabinet colleagues. A copy is being placed in the Library of the House. No salaries for those employed in the Treasury have yet been agreed.

  It would not be appropriate for me to publish personal information about the individuals concerned, or to comment on their previous private employment arrangements.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the names of the political and special advisers appointed to his Department since the general election. [1626]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Ed Balls, Charles Whelan, Edward Miliband and Andrew Maugham as paid Special Advisers to HM Treasury.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many young people under the age of 25 years have been unemployed for over six months in(a) Great Britain, (b) England, (c) Manchester, (d) Trafford and (e) Wythenshawe and Sale East. [1643]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 2 June 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. Paul Goggins, dated 3 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to reply to your recent question asking how many young people under the age of 25 years have been unemployed for over six months in (a) Great Britain, (b) England, (c) Manchester, (d) Trafford and (e) Wythenshawe and Sale East.
  The ONS produces two measures of unemployment. The first, derived from the quarterly Labour Force Survey, 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 past four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.
  ONS also publishes the monthly claimant count, which is based on the UK administrative system and includes all people claiming unemployment-related benefits at Employment Service offices on the day of the monthly count, who on that day had signed on as

  149
  unemployed and available to do any suitable work. All people who attend an Employment Service office to sign are counted, irrespective of whether they are actually receiving benefit.
  Both measures are described and compared in the ONS booklet How exactly is Unemployment Measured. Please find a copy enclosed with this reply.
  Information on length of time ILO unemployed is generally available from the Labour Force Survey, a quarterly basis down to county, or former county, level. The most recent information available is for autumn 1996. Some information for local authorities is available from the annual LFS Local Area Database (LAD). However, in order to protect confidentiality the database only includes key data items and length of time unemployed is not among them. If it were available the figure for Trafford would be less than the threshold for reliable estimates. No figures less than this threshold can be released. Further information on the Local Area Database is available in the May 1996 edition of Labour Market Trends (pages 239–246) which is available in the House of Commons library. No information about parliamentary constituencies is available from the LFS. The latest available figures are shown in the table below:

  Unadjusted claimant unemployment1

  ILO unemployed2

  Great Britain

  171,572

  246,000

  England

  145,266

  211,000

  Greater Manchester county

  8,089

  13,000

  Trafford LAD3

  413

  n/a

  Wythenshawe and Sale East PCA4

  426

  n/a

  Notes:

  1By duration of six months or more, April 1997.

  2For at least six months (unadjusted, autumn 1996 LFS).

  3Local authority district.

  4Parliamentary constituency area.

  Source:

  ONS.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to revise the method of calculating the unemployment statistics. [1092]

  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 exercise was 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.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people aged 18 to 24 years who had been unemployed for more than six months found jobs in each of the past five years; how many people in that age group became unemployed for more than six months in each of the past five years; and how many such people on average were unemployed for more than six months in each of the past five years, [1631]

  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.
  150
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Willetts, dated 3 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on unemployment of those aged 18 to 24 years.
  Please note that information on the destination of leavers from the claimant count is only available since January 1995, therefore this information has only been provided for the last two years. Also, this information only includes those claims that were terminated with a known destination. Approximately 25 per cent. of all terminated claims have an unknown destination.
  The results are shown in the attached tables.

  Number of people aged 18–24 years who had been claimant unemployed for more than six months, who left because they had found work, 1995–96, Great Britain

  Year

  Number of people (thousands)

  1995

  163.5

  1996

  152.2

  Source:

  JUVOS leaving marker file.

  Number of people aged 18–24 years crossing the six month duration threshold, 1992–96, Great Britain

  Year

  Number of people (thousands)

  1992

  479.8

  1993

  472.8

  1994

  402.1

  1995

  362.6

  1996

  327.4

  Source:

  JUVOS Cohort (April 1997).

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many persons aged 18 to 24 years are currently seeking and available for work; [1649]

  (2) how many persons aged 18 to 24 years who are currently registered unemployed have never been employed; [1651]

  (3) how many persons aged 18 to 24 years are currently registered unemployed; [1647]

  (4) how many persons aged 18 to 24 years who are seeking work are also undertaking part or full-time study. [1650]

  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. James Paice, dated 3 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your four recent questions (1647, 1649, 1650 and 1651) about 18 to 24 year olds in the labour market asking how many are: (1) registered unemployed,(2) currently seeking and available for work, (3) registered unemployed who have never been employed (4) seeking work and also undertaking part or full-time study.
  The ONS produces two measures of unemployment. The first, derived from the quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS), is defined on an internationally-recognised consistent basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are:

  (a) without a paid job;

  151

  (b) available to start work within the next two weeks and

  (c) have either looked for work in the past four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.

  ONS also publishes the monthly claimant count, which is based on the UK administrative system and includes all people claiming unemployed-related benefits 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. All people who attend an Employment Service office to sign are counted, irrespective of whether they are actually receiving unemployment-related benefits.
  Both measures are described and compared in the ONS booklet How Exactly is Unemployment Measured?, a copy of which is enclosed with this reply. This booklet is also available in the House of Commons Library.
  A total of 421,656 18 to 24 year olds were registered unemployed (claimant unemployed) in the UK in April 1997. This compares with an estimate of 551,000 18–24 year olds ILO unemployed according to the autumn 1996 Labour Force Survey. The group you refer to in your first question "currently seeking and available for work" is broadly the same as the ILO definition of unemployment except that this also includes those who are waiting to start a job they have already obtained.
  No information is available from the claimant count about those registered unemployed who have never been employed. According to the autumn 1996 Labour Force Survey there were an estimated 179,000 18–24 year olds who were ILO unemployed and had never had a paid job. 38,000 of these were in full-time education and therefore not eligible to claim unemployment related benefits.
  An estimated total of 127,000 18–24 year olds not in employment had been seeking work within the past four weeks and undertaking full or part-time study according to the autumn 1996 UK LFS. Of these 95,000 were ILO unemployed (ie seeking and available to start work within the next two weeks or waiting to start a job already obtained). The rest are categorised as economically inactive because they were not available to start work within two weeks. 79,000 out of the above total of 127,000 said that they were looking for part-time work. It may be assumed that many of these would be planning to combine their studies with part-time work, although they cannot be separately identified.

  Advanced Corporation Tax
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for meetings with representatives of the Association of Consulting Actuaries about the impact of any changes in advanced corporation tax on pension funds and charities; and if he will make a statement. [1561]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: I have no plans to meet representatives of the Association of Consulting Actuaries.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the reasons for transferring departmental management from the Bank of England to the Treasury; and if he will make a statement illustrating the operational implications and benefits arising from this change. [1874]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The Chancellor's statement granting the Bank of England operational responsibility for setting interest rates means that it is important to separate full policy responsibility for the Government's debt and cash management from monetary policy. The separation is intended to ensure that debt and cash management decisions are taken in such a way as to minimise the cost of financing the Government's borrowing needs subject to risk and are not
  152
  influenced by short-term monetary policy considerations (and vice versa). The Treasury and the Bank are now engaged in working out the operational details of the transfer.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which other European Community Governments make use of advances from their central banks similar to the ways and means advances to Her Majesty's Government from the Bank of England. [1525]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No other Government of member states of the European Community operate an overdraft facility with their central bank similar to Ways and Means advances.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the manner in which ways and means advances from the Bank of England to the Government operate. [1531]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Government borrowing operations are conducted through the National Loans Fund. If the Fund is in surplus, the surplus is deposited with the Banking Department of the Bank of England. If the Fund is in deficit, the deficit is met by borrowing, known as ways and means borrowing, from the Bank's Issue Department. These arrangements enable any differences between the Fund's daily outgoings and its receipts to be offset without formality by changes in the deposit balance or ways and means borrowing.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors will be taken into account by the Court of the Bank of England when it reviews the performance of its Monetary Policy Committee; and if he will make a statement. [1867]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: In reviewing the performance of the MPC in meeting its monetary policy objective of price stability, the Court will have particular regard to whether the Bank is collecting proper regional and sectoral information. The Court itself is to be reformed to ensure that it is representative of the whole of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the voting decisions of each member of his new monetary policy committee when actions are taken to achieve the Government's inflation target. [1866]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The Monetary Policy Committee meetings will be minuted, and the minutes, including a record of the votes, will be released no later than six weeks after the meeting.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce the name of the new Deputy Governor of the Bank of England. [1489]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I will make an announcement in due course.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he defines as short-term gain in terms of the length of time an asset has been held for the purposes of capital gains tax. [1851]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The capital gains tax system does not define short-term gains.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to become a signatory to the stability pact as part of the preparation for a single currency. [300]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The principles and main elements of the stability and growth pact were agreed by Heads of State and Government at the European Council in Dublin last year. The informal Council of Finance Ministers at Noordjwijk in April gave political agreement to the texts, which have been sent to the European Parliament. The UK has maintained a Parliamentary scrutiny reserve on the stability pact proposals. The intention is that the European Council will endorse the stability pact texts at its meeting in Amsterdam on 16 June, including any amendments since the Noordjwijk ECOFIN, and taking account of the European Parliament's views.

  Departmental Computer Systems
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1253]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My department has work in progress to identify and test its computer systems to ensure that they will operate correctly at the turn of the century. This work is currently within the model timetable set down by CCTA.

  Retail Prices Index
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if domestic holidays are included under other recreations in the retail prices index; and if he will publish separate figures for the increase in the price of domestic holidays. [1444]

  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. Austin Mitchell, dated 3 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on the inclusion of domestic holidays in the Retail Prices Index.
  A price index for domestic holidays has been included in the Retail Prices Index since February 1994 under the published heading of United Kingdom holidays. This was on the recommendation of the 1992 Retail Prices Index Advisory Committee. These figures are given in Table 2 of the monthly Business Monitor MM23—Retail Prices Index a copy of which is in the House of Commons library.

  2001 Census
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy that the 2001 Census includes questions relating to levels of income, poverty and wealth. [1543]

  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.
  154
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mrs. Ann Clwyd, dated 2 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent Parliamentary question concerning questions about levels of income, poverty and wealth in the 2001 Census.
  The Census Offices have been consulting users about the need for questions in the 2001 Census, and a number of new questions are being trialled in the 1997 Census Test which will be held in June. The Test questionnaire includes questions which would provide statistics related to poverty and wealth. In particular, the Test will include a question about banded individual gross income.
  The Government will publish their proposals for questions to be included in the Census in a White Paper in mid-1998. These proposals will be based on users' substantial requirements for information, and on evidence gathered in the 1997 Census Test on the public's reaction to the possible questions. The White Paper will invite comment.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what policy objectives underlie the Government's purpose in raising nominal and real exchange rates; and if he will estimate by how much the public sector borrowing requirement increased as a result of the increase in nominal and real exchange rates since 1995. [1528]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government do not have a policy of raising nominal or real exchange rates. The Government want a stable and competitive pound over the medium term, consistent with their objective of price stability. It is impossible to estimate the effects on the PSBR of the exchange rate appreciation since 1995, which will depend on the extent to which a higher exchange rate has affected the level and composition of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of rises in exchange rates on output and employment in(a) manufacturing industry and (b) the rest of the economy since 1994. [1558]

  Mrs. Liddell
  There are many factors, in addition to changes in the exchange rate, which can affect output and employment in manufacturing industry and the rest of the economy; and it is difficult to isolate their separate effects. However, the Government are aware that the recent appreciation of sterling is making life difficult for manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the trade-weighted change in the value of (i) sterling, (ii) the dollar, (iii) the D-mark and (iv) the yen since 1985; and if he will indicate to the latest available date the corresponding changes in(a) the unit cost of labour, (b) producer prices and (c) consumer prices. [1564]

  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. Austin Mitchell, dated 3 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on the change in the value of Sterling, the US Dollar, the Deutschemark and the Japanese Yen since 1985; and also about Unit Labour Costs, Producer Prices and Retail Prices.

  155
  The information you have requested about exchange rates is published by the Bank of England in Table 26 of their publication Bank of England: Monetary and Financial Statistics. More historic data can be obtained from the publication Bank of England: Statistical Abstract.
  The information you have requested about Unit Labour Costs is published by the ONS in table 4.1 of Economic Trends. More historic data can be obtained from the Annual Supplement to Economic Trends.
  Producer Prices are also published by the ONS—in table 3.1 of Economic Trends. More historic data can be obtained from the same Annual Supplement referred to above. Information on Retail Prices going back to 1985 is available from table 11 of the ONS Business Monitor MM23—Retail Prices Index.

  Copies of all these publications are available in the House of Commons Library.

  The data published by the ONS is also available from the ONS Database. This can be accessed via the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the effect of the appreciation in the nominal value of the pound between the fourth quarter of 1994 and the second quarter of 1997 on the rate of inflation, manufacturing output and employment. [1550]

  Mrs. Liddell
  There are many factors, in addition to changes in the nominal value of sterling, which can affect the rate of inflation, manufacturing output and employment; and it is difficult to isolate the separate effects. However, the Government are aware that the recent appreciation of sterling is making life difficult for manufacturing industry.

  Audio-visual Goods (Prices)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what percentage the retail price of audio-visual goods has fallen since January 1987; and what has been the market share of British industry in the supply of such goods in the United Kingdom. [1557]

  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. Austin Mitchell, dated 3 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent questions on the fall in the retail price of audio-visual goods since January 1987 and the market share of British industry for such goods in the United Kingdom.
  The fall in the retail price of audio-visual equipment since January 1987 can be calculated from the ONS database which may be accessed by the House of Commons library.
  The market share of British industry in the supply of audio-visual equipment in the United Kingdom is shown in the table below:

  Year

  Percentage of British market share

  1990

  30

  1991

  15

  1992

  10

  156

  Year

  Percentage of British market share

  1993

  20

  1994

  21

  1995

  115

  1Provisional.

  Property Costs
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much(a) house prices and (b) the cost of dwelling insurance and ground rent, as measured by the retail prices index, have risen since January 1992; and if he will provide separate figures for dwelling insurance and ground rent. [1529]

  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. Austin Mitchell, dated 3 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on how much (a) house prices and (b) the cost of dwelling insurance and ground rent, as measured by the retail price index, have risen since January 1992; and if separate figures for dwelling insurance and ground rent will be provided.
  House prices are not published in the retail price index and are obtainable from the Department of the Environment.
  Between January 1992 and April 1997 the cost of dwelling insurance and ground rent as measured by the retail price index has fallen by 2.5 per cent. Separate information for the specified categories is not published.
  There are no plans to provide separate figures for dwelling insurance and ground rent.

  Manufactures
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list on the basis of July to December 1973 = 100, the United Kingdom terms of trade for finished manufactures together with(a) the volume of imports and exports of finished manufactures and (b) the surplus/deficit on trade in manufactures at 1992 prices. [1539]

  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. Austin Mitchell, dated 3 June 1997:

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question concerning UK trade in manufactured goods.

  The information is not available at 1973 or 1992 prices. However, volumes and information from which terms of trade may be calculated are available, using 1990 as the base year, from the ONS database which may be accessed by the House of Commons Library. Balances of trade in manufactures at current prices are available from the same source.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss matters relating to BCCI. [1488]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Governor and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor meet from time to time to discuss a range of matters.

  Air Passenger Duty
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to expand the number of domestic air services to islands in Scotland exempt from air passenger duty. [1285]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Decisions on the types of aircraft used for flights to the Scottish islands which affect whether air passenger duty is charged, are purely commercial decisions for the airline operators.

  Social Model (Disability)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [1685]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Our manifesto commits us to establishing "comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people against discrimination in society or work, developed in partnership with all interested parties". The Government will be consulting widely and developing proposals in partnership with disability organisations, employers, employers organisations, trade unions and others. It is not appropriate for me to pre-empt the outcome of that consultation.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
  ENVIRONMENT AND THE REGIONS

    Global Warming
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has evaluated into the rise in global temperatures in the current year relative to the 1951 to 1980 average. [453]

    Mr. Meacher
    Monitoring by the Hadley Centre, supported by my Department, shows that in the first three months of 1997, global surface temperatures were 0.4 degrees Celsius above the 1951 to 1980 average.

    Regional Development Agencies
    Mr. Rhodri Morgan
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he proposes to publish proposals to set up English regional development agencies. [454]

    Mr. Caborn
    We plan to bring forward legislation in the Autumn.

    Departmental Responsibilities (Scotland)
    Mr. Dalyell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responsibilities he has in Scotland. [455]

    Mr. Prescott
    My responsibilities are in the main for England. However, I do have a number of responsibilities in Scotland, particularly for transport matters. I have placed further details in the Library of the House.

    Pollution
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what actions he plans to take to reduce pollution from low-level ozone. [458]

    Mr. Meacher
    Ground-level ozone is a serious air pollutant and the Government are committed to eliminating episodes which may damage people's health. The control of ozone levels requires international action and the Government are playing a full and active part in developing ozone reduction strategies in Europe.

    Environmental Improvements (West Cumbria)
    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for schemes of environmental improvement in West Cumbria. [459]

    Ms Angela Eagle
    Environmental improvements are an important feature in all initiatives supported by the Departments of the Environment and Transport.

    Area Cost Adjustment
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the area cost adjustment element of the local government SSA formula. [460]

    Ms Armstrong
    We have commissioned research on the area cost adjustment in consultation with the Local Government Association.

    Oxfordshire County Council
    Mr. Baldry
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the request by Oxfordshire county council to be designated to operate at a level above cap. [462]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Oxfordshire County Council was designated for capping on 22 May. The proposed cap requires the authority to reduce its budget requirement by £6 million.

    Housing (Chester)
    Ms Christine Russell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what impact the Government's proposals to phase release of capital receipts will have on the availability of affordable housing units in City of Chester. [463]

    Ms Armstrong
    We will ensure that resources released under the Capital Receipts Initiative are made available to local authorities to use in support of priority schemes which meet key objectives. We will be considering and consulting on objectives and the distribution of additional
    159
    spending over the coming weeks. It will be for local authorities to decide how to use any resources within the general objectives set.

    Water Disconnections
    Helen Jackson
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy towards water disconnections to domestic properties. [464]

    Mr. Prescott
    At the "Water Summit" on 19 May, we announced the Government's intention to review the system of charging for water. That review will include the water companies' debt recovery arrangements, including disconnection.

    Derelict Land
    Mrs. Clwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a central register of derelict land. [465]

    Ms Angela Eagle
    A survey of derelict land in England was carried out in 1993 and published in 1995. My Department is currently exploring the possibility of establishing a national land use information system, which would include information on derelict land.

    Poverty
    Mr. MacShane
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to reduce poverty in the English regions. [466]

    Mr. Caborn
    Reducing poverty across the nation is one of the Government's key policy objectives. Our policies for the regions are aimed at tackling the root causes of deprivation and promoting economic growth. New regional development agencies will provide the means of securing effective, properly co-ordinated action at the regional and sub-regional level, to underpin our wider economic and social agenda.

    Air Pollution
    Mr. Butterfill
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take to reduce air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels. [467]

    Mr. Meacher
    The Government are committed to tackling global warming, acid rain and ambient air pollution by reducing emissions from the burning of fossils fuels. We are examining options for policies and measurers, their costs and other consequences, which will enable us to meet our challenging manifesto commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. Strategies to achieve these goals will include the development of an integrated transport system, and the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

    In this context the Government are considering carefully the proposals in the European Commission's draft Acidification strategy for strict new targets for emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and ammonia and those in the proposed Auto Oil Directives for proposed fuel and vehicle standards.
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    Housebuilding
    Mr. Mackinlay
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to expand housebuilding. [468]

    Ms Armstrong
    The Government's Capital Receipts initiative will support the 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.

    Capital Receipts
    Mr. Chope
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's policy in respect of the control of the capital receipts by debt-free local authorities. [469]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Debt-free local authorities have the freedom to reinvest capital receipts from the sale of their assets, according to their own priorities.

    Opencast Mining
    Mr. Gunnell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to carry out a review of MPG3; and what plans he has to enhance the role of local communities in the granting of permission for opencasting. [470]

    Mr. Caborn
    I refer my hon. Friend to the response I gave in an Adjournment Debate on this issue on Monday 19 May,Official Report, columns 483–88. I have asked my officials to prepare urgently a plan of action to review the present stance of MPG3 on opencast coal.

    Mr. Stunell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral statement by the Minister of state on 19 May,Official Report, column 488, if he will set out the timetable for the departmental plan of action relating to opencast coal mining; and how he plans to deal with planning appeals currently outstanding. [1211]

    Mr. Raynsford
    My officials are currently preparing a plan of action as a matter of urgency. Any outstanding appeals will be determined in accordance with the development plan for the area unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

    Household Waste
    Mr. Pickthall
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will undertake discussions with Lancashire county council about proposals to tip household waste in Round "O" Quarry, West Lancashire. [471]

    Mr. Meacher
    It would not be appropriate for me to discuss the plans for Round "O" Quarry with Lancashire County Council at this stage. Proposals relating to the quarry are contained within the draft Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, which will be the subject of a public inquiry next year. The inquiry will provide objectors and supporters with an opportunity to put their views to the Inspector.
    161

    Household Growth
    Mrs. Ann Winterton
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on trends in household growth. [472]

    Mr. Raynsford
    The latest household projections for England were published in March 1995. The projections showed an increase of 4.4 million households from 1991 to 2016. Since these projections were published they have been subjected to considerable public scrutiny and are generally regarded as the best assessment that can be made with the currently available information. We are currently considering the responses to last November's Green Paper on the implications of the latest figures.

    London Government
    Mr. Timms
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timetable for the introduction of a strategic authority and mayor in London. [473]

    Mr. Prescott
    Subject to a referendum and the necessary legislation being enacted by Parliament, I expect that the new mayor and authority will be elected in May 2000.

    Mr. Simon Hughes
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to set up, support and fund an all party organisation to campaign in favour of a yes vote in respect of a referendum on proposals to set up a strategic authority for London; and if he will make a statement. [1498]

    Mr. Raynsford
    None. We are intending to issue a consultations paper on the establishment of a directly elected mayor and strategic authority in London by the end of July. We will subsequently introduce legislation to make provision for a referendum in London on this matter and subject to parliamentary approval it is our intention to hold the referendum in May 1998.

    Departmental Appointments
    Mr. Heseltine
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many appointments to his Department he has approved since 2 May; and if he will list them, setting out their responsibilities and stating their remuneration. [1091]

    Sir George Young
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the number of political appointments made in the departments for which he is accountable. [1502]

    Mr. Denzil Davies
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the names of the political and special advisers who have been appointed to his Department since the General Election. [1745]

    Mr. Prescott
    With the Prime Minister's approval, we have appointed 2 Special Advisers, Joe Irvin acts as my Special Adviser and Kate Davies acts as Special Adviser to the Minister for Transport.

    Salaries for the Special Advisers are being negotiated individually in relation to their previous earnings, within a pay range which is presently £24,349 rising to £73,484.
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    Progression up the range will be entirely performance related. Pension contributions are also paid in addition to salary.

    David Taylor, who is on temporary leave of absence from Lancashire Enterprises plc, is acting as an unpaid Special Adviser for a limited period.

    Housing Stock Transfers
    Mr. Nigel Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to issue advice to local authorities that are in the process of considering the large scale voluntary transfer of their housing stock, pending the Government's review of the law; and if he will make a statement; [1270]

    (2) what plans he has to review the law regarding the large scale voluntary transfer of housing stock; and if he will make a statement. [1271]

    Mr. Raynsford
    We are reviewing the policy on housing stock transfers. We are aiming to issue revised procedural guidance for housing transfers in the near future. My officials provide advice and guidance on housing transfers through their regular contact with local authorities.

    Departmental Computer Systems
    Mr. Nigel Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1250]

    Mr. Prescott
    DOE, DOT and their Executive Agencies have projects underway to tackle the problem. Both departments are undertaking system audits and holding discussions with product and service providers to analyse the problem in detail in order to produce costed plans by October 1997. The audits of many major systems are complete and some corrective work has been done. In some cases systems are being replaced with compliant ones before 2000.

    Household Projections
    Mr. Cousins
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department's housing statistics division will have prepared household projections for 1996 and 1997 for local authority areas in Tyne and Wear on the same basis as the OPCS household projections; and if he will publish both sets of figures. [1330]

    Mr. Raynsford
    OPCS (now the Office for National Statistics) does not produce household estimates and projections which are the responsibility of my Department. These estimates and projections are, however, based, inter alia, on Office for National Statistics population estimates and projections. The latest household projections for mid-1996 for the five metropolitan districts of Tyne and Wear were published in March 1995 in "Projections of Households in England to 2016", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. These were compiled from the OPCS 1992-based sub-national population projections. Household projections were not produced for 1997. Planning has started for the next set of household projections, which
    163
    will be based on 1996 sub-national population projections that the Office for National Statistics expects to complete in late 1998. The associated 1996-based household projections should be available a few months afterwards.

    The Department also produces annual estimates of the number of households by local authority area. The latest estimates are for 1995 and the details for the Tyne and Wear area are as follows:

    Number

    Gateshead

    86,000

    Newcastle upon Tyne

    121,000

    North Tyneside

    84,000

    South Tyneside

    66,000

    Sunderland

    120,000

    Mr. Cousins
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive the results of the research and reviews of the robustness of future household projections; and if he intends to make those results available to the House. [1342]

    Mr. Raynsford
    The most recent household projections have been subject to considerable public scrutiny since their publication in March 1995, in particular by the Environment Select Committee in evidence for its report on Housing Need in 1996. Whilst generally endorsing the projections, the Committee recommended that the Department continues to examine the extent to which household formation is affected by economic and social factors. This is currently being addressed by the Department of Applied Economics, Cambridge University, as part of a wider research project for the Department on the modelling of the need for social housing. The project has been extended beyond its original completion date and should now be finalised by the Autumn.

    Last year, the Department also commissioned Heriot-Watt University to undertake a detailed literature review on household formation, with particular emphasis on evaluating the available evidence on the extent to which economic factors affect the propensity for new households to form. This work has recently been completed, and I expect to see the results shortly.

    As is the usual practice with external research commissioned by the Department, I would expect reports to be published as soon as practicable.

    Mr. Cousins
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has evaluated into the impact of international passenger survey statistics, and large student populations, on household projections; and what conclusions he has reached. [1340]

    Mr. Raynsford
    My Department has undertaken no research as such on the impact of the International Passenger Survey statistics on the household projections. Projections of the future pattern of migration between England and the rest of the world are the responsibility of the Government Actuary's Department (GAD). In collaboration with other departments, GAD undertook a thorough review in 1992 of the methods used to set international migration assumptions. This led to a new methodology which was used for the first time in the 164
    preparation of the 1991-based national population projections. As with previous projections, the assumed level of migration over the projection period takes into account information from a run of previous years in order to even out the fluctuations from year to year. The robustness of sources of information on migration, including the International Passenger Survey, is kept under regular review by the Office for National Statistics.

    We are currently investigating the effects of large student populations on the household projections. However, any proposals for revisions to the methodology for handling students in the underlying sub-national population projections will need to be discussed with the Office for National Statistics before they can be implemented.

    Departmental Merger
    Sir George Young
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what savings he will make by merging the Department of Transport and the Department of Environment. [1501]

    Mr. Prescott
    I have been appointed Secretary of State to the two Departments. My priority is to realise the opportunities which will arise in areas of overlapping responsibilities. If organisational changes are necessary to maximise these benefits I will consider them, but they are not my starting point.

    Government Offices
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to alter the structure of the Government Offices for the regions. [1813]

    Mr. Caborn
    My right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment share with this Department responsibility for the Government Offices in the English regions. The network of Offices has an important part to play in advancing and implementing our policies, and we have no plans to change its structure.

    Standard Spending Assessments
    Mr. Curry
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review SSAs. [456]

    Ms Armstrong
    We are reviewing SSAs in consultation with the Local Government Association.

  TRANSPORT

    Gospel Oak to Barking Line
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on service levels on the Gospel Oak to Barking line. [485]

    Dr. Strang
    Key services for the Gospel Oak to Barking line have been specified in the passenger service requirement for North London Railways, the operator of services on the branch.
    165
    Mr. Gerrard
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received regarding services on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line. [482]

    Dr. Strang
    I have received no representations regarding these services.

    A34
    Mr. Baldry
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages of resurfacing of the A34 between Wendlebury and Peartree roundabout. [486]

    Dr. Strang
    I am advised that the surface of the A34 between Wendlebury and Peartree roundabout remains in good condition.

    Leeds Supertram
    Mr. Gunnell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department will review the contribution from public funds towards the Leeds supertram scheme. [487]

    Mr. Prescott
    I shall consider carefully any application West Yorkshire passenger transport authority makes for support for funding for Leeds supertram.

    Manchester Airport
    Mr. Nicholas Winterton
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the expansion of Manchester airport. [488]

    Mr. Prescott
    The Government believe that the expansion of regional airports such as Manchester can make an important contribution to regional development and employment, but the environmental impact of particular proposals must be carefully weighed against their benefits.

    Cycling
    Mr. MacShane
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to encourage cycling in urban areas. [489]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    We will support the objectives of the National Cycling Strategy and the aim of a fourfold increase in cycling by 2012, as part of an integrated transport policy.

    We shall be encouraging local authorities and others to improve conditions for cycling, particularly on urban roads. This will be done through the publication of information on good practice and through dialogue with the providers. We intend to play a full part in the National Cycling Forum, which has been set up to co-ordinate delivery of the strategy.

    London Underground
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he plans to encourage greater private sector investment in London Underground. [490]
    166
    Ms Glenda Jackson
    We are developing a new public/private partnership to improve the London Underground, safeguard its commitment to the public interest and guarantee value for money to taxpayers and passengers. To this end my hon. Friend the Paymaster General is currently carrying out an urgent review of the Private Finance Initiative to see how it can be made to work better.

    Rail Regulator
    Mr. Mitchell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has for meeting the Rail Regulator to discuss penalties for non-delivery of services. [491]

    Mr. Gerald Howarth
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the powers of the Rail Regulator. [496]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    I have already met the Rail Regulator and made clear our view that the regulation of the rail industry, and the sanctions available to the regulator and the Franchising Director, need to be strengthened.

    We are conducting a thorough review of rail regulation to identify exactly what improvements need to be made.

    Transport Infrastructure Development
    Mr. Timms
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are his priorities for transport infrastructure development within the Thames Gateway region. [492]

    Mr. Prescott
    Our manifesto for London "Because London Deserves Better", recognised the need for modern transport links to enhance accessibility and support regeneration within the Thames Gateway; we are currently studying options and priorities.

    London Transport Policy
    Ms Abbott
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to visit Dalston Kingsland station to discuss a London transport policy. [493]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions nor I have arranged to visit Dalston Kingsland station to discuss a London transport policy, but I should be willing to consider such an invitation.

    Extended Franchises
    Mr. Skinner
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to refuse the applications by Stagecoach and others for extended franchises. [494]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Franchising Director has no powers under the Railways Act 1993 to extend franchises unless provision was made for this in the original franchise agreement or he is directed by the Secretary of State. There is no such provision in the South West Trains franchise agreement, and there are no plans to direct the Franchising Director to extend this or any other franchise.
    167

    Rail Electrification
    Mr. Gareth Thomas
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has for expediting electrification and improvement of the railway between Holyhead and London along the north Wales coast. [495]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Government have no plans for the electrification of the Crewe to Holyhead line but Railtrack are also taking forward a strategy for improvements on the Crewe to Bangor section of the North Wales Coast line which will increase line speeds to 100 mph and are progressing the modernisation and upgrade of the West Coast Main Line, which the North Wales line links into at Crewe.

    Roads Programme
    Mr. Lansley
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the roads programme. [497]

    Dr. Strang
    We intend to discharge our manifesto commitment to carry out a strategic review of the trunk roads programme.

    A36
    Mr. Colvin
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for improving the A36 road through West Wellow. [498]

    Dr. Strang
    The second phase of a traffic calming scheme on the A36 at West Wellow will be completed this year. Design work for a third phase to provide a roundabout at Whinwhistle road is under way.

    Channel Tunnel (Safety)
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what action the channel tunnel safety authority proposes to take against Eurotunnel following the publication of its investigation into the channel tunnel fire; [8]

    (2) what action the channel tunnel safety authority proposes to take to ensure that Eurotunnel carry out the recommendations in the report into the channel tunnel fire; and what sanctions are available to the Authority in the event of Eurotunnel failing to carry out recommendations; [58]

    (3) what time scale has been given by the channel tunnel safety authority to Eurotunnel for implementing each of the recommendations in its report into the channel tunnel fire. [57]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The channel tunnel safety authority made it clear in its report into the channel tunnel fire that it expected its recommendations to be taken into account at the highest level within Eurotunnel. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made the same point when he discussed the report with the company's Co-Chairmen. The majority of the recommendations were implemented before approval was given to the restart of HGV services and, as a pre-condition to that approval, the Intergovernmental Commission required Eurotunnel to provide a timetable, satisfactory to the safety authority, for the implementation of the remaining 168
    recommendations. The safety authority will continue to monitor implementation through the action of its specialist working groups, appointed safety inspectors and at its regular meetings with Eurotunnel.

    The Intergovernmental Commission has wide supervisory functions under the Treaty of Canterbury to issue directions to Eurotunnel to comply with recommendations from the safety authority.

    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent to which Eurotunnel is fulfilling its safety obligations in relation to the operation of(a) the Shuttle and (b) Eurostar services. [6]

    Ms Jackson
    Eurotunnel are required to comply with national and international laws including those relating to safe operation. It is their responsibility to ensure compliance or they face possible prosecution by national authorities or action by the intergovernmental commission on behalf of both Governments.

    Eurotunnel's organisation includes a health safety and quality directorate whose work includes internal audit to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

    The Governments have also appointed the channel tunnel safety authority to advise and assist the intergovernmental commission on all matters affecting safety in the construction and operation of the fixed link.

    The safety authority monitors Eurotunnel's shuttle operations and Eurostar services throughout the channel tunnel from detailed incidents reports and regular operational reports from Eurotunnel; from regular reports of inspections from safety authority appointed inspectors; from examination of detailed reports from its specialist working groups on investigations into incidents; from reports on the outcome of safety exercises; and through regular meetings with Eurotunnel.

    Road Repairs
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the regions if he will place in the Library a list of the roads his Department assesses to be most in need of repair. [1]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Highways Agency prepares an annual programme of capital maintenance works on sections of Trunk Roads, intended to be the most cost effective way of maintaining the Trunk Road network as a whole. At the moment, the Highways Agency plans major roads capital maintenance projects for 1997–98 ont eh following sections of roads:

    M1: J25–J26

    M5: J14–J15

    M5/M6: Ray Hall interchange

    M6: J14–J15

    M23: J8–J9

    M25: J23–24

    M27: J8–J10

    M42: J3–3A

    M42: J7A-J8

    M53: J9–J10

    M62: J11–J12

    A249: Westminster-Sheerness

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    This is in addition to capital maintenance carried out by DBFO operators. Comparable information for local roads is not available. These roads are the responsibility of local highway authorities.

    A6(M) (Stockport)
    Mr. Stunell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the revised design for the A6 (M) route in the Stockport Metropolitan Borough area has been completed; and if he will make a statement. [1555]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    We will shortly be taking forward a strategic review of the trunk road programme, and expect that this scheme will be included within that review. It is clear however that as a result of the continuing examination to which individual schemes are subjected that there is a need for modification of this particular scheme. The details of any such changes are still to be considered.

    Vehicle Emissions
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact of reducing the sulphur content of petrol and diesel on vehicle emissions of pollutants. [1879]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Department has not commissioned any research specifically aimed at determining the impact of the sulphur content of fuel on vehicle emissions since a number of studies have been carried out by a range of organisations that already enable assessments to be made. A comprehensive study was carried out by the European automotive and oil industries as an element of the Auto-Oil study undertaken by the European Commission. This has lead to proposals for 170
    tighter fuel quality and vehicle emissions standards to come into effect from the year 2000. The studies show that sulphur can have an adverse effect on vehicle pollutants arising primarily through its detrimental effect on catalyst efficiency. For petrol vehicles fitted with catalytic convertors reductions in CO, HC and NOx can be achieved when using reduced sulphur fuels. For diesel vehicles, reduced sulphur fuel can lead to a reduction in particulate emissions, but the effect is enhanced in vehicles fitted with catalysts by reducing sulphate formation within the catalyst.

    Ferry Subsidies
    Dr. Brand
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the subsidies currently provided by his Department to each of the United Kingdom's island communities in respect of their ferry services. [1769]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions does not currently provide subsidies for ferry services to island communities.

    A359 to A303 (Sparkford)
    Mr. David Heath
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what priority his Department affords the proposed A359 to A303 slip road at Sparkford; and when he expects construction to begin. [1565]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The A359 to A303 westbound slip road and connection is to be progressed as a Regional improvement and part of the Highways Agency's Network Enhancement Programme. It will be subject to the normal statutory procedures, including a public inquiry if there are objections to the draft Orders.

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